Spring Edition #257 SEP 2017
Quarterly Bulletin of The Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW Inc.
Meet fellow members at our SAVE THE DATE: FAW Awards Luncheon Awards Lunch at Club York in Saturday TSydney is a great opportunity for membershe to get-together socially for 4 November 2017 lunch, enjoy the guest speaker and applaud this year’s winners of the prestigious FAW Marjorie Barnard Award and Hilarie Lindsay Young STATE COUNCIL MEETING Writers Short Story Competition. All FAW Branch Delegates are invited to join the Executive Committee for The State Committee changed the second biannual State Council Meeting, Saturday 4 November 2017, the date to early November so that the event doesn't clash with branch starting 10:00am at Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts, 280 Pitt St, Sydney. Christmas gatherings so why not This will be immediately followed the same day by our… support this initiative. Come in early to the bi-annual meeting of delegates FAW AWARDS LUNCHEON at the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts at 10am; then stretch your legs York 1 Room, ‘York Events’, Club York SEE MAP with a walk to 99 York Street and (formerly known as ’99 on York’) enjoy the 'fellowship' of meeting 95-99 York Street, Sydney, 11.30 for 12 noon PAGE 4 other FAW members. It is a rewarding day which always Our Special Guest Speaker this year is Marilla North, makes me appreciate being part of a author/editor of Yarn Spinners, about the life and times of author NSW-wide organisation such as ours. Dymphna Cusack, as well as Miles Franklin and Florence James. From year to year I catch up with Cost: $45 per person / Raffle Tickets $1 each. members from branches far and wide. The order form for your Luncheon Ticket and Raffle Tickets is on Order your tickets, bring a friend the back of your Writers Voice mailing sheet. and enjoy this inspirational day. To obtain tickets, please send your order form and cheque to: Maureen Kelly oam, Hon Sec Hon. Treasurer, FAW NSW, Unit 801, Henry Kendall Gardens 150 Maidens Brush Road, WYOMING NSW 2250. Make all cheques payable to ‘Fellowship of Australian Writers’. IN THIS ISSUE… And to help with our finances, please enclose a stamped State Council News: 3 return addressed envelope for your receipt and ticket/s. Branch Reports 5 Poets Voice 12 Images from the 2015 Awards Luncheon… Competition Results 13 Obituaries 14 Book Reviews 16 Roundup 17 Literary Achievements 20 Out & About with Trevar 24 Writing Competitions 25 Branch Meetings and Contacts 26 FAW Members’ Bookshelf 28 FAW NSW Inc. State Council: Biannual Delegates Meetings May and Fellowship November each year. Minutes are mailed to each Branch Secretary. TheNext Executive meeting: Committee Saturday 4 and NOVEMBER Branch Delegates 2017, 10.00am meet the at Sydneyfirst Saturday Mechanics of School of of Australian Arts, 280 Pitt Street, Sydney (immediately prior to the Awards Luncheon at 99 York St.) Writers NSW Inc. General Membership and Subscriptions ABN 59 557 152 715 Membership is open to anyone who has a love for writing—writers, whether amateur or professional—or anyone interested in promoting Australian literature. General correspondence: AFFILIATION FEES – $40 pa Full Membership ($20 U21/Youth Rate)—due by Hon. Secretary, FAW NSW Inc. 31 DECEMBER each year and paid to the Branch Treasurer where a member attends 22 Promontory Way meetings. Cheques/money orders payable to Fellowship of Aust Writers. NORTH ARM COVE NSW 2324 Each Branch sets it own ANNUAL FEE forwarded to FAW State Council for costs involved with printing and mailing Writers Internet:
General Committee Members: Branch Committees and approved by the DSA Assessment Committee. DSA members Colleen Parker – 6583 3997 Thiswill beannual honoured award in recognises the following FAW way: members successful confidentially candidates recommendedwill be presented by theirwith
2 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au State Council News
From the President
Awards Luncheon Guest
exciting awards luncheon will take place on ASaturday November 4 for our FAW end of year get- togethernother at Club York in Sydney, formerly called ‘99 on York’. See front page and the back of your Writers Voice address sheet for booking details. Our guest speaker this year is the wonderful Marilla North, author of a new book on Dymphna Cusack—a wild, talented, eccentric author with many early links to our FAW. Marilla was born in 1945 and educated in Newcastle NSW. She gained Honours in English in the Leaving Marilla North War II novel Southern Steel, which ignited Marilla’s Certificatepassion to commitwhen she her first life read to Cusack’s Dymphna life Cusack’s and work. World Story Award and the Hilarie Lindsay Young Writers Short Marilla completed her MA at Wollongong University Story Competition for Australian School Children. with a dissertation on the Cusack/James best seller Come I hope you enjoy listening to my chosen guest for this in spinner. Her poetry has been published in the press and year. Marilla can tell you about the amazing life of well literary journals and her collection Blue Glass and Turtle known author Dymphna Cusack, an insight into the Eggs was published by Jacaranda Press. incredible life she lived and her association with the FAW, Over the 90s Marilla worked as a freelance journalist along with wonderful slides that will enable us to look and book reviewer. She has taught Australian literature back on decades of a fabulous career. to American students at Boston University and in 2014 Marilla’s book Yarn Spinners is a most fascinating was awarded the Alfred Midgley post graduate fellowship window into the lives of three of Australia’s foremost from the University of Queensland, enabling her to return authors of the mid 20th century: Dymphna Cusack, Miles Franklin and Florence James. The book lifts the lid on the book in the trilogy is Yarn Spinners—A Story in Letters. seamy side of Sydney at the end of World War II when to herI invite trilogy you on to theattend life ourof Dymphna November Cusack. luncheon Her and first American servicemen were over paid, over sexed and enjoy the stories and historical input from the early over here. years of the FAW. Come along, bring a friend, and join Dymphna is the central character and there are many in with the fellowship of our members, wonderful food ups and downs over the years. Dymphna’s books include and a chance to see the winners of our 2017 FAW NSW Come in Spinner, Say No To Death, Jungfrau, Southern Steel, sponsored competitions—the Marjorie Barnard Short The Sun in Exile, Picnic Races, Heatwave in Berlin, Caddie (made into a movie), Chinese Women Speak and many more. Many of her books and scripts have been staged and also performed on radio. Distinguished Service Award Dymphna was a teacher, Honour Roll political activist, actor, scriptwriter and commentator among many Denise Aldridge Ken Challenor Maureen Kelly oam Dr John Sheppard other things. She was born in Carolyn Alfonzetti Jan Dean Lyn Leerson Margot Shugg West Wyalong in 1902 and died in Patricia Allen Beryl Dundas* Pat Lindsay Barbara Snel Sydney in 1981. Gavin Austin Margaret Ekin Helen Luidens* Dorothe Squires-Cooper What a fascinating history to Barbara Aylott Thelma Flower* Vince Morrison Frank Urban delve into over a delicious lunch. Eileen Backhus* Eileen Gray Peter F Pike Linda Visman I have heard Marilla at her special Margaret Barlow Pip Griffin Margaret Robinson* Margaret Wilkinson talks and you are all in for a treat. Marilla is happy to visit your Miriam Bates Mavis Gunter Rina Robinson Margaret Young branch and meet your members Cyril Bentley* Mavis Hayes* Alan Russell* and currently lives in the Blue Meryl Bentley* Margaret Jackson Albert Scott *Deceased Mountains with her husband. Elaine Burton John Jacobs Bridget Sharp Trevar Langlands
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 3 State Council News From the secretary's desk ATTENTION ALL to report I have been busy providing FREE ISBN to members which Gmeans many of you are publishing your work—congratulations! BRANCHES: To speedreat up provision of ISBN, set out below is the information I require: Author's name and address Contact phone number • Date of birth • Publication title • Retail price • ebook, digital, hardback or paperback • Short description of subject matter of book • Target audience • Perfect bound • Publication date If you• have a jpeg of your cover this would also be a great asset. It can• take 6-8 weeks before it appears on a Google Search. It does, however, appear on Bookwire—see this example:
To all Branch Treasurers: When January arrives, please send me the details of payments given to tutors and/or speakers engaged between January and December 2017. No need to wait for the end of your
amounts so that I can renew the GIO Workersfinancial Compensationyear. I need to knowInsurance the at the end of February. Send to: Kay Bakon, Hon. Treasurer FAW NSW Unit 801, Henry Kendall Gardens, 150 Maidens Brush Road, WYOMING NSW 2250
4 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au FAW Branch Reports Blue Mountains FAW workshop on short story writing, to write a memorable, unique and focusing on how each sentence engaging pitch. time of year is when we all must lead naturally to the next with In June we said goodbye to Tfeel the need to get our batteries techniques to help us do this in our Emma Gaulton who has moved to chargedhis and what better way to own writing. She shared ways we Port Macquarie. Emma’s valued inspire the Muse than to get away could ensure that as much as possible contributions to our group and her from the daily grind and spoil each word earned its place in our warm smile will be missed. ourselves with a change of venue, work. Our workshop in July focussed on climate, and in my case a dose of Our annual Literary Competition self-publishing with some members nostalgia by meeting old friends in July rounded out the quarter for contributing their own experiences. and relatives. The UK was at its best us. We had an enjoyable afternoon After this, several members shared a with three weeks of almost perfect sharing a variety of high quality piece of writing they were currently weather and I can't wait to start literary works, sweet treats and even working on or completed. Christiana scribing! sweeter company. The stories and Star gave feedback on a Literary Our ‘poet in residence’ Cynthia poems shared were extremely varied Speed Dating seminar she attended Hallam has released her latest book in both style and theme including at the ASA. It was an opportunity to of poetic gems; New Horizons. Simple family dramas, indigenous history give a three minute pitch to the two language woven to capture everyday and the need to laugh through illness agents and nine publishers present. moments with colour and feeling. A and how that laughter can bring Christiana found it gave her useful pleasant and very comforting read. health and even youth back if only for feedback and was interesting. [See Bookshelf back page—Ed]. a little while, to mention but a few. Winter has been a productive We must record the achievement Artelle Lenthall and successful time for many of our of Loris Hawkins who will be 90 this members. Maureene Fries, Meg Dunn, month and is still creating notable FOREST FAW Colleen Russell and Mary Ann Napper work. It is very satisfying to see that have had successes in short story longevity can produce considered At our meeting in May, Esther competitions. Our poets, Lindsay work based on the panoramic view Osborne gave a presentation on the Hay, Catherine Smith and Beatrice of life that we oldies have. Keep it guidelines for entering competitions. Yell have had achievements and Pam coming Loris! This was a great refresher and John Smith warning to read the conditions of the month in Pittwater Online News. entry carefully before submitting Bayfield’s[Refer to Literary latest novel Achievements was profile p20 of Eastwood/Hills FAW work, as every competition is in this issue for further details]. We different. Christiana Star drew congratulate these members on their Yet another busy quarter for us at from her own experiences to hold great stories and poems. Eastwood/Hills branch, but also a workshop on digital promotion Mary Ann Napper a very productive and exciting and building your writer’s platform. one. With two guest speakers and Christiana stressed the importance of our annual Literary Competition GREAT LAKES FAW we enjoyed learning about and She detailed how to blog, set up a Our branch lost one of its well loved reading a vast array of writing styles, webdefining presence your brandand use and it toreadership. build members on 2nd June. Noelle White, techniques and genres. a mailing list and connect to your aged 91, passed away suddenly, and May was a particularly thrilling social media accounts. Christiana will be sorely missed by all. [See month for me as our guest speaker also touched on goals to achieve after obituary p15—Ed]. Pamela Freeman presented a publication to promote your novel At our June meeting we looked at workshop on Writing For Children, such as using the print media, public my preferred type of writing and she speaking as well as promoting your brought examples from personal was good enough to set and mark an novel/poems online. reading,the use of and flashback discussed in stories.them. We assignment for us. We learned about June 15 was the closing date At our July meeting we again characterisation, age appropriate for submissions to our Forest FAW welcomed well-known local author, dialogue and how it can move the Internal Short Story Competition. Jacqui Winn, who gave, as usual, a text along and coupled with action An external judge presented her wonderfully interesting talk on can make for a 'unputdownable' report and critiques at our meeting Troubleshooting the Story. We had all children's story. We also focused on in August. In June Maureene Fries written stories to use, having been creating an enticing hook to keep held a workshop on What Makes given choices of several different children with increasingly smaller a Good Elevator Pitch. Members openings for a 600 word story. They attention spans turning the pages. were challenged to keep our pitches were… In June, branch favourite Jacqui short and sweet, edit ruthlessly, skip ‘December came like a blow to the Winn presented yet another industry jargon and show our passion back of the head…’ enlightening and challenging cont. next page…
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 5 FAW Branch Reports Great Lakes for us to hold a competition for their encouraged us to abandon rules and cont. from previous page pupils. to write poetry any way we like; in We would like to thank so many short, to just play with our writing. ‘I am sorry he's gone, but I'm not people from the Fellowship for all In June we were at last able to sorry I did it…’ meet Ryan O’Neill, after missing out ‘Mark my words, when that train months, especially Maureen and Jill at our cancelled February meeting. arrives there'll be trouble…’ yourfor all help your in information! our first few shaky Ryan, who teaches at Newcastle We had a good range of different We charge on toward Christmas University, spoke about experimental stories, and Jacqui showed us how with hope in our hearts and magic in writing and explained how it to trim them without losing the our pens! challenges everything we have come meaning, and how to make sure Mariyn (Maz) Sayer plays with time and point-of-view that the reader would understand HUNTER FAW toand expect abandons in conventional the whole ‘cause fiction. and It throughand enjoy first, the secondstories, and without third losing drafts effect’ approach. What can keep the the theme. We had several guests Our group is maintaining its focus on reader engaged in experimental come to the meeting, which was critique of poetry and prose, so every thoroughly enjoyable. month we look forward to reading meeting Ryan at our June meeting Our August meeting was led by what each member has produced. wefiction learnt is humour. that his Notlatest long book, after Their Christine in the absence of President The variety of the work and helpful brilliant careers, had been shortlisted Hermione, who is travelling in comments never ceases to astound. for this year’s Miles Franklin Award. Canada, and we discussed the subject For the last 40 minutes of the Our July meeting was the group’s ‘The Lost Art of Letter Writing’. We meeting we have been focussing on Annual General Meeting where we all wrote a letter to someone, and experimenting in modern poetic form dealt swiftly with our business. We this proved interesting as well as and I am looking forward to hearing were reminded by our President entertaining. some interesting examples that have For our September meeting we been written this month. successful year we have had. There are to update a fairy tale and write Thanks to Liverpool FAW member haveand other been officeplenty holders of engaging of what and a our own version of a chosen tale. Peter Pike for sending our group a inspiring speakers at our monthly This should prove quite a task. Our complimentary copy of the magazine next two meetings (September and he produces called FreeXpresSion. sound, and membership numbers October), will be held in a meeting Our former president Jan Dean meetings,are also solid. our Afinancial new Committee position iswas room at the Great Lakes Library, wrote an obituary for the recently elected, including incoming President as Club Forster is undergoing deceased Pam Jeffery who was one Kristen Mair. Outgoing President renovations. of our founding members and past Alison Ferguson was commended on Christine Hayes president [see page 15—Ed]. the great job she had done through Luciana Croci the year. Griffith Riverina FAW After the AGM Alison led us LAKE MACQUARIE FAW through an exercise designed to identify story ideas and prepare for during the winter months with only May was the perfect time, when the writing them up. Using our favourite Griffith has been very cold and quiet the die-hards turning up at meetings writing genres as a prompt we the past couple of months! I am autumn, for some members of our established the scope of what we assured all will be back on board groupcountryside to enjoy was a dayin the excursion full flush to of might write, who the protagonist from August. nearby Pokolbin in the Hunter Valley. would be and the nature of the We have been keeping busy since We travelled by small private bus inciting incident. Other parts of the we opened and have had everyone and were able to enjoy wine tastings, read from some of their works. We coffees and walks though sculpture aspects of our protagonist and other have a very diverse range of writers gardens, all in beautiful and inspiring exercisesupporting involved characters. further It wasdefining a great which makes it interesting; a fair settings. It was a great way to get exercise which prompted many some good motivation for writing thoughts about future works amongst We have one published author in projects and to spend relaxing time our members. amount of sci-fi in there! our group and have been pleased to together as a group. Pam Garfoot listen to some of his work. Soon after our Pokolbin excursion, at our May general meeting, we to get to know each other but are met poets Magdalena Ball and Liverpool FAW nowAt settlingfirst we intodid aa lotlittle of morefun games serious Jenny Blackford, both of whom have Once again our numbers have work. I have approached the local recently published new collections suffered due to members relocating, high school and they are quite happy of poetry (Unmaking atoms and The or due to family commitments, loyalty of chickens, respectively). They but we have welcomed two new
6 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au members, Tania C. Wilde and Adelfo More good news from Victoria: Cyrus Alanis into our ranks. a short story entitled ‘Making We hope to see our numbers Adjustments’ sold to Yours magazine. increase when we hold a Literary Congratulations, Victoria. Competition combining FAW and Our last meeting raised some FreeXpresSion and sponsored by Rick interesting questions about judging; Vincenti and Peter F Pike. This will in particular, should a judge be able to be next year as the project was only indicate corrections on an entrant’s tabled at our last Meeting. manuscript? This led to the issuing Our members have been busily of a set of judging criteria which will publishing and selling their books! be useful in the future. It was also Peter F Pike is having a book an opportunity for us to express our launching for his recently published appreciation to the judges themselves, Mudgee Valley: James Howard as Henry Lawson. book of Sonnets titled IConverse. both for their valuable critiques and The launch event will be held from for the time they give to the task. various members. For many people, 6.30pm to 7.45pm in the Gold Room Barry Flanagan has again writing is a very rewarding and at Liverpool Library, 170 George St., surprised us with the release on all-absorbing activity, so it was not Liverpool on Friday 15th September an e-publication, a collection of surprising to hear of people spending 2017. Guest of Honour: Wendy Waller short stories entitled The Boys up to six hours a day at their word (Mayor). from Brokenback (available on processors. It was also comforting We hope to see many FAW Smashwords and Amazon). A sequel to hear that we are not all Mozarts, members from other Branches on to his coal-mining novel, Brokenback, with many of us needing to make that night. As well as other invited it describes the working and numerous revisions in order to guests, hopefully many who read private lives of the employees of the achieve the desired result. Brokenback mine, located in New I am pleased to report that look’ will pop in and may even decide South Wales’ Hunter Valley. numbers in our group are holding tothe consider ‘flyers’ and membership are curious of to our ‘have a It is encouraging to see our local steady, with a couple of recent Liverpool Group. member of Parliament taking an visitors expressing an interest in Rhonda Rice interest in our activities. Trevar joining. Langlands has informed us of a letter Bernard Smith Macarthur FAW he has received from Greg Warren MP, congratulating him on his re-election Mudgee Valley FAW July guest speaker, Celie Gannon’s as State President of the Fellowship presentation took the form of an of Australian Writers. Trevar recently With St Mary's Church Mudgee and informal chat based around her had an article on the history of the Father Tony we hosted a night of experiences as a writer. A hot topic FAW published in local regional poems, stories and songs to celebrate was whether to self-publish or newspaper, The Chronicle. Henry Lawson's 150th Birthday. not, and how to go about it. Celie, At our last meeting, discussion Henry went to school for a time at who grew up in the main street of turned to the writing regimens of the school attached to St Mary's. Our cont. next page… when it was still a country town, had Campbelltown during the fifties, many colourful stories to tell. She Musicians Bruce Kurtz, Ross Kurtz and Don Coombes at the also spoke about her career as an Mudgee Valley Henry Lawson 150th celebrations. entertainment journalist, working for newspapers such as The Australian, as well as about the various books she has written, an example being Celie’s Book of Quotes. We all agreed it was a most enjoyable afternoon. Yet again winner of our in-house writing competition was Victoria Chie, with a very amusing story about a family travelling in a car along with a very talkative parrot. It is not aggravating avian is brought under untilcontrol. the The trip theme is finally of ourover present that the competition is ‘Lost and Found’.
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 7 FAW Branch Reports Mudgee Valley zone but no one disappointed—the in a Social group in our community cont. from previous page challenge was met full on! inviting us to speak to their members 'Show not tell' was also again and discuss our recently published local readers and musicians were revisited with short stories triggered anthology, HEARTBEAT OF THE joined by professional actors to from a painting. This exercise is HASTINGS and the details of our 39 showcase the multi-faceted works always very valuable. years of branch history. The group of Henry Lawson. Three hours of At the August meeting, members purchased 9 books, so positive vibes listening and participation kept the were thrilled to welcome two new everywhere. audience enthralled and wishing for members—great news in itself but We held a committee meeting more when the night came to a close. also a very unique occasion. The new on Sunday 6th August and planned Mudgee Performing Arts Society members, Debbie and Greg Mutton, ahead until our AGM in March 2018 invited our members to join them for are the parents of member Tim Grant though each meeting topic will be a weekend Story Club Workshop. Our so we now have three members of members presented their resulting the same family in the branch. suggests a more relevant idea at masterpieces to a live audience as Finally, judging will take place flexibleany time. if Withsomething a growing or someone group of part of the Mudgee Readers and shortly on the short story entries 16 now, we are keen to share our Writers Festival in August. received from Karuah and Tea writing, learning, developing of skills Jill Baggett Gardens Public School grade 5/6 and bonding while socialising as students. well. We also look like having 4 or 5 NORTH ARM COVE FAW Maureen Kelly manuscripts published by or in 2018. We are pleased to welcome Emma Winter is behind us, hooray! The cold PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS FAW Gaulton, a member from Forest FAW weather did take its toll on members' who has transferred to us as she now attendance due to illness but that is Our Branch turned 39 in July and is resides in Port Macquarie. all behind us now and we go forward looking forward to a big celebration Fellowship of Australian Writers to celebrate the 20th birthday of our next year for our Ruby Anniversary. Port Macquarie branch is on branch which will take place October A busy quarter for us with 5 new Facebook now. Check in and say 15, 2017 with a lunch for members writers joining and we are thrilled ‘hello’. and guests at North Arm Cove to have some new ideas and writing Very exciting times! Community Centre. experiences they will share with The 'townies project—a group us. We had our local newspaper, We were fortunate to have Pippa Kay The Independent, interview yours as our Guest Speaker for our June township Matilda Bay, truly and photograph me with 24th meeting. Pippa brought her of members 'created' a fictitious in 1833, and have written stories Beth Anderson and Brian Tolagson published book, Doubt and Conviction first settled relating to characters living in the to accompany an article written with her, at our request, so we town in the 1980s—is moving along by their reporter which covered could understand the complexities 'slowly but surely.' The writers have nearly a whole page. This resulted associated with writing about crime. held regular monthly meetings to discuss plots, characters and events and the project is now at the critique stage. Monthly assignments have continued to be both challenging and interesting. An observation exercise triggered by photos of two/three people in conversation proved valuable. Members' initial observations were expanded enabling them to write 200 words/28 lines of poetry. Surrealism in Literature: Members 'slam' selected 16 letters/words beginning with these letters and created a second person/present tense image, story or poem using plurals, adjectives, adverb forms of completely nonsensical or wildest writing. This exercise seriously took everyone out of their comfort Cutting the cake to celebrate the 39th anniversary of Port Macquarie-Hastings branch.
8 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au We are very proud of where we
it. A few members are on holiday and thoselive and here find are pleasure braving to the write winter about
positivechill and note. finding it a good time to write.We areOur a meeting happy group finished of writers. on a Christine Gregory
Southern Highlands FAW These past few weeks have been amongst the hardest that FAWSH has ever had to endure. On July 19th we lost two of our cherished Members in a fatal car accident on the Hume Highway, Gabrielle Stewart and Berlio O’Brien. Only 2 days before, I Port Macquarie-Hastings Workshop session presented by Pippa Kay. was with both of them at the home many competitions so we obtained a greater understanding of the where we were enjoying one of the variations of what judges might look Branch’sof our Treasurer regular get-togethers,Kathryn Litchfield, a for. For this topic, Pippa had her book, social time when members discuss Back Stories, an anthology, and shared personal writing plans informally extracts to demonstrate some of her over a cuppa and a snack. Berlio points. had been ill for some time but her What a worthwhile workshop parting words were of how much meeting it was. We learnt lots, we better she now was. She was looking laughed lots, we socialised lots in forward to re-joining us at our August sharing our attempts, our suggestions, meeting, and her intention was to our questions and responses. We visit Holland immediately afterwards shared titles of published books and for the wedding of two young friends. authors from which we can enjoy Gabrielle and I had been working while learning at the same time. This together for some months, planning demonstrated to us all in attendance, and designing the Branch’s next just what is so great about belonging Anthology FIGMENTS, which will be to the Fellowship of Australian launched at our October meeting. Writers because we have generous Gabrielle’s work for the Anthology, Pippa Kay at the Port Macquarie Workshop. members within our organisation both literary and artistic, is amongst What a fantastic topic that was. with such talent to encourage us. the best I have seen her produce. It Pippa shared her 8 years of 'blood, Colleen Parker will be an appropriate memorial to sweat and tears' in researching and her. Vale, Gabrielle and Berlio, we interviewing the subject matter for Port Stephens FAW miss you both. the book, which was about a 'real Under the circumstances this crime'. It assisted those of us who We have a new committee and are FAWSH Report will be short and I are interested in the many areas of going full speed ahead with our know you will understand… knowledge required to be researched, writings and plans for our new At the August meeting, Secretary for the background story of a crime book, initially 'The Beaches of Port Barb Angell resigned with regret novel. The Question and Answer Stephens' now titled Sand, Sea and owing to health issues. Uta Purcell opportunity was well utilised and Sky Port Stephens. It comprises a volunteered to replace Barb Pippa was extremely generous in her collection of poems and short stories as Secretary, and will work in responses to us. about our lovely area. conjunction with President Luisa Hall. We shared afternoon tea and Wendy Zirngast our new president The great thing about the then Pippa changed topics and is doing wonders with the layout Fellowship of Australian Writers took us through the important and photographs and yesterday as a is that it brings together an ever points for writing successful Short group we read all through and edited widening group of people with a Stories. What was so fortunate for the almost perfect text and layout. passion for writing: prose, poetry, Thank you Wendy. us was that Pippa is a judge for cont. next page…
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 9 FAW Branch Reports Southern Highlands U3A Creative Writing Group for a a Sutherland Shire Open Poetry and cont. from previous page Writers' Get-Together at Possum Short Story competition. Recently Brush Cafe, Wootton. Our member Helen Armstrong and myself met memoir, academic or journalistic Peter Uren, will give a presentation with councillors and Debbie Best, papers, writing in every imaginable E-Publishing—a guide to KDP, after Manager, Library and Information category. Long may the organization which we shall have a series of round- Services to map out the logistics for table discussions. a competition in 2018. When we Dr Barb Angell Two members of the enthusiastic continue to flourish. Night Owls group are looking forward Writers STROUD WRITERS to participating in a Weekend Writers' Voice.have firm guidelines and a date, FAW Retreat, being conducted by the membersIn our last will few be notifiedmeetings via we have The winter months reduced our Society of Women Writers NSW Inc., been focusing on developing a point meeting numbers, with the northern of view, and character development. hemisphere summer enticing three ‘full-on’ workshop event for them. As It is always interesting to see Stroud Writers and winter illnesses inother September. groups have This commented,will be a first-time all what the imagination is capable of attacking others. In spite of this writers should attend at least one achieving. In May, the challenge was our meetings were vibrant with large writers' festival or workshop, to write a story from a list of clichés. ideas bandied about, news swapped, during their writing careers. For example: ‘A blast from the past;’ suggestions made, and each other's Susan Filson ‘a fate worse than death;’ ‘Beauty is writing skills perfected. in the eye of the beholder;’ ‘Don’t All year, our focus has been on SUTHERLAND FAW bite the hand that feeds you.’ We had contributions to our forthcoming some interesting short stories from anthology. At last we have a title and Sutherland FAW have had a very busy the clichés. the editorial committee is poised our Writers Unleashed Festival. We our increasingly busy world, with the it through to publication. We are winter,had over putting 100 participants the final touches booked to in immediateWe also exploredsharing of flash news fiction. content In to finalise the contents and see excited that a local artist has agreed for the day, and all the Editors and via Twitter, webinars, YouTube, to work with us. publisher consultations were booked Facebook and the ‘blogosphere’, the Last year, under the guidance of out. There were 195 entrants for member Elizabeth Bradhurst, we the Picture Book Competition. [See conducted a local public schools Writers Unleashed story and pictures Andability even to conveyif the ultimate an idea goalbriefly is the and writing competition, which p18—Ed]. epicefficiently novel, is honing increasingly effective valued. writing culminated in the publication of the A heartfelt thanks to Joyce Noble, colourful booklet Young Writers of our Shire Scribblers Newsletter Editor the Stroud District. The competition who has revamped our newsletter capabilityalways been is alwaysblue...” anduseful. had Our to beflash no is being held again this year. The giving it a very modern look with fictionmore than exercise 99 words. began We with listened “It hadn’t to response from our three schools has user friendly navigation. We need to everyone’s stories which covered a been overwhelming with teachers, be reminded that it takes many hours range of topics with some challenging parents and children ‘coming on in producing the newsletter, which twists. In June, we had a workshop board’. Every student has submitted Joyce does single-handedly! We have on the Art of Writing Dialogue to an entry. Some of our members will also sold more than 80 copies of our create character or to drive the plot. do the preliminary judging and the anthology, DREAMS OF HOME. We’ll examine some of the do’s and Sutherland branch continues to don’ts and misconceptions of writing based teachers. Every student will thrive and we welcome new members dialogue. This was a condensed final judging will be done by Sydney- to our group. We will continue to version of a presentation given to winners and runners-up will be meet at Sutherland library, but with the senior writing students at Gymea receive a participation certificate; presented with a book prize and all the exorbitant room hire increases, Technology High School last year. entries will be published in a book in Helen Armstrong’s workshop time for Christmas. venue next year. It seems that all on developing character was well First-readers, researched and welocal may government well have librariesto find a newand received. In summary she said… written by member Nette Brooks, are community halls have increased their being trialled with a group of children room rental costs. It’s a shame that develop our main character and his/ local community groups are being “Whenher negative planning and a positivestory, we attributes need to are thrilled that Nette's writing is discouraged from using facilities set with specific reading difficulties. We producing books which appeal to up by Councils for local groups! can also be a positive characteristic, the imaginations of this particular Sutherland FAW has been inbefore the right we write. circumstances. A character If flawyou readership. involved in a consultation process In September we are combining with Sutherland Shire Council begin with but who learns to share, with Great Lakes FAW, and Tuncurry Councillors who are proposing to run havethen oura character character who has is grown selfish to
10 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au through the story. In a short story, WYONG WRITERS we need to avoid having too many characters. Ask questions to your In May, our normal meeting room character and listen to what the at the Wyong RSL was booked for a character tells you, and write down function and our meeting was moved the answers. Your character should to a corner of the noisy public area of answer you more directly and some the club lounge. This unsatisfactory of the answers may go beyond your arrangement led to our president and original question. Then put your character in a challenging situation. Strengths, weaknesses and fears. By committeequiet Woodbury finding Park a new Community venue. We now your character should be sitting Centre.met for Athe most first satisfactory time in June, outcome. in the comfortably in your head, so you can The focus of the meeting in May focus on developing the elements of was ‘Structure in the Short Story’. your story.” Members were encouraged to re-read Sylvia Vago their favourite short story and pay attention to its structure. We shared insights we found helpful in terms WOLLLONDILLY FAW of planning and executing our own Wollondilly Branch has a number short stories. of new members since our last Rosemary Peters, Narelle Noppert and Jean Mills at Wollondilly’s ‘Weird and Daggy Dress Up’ June saw us focussing on three Anthology was published in June Meeting. aspects of developing characters for 2014. Work has commenced on creative writing. Attention was given an upcoming Anthology which will Our Vice President, Rosemary to three techniques: showcase over twenty of our current Peters, a long term member of the Observation of people when we’re members’ work. FAW, has recently produced a book of sitting in a café or standing in a Most members have a number her stories titled Growing a Memoir. • queue etc., gathering plain facts. of stories or poems included. The Our Scribblings editor, Jean Mills, Draw on a memory of somebody majority of our members submitted helped Rosemary in this endeavour. they knew and make bullet-point stories or poems including haiku and Wollondilly FAW continues to grow • notes on socio-economic status. cinquains and drawings or photos. It and welcomes Kylie Savage, Anne Think of someone entirely different is anticipated that the Anthology will Ovenden and Helen Reynolds as new they knew, and this time focus on be published late this year or early members. • next year. Due to the number of new Characteristics from each category At the June meeting members had members our meeting time has been weredeveloping written up a psychological on a whiteboard profile. a bit of fun with a ‘Weird or Daggy increased by half an hour. to form a basis for a character. The Dress Up’ theme. Sandra Reynolds members then did a short writing
At our July meeting, Kathryn Cougranexercise toconducted flesh out atheir three character. hour workshop on Writer’s Block. Her approach gave the attendees opportunity to share what their experiences of writer’s block were. This opened up conversations
to our members. We took away great practicalaround overcoming strategies for blocks defeating specific our writer’s block demons. Including our three visitors, we had a bumper attendance of nineteen at the June meeting. Wyong Writers has inherited the Central Coast FAW library. It is being administrated by Johan Luidens, formerly of the CCFAW branch. We look forward to accessing these rich Trevar Langlands with Wollondilly members Jean Mills (left) and Rosemary Peters. resources. Jean is holding Rosemary’s book ‘Growing a Memoir’. Rose Fox
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 11 Poets Voice TRIPLE 0 WORDS Today I can wear my purple coat, the turban hides the hair. Words Make way, I am old, take care I break easily. are birds that spin in bright sky, I have tested for old timers; they ask you to spell words backwards trees that grow green shelter, the date, the year and remember two things I told you earlier. stars alight in night’s deep terraces, A walking stick is useful or a Zimmer frame. People notice you gold coins in the currency of souls. with equipment and wrinkled rheumy hands. No words At first I left many sticks behind in the bus, movies, trains, cause birds to fall, and one folded up in the aircraft pocket next to the sick bag. trees to wither, At the IGA a girl with metal things in her nose wants my card, stars to vanish, I ask did it hurt when they wired up your face. souls to die. She says not so you’d notice, holds a hand out for the card. Sulks and evasions done, Is it Seniors, Health, Opal, or the Bank one, I’ve forgotten the PIN. let us join words and hands A young man takes my shopping to the disabled park. to talk of love The kind of fellow I’m sure I would once beckon to my bed, and hate, of hope a bit like my grandson, all tan and polite, white teeth, and pain, probably eats as much as five wharfies. misunderstandings, ecstasies, beginnings, ends. The car is not as old as me. When it was shiny new I would smooth my hands over the bonnet with love. Together our voices set free birds Nowadays, like a marriage, we are used to each other and trees and stars and souls. and together we manage to find our way home. Wendell Watt, Moocooboola FAW I never went back for my driving license. The eyes are the main problem, reading that chart. The King of Beasts People always stand right in the middle of that big dark spot. The Lion (Panthera leo) How do they expect anyone to recognize them? Stranger, look deep into my amber eyes, It‘s hard to stay below the radar, to keep up, don’t you recognize me? The King of Beasts? maybe they won’t notice if I lose the way to the lavatory. Well may you gaze with a look of surprise— Remind myself again, today is Tuesday, my given name is Mary I saw human-kind as fare for my feasts; I am eighty two, and the doctor’s appointment is Friday. but you clever man far out-witted me. My daughter’s number is by the phone next to the Triple 0. You can kill me at a distance with ease Triple 0… now who the devil is that? I have no resistance; my only plea Jennifer Dickerson, Shoalhaven FAW is that your cruel, senseless killings cease. I recall you used me as a symbol for grace, strength, beauty, dignity and pride. In spite of my size I was quite nimble using stealth, speed and cunning as my guide. A message from the Poetry Editor Though I have lived a life of distinction— why is my kind destined for extinction?* POETS: I continue to receive some really interesting work. © Peter F Pike, Liverpool FAW Thank you. If something you have sent me has not yet *It is believed there are less than 20,000 lions in the world. been published, it may just be waiting patiently for a space; or it may be suffering from one of these problems… Reminders: Submissions to Poets Voice: 1. Please remember to single space your work with a If you would like to contribute to this page of Writers Voice, single space between stanzas. [I do not have time to re- please send your poem to our honorary Poetry Editor, format your work for you]. Shirley Goodbar for consideration. Send by email as a typed attachment to:
12 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au Competition Results
Results: Eastwood/Hills FAW Alan Russell Award for Memoir 2017 Literary Competition 1st: ‘Give my Love to Flo and Ted’, Mike Woodhouse 2nd : ‘An Apprenticeship’, Nicole Hodgson Boree Log Award for Bush Verse H/Comm: ‘Jericho on the Jordan’, Gordon Plowman 1st: ‘Equal under southern soil’, Tom McIlveen H/Comm: ‘Feast of All Saints’, Marie Watt 2nd: ‘Pappinbarra Dreaming’, Tom McIlveen H/Comm: ‘Like the Curate’s Egg—No Pony, But a Life Good in H/Comm: ‘Transformation’, Brenda Joy Parts’, Carney Vaughan H/Comm: ‘Lament’, Brenda Joy Comm: ‘Tribute beneath the river red gum’, Elizabeth Egan Pauline Walsh Award for Short, short story 1st: ‘A Better Life’, Gina Dawson Short story 2nd: ‘Guitar Boy’, Kerrin O'Sullivan 1st: ‘Bombilla’, Carney Vaughan H/Comm: ‘Weathering the Storm’, Maree Gallop 2nd: ‘Insula’, Heather MacKenzie Comm: ‘Losing Dennis’, Gina Dawson H/Comm: ‘Spiral’, Joshua Kemp Comm: ‘Santoro’s Shoes’, Gina Dawson H/Comm: ‘Gone, gone, gone’, Bill Bean Comm: ‘Nana’s Warm Friends’, Vincent Morrison Comm: ‘The Phone’, Peter Joseph Head Comm: ‘Uncle Andrew’s Home’, Marie Watt Poetry Results: 2017 Shoalhaven Literary Award 1st: ‘Moonlight Sonata’, Frances Lovell 2nd: ‘Breaking the News’, Jeff Guess for Short Stories H/Comm: ‘Agatha Christie Contemplates Australia for the Judged by Dr Laurie Steed First Time—1922’, Jeff Guess 1st: ‘In the Deep’, Cassie Hamer, Queen’s Park, Sydney. Comm: ‘An Overturned Orange Wheelbarrow’, Jeff Guess 2nd: ‘My Father’s Gun’, Andy Murdoch, Preston, Vic. Comm: ‘Images of Genocide’, Faie Dana Watson Comm: ‘Reviewing the Waves’, Damen O'Brien 3rd: ‘Palya’, Susanna Freymark, Federal, NSW. Comm: ‘Cri de Couer’, Faie Dana Watson Geoff Bolton Award: ‘The Clarinet’, Craig Vaughan, Berry.
Passing of Geoff Bakon Like, Share, Follow other branches State Treasurer Kay Bakon is a committee Omember we all have connection with, whether it be forwardingur our annual subscriptions or meeting up with her at the Annual Awards Lunch, so it was with great sadness the entire 'Fellowship of branches are adding a Facebook page Australians Writers family,' learned of the sudden to their Internet presence. Those we know passing of her beloved husband Geoff, June 6, 2017. M of areany included in ‘Branch Meetings and Contacts’ Geoff, who had not been enjoying good health for on page 26. If your branch has a social media a while, passed away peacefully in his sleep mid- page that is not included there, please advise the morning at their home in Wyoming, NSW. Editor
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 13 Obituaries
Mavis (May) Ethel Hayes
Hayes, one of our longest serving members at MEurobodalla FAW, passed away 23rd June 2017. ay
May was a lady of many talents and one of these talents, cooking and organising the culinary side of our functions, was rewarded with an FAW Distinguished Service Award. Each meeting May’s fresh, warm scones with jam and cream
iced a birthday cake each month, never missing a member’s werename. devoured. Not satisfied with doing this, she made and
None of this impinged on her ability to create poetry. Her father was Scottish and a teacher and he imbued a love of learning, and helping others. May’s poems were written for
wrote and presented them. Often on scraps of paper and hersometimes pure enjoyment indecipherable, and this always was reflected amusing, in withthe way often she a twist at the end. Animals and family were her main topics. Her love of native animals shone through as she fed possums and birds at her home.
In 2009, the late Fergus Thomson, Mayor of Eurobodalla, May and Syd (her husband) inaugurated the Eurobodalla Mayor’s Writing Competition, open to children from 5–18 The late May Hayes receives her Distinguished Service Award certificate years. It is coincidental that both Syd and May passed in 2015 from FAW Hon Secretary Maureen Kelly oam away just after reading and marking this competition. May instigated an award in Syd’s honour, for the Outstanding Writer. A hand-crafted pen and plinth, made by craftsman in Canberra. She exhibited her work and won prizes at Richard Turley, from locally sourced wood. The Eurobodalla Canberra and Moruya shows. During retirement, May and Syd Branch of FAW has decided to continue this award and travelled around Australia, often taking grandchildren with include May’s name. them. These were all recorded as slides and photographs, as she was an avid photographer. May had a very long and varied life. She was born in Melbourne, a twin, her sister predeceased her and had May and Syd settled into Broulee where they were both
drawing movie posters for Hoyts. One of May’s talents was to create and learn. The Arts Centre is named in May’s threedancing brothers. and she She performed started work at the at 16Tivoli, and herMelbourne. first job wasShe involvedhonour and in the she school, taught helping art until children 2016 gain and the still confidence went on Tuesdays to help the children with their reading. May was her wardrobe. Meeting Syd when he visited Australia was the School’s Patron. astill pivotal had her point, glamorous they married outfit and tapmoved shoes to tuckedEngland. away Their in
where Michael was born and Syd started his career in a one her works. She completed her last oil painting, of Broulee firstteacher daughter school Jeannie in Australia. was born. Moving They from returned city living to Australia, to rural beach,May thiswas ayear. prolific May painter illustrated and donatedour branch’s or gifted anthologies many of NSW, Girilambone, came as a shock to both of them. They and two children’s books. She was working on producing adapted and enjoyed the experience and friendships. This a cookery book, featuring recipes handed down from her mother and grandmother and illustrated with photos of her feral animals. children and grandchildren cooking. was when May became ‘a great shot with a rifle’ dispatching Their next move was to Turlinjah, on the south coast. May will be remembered and missed by all as she had Then came Moruya Central School. Leanne was born during great kindness and an impish personality. this time and Syd accepted a position at Deakin High. May could then further her career and taught painting at TAFE Rosie Toth
14 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au Pamela Mary Jeffery 12th February, 1933–15th July, 2017 P Jeffery, a founding member of Hunter FAW, spent weream as a resident at Bupa Dementia Unit, Waratah. In life shemuch had a ofwonderful her life atpartnership Adamstown with NSW. her Herhusband final Philipyears who joined Hunter FAW to assist Pam, President at the time, in the capacity of Treasurer. After Pam’s diagnosis, he lived create the ambience of home, thus easing her move. Sadly, Philon a differentwas hospitalized floor at Bupa at the so hetime could of Pam’sbe close funeral to her and couldn’t attend the service, held at St Columba’s Catholic Pamela Jeffery Church, Adamstown on Wednesday, 19th July at 10:30am Pam would have been thrilled to see Kate Walker, Zeny When her duties as wife and mother permitted, Pam Giles, Carla Edwards and me, representatives from her withserved Father as a Terrylibrarian, Horne which officiating. worked well with her love of writing days, at the celebration of her life as she was in reading books and writing. She had success in competition, her element when the subject of literature arose; she was particularly with memorable short stories and was generous a perfectionist. in assisting writers of all levels. Her wry sense of humour is Pam is survived by her husband Phil, her sons Peter, Terry, legendary. The Denis Butler Writing Awards were dear to Andrew and Martin and their families. May she be united in her heart and the last time they were held she demonstrated eternal life with her deceased daughter, Katherine. Jan Dean, former President of Hunter FAW her flair for hosting.
Noelle White Reprinted here is one of Noelle’s poems, beautifully expressing her love and joy in reuniting with her husband… was born in France, and then adopted by a NBritish woman and taken to England when she was My own sweet love, do you recall just oellea few months old. As she grew older she took those walks along the beach, dancing classes, and then, when only sixteen, she our future undecided then, joined the troupe at the Theatre Royal. During a marriage out of reach. the war she and the troupe entertained the How would we know, how could we tell troops as well as the general public. They that fate would intervene travelled to France, Holland and Belgium. and we would be together soon, At the end of the war Noelle travelled to despite our fears unseen. Australia on holidays and met her future husband. They planned their marriage In Java, Qantas filled your days, in London I survived, and corresponded with each other until with our daily aerogrammes she arrived back ‘down under’ to marry her to keep our love alive. book which she called Up Over to Down Under, Four months, three days, fiancé in 1948. In later years she wrote a the cable came, sent to each other. This book was also presented "I'm heading back down under!" asand a consistedradio play of on the the letters local radio she and station. fiancé Peter So much to sort and pack, no time to sit and wonder. After Peter's death Noelle moved to Forster NSW, Noelle White where she joined Red Cross, as well as a sewing circle, The day I left, the sun shone bright then started a quilting group of her own. She also joined by Speedbird New York bound, U3A (University of the Third Age), writing stories, poetry, across the States, across the seas and occasionally giving talks on her travels. Some of those half the world around. travels took place as she grew older, one travelling on And there you were, my own sweet love, a container ship as a passenger. She went to the Spice with roses in your hand, Islands, Norway, and Russia over the years, and recently a smile as wide as the Harbour Bridge, published a book called Hither and Thither, Tales of a what a welcome to your land. constant traveller. She wrote many stories and poems After many years of strife and care while a member of FAW Great Lakes Branch, and has been I shall never forget that day a well loved member and friend of us all. and that extra special happy time Christine Hayes when I returned to stay…
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 15 Book Reviews Gus at the Lohengrin New Horizons Ron Jones Cynthia Hallam Jones is an FAW member 2017 Ginninderra Press Rfrom Southern Highlands ew Horizons is Cynthia andon has written verse and short NHallam’s sixth volume stories but never tackled a of poetry. Her 51 poems novel. continue on the themes she Well, now he has! Ron has has developed in previous sat in on meetings and read works: plays on words and some of his shorter items but observations of her world now he has the chandler to at a distance and very close. read through a chapter of his Subtle observations of the new novel. A couple of the group decided to write novels hidden lives and emotions of both people and animals and others were invited to join them and so Ron set out are Cynthia’s greatest strength. She is an observer who notices every nuance; the little things that make people who they are as well as the small victories, theon the going adventure. hard as theAfter habits five yearsof the three short novels story writer had been frustrations and tragedies we all experience. finished—Ron’sremain all too apparent. being one of them. Ron tells me he found In ‘Flying under the radar’ she is questioning the Ron’s novel is called Gus at the Lohengrin and it's about value of a life that passes unnoticed. She sees the loss a porter called Gus at the Hotel Lohengrin built in 1863 of memory in a marriage and the endurance of love. and situated in Lytham St Annes in the UK. Cynthia comes face to face with wildlife and shares Gus always had problems with his name during his the joy of her relationship with her cat. In the poem school years but it made him tougher for life ahead. Until ‘Tuning in’ she gives us tips on the art of eavesdropping. four years earlier the hotel had been owned by Mr Arthur Don’t tell anyone but I use all of these strategies; poets Crowther but on his death it passed to his son Julian a do that so beware. local solicitor, who had little interest in the place. It was not a very fashionable hotel but it did have an Macquarie Road, Springwood. Cynthia has captured unusual style. Many guests stayed quite a long time but in As I read the poems I sometimes find myself on fact many left in the dead of night or before breakfast. live there. On the whole I most enjoy her observations With a hotel’s typical coming and going, Ron has theof nature flavour and of ourthe wildtown creatures and some we of sharethe people our lives who managed to create a large number bed of characters. and homes with. It's a really good chance for other writers to see how [See also ‘Bookshelf’ back page—Ed]. many characters can be found and what they are like. Reviewed by Kerry Healey-Binns, There is miss Cavendish who always dominates the dining Blue Mountains FAW room; Bella the chambermaid shivers, too involved in people's affairs; Mrs Gibson who is always sick; Mrs Bumper, a permanent guest who ‘keeps herself to herself’ as they say. There is a hint of fraud, amorous goings on, and many IConverse secrets. I love the many different characters in Ron’s book, Peter F Pike he really brings them to life. You feel you know them as Some extracts from reviews of Peter’s book of Sonnets… it covers a number of years. There are 39 chapters in the coursing this slim and sleek volume, together with one book. “The 53 sonnets of height and weight, light and delight book and each one is like a story which fits together as the beautiful images blending into them, are sure to charm and elevate the reader with their unalloyed enjoy the adventure; it's like staying in a holiday hotel and quality, rich variety, and originality in imagination. as ManyI mentioned, readers such will afind good people look theyat characters can identify for anyonewith, so These sonnets lilt us with their strikingly natural ease starting a novel. unfurled’ by them.” and flow; and we will exclaim that a ‘golden pennant is haveGood created work a Ron most as interesting your first attempt. book. I hope you will U. Atreya Sarma, MA (English Lit) continue.I would For love a tofirst tell time readers novel about of some many 350 more pages of youthe characters but you should discover them for yourself. The accessible, careful with line, rhythm, rhyme and the “… He (Pike) is at home with his sonnets, creative but The book is published by Hypercet/Woods Printing, Mittagongfinale is very NSW interesting and is available too I might by contacting add. Ron Jones With immense excitement, we zip and zoom final couplet, as we see in ‘Come Fly with Me’: on 02 4883 7071. in venting boyhood’s super-sonic boom.” Reviewed by Trevar Langlands Patricia Prime, New Zealand, Editor and Reviewer
16 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au Roundup 30-year Celebration New Writers Centre was with great pleasure that our Branch Committee writers look like getting their very own Ireceived an invitation to attend the 30th anniversary MWriters Retreat. celebrationt recently of our Meeting Hall, the Mac Adams Wedderburnacarthur Resources Centre will be turned Music Centre in Port Macquarie. into a hub for emerging writers. Wedderburn at Along with the other 70 users of the Hall each month, Campbelltown is already the home of many well we socialised with the Council staff and local Deputy known artists. The secluded bush centre will offer Mayor in appreciation of the excellent facility we are writers a quiet place to work and write. fortunate to have at our disposal every month. Imagine The hub is established following a two-year $60,000 our surprise when the Guest of Honour was welcomed to grant from Create NSW to open up three writers’ the microphone to tell a little of the history of the Hall’s spaces; the other two in Parramatta and the Blue conception and development, who was FAW Poetry Editor Mountains. in our bulletin, Shirley Goodbar. WestWords—an organisation dedicated to Shirley is from the Upper Central Coast area, but her encouraging Western Sydney residents to embrace earlier life was spent in the Port Macquarie community literature—was awarded the funds and has teamed up where she worked tirelessly to develop a band and with Campbelltown Council and Campbelltown Library marching members. Historical photos show a red to get the Wedderburn Centre up and running. colourful uniform, precision parade of a marching troop. Executive Director of WestWords Michael Campbell We offer our hearty congratulations to Shirley for the said the Centre will be used for showcases and hoped concept and overseeing the building of the wonderful writers would get involved in projects particularly facility we have today. relevant to the area, such as the 200th anniversary of Colleen Parker Campbelltown in 2020. More news as it comes to hand.
(L–R): Treasurer: Walter Van Hoorn, President: Colleen Parker, Mac Adams Hall originator and FAW Poetry Editor: Shirley Goodbar, Port Macquarie Hastings Deputy Mayor: Elise Inteman, Hon. Secretary: Beth Anderson, Vice President: Joie Black.
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 17 Roundup The Writers are Unleashed
a fabulously successful event we had this year at our 8th Writers Lynn Sutherland chatted with the WUnleashed Festival, held in Gymea! The day kicked off smoothly with author Holly Throsby on how she all thehat 140 participants being registered. This was a huge increase in our wrote her book Goodwood. Sarah numbers on the day, over all our past festivals. Ayoub added to our understanding in With much enthusiasm the day started with the children’s author, Sandy building our teen female characters. Fussell, who provided tools to create an authors platform on the web, blog While Deb Abela inspired us with and social media. Sandy explained the best sites to use and showed how small how to keep kids enthralled with details and history, removing the work to a wider audience. details that may bore them. promotionalIn the Elouera film Room,clips (such Baz Radburnas slide show) provided are elementsa great way to toadd promote suspense your to After lunch, the crime writer your story and provided entertainment with his harmonica. The local authors Gabrielle Lord spoke about panel gave three different writers’ journeys and provided tips they had maintaining the tension of a novel, gained along the way. These included: Patricia Leslie, Georgia Mathers, and as her YA series was written to a Dave Reardon. seemingly impossible brief. This was At morning tea the Picture Book Writing Awards were presented to a challenge for her, coupled with the many awaiting the results. Sylvia Vago (Awards Co-ordinator) provided need to complete the work within some background on those who had entered this year. (Catherine Pelosi, 3rd months instead of her usual schedule. award in 2013, will be published by Hachette in 2018.) Zoe Walton and Sue ways to keep glued to that chair went to Rebecca Sheraton, with Guess Who? Amazing Animal Babies. She also Allisonand write, Tait not gave to thebe divertedaudience by specific Whiting, who judged the final shortlist, presented the awards.There’s First a Gorilla prize in the distractions. One of the most popular Oven. Second and Third placing went to Liz Ledden, with Atlas and Shine and sessions of the day was with Cathie Bella’sreceived Bottle a final. The shortlist remaining placing shortlisted for one ofwere: other Leonie entries, Hearn with Bossy Boots, Tasker the editor. She provided some Graham Davidson, with The Great Cee-ah-li and Colleen Maranda with Obie’s key points in editing the structure Art Place. of your manuscript, developing key Amanda Hampson provided useful ideas in constructing a historical novel. areas such as characters and giving Felicity Pulman helped us with developing our ideas, looking at what, where, such useful advice that we as writers when and why. Geoffrey McSkimming provided his reasons for going indi, with may not have considered before. his popular kids series. His older books, now out of print, had their rights All consultation spots were revert back to him, but through his efforts he is re-publishing them as ebooks. booked out again this year, some
on sale. The editors, James Read (Panterawithin the Press), first day Kimberley that tickets Atkins went Below: Writers Unleashed Committee. L–R: Julianne Miles-Brown (Director), Jenny Mathers, (Penguin Random House) who are Sylvia Vago (President FAW Sutherland and Picture Book Writing Competition Co-ordinator), Lynn Sutherland, Donna Wallace (Treasurer FAW Sutherland), Helen Armstrong, Leanne Bowie, editors of adult manuscripts, Zoe Fiona Johnstone, Pat Strong. Walton (Penguin Random House), Clare Hallifax (Scholastic) who are editors of children’s manuscripts, all gave advice and direction to those writers they chatted with at their consultations. They provided insightful information on ways to improve aspects of the manuscripts.
editors on the panel each expanded on Inthe the audience’s final session questions, of the day, on the what to avoid and look out for when submitting a manuscript to a publisher. Sue Whiting, to a packed room in the Southern Cross Room, gave her top tips when creating a picture book. She showed ways to stimulate your ideas further, by even
18 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au Writers Unleashed Editor Panel. L–R: James Read (Pantera Press), L–R: Writers Unleashed Picture Book Co-ordinator Sylvia Vago, Sue Whiting Kimberley Atkins (Penguin Random House), Clare Hallifax (Scholastic) (Final Judge), Rebecca Sheraton 1st Prize Winner, Zoe Walton and Zoe Walton (Penguin Random House.) (Final Judge—Penguin Random House).
Amanda Hampson (author of The French Perfumer), one of the presenters At the Writers Unleashed Festival, Lynn Sutherland (left) in conversation at the Writers Unleashed Festival. with Holly Throsby (author of Goodwood).
recording the reading of your manuscript until every page and word brings meaning to the book. The scrumptious food provided by our conference centre Tradies added to the day. Sarah Menary, from Allen & Unwin’s Faber Writing Academy, ran a table again this year in the main room. Bloomin Books, from Caringbah, was our bookshop. Book bags, with the authors’ books, were also given away. Many writers networked and gained friendships, relating their experiences and drawing on other emerging writers and their ideas, to continue and enhance their writing. The participants provided us with such positive
the day. feedbackI would and like the to thankbenefits the they fabulous received Committee at the close of and other FAW members, who all assisted to ensure that the day was such a success, Sylvia Vago, Donna Wallace, Lynn Sutherland, Helen Armstrong, Jenny Mathers, Leanne Bowie, Pat Strong and Fiona NSW State MP for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams Johnstone. Our thanks goes to FAW NSW for ongoing with Colleen Parker, President of Port Macquarie support. We look forward to next year’s festival with Hastings FAW branch at the launch of their new an array of experienced and talented authors.
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 19 Literary Achievements BLUE MOUNTAINS FAW Marilyn Humbert: Second place in the 2017 H. Gene Murtha Memorial Cynthia Hallam: Senryu Contest New Horizons, a book of poems published by Ginninderra Free Verse published in Award Winning Australian Writing Press. 2017 Eastwood/ Hills FAW Free verse, tanka and haiku published in Peaceworks— Moving Beyond 1915 Remembrance Carolyn Alfonzetti: Tanka published in Ribbons, Frameless Sky, red lights, Poem ‘City Lights’ sold to The School Magazine. Eucalypt 22, Kokako 26, Moonbathing, Hedgerow Erina Booker: Tanka Prose published in Atlas Poetica, Haibun Today The publication of her eighth collection of poetry, Haiku published in Creatrix Failed Haiku A Cobbled Path, June 2017. Haibun published in Haibun Today Failed Haiku Beverley George: Cherita published in Atlas Poetica, ‘the cherita: your Haiku published in Serbian and English Haiku Novine storybook’ journal Vol 1 No 1 #31, 2017 Artelle Lenthall: Led 2 ginko (walks while writing haiku) for U3A Central Short Story, ‘Except for the Mouse’ accepted for Coast February 28th and May 23rd 2017 at Gosford/ publication in Creative Kids Tales Inaugural Short Story Edogawa Gardens) Collection Tanka in Earth: our common ground, Skylark Publishing [UK] 1st Place for ‘Shadows’ in Eastwood/Hills monthly Tanka in Skylark: a tanka journal vol. 5 issue 1 Summer competition, June 2017 2017 [UK] Cecile Yazbek: Tanka in Eucalypt issue 22, 2017 edited by Julie Thorndyke Commended for 'Songs’ in Eastwood/Hills FAW monthly Haiku in Blithe Spirit vol. 27 number 2 2017 competition, May 2017. Introduction and tanka sequence in International Tanka no. 1 2017 [Japan] Forest FAW Meg Dunn: Tanka Society of America’s anthology Ripples in the Sand Short story, ‘Stone the Crows’ published in August edition [US]tanka selected for ‘Selections and Reflections’ from 2016 of Positive Words Magazine 3 haiku in Australian Haiku Society’s Winter Solstice ‘The Final Act’, shortlisted in the Pittwater Short Story celebration Award 2017. 2 tanka in Red Lights 13 (2) 2017 [US] Maureene Fries: 2 haiku in 9th Yamadera Basho Memorial Museum English Haiku Contest, July 2017 ‘What you see in the Dark’, shortlisted in the Pittwater Short Story Award 2017. Haiku published on Daily Haiku: Charlotte Digregorio Haibun on Australian Haiku Society website Colleen Russell: Perform poem ‘Catching Up’ for Pearl Beach Glee Club ‘When I Run out of Coffee’, shortlisted in the Pittwater annual concert 25th and 26th August. Short Story Award 2017 ‘The Children’, shortlisted in Positive Words Short Story Anne Howard: and Poetry Competition 2017 Commended for short story, ‘Footsteps’, Eastwood Hills ‘Are You a Uke Tragic’, selected for publication in an FAW Monthly Competition, October 2016 anthology by FAWQLD Literary Award Highly Commended for poem, ’Souvenir’, Eastwood Hills ‘What’s In a Name’, highly commended in the FAWQLD FAW Monthly Competition, February 2017 Literary Award. Highly Commended for short story, ‘Misconceptions’, Eastwood Hills FAW, Monthly Competition, April 2017 Catherine Smith: First Place for research and back-story, for essay ‘Froth Two tanka poems selected for publication in Ribbons and Bubble’ on Adam Lindsay Gordon, Eastwood Hills Spring/Summer 2017: Vol 13, Number 2. FAW Monthly Competition, March 2017, Researching Beatrice Yell: Equal second in Eastwood Hills FAW annual Pauline One tanka poem selected for publication in Ribbons Walsh Short Story Competition Spring/Summer 2017: Vol 13, Number 2. Presented workshop to Eastwood Hills FAW, ‘Structured Pam Bayfield: Verse: Building Various Forms’, on 6th May 2017 For The Love of Grace—The Next Generation, Three Letters published in Australian Doctor Weekly of the Month in the Pittwater Online News Issue 319. The Magazine. was Profile
prologue and first chapter were published. 20 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au Lindsay Hay: Pam Garfoot: Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 2, 2017 Patron’s Prize for Poets at the Peter Cowan Writers May–Jun 2017, short story ‘The near miss’ and co-written ‘Complexity’,Centre, Joondaloop, awarded WA. a Commended Certificate in the Mary Ann Napper: Writers Festival’ article ‘Local writers reflect on this year’s Newcastle ‘The Scarlet Dress’, highly commended in the Stringybark Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 3, Seven Deadly Sins Short Story Award and published in an Jul–Aug 2017, short story ‘The invasion’ and article ‘Ryan anthology titled Gift of a Casserole and Other Deadly Sins. O’Neill’s brilliant career’ ‘A Special Letter to my Autistic Twin’ published in Autism Published on the Queensland Family History Society’s Parenting Magazine (USA) Issue 65, August 2017. webpage called 31 Links in a Chain, HUNTER FAW memoir ‘Our affinity with horses’ (www.qfhs.org.au/events/open-day/31- Elizabeth Horwitz: Gail Hennessy: links-in-a-chain/our-affinity-with-horses/). Pocket book of poems, Written on Water published by Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 2, Flying Island Books, ed Christopher (Kit) Kelen, Macau, May–Jun 2017, editorial 2017 Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 3, Poem, 'Message to my Mother', published in Grieve Jul–Aug 2017, editorial ‘Brimfull’. national writing competition, Hunter Writers Centre, 2017 Elizabeth Hunt: Poem, ‘The Dichotomy of the Paper Flower’ won the Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 2, Philip Bacon Ekphrastic competition in Queensland Poetry Festival 2016 and was published in Award Winning this year’s Newcastle Writers Festival’. May–Jun 2017, co-written article ‘Local writers reflect on Australian Writing, 10th anniversary edition, Melbourne Tony Lang: Books, 2017 Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 2, Poem, 'To the Ancestors' Commended in the Henry May–Jun 2017, story ‘The hysteria meter’ and a poem ‘The Kendall poetry award and will be published by the Central dieter’s parody’ Coast Poets Inc , November, 2017. Published in The Presbyterian Review, winter edition, Jan Dean: article ‘W.E. Henley and the 2016 Edinburgh Tattoo’ and a Poem, ‘Fish and Fowl’ accepted for publication in Not Very Quiet, a new online journal of women’s poetry to be Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 3, released in September Jul–Augpoem ‘Reflections 2017, article on ‘Whatthe Death happened of a Fly’ to poetry’ and a Four poems accepted for publication in the Twentieth poem ‘Dream sheep’. Anniversary anthology of Interactive Publications Kristen Mair: (Queensland) Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 2, Judged the 2017 In-house poetry competition for Central Coast Poets Inc. this year’s Newcastle Writers Festival’ and a short story May–Jun 2017, co-written article ‘Local writers reflect on Isolated Writers ‘The slow process of decay’. Cate Plink: Grant Cole: Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 2, Read one of his stories as the guest speaker at the Goulburn Men's Probus Club on 11 July. this year’s Newcastle Writers Festival’. May–Jun 2017, co-written article ‘Local writers reflect on LAKE MACQUARIE FAW Chloe Plink: Glenys Buselli: Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 2, Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 2, this year’s Newcastle Writers Festival’. May–Jun 2017, co-written article ‘Local writers reflect on Linda Visman: WritersMay–Jun Festival’. 2017, memoir ‘Fair fowl and fish’ and co-written Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 3, article ‘Local writers reflect on this year’s Newcastle Alison Ferguson: Jul–Aug 2017, memoir ‘Smelling a memory’. Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue Liverpool FAW 2, May–Jun 2017, articles ‘Travel writing’ and ‘Writing others’ lives’ Peter F Pike: Published in Hunter Professional Arts Magazine, issue 3, Book of Sonnets ICONVERSE published Jul–Aug 2017, article ‘Multi-platform creativity’. Sonnet, Limerick and poem in FreeXpresSion July 2017
cont. next page…
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 21 Literary Achievements Liverpool Pam Taylor: cont. from previous page Short Story, ‘Marmalade’ in Positive Words, Jan 2017. Two poems in Metverse Paul Vallis: Poem published in Tamba Short Story, ‘It Came from the Sea’ in Positive Words, Jan A selection of poetry published by Goulburn Valley 2017. Writers Wendell Watt: Poem published in Poets Voice section of Writers Voice, Prose Poem, ‘This is all it is’ in The Write Angle #57, Nov/ Winter Edition Jun 2017. Dec 2016; Vindu Maharaj: Poem, ‘Beginnings’ in The Write Angle #57, Nov/Dec 2016; Novel Cultural Prison—A daughter’s worth published Feb Short Story, ‘Milady Comes to Visit’ in Positive Words, July 2017. 2017. Toula Pappadam: John Egan: Children’s Picture Book Lex published in November 2016. Poetry Collection, Crossing The Heads published by “Oh Ginninderra Press, Port Adelaide; My!” Said the Fly in 2013. Both published under her own Chapbooks, Putting To Sea and A Safe Harbour published Thisregistered is Toula’s publishing second namepublication; of ToJoBooks. the first being by Ginninderra Press, Port Adelaide; Eric Esber: Poems, ‘Special’ in Positive Words, Feb 2017; ‘Snake’, Two poems ‘Fantasy’ and ‘Mysteries’ in FreeXpresSion July ‘There’ and ‘Stars’, April 2017; ‘An Old Photo’ and ‘Half the 2017. Winning…’, May, 2017; ‘No Ordinary Lunch’ and ‘Laneways and Darkness’, July 2017; Rhonda W Rice: Poems, ‘The Seasons’ and ‘Angels and the Moon’ in The Poem ‘The Boy On The Stool’, 2nd Place in Positive Words Write Angle #58, Feb 2017; and ‘Wrecking Ball’, June/July, Literary Competition 2017 2017; Poem ‘Tipsy Woman Dancing on a Cruise’ Highly Poems, ‘Landing in Wollongong’ in The Mozzie, Jan/Feb Commended in Scribes Writers Poetic Licence Comp 2017 2017; ‘Sodden’ and ‘Never called you Violet’, March 2017; Poems published in Positive Words and FreeXpresSion ‘Effects’, ‘Three in the Morning’, ‘You're all Natural Clowns’, Collection of short poems selected by WA Poets for April 2017; and ‘Leaves in the City’, June 2017; inclusion in The Big Screen and Poetry on the Pavements Poems, ‘And Night Rolls In’ in Valley Micropress, New at the Perth Poetry Festival 2017. Zealand, Jan 2017; ‘Like a Patient’ and ‘Parallels Never Meet’, April 2017; Macarthur FAW Poem, ‘Trash or Treasure’ in Fernando and Silver, Hope Barry Flanagan: Whispers, Poetica Christi Press, Melbourne; Short story collection, The Boys from Brokenback, Poem, ‘Already’ in Poetry Matters #29, March 2017 and released as an e-book, a sequel to his coal-mining novel, The Editor's Award for this poem; Brokenback. Tanka, ‘My intuition…’ and ‘Seven Arches: Seven Piers…’ in Victoria Chie: Kokako #26, New Zealand; Short story, ‘Making Adjustments’, sold to Yours Magazine Poem, ‘JMW Turner: The Fighting Temeraire’ in Polestar Winner of both the March and June in-house writing #32 and a review of the collection ‘The Long Way Home’, competitions, Liverpool FAW. by Robin Hilliard, Ginninderra, 2015. Poem, ‘Performance’ in POAM, April 2017. MOOCOOBOOLA FAW More from Moocooboola FAW… the following achievements Mary Bramston: were sent to us in November 2016, but were inadvertently missed for the December 2016 issue. To compound the error, Short Story, ‘The Waiting Game’ In The Write Angle #57, they were again overlooked for March 2017 and June 2017 Nov/Dec 2016: issues. Apologies to Moocooboola branch members for this Short Story, ‘A Question of Courage’ in The Write Angle omission. So, here they are… “better late than never!”—Ed. #58, Feb 2017; Mary Bramston: Short Story, ‘Big Red Roses’ in The Write Angle #59, June 2017; Short Story, ‘Where the Spirit Lies’ in FreeXpresSion, Oct 2016; Short Story, ‘I'm Sorry About That’ in Positive Words, July 2017. Short Story, ‘Waiting’ in Positive Words, Nov 2016. Robert Dickins: Wendell Watt: Poem, ‘Vale’ in Positive Words, July 2017. Poem, ‘Time for Angels’ in Positive Words, Oct 2016.
22 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au John Egan: Joan Williams: Poem, ‘Common Sense, Really’ in Poetry Matters #27, July Performed her poem 'From my window' at Pancreatic 2016; Cancer fundraiser North Arm Cove Community Centre. Poems, ‘Taps’, ‘Lovesong’ and ‘Hindsight’ in Positive Words, August 2016, and ‘Perspectives’, Oct 2016; Shoalhaven FAW Poem, ‘Rain at Midnight’ in The Wright Angle #56, Aug/Oct Irene Wilkie: 2016; Book of poems, Extravagance now available as an e-book Poem, ‘The Graveyard Watch’ in Beyond The Rainbow #87, or as paperback or on demand from Ginninderra Press Sept/Oct 2016; and eight other outlets such as 'The Book Depository' etc. Poems, ‘I Dream of White Clouds…’ in The Mozzie Poem, ‘The Eye Beholding’ Highly Commended on the WB Collaborative Poem, The Mozzie, Aug 2016, and Yeats Poetry Prize Australia 2016 website ‘Something’, Sept 2016; Poem, ‘Hey Mister’ accepted for the inaugural edition of Poems, ‘The Next Morning’ in Valley Micropress, New the online ACT poetry site Not Very Quiet. Zealand, Aug 2016, and ‘Floating’, ‘Night Rain at Luster Jennifer Dickerson: Gap', ‘At Dragon—Inception Monastery’ and ‘Our House’, Novel, The Claimants Daughter to be launched at Nowra Sept 2016; library on 7 September. Chapbooks, Sydney Central and Play It Louder published Available from
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 23 Out and About with Trevar
Trevar with Kerrie Erwin (above left) and Florence King (above right).
Radio Guest Authors around her. Telepathically, she told me she was not alone, and was together with her younger sister Pamela, who had died as recently had two guest authors on my radio show… a baby; her father, and there were others who I did not know. authors with a difference. I She seemed so peaceful and strong.” Kerrie Erwin is author of several books and is a Kerrie was attracted to the spirit world as a very young leading spiritual medium and healer. A star of TV, Stage girl. At an early age she could see and communicate with (as an actress) and Radio. people no one else could see. Kerrie’s latest book is Sacred Signs—Messages of Love From Spirit. Others are Magical Tales of the Forest and Their books are available via their web sites. Memoirs of a Suburban Medium amongst others. Trevar Langlands Kerrie’s web site is
24 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au Writing Competitions
Closing date: 28 September 2017 Closing date 30 September 2017: The 2018 Sunday Times (UK) SCRIBES WRITERS ‘SHORT TAKES’ EFG Short Story Award OPEN LITERARY COMPETITION 2017 The most valuable prize in the world for a single short story. Category A: Fictional Short Story. (For the purpose of this The prize, worth £30,000 to the winner, is an international competition, a fictional short story does not include Fan Fiction.) award, founded in 2010, that is open to any story of up to Category B: Memoir (For the purpose of this competition, a 6,000 words written in English. Stories need to have been memoir is defined as an incident or series of related incidents either previously unpublished or only published after from the writer’s own life—not an autobiography or obituary.) 31 December 2016. Five other authors shortlisted for the Theme: Open. Word Count: 1000 Max. (excluding Title). award will each receive £1,000. The prize is administered Prizes (each category): 1st $200; 2nd $100. Highly Comm- by the Society of Authors (UK). To be eligible, the author must have a record of prior public Entry Fee: $7.00 per entry, per category. ation in creative writing in the United Kingdom or Ireland. Entriesended and should Commended be addressed Certificates to: at judges' discretion. A longlist of up to twenty entries will be published in Scribes Writers Prose Competition February 2018 and the winner will be announced in April. South Barwon Community Centre Full terms and conditions for the prize can be found at 33 Mount Pleasant Road the following website address and writers can access the BELMONT VICTORIA 3216. entry form via the Short Story Award website at:
separate COVER SHEET must be attached, containing Closing date: 13 October 2017 • NOthe namestitle of or the addresses entry, competitionto appear on name,manuscripts. section A category if applicable, word or line count, author’s Lambing Flat FAW 2017 name, address, telephone number and email address (if Writing Competitions available). Title and page number (ONLY) of the entry should appear on each page of the manuscript. Following on the very successful series of creative writing workshops held recently in Young, the Lambing Flat cash prize in any other competition nor been published Branch announce their 35th annual writing competitions. • Entriesin any form, must as be at original the closing work date and mustof the not competition. have won a Adult category*: Short stories up to 1500 words at the time of entry HOWEVER the entry must be Poetry up to 50 lines. • withdrawnEntries may from be entered any subsequent in more than competitions one competition if the • writer is advised prior to the closing dates that the entry was successful elsewhere with a cash prize. The• adult competition is open to all comers and has no set $5 entry and $200 first prize in each section. to the organisers, unless otherwise stipulated. Multiple romance or articles should enter. We are interested in all • Chequesentries may and/or be paid money with orders one chequeshould be or made money payable order themestyles so so with anyone, a limit be theyof 1500 writers words of thisfiction, competition family history, is an – do not send coins or stamps. ideal venue to write those stories. There is no set theme returned and will be destroyed after the announcement of results. And don’t forget the poetry; traditional rhyming or free • Copyright remains with the author. Entries will not be verseso let isyour most fancy welcome and pen up fly. to a limit of 50 lines. pondence will be entered into. This year’s competition is sponsored by the South West • The judges’ decisions will be final and no corres Slopes Credit Union and we are very grateful for their support. send a standard DL-sized stamped, self-addressed *Also School student competition for Primary and Secondary • Ifenvelope you require (SSAE) a copy with of yourthe results entry. mailed to you, please Students, free entry, details on entry form. These are general guidelines. For complete conditions Entry forms, for both adult and student, with all details, relating to individual competitions, and to obtain entry forms (where required), contact the relevant competition available by sending an email to < organisers. hotmail.com> or call Ted 0459 707 728 or Joan 02 6382 2614. lambingflatbranchfaw@
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 25 Branch Meetings and Contacts
BANKSTOWN Writers HUNTER FAW MOOCOOBOOLA FAW SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS 1st Saturday – 1.00 to 4.00 pm 1st Wednesday – 10.15am 3rd Thursday – 1.30 pm 2nd Saturday –10am to noon Banksia Room, Dining Room of Sydney Junction Gladesville Library The Henrietta Rose Room, Revesby Workers Club Hotel, Beaumont St., Hamilton Pittwater Road, Gladesville. Bowral Library. Enquiries: Carney Vaughan 4268 5383 Enquiries: Luciana Croci (Pres.) Enquiries: Brian Rutter 9817 5508 or Enquiries: Barb Angell (Sec.) 0439 601 351 or Christine John Egan 9799 3077 / 4464 1719 Phone and SMS: 0417 192 055 BLUE MOUNTAINS Brotherson (Sec.) 4969 7794 Email:
26 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au Fellowship of Australian Writers FAW ISOLATED WRITERS Branch NSW Inc. Membership Enquiries: ABN 59 557 152 715 Carolyn Cash, Isolated Writers Convenor General correspondence: Hon. Secretary, FAW NSW Inc. Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW 22 Promontory Way, NORTH ARM COVE NSW 2324 PO Box 429, Caringbah NSW 1495 Internet:
Visit us on the Internet at www.fawnsw.org.au WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 27 RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS FOR SALE Please send updates and details for inclusion – or deletion – in this section FAW Members’ of Writers Voice to:
For the FAW NSW website, members should also send a cover image and Bookshelf blurb to the webmaster:
ANTOINETTE CONOLLY The Fifth Planet Port Macquarie Hastings FAW Heartbeat of the Hastings This anthology is a collection of tales of some of our community’s Matthew Gordon and Madison Ramsey are three 11 year old friends Awho science go to fictionthe Royal novel National for Primary Park for School a bushwalk readers. and Abigail picnic. Mitchell, After a community and of some who are the arteries to the rest of the world. violent electrical storm, only Maddie returns home. Abby and Matthew Itselfless is a suitable volunteers gift for who birthdays are the and heartbeat Christmas of ouras it Porttells Macquariethe stories of the causes and communities in which the volunteers participate. shuttle is driven back to the mother ship which returns to the home The local CWA, Riding for the Disabled and Sailability (Sailing for the findplanet an of alien Zorgon. space shuttle and inadvertently become stowaways. The Disabled) perform many miracles in their day-to-day operations. A Their journey takes them to many different and sometimes dangerous women’s health clinic in Nepal, Mercy Ships off the west coast of Africa worlds. Will the two children have any possibility of returning home to and construction work on a small island off Vanuatu are some of the Earth or must they remain with the Zorgi people forever? offshore volunteering that is performed by our wonderful Aussies. The novel has 157 pages and appeals equally to girls and boys, requiring This B5, full colour book is available for purchase at $20 + postage if only that the reader has an active imagination. Available from the required. Contact Colleen Parker at
28 WRITERS’ VOICE 257—September 2017 Typeset by Ken Driver for The Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW. Printed in Australia.