Queensland Writers Centre

QWC News

QWC's Bumper Festival Book Raffle

QWC is celebrating Brisbane Writers Festival by having the biggest raffle ever! We have two buckets of books to give away to the lucky raffle prizewinners. With a Speculative Fiction raffle prize worth $355 and a General Fiction raffle prize worth over $1,000, there's something for every booklover. Get your ticket online or come visit us during the festival for your chance to win!

The Australian Writer's Marketplace Industry Masterclass at BWF

When: 10am-3pm, Friday 3 September

Where: Queensland Art Gallery Lecture Theatre

Cost: $100 (includes a FREE copy of the latest edition of The Australian Writers Marketplace 2011/12). Book your tickets available from QTIX (www.qtix.com.au).

Writing is an art, but publishing is a business. This industry seminar will introduce you to agents, publishers and writers and take you on a journey from manuscript development to published author promotion. This seminar is for emerging writers and those who are just plain curious about books and publishing. Meet top industry professionals including publishers and agents, and walk away with tools and insider knowledge to help you navigate a pathway in the marketplace. This Masterclass will be a part of Brisbane Writers Festival 1-5 September. Tickets can be purchased via www.bwf.org.au.

Introduction to Creative Writing Online with Beth Flatley

When: 6 September - 17 October

Cost: $130 for a six-week course

Clear a few hours a week in your schedule to sit down and discover the art of creative writing. This practice-based series of online activities and resources is the perfect introduction for people wanting to get started on their writing journey. For more information about our online learning centre visit www.awmonlinelearn.com.au. To book, click here: http://awmonlinelearn.com.au/course/category.php?id=2.

Pitching to Publishers Online with Sally Collings

When: 1-28 September

Cost: $150 for a four-week course

You've written your manuscript (or the beginnings of one), now you need a publisher. This course will show you how to push all the right buttons to attract a publisher's eye. Discover what commissioning editors love and what they loathe, in a range of genres (non-fiction, fiction, children's). From writing a captivating synopsis to deciding where to send it, participants will work through all facets of the proposal process. For more information about our online learning centre, visit www.awmonlinelearn.com.au. To book, click here: http://awmonlinelearn.com.au/course/category.php?id=7.

To book into an online learning centre course, simply:

1. click on the name of the course

2. follow the prompts to create a new account, including using the email confirmation link

3. then you'll be taken to a screen where you can purchase a place on the course using PayPal.

Writing Your Life with Patti Miller

When: 10am-4.30pm, Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 September

Where: Rockhampton workshop

Booking deadline: Friday 3 September

Cost: QWC members $160
Concession members $140
Non-members $220
A memoir is a powerful way to share your own personal story with the world. You may wish to share your extraordinary life with others, or highlight an event that changed your life. Shaping this story into a tale your reader finds memorable and rewarding can be a struggle. But with Patti Miller's help, you'll be enthralling them all. Patti, acclaimed writing teacher, will teach you techniques to help you find your voice, create a narrative from your life, and shape your story with texture and detail.

A Tool Box for Writers with Donna Hanncox

When: 6pm-8pm, Wednesdays September 8, 15, 22 and 29

Where: Brisbane workshop

Cost: QWC members $130
Concession members $115
Non-members $190

This series of workshops explores the ways in which essential ingredients of creative writing can be exploited for their maximum potential. Once you understand how plot, characterisation, dialogue and setting work within a story you can start to write more effectively. Designed as a follow up to QWC's Introduction to Creative Writing #1, this series will help you lay the foundation to produce a greater piece of writing. Perfect for anyone who is about to embark on their first novel!

Editing Romance Without the Heartbreak with Valerie Parv

When: Sunday 19 September

Where: Brisbane masterclass

Cost: QWC members $160
Concession members $150
Non-members $210

Booking deadline: Friday 3 September

Explore the changing face of modern publishing and why your work needs to be publishing-ready when submitted. Valerie Parv (The Art of Romance Writing) will demonstrate her theory of matter versus manner and demystify the elements of editing romance writing such as line and copy editing, and looks at when not to make editorial changes. Learn to bullet-proof your manuscript before you take aim at your chosen market.


QWC Resource Sheets

Want to find a literary agent? See QWC's Resource Sheet on the topic!

Poet-in-Residence News

Emily xyz will be appearing at the Queensland Poetry Festival (www.queenslandpoetryfestival.com) this weekend (27-29 August) and the Brisbane Writers Festival (www.bwf.org.au) next weekend (1-5 September). Visit the websites for times and dates and go and see Emily perform live!


Resident Partners

Queensland Poetry Festival

The 2010 Queensland Poetry Festival spoken in one strange word starts this Friday! With a stellar line-up including Emily xyz, August Kleinzahler, Andrew Tayor, Jon Paul Fiorentino, and many more. Tickets for opening night are available from the Judith Wright Centre. All sessions on Saturday and Sunday are FREE! For more information visit http://www.queenslandpoetryfestival.com/.

Community

Book Launch

Patricia Byers is celebrating the launch of her first book - a picture book entitled One Sheep, Two Sheep, which teaches littles ones about plurals and collective nouns. She will be signing copies next weekend.

When: 11am-1pm, 4 September

Where: Angus and Robertson, Westfield Garden City, Upper Mount Gravatt

Tropical Writers Festival
When: 15-17 October 2010
Where: Shangri-La Hotel, Pier Market Place, Pier Point Rd, Cairns

Workshops
15 October: Young Writers Program - Fantasy with Sylvia Kelso

16 October: Visiting authors James Phelan (thriller), Barbara Hannay (romance) and Sylvia Kelso (fantasy) deliver workshops along with local playwright Angela Murphy. These visiting author workshops cover aspects of popular fiction rarely presented in the Far North. Detailed information available on www.tropicalwritersfestival.com.

Free Arena Program

Two days of exciting, innovative presentations designed to appeal to readers, writers and those who just want to listen. Presentations by regional writers and industry professionals will range from the Biggest Book Club to Cyber skilling and setting poetry to music.

Literary Dinner

16 October with celebrity author Gretel Killeen as guest speaker.

For more information contact Diane Finlay at findpublishing@hotmail.com. All bookings via Ticket Link on 1300 855 835 or online at www.ticketlink.com.au.

Free Membership with Express Media

Express Media provides support and development opportunities for young Australians in writing and media. If you are a writer under the age of 25, sign up for Express Media's free membership. It takes about one minute to become a member on their website. Sign up now: www.expressmedia.org.au/index.php/about/become-a-member/.

Are You Made of the Write Stuff?

The Crop needs the help of local writers and visual artists in launching a new and exciting quarterly publication of the same name!

When: 6pm, Tuesday 31 August

Where: Judith Wright Centre, Valley
A steering committee will be elected to see this exciting project to fruition. For more information phone convenor John Orr on 0432 850 770.

Paper Cuts Collective: Mini Zine Fair

The Paper Cuts Collective are both zine lovers and creators. They're focused on sharing their love of zines with the world - one little folded, stapled/hand bound number at a time. The first zine fair will be held in Brisbane.

When: 5pm, Friday 3 September

Where: Bleeding Heart Gallery, 610 Ann St, Brisbane
They are currently accepting bookings for tables so that you can sell your wares at the fair. Tables cost $10. To book, contact 0404 805 269 or email contact.staples@gmail.com. For further information, visit the website: http://papercutscollective.tumblr.com/.

Opportunity

JUMP Applications Open on Monday

Are you a creative, young Australian on the cusp of a great artistic career? You've got the talent, the vision and the drive it's going to take - but do you have the professional skill set, one on one support and national network to match? JUMP can make sure that you do. JUMP directly supports the career development of artists aged 18-30 and in their first five years of professional practice, by facilitating mentorships with leading professionals in their chosen artform. Applications for the 2011 JUMP program will open 30 August 2010. Visit www.jumpmentoring.com.au for more information.

Creative Sparks Grants

The Creative Sparks Grants and the Lord Mayor's Young and Emerging Artists Fellowships are now open for applications from Brisbane artists and cultural workers. With up to $20,000 for each recipient, these grants provide opportunities for creative projects and professional development.

Brisbane City Council offers you support in getting your application right through a series of grant-writing boot camps in August and September. For more information, dates and how to apply visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/grants. Closing date for applications is 11 October 2010.

How Does a Career in Publishing Sound?

black&write! Indigenous Writing and Editing Project is seeking Indigenous trainee candidates for the kuril dhagun Indigenous Editing Mentorships program located in Brisbane at the State Library of Queensland. This two-year mentorship will train two trainee editors in the craft of manuscript development and the processes of book publishing. Tertiary qualifications, in any field, are required.

Contact black&write! Indigenous Writing and Editing Project to set up an appointment for an interview. Interviews close COB Wednesday, 15 September 2010. Email indigenous.writing@slq.qld.gov.au.

Hatch

Hatch is a KickArts Industry Development Initiative to support the presentation and promotion

of more artists in the KickArts Contemporary Arts 2011 Exhibition Program. Hatch: KickArts Regional Exhibition Series, is open to individual artists and groups from Cardwell in the South to Mount Isa in the West, across Cape York and to the Torres Strait. Entries for the 2011 Hatch program close 5pm Friday 24 September 2010. The application form can be downloaded from www.kickarts.org.au. Contact Sam Creyton, KickArts Curator, at assistantdirector@kickarts.org.au or on 07 4050 9408 with your enquiries.

Advertising
The events listed as classified ads are not organised or hosted by QWC. Please contact the relevant advertiser for further information.

Writing and Yoga Retreat
Byron Bay 6 - 12 October 2010
Join Sarah Armstrong, Alan Close, and Kathryn Riding in a beautiful peaceful setting. Be supported and encouraged in your writing, with one-on-one feedback and guidance as well as daily classes. Come away with lots of writing and confidence in your own writing voice. Beginners and unconfident writers welcome. From $1,780 for accommodation, classes, and all meals. For more info, visit www.sarah-armstrong.com, or call 0414 228 563.

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Queensland Writers Centre is the state's premier writing organisation. Use this site to find information on our workshops, services, tutors and writing resources in your corner of Queensland. You can also become a QWC member, register for workshops and purchase books and services.

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