TIME

ISSUE 273 Jacki Ferro – From Memoirs to Children’s Books Kelli Hawkins – Time June – August 2021 CALL FOR MANUSCRIPTS PUBLISHED BY

Looking for a Publisher? ISSUE 273 June - August 2021 he -based Sid Harta Team appreciates that ISSN 1444-2922 it is a brave step to hand over one’s work to a stranger. T EDITORIAL AND PRODUCTION Our editors bear this in mind with an assessment that is Contents Editor Sandra Makaresz sensitive while critical, encouraging, and realistic. Associate Editor 3 Meet Theodora Le Souquet Callum McDonald Guest Artist Sid Harta Publishers is offering writers the opportunity QWC Chair 2008-2010 Kathleen Jennings Design to receive specialised editorial advice 4 From Memoirs to Children’s Books Aleisha Yu Printing on their manuscripts with a view to By Jacki Ferro CPX Printing & Logistics

having their stories published. SUBMISSIONS 6 Time Members can submit Milestones or details of Events or Competitions and Opportunities, or By Mocco Wollert pitch articles for WQ, by emailing us at [email protected]

Contact SHP at: QWC reserves the right to edit all submissions Sid Harta Publishers specialises 7 Persistence of Memory with regard to content [email protected] and word length. in new and emerging authors, By Renee Hills Phone: (03) 9560 9920 ADVERTISING and off ers a full range of Mobile: 0408 537 792 Advertising rates, deadlines and dimensions and publishing options. 8 New Management Committee other information on how to advertise in WQ is available at qldwriters.org.au/advertise. For Web: http://sidharta.com.au advertising enquiries please contact editor@ We publish: 10 Grief, Ghosts and Giving Yourself Permission qldwriters.org.au SID HARTA PUBLISHERS: QWC members enjoy a reduced advertising • print editions & print- By Lara Cain Grey rate. Before booking an advertisement potential 23 Stirling Crescent, advertisers should read QWC’s Advertising Terms on-demand via Amazon / and Conditions at qldwriters.org.au/advertise Glen Waverley Vic 3150. 12 Never Give Up: The Story of a Manuscript Lightning Source STAFF By Kathy George • ebooks for all platforms. Chief Executive Officer I’ve now had four books published by Sid Harta. Th e fact that I have kept on Lori-Jay Ellis 14 Behind the Scenes - The Curtain Project Publications Manager Call us to discuss our service. coming back indicates that I have been very happy with the services provided, Sandra Makaresz from the initial manuscript assessment, to editing, book design and distribution. By Aleisha Yu Program Manager I have enjoyed the collaboration, particularly in editing and design, the fi nal Callum McDonald Social Media Officer outcome a fusion of my ideas and suggestions made. Many thanks! 16 Time Charlie Hester — Noel Braun author of Th e Day Was Made for Walking, I Guess I’ll Keep on By Kelli Hawkins Graphic Designer Aleisha Yu Walking, Whistler Street, Friend and Philosopher Project Officers 18 Chasing The Wild Pineapple Craig Cauchi Sophie Bafekr RECENT TITLES… Sandy Curtis – by Lesley Synge Christopher Grace Sebastian Williams

20 Taking the Slow Road MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE By Maree Kimberley Chair Four Kym Hausmann Vice Chair Countries 22 Competitions & Opportunities Lara Cain Grey One Dream Treasurer Mary McWeeney 26 Publisher Update Secretary Kim Douglas

28 Member Milestones ORDINARY MEMBERS AUTOBIOGRAPHY SUNDRAM SIVAMALAI Colin Hester Peter Lang 29 QWC Membership Benefits Carolyn Martinez Jemma Pollari One Dream_Four Countries_cover.indd 1 3/03/2021 10:48:32 AM Prof. Stephen Torre

QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 1

Writers advertisement_2021 April_full page.indd 1 14/04/2021 11:08:01 AM PUBLISHED BY

ISSN 1444-2922 ISSUE 273 Meet Theodora Le Souquet QWC Chair 2008–2010 in conversation with Judy Gregory Editorial Sandra Makaresz GUEST ARTIST Editor Kathleen Jennings Theodora Le Souquet is a strategist who was Chair of The world of writing has changed enormously in recent QWC from 2008–2010. She is a member of McKinsey years – making it both easier and harder to get established Cover Illustration Online Executive Panel and a Member of the Australian as a writer. It’s easier because writers can publish their “Time” Institute of Company Directors. She is Head of Business own work now, and engage directly with audiences. But it’s Strategy with Canaria Technologies. more difficult because there are more people publishing, Biography: The issue of time seems to be on our minds at the moment. Time moved slowly so it’s more difficult to be noticed and quality is sometimes an issue. When I was Chair of QWC, the average income Kathleen Jennings is a World last year. Time is moving too quickly this year. We don’t have enough of it. We I first became involved with QWC as a mentor inthe for writers was $11,000. Supporting yourself as a writer Fantasy Award-winning (and Hugo don’t make enough of the time that we have. Whatever your views on time, I’m mid-2000s, to help digitise the organisation. I’d only just was difficult then, and it’s still difficult now. Award-nominated) illustrator and sure this issue will have something to inspire you to make time for your writing. moved to , and I wanted to get to know the city by working with an arts organisation. QWC needed help and, Ditmar Award-winning writer. I feel one of the biggest challenges facing writers is finding Judy Gregory chats with ex-QWC Chair (2008-2010) and Quills Member even though I don’t have a background in writing, it was a She has illustrated for fantasy ways to get noticed. It’s loud out there, and most things Theodora Le Souquet, who recalls a QWC freshly moved into its current home perfect opportunity for me. authors including Garth Nix, Juliet are personality driven. It’s really difficult to be noticed if at the State Library of Queensland and on the verge of digitisation. Jackie Ferro Marillier, Angela Slatter, Cassandra you don’t have a strong backstory or a strong personality. discusses her long-term collaboration with Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt, a At the time, everyone was talking about the death of the Clare and Holly Black, and has Writers who are really personable and who can really proud Yamatji-Noongar Elder, to write Rhonda’s memoir Alice’s Daughter. book and the need to go digital. The biggest task at QWC also been illustrator at large at push their craft are few and far between, but that’s what It’s a wonderful story of the value of friendship and storytelling. Lesley Synge was to digitise Australian Writers Marketplace. Our goal the Brisbane Writers Festival. Her is needed. shines a light on long-time member Sandy Curtis and Maree Kimberley writes a was to preserve it and build it into something everyone debut (illustrated) novel, Flyaway, celebration of time after reaching her goal of publication. could access. We received an Australian Business Arts and her debut poetry collection, I also feel that writers need to focus on how to make Foundation KPMG Advicebank Award for that work, and Travelogues, were published in writing a sustainable career. If your goal is to make writing Now in its 30th year, Queensland Writers Centre continues to support the then went on to win the National Advicebank Award, 2020. your profession, then you need to work on your craft writing community and celebrate the successes. We also support and celebrate which was a first for a Queensland partnership. every day. There’s a lot of hard work involved. There’s also the time taken to write, writers’ progress towards their writing goals and their She is running a Map Making & a lot of planning, to figure out how to generate a revenue involvement in our vibrant writing community. At the recent AGM, a new A highlight of my time as Chair was QWC’s move to the World Building workshop with stream and how to establish yourself as a writer. group of members offered up their time and expertise to our Management State Library of Queensland. The new State Library opened QWC in June. Committee. After four years on the committee, I’m excited to welcome them all in 2006, when QWC was based at the Metro Arts Centre I encourage emerging writers to take advantage of what and know they will find it a hugely rewarding experience. Please take the time in Edward Street. We decided the best way to engage with QWC has to offer. Do the courses. Find a mentor. Get to to read about your new Management Committee; we truly appreciate the time writers was to be located in a place where people were know your community. QWC is a grassroots organisation they give. engaged with writing. We negotiated to set up a writing that offers support to all types of writers. I see it as an hub within the library, with QWC co-located with other organisation with an ability to touch people at every stage writers’ organisations like the Children’s Book Council and of their writing career. Poetry Queensland. The outcome was fantastic.

When I stepped down as QWC Chair in 2010, I worked

The Queensland Writers Centre, Management Committee and staff present WQ with Sue Abbey to establish black&write. The idea was to in good faith and accept no responsibility for any misinformation or problems support Indigenous writers with Indigenous editors. It was arising from any misinformation. The views expressed by contributors or advertisers (including advertising supplying inserts) are not necessarily those initially located within QWC, and then taken over by the of the Management Committee or staff. State Library.

2 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 3 From Memoirs to Children’s Books A Collaboration Forged by Healing and Time

By Jacki Ferro

When I first met Aunty Rhonda Collard-Spratt, I wasa Sharing incidents of neglect and abuse by white childhoods in this book. first in what we hope will become the ‘Spirit ofthe community development worker of over twenty years, and missionaries, as well as confronting sexual assaults and Dreaming’ series: five joyful children’s books that aim to Aunty was a scarred survivor of the Stolen Generations police violence in her teens and adulthood, Rhonda Back in Queensland, we travelled the countryside (often keep the Dreaming alive, and promote literacy among yet to tell her story. confided in me stories that she said she had never getting lost) speaking about Reconciliation, Aboriginal First Nations children and the wider Australian public. shared, nor intended to share, with any white person. culture, and modern Aboriginal history to public servants We are also producing an audiobook, narrated by Aunty Not long into an Aboriginal art mentoring program that I Rhonda also disclosed that she had never let a white from Centrelink to Child Protective services, to book clubs, Rhonda. Each book will include terms from Aboriginal was coordinating, Rhonda came into my office. She shared person into her home; her psychologist and I became to assembly halls filled with high school students and languages, and a song or poem that summarises the with me and Purga Elder, Aunty Patricia King, the time the only exceptions. teachers. Highlights included Rhonda’s keynote address storyline and major teachings. when Rhonda, aged twelve, first met her mother Alice, for at USQ to mark a decade since the National Apology, only five minutes. Rhonda is a natural-born storyteller and a proud and our ‘Healing through Art’ workshop at the inaugural Aunty Rhonda and I continue to follow our creative Yamatji-Noongar Elder who, despite our government’s National NAIDOC ATSI Women’s Conference in Sydney in hearts, rejoicing in a special friendship forged by healing I got goose bumps (or as Rhonda calls them ‘emu bumps’, best efforts, has maintained her deep connection with 2018. Our friendship strengthened, and Rhonda gifted and time. We believe that our bond is also blessed by as ‘we didn’t have those fancy geese growing up,’ she’d her people and her culture. I became her witness, me an Aboriginal Totem. To her, I am ‘Dragonfly Girl’. To Elders, both past and present, who continue to guide say). Aunty Pat turned to me and said, ‘Someone should transcribing her hidden trauma for the world to read. many, Aunty Rhonda is ‘Aunty Curlew’, so-named after her us and our writing. write this down! Jacki, you should write it.’ So, on that Totem animal. November day in 2012, I agreed to help Aunty Rhonda After the launch of her memoir, Rhonda and I took write her life story. every opportunity to promote and market Alice’s Rhonda is pleased her story has been shared, Jacki Ferro runs Raw Memoirs, co-writing and editing the life Daughter. We ran countless stalls at community events acknowledged, and treasured as an important account stories of brave, inspirational people. Qualified in business communication, social planning, and writing, editing and Over the next two and half years, Rhonda came to my in south-east Queensland, especially during NAIDOC that represents the voices of many Aboriginal people, home one day a week. Through many tears, cups of tea, publishing, Jacki is an admin of Brisbane Authors Networking Week, and I held her hand as she shared soul-crushing particularly women, who endured similar suffering in their Group on Facebook. When not writing, Jacki loves to dance songs, and much laughter, we documented her childhood, memories on national radio and television and in many lives. Through our years together, Rhonda has blossomed Zumba and sing a song or two. growing up without family, culture, language or love, on a printed articles. into a gregarious performer, singing, dancing, and telling remote mission in Western Australia. I gave no structure jokes and yarns for mesmerised crowds. to our meetings; I simply listened. I let her talk, unfiltered In September 2017, we travelled together to Carnarvon, and raw, as she shared anecdotes from her life, and what about 900km north of Perth, to revisit what remained In 2020 when the pandemic hit, as Rhonda was considered had led her to Queensland. of Carnarvon Native Mission. It was fifty years since higher risk, she was forced into self-isolation. To keep her Rhonda had left that place that held her childhood busy through such a lonely time, I suggested we write Alice’s Daughter: Lost Mission Child was published by memories from the age of three to sixteen years. children’s books that share ancient Aboriginal lore and Aboriginal Studies Press in 2017. Back in 2012, prior to Many sites brought on stunned sadness, but Rhonda’s language. Aunty Rhonda jumped at the idea. In no time, that project, Rhonda had spent many months in darkness, joy was great when reunited with long-lost ‘mission we wrote initial drafts of Grandfather Emu and How the blacking out her windows and life, as her pain overtook brothers and sisters’. On this trip too, I gained a greater Kangaroo got her Pouch. A talented painter, Aunty painted her and crushed her ability to face the world. When she appreciation of how Rhonda is part of her Country, nearly thirty artworks to accompany the story. first visited me in early 2013, Rhonda was shy, closed and her Country is part of her. Locals were so proud down, and quick to tears. But once we spent more time in of their fellow ex ‘inmate’ (as the stolen children were In early 2021, Brisbane’s Boolarong Press offered to each other’s company, Rhonda relaxed. cruelly labelled), who had shared the truth of their own publish Grandfather Emu (release date June 1, 2021), the

4 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 5 date.’ Like the White Rabbit’s plan out the novel, write the poem. Time Persistence world, deadlines seem illusionary. Time is warped—expansive and finite Sometimes I meet them. Sometimes in the same moment. of Memory I don’t. But every day I hear an urgent By Mocco Wollert Sometimes though, such as during call to write. By Renee Hills QWC’s Rabbit Hole Writing Challenge, How ironic that now on the far side I slip quietly into a creative space. of 50, apparently with time to answer While rain drips softly outside, I write My granddaughter, age twenty-five, does not know who Scarlett O’Hara was - that call, my body transmits its own and write. I do not make the 20,000- word mark, but for once, the urgent when I can still smell Atlanta burning. urgent demands for care, movement and energy conservation. Reluctantly, ticking of the White Rabbit’s pocket I relinquish pre-dawn writing. I watch is quiet and my imagination ‘Hitler’s last days or years’ – whatever - might as well be a documentary ‘Don’t stress. It took me years to learn remember how well that worked roams freely through my memoir the craft. Just keep writing every day. when the children were small. The landscape. Dali titled his painting on Caesar, crossing the Rubicon. It might take you years to finish your house is still invitingly quiet but now Persistence of Memory. Perhaps my memoir.’ Our writing mentor means my mind is blurred with headache. persistent memory will keep words well. She’s young. She’s published. flowing until one day soon, I write World War Two has been downgraded to just another war, old news reels are She’s an accomplished author. I am in a Salvadore Dali landscape, the ‘The End’. now presented in colour, the sound of guns has not changed. one they call Melting Clocks. There’s But a panicked voice is racing like such a surreal distortion between the Lewis Carrol’s White Rabbit through creative anxiety I feel at the relentless Renee Hills won the opportunity to publish through the January Rabbit Hole Is there anyone still interested in these programmes ? Not my granddaughter who does the corridors of my mind shouting, numbering of days on the calendar, Writing Challenge’s Rabbit Hole Raffle. ‘I’m late! I’m late! For a very important and my capacity to finish the memoir, not know who Scarlett O’Hara was.

The news is filled with obituaries – those famous stars are dropping like flies,

it was only yesterday I was in love with Rock Hudson and Gary Cooper.

Science fiction sits on my wrist, I am booked on the next tourist rocket to the moon,

my phone tells my car where to go.

All the while, time sits in the wings sticking a foot out now and then, waving discreetly,

just a reminder that there is no stopping it.

But it seems to be running faster, feels as if it overtakes events before they even happen.

The wind of change has become a cyclone.

Mocco is a recognised poet and author who lives in Brisbane. Born in Germany, she writes in English, her second language. Her poems are published in newspapers and anthologies.

Her memoir ‘Bloody, Bastard, Beautiful’ was published in July 2017. A series of 8 children’s books was published in 2021.

QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 7 to roles in England, Bhutan, Egypt, understanding of the value of Stephen Torre New Management India, and Africa before making her NGOs, the power of citizens working home in Brisbane. Her professional together, and the need for good Stephen Torre BA experience covers commercial governance. Peter is also currently a (Hons) PhD Qld is Committee businesses and international member of Aspiring Writers, a writing a former Professor humanitarian organisations, as well group spun out of the first QWC of English at James as over a decade in local government course he attended. Cook University. here in Queensland. She is not His teaching and (currently) a writer but loves to read Carolyn Martinez research interests and is keen to lend her professional are in the short support to the creative community Carolyn holds a story, writing and through her involvement with QWC. Masters in Writing culture in the tropics, and twentieth- and is the owner century avant-gardes. Stephen Col Hester and director was the executive director of the of Hawkeye Foundation for Australian Literary Colin is an Publishing. In her Studies and chair of the judging The Queensland Writers Centre AGM years as Treasurer. Beyond this, Kym applied scientist role as director panel of the annual Colin Roderick was held on 27th April, 2021, and holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Kim Douglas (applied chemistry) of Hawkeye Award for 10 years and is now a Life saw a number of members voted in the University of Queensland and is an and graduate of Publishing, Carolyn Governor of the Foundation. Stephen Kim Douglas is an to the management committee. It’s a experienced financial controller and Queensland Institute oversees a team of passionate is the patron of Tropical Writers Inc, a Executive Coach wonderful opportunity for everyone management accountant hold. She of Technology volunteers, talented interns, dedicated member of the founding committee and Management involved. Outgoing management is also a Graduate of the Australian (1985). He has a staff and incredibly aspirational of the Cairns Tropical Writers Festival, Consultant committee secretary, Judy Gregory, Institute of Company Directors. In long association authors. Hawkeye was recently and a continuing member of its specialising in change reflected on her time on the MC. her professional capacity, Kim is the with the water approved by the Australia Publishers program advisory committee. management General Manager of Clear to Work and industry and is currently the Head of Association, and in their first year of and business “Being part of QWC’s management has developed a Financial Literacy Environmental Solutions and unofficial operation traditionally published three transformation. committee has been an honour and for Not-for-Profit Directors course historian at Urban Utilities. In 2017, novels – while last year, published She holds a a great source of inspiration. It’s to educate committee members on Col was awarded the Australian eleven. Carolyn is also the coordinator Graduate Certificate in Creative given me new insight into the value of their financial obligations. Water Association Queensland Water of Brisbane Book Authors, a not-for- a state-wide organisation like QWC, Writing and has been an active Professional of the Year. A keen writer, profit social-networking group for and respect for its ability to offer member of QWC for a number of Col is the author of numerous peer- published authors. support and motivation for writers Lara Cain Gray years. Kim has over 20 years of reviewed scientific papers and is at all levels, right across Queensland. experience in higher education Dr Lara Cain Gray is happiest when researching and writing Jemma Pollari QWC is a welcoming home for writers management including a period as a specialist librarian about local history and industrial – a place where people feel they Manager of the Creative Industries with expertise in heritage. Through his role at QWC, Col Jemma Pollari is a belong. QWC’s focus on telling and Faculty at QUT. With a commitment collection curation. aspires to help others find enjoyment, speculative fiction sharing stories means that everyone to volunteering and an interest in Her professional expression and knowledge in the art of author from the has a place – whatever their story, contributing to the management of past spans roles writing. Sunshine Coast whatever their writing experience, not-for-profit organisations, Kim is in library and and has been a and whatever their writing goals. looking forward to the opportunity museum curatorship, Peter Long member of QWC The management committee has to engage with the Management academic teaching since 2012. In her helped me to feel more connected to Committee and QWC members to and research, and corporate Peter Long has day job, Jemma Queensland’s writing community and promote a vibrant and diverse writing communication. She has worked at the been a public is a high-school given me a deeper understanding of community. British Library, Queensland Museum, servant, an physics teacher who also runs a the ways different writers work.” QUT and UQ, along with freelance organisational side-business as a photographer, consultancies. Lara has a PhD in Mary McWeeney consultant, and a web designer and app programmer. cultural studies, with an emphasis on lecturer in the QUT Jemma holds a Bachelor of Science Kym Hausmann Born in the UK, Australian literature, and has been Graduate School Communication (Honours), a Mary is a qualified Kym has been a published in a range of commercial of Business. Graduate Diploma of Education management proud member of and academic publications. At present, Peter has a long and a Master of Education. Jemma’s accountant who the Queensland she oversees development of cross held interest in community arts and ambition is to continue helping foster loves numbers Writers Centre cultural and multilingual books and believes in the value of creating a sense of purpose and community and the stories Management EdTech products for use in remote opportunities for a wide spectrum to other writers through her role on that can be Committee since and low-income communities with of writers, genres, topics and the QWC Committee. told with them. April 2017. She innovative Australian not-for-profit abilities. Peter has been involved in She considers was elected Chair Library For All. numerous voluntary organisations at the 2020 Annual herself to be a citizen of the world in , Mt Isa, Townsville General Meeting after serving three who has applied her finance skills and Brisbane. He has an acute

8 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 9 Grief, Ghosts and Giving Yourself Permission My Spirited Stay In The Fishbowl

FISHBOWL Writers in Residence By Lara Cain Grey

Quiz time. Which would you choose: A room of one’s own, Conan Doyle’s Australian speaking tour. When the famous to write. One key benefit of securing a residency is the Sir Arthur’s Brisbane sojourn? or a room with a view? They’re equally appealing to most writer, an enthusiastic spirit communicator, announces sense of permission it lends to the creative process. writers – and never moreso than in the age of lockdowns his Brisbane dates, Maggie is inspired. Could he be the QWC’s hard working in-house editor, Sandra Makaresz, and limitations. The first time I settled myself into the one to explain why she’s seeing strange shadows in the I applied for the Fishbowl Residency with the hope of provided feedback on my chapter outline, and later some Queensland Writers Centre’s ‘Fishbowl’, pulling the velvet night? turning my pages of scrappy notes and news clippings into draft pages. All the while, I benefited from the friendly curtain behind me and gazing out past the book stacks a workable chapter outline. I also aimed to answer some faces of the QWC team, who work tirelessly to connect towards the Brisbane river, it dawned on me: I had found The early research behind this project brought me joyful burning research questions (how exactly did newspaper writers with learning opportunities, industry insights, and both! I savoured the privilege of a secluded space that relief from all that 2020 hurled our way. Like so many others, delivery work in 1921?) and get 10,000 useful words on each other. Simply being around people who care deeply required nothing of me but more words on the page, with my professional office life had become a work-from-home the page. I took a week off work to kickstart the process about books and writing is always encouraging. Find your a treasure trove of research material sitting just beyond life, and my family’s school-sport-social schedule was a and hit my wishful word limit in that week. Sure, many of tribe! my glass enclosure in the State Library of Queensland. If sanitised shell of its former self. I committed to taking those words were later sacrificed to the red pen, but they So now Maggie, Arthur and I have been left to our own I couldn’t write my novel here, I simply couldn’t write my a few layers off my long term To Be Read pile, including were no longer hiding in my head, and that was powerful. devices, but I feel confident we will build a strong story on novel. tackling the complete Sherlock Holmes. This reading sent me wandering around online until pieces of a fascinating Beyond that glorious week, I fitted my Fishbowl days such solid foundations. And whilst I no longer get to hide The Fishbowl Residency provides writing space and story puzzle began jumping out at me. I finally understood around other commitments, but adding it to my diary out in my fishy carapace, I’ll be back to enjoy the view - and mentoring over 10 weeks to help writers achieve their the curious claim writers sometimes put forward: the story made me accountable. The novel had become a living, the company - as the novel progresses. creative goals. Some participants conjure a whole draft found me, not the other way around. Before I knew it I’d breathing, WIP, no longer just a bright idea. Even if only in that time; others manage to sharpen, polish, or finish lined up thrilling moments of data gathering, like visiting one or two days a week could be devoted to it, it was Dr Lara Cain Gray is specialist librarian with expertise in the Spiritualist Church in Spring HIll, where Sir Arthur laid taking shape. a long-term project. The application process asks you collection curation. Her professional past spans roles in library to submit detailed, achievable outcomes and a practical a foundation stone in 1921. and museum curatorship, academic teaching, and corporate pathway to reaching them. I’m pleased to say that I met, With the SLQ’s impressive newspaper collection at my writing and editing. At present, she oversees development then surpassed, my initial aims, with some surprising I was inspired! But I was also limited. As much as I love fingertips I locked down many crucial details ofmy of cross-cultural and multilingual books with innovative twists and turns along the way. both my family and my job, it’s notoriously hard for your historical setting. I spent a delicious day leafing through Australian nonprofit publisher Library For All. She holds a PhD writing fingers to fly with everyone under your feet. But this the E Jack Cutting Book, for example, a carefully collated in cultural studies, with an emphasis on Australian literature, My YA novel, I Am Light, is set in Brisbane in the 1920s. It feeling is hardly new to the Covid age. Creative souls have scrapbook of 1920s spiritual stories, donated by Brisbane and participates enthusiastically in the Australian writing and reading community via her blog Charming Language. examines the influence of spiritualism on a grief-stricken always struggled to carve out space without feeling selfish; local Eustace Jack. The further I delved into this world of girl whose family is recalibrating in the wake of the First without worrying that the children will be neglected, or the mediums, fairy photos, and life after death, the more I World War and the Spanish Flu. Seeking healing, she boss will be resentful, or the goldfish will starve. Many of began questioning my own beliefs. Was it merely luck that becomes obsessed with newspaper coverage of Sir Arthur us tend to put everything else before our ‘frivolous’ desire had me sitting in the Fishbowl 100 years to the day from

10 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 11 Never Give Up The Story of a Manuscript

By Kathy George Image Credit: Anna Jacobson

we write something in a genre of our Les Zig, smiled on me and found me accident—she represented another to take Sargasso to acquisitions. The 2021, it was. Remember the date at choice, but something we wouldn’t an agent, and the agent found me a writer from Tasmania—and I saw Commissioning Editor said they’d all the beginning? 2011. Ten years. It is a normally consider, something that publisher, and the publisher loved from her website that there were read the manuscript a number of fairy-tale come true. would put us out of our comfort the work, but wanted changes and things about Sargasso she might years ago and loved it, but at the time And the moral of this story, in short, is zones. I wrote in the Gothic genre, in another rewrite. Another rewrite like, and I emailed her a query. there’d been some concern it was not not to give up. Never give up. the voice of a little girl, and received that was subsequently rejected. The Within 24 hours she asked to see the commercial fiction, and they’d passed a HD, and after I finished university ending failed to please. They didn’t entire manuscript. I was lucky—this on it. Now they’d all read it again, and I decided to turn it into a full-length like this, they didn’t like that. The turnaround is highly unusual. She loved it even more. Now they wanted Kathy George has been a participant in the novel. I’d never had a novel published agent and I sat on our hands for a bit, said she loved the work. She did ask it, and they were going to say so. Or QWC/Hachette Manuscript Development before but I had written manuscripts, and then I entered Sargasso in the for some edits, but she was specific vote on it. Or whatever they do at Program, was shortlisted in the QLA’s Unpublished Manuscript/Emerging which had all been rejected, but I 2015 Queensland Literary Awards about what she wanted, and explained acquisition meetings. So I endured (for a second time) and, again to her reasoning. She went away and another agonising wait. I woke in the Author category in 2015, and was recently thought I knew what I was up for. shortlisted for QWC’s Adaptable program. my delight, it was shortlisted in the tried to sell Sargasso but Trump had small hours wondering what I would All the same I struggled with the Her Gothic novel, Sargasso, published by narrative. The plot was cumbersome unpublished manuscript/emerging just come into power and American do if they said no. How I would cope, Harlequin Australia, is out now. and unwieldy, and most days I author category. The shortlisting gave publishers were cautious. 2018 slid most importantly how I would go on couldn’t get it to do what I asked of it. me a mentorship, and I produced yet by. All this time I wrote other things. writing? I told a few of my closest I wondered why this particular book another draft, rejected by another I was shortlisted for competitions, writing friends because the enormity was so hard. (I know now for a fact round of publishers. (Although one published in anthologies. I attempted of the secret was too much. Then I anonymous staff member sent me a other novels. had an email. Sargasso was going to that some books are harder to write three page list of things to consider, acquisitions the following morning! At than others.) But finally in 2013 I was I entered Sargasso in yet another and suggested that Sargasso was lunch time Harlequin phoned to say finished, and much to my delight competition in late 2019, and an Australian Wuthering Heights for their acceptance was unanimous. I Sargasso was selected for the QWC/ promptly forgot all about it. It was Towards the close of 2011— the modern-day reader, a phrase I remember that I struggled to speak. Hachette Manuscript Development a long shot, I thought, but I had remember this date—I was in my final still use when describing the novel.) Then I babbled, and when I got off Program. nothing to lose. And In March 2020, year of a creative writing degree at the Sadly, at this point, my agent, who the phone I shrieked and then I cried, Harlequin phoned to tell me Sargasso Queensland University of Technology. By the close of 2014 I had taken on had worked tirelessly, said she didn’t bawled my eyes out. After all this time had been shortlisted for the ASA/HQ I was completing a unit called Novel board Hachette’s suggestions and think there was anything further she and all this work, and all the efforts of Commercial Fiction Prize. They said & Genre, about understanding done a rewrite, but they rejected could do. many and various people, including the work was clever, and darkly Gothic. and analysing genre (for example, the reworked version and I was no my family who had put up with my I didn’t give up. In 2017 I found an Later, they called to tell me I hadn’t Romance, Western, Fantasy, Sci-fi) nearer to finding a publisher. Then highs and my lows, Sargasso was agent in New York. I found her by won, but they nonetheless wanted and our final assessment stipulated the Gods in the form of the writer, to be published. And on 3 February

12 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 13 Working at the Queensland Writers my shoulder like a lumberjack. Much Centre as a graphic designer has to our CEO Lori-Jay’s disappointment, given me the opportunity to work on a photo was not taken to capture this a wide variety of projects. One of my moment. latest undertakings was our amazing We now had this printed, uncut piece new curtain, which you can now see of fabric, but our next task was figuring brightening up our workshop space. out how to attach it to the current set- As seemingly innocuous as a curtain up. I reached out to various tailors with project may seem, the background little success, before finally stumbling workings and development to get it across the Australian Sewing Guild, to its final stage was a rollercoaster who connected with local Brisbane of research, learning and problem sewing groups. solving. Sharon from Materials Girls based In one of our regular team meetings, in Nundah got back to me about the Behind the the task of replacing the existing project. Before accepting the project, curtain was put onto my to-do-list. she came into the office to get a Since the Centre had been closed better scope of the full project. We Scenes due to COVID-19 restrictions, we ran through ideas and came up with hoped that our members would be a game plan together. Sharon also The Curtain Project re-energised when coming back into stated that she wanted to donate the Centre with a new updated space. By Aleisha Yu her time for this project. It was an The curtain surrounding the office amazing offer that demonstrated the was comprised of three individual values of this organisation and their panels, two of which were 12.5 x commitment to community projects. 2 metres and one which was 8 x 2 We couldn’t have asked for a better metres. We commissioned one of collaborator. our past interns, Rowan Campbell, to The day finally came to start attaching design an image that would relate to this curtain. I walked into work with our work in a fun, bright and uplifting my portable ironing board, iron and way. I think you’ll agree that Rowan quilting pins ready to get started. met the brief. Preparing the curtain involved During the design period, we also trimming, ironing and pinning each reached out to printers to see if side of the curtains. Over 70m of fabric they could print on fabric for our in all had to be completed, taking over size specifications. If you’ve seen 12 hours in prep time alone. the workshop area and its old gold The first day went without a hitch. We curtains you’ll know this was no easy Left to Right: Lori-Jay Ellis, Aleisha Yu, Sharon Hall & Tiana Collins started with the smallest curtain, and it feat. We were lucky to work with Matt was quickly attached and rehung onto from Flash Graphics who provided us the rail with little difficulty. Despite with sample fabrics and test prints for my various ‘knocks on wood’, the Aleisha is an avid reader of translated the final piece and advice for the final next two curtains would prove more Asian works, graduating from QUT in 2020 product. with a Bachelor of Business and Creative difficult, but Sharon had solutions for Industries majoring in Advertising and Once the curtain was designed each dilemma that unfolded. Interactive and Visual Design. She was and printed I headed over with my Over the span of four days, Sharon employed by the Queensland Writers family’s ute, loaded it all on and Centre as a Graphic Designer after and our volunteers powered through brought it to the Centre. It was an completing two successful internships. this project and did an amazing job interesting sight to see as I, a barely With the team, she creates a range of bringing it all together. We hope you’ll visual assets and marketing collateral for 5ft Asian woman was hauling a 30kg, come in and see it soon! upcoming workshops and events. 2-meter long rolled-up curtain over

14 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 15 Time

By Kelli Hawkins

*Sigh*. the beginning. After that, comes the whole put-your- children; all of us in shock, trying to come to terms with our manuscript-away-for-ages thing. (Again, more time.) Then As a writer – and a human being – I sometimes feel like changed circumstances. But I made a conscious decision rewriting. Editing. Repeat as needed. (Hint: it’s probably time is my greatest friend and biggest enemy rolled into to try to get Other People’s Houses published. I knew it was needed quite a lot.) one. Time is niggardly, thieving, deceitful. And always now or never. If I didn’t get this book published, I’d give up deeply unfair, particularly to writers. Yet we need it, crave For me, another year passed before I started to enter writing, return to my office job to support my family and it, desperately plead with our gods of choice for more of it. Other People’s Houses into writing competitions; ones that put aside for good the pull of words and sentences and the provided feedback. That feedback was invaluable. And it characters who lived in my head. When I started my debut adult fiction novel, Other People’s invariably led to more rewrites, more editing. Houses, I – like most new, unpublished writers – struggled to As it turned out I found an agent quite quickly (though most find the time to scribble a few hundred words down here, More time. didn’t respond to my queries). In turn, my agent found a to tap a couple of hundred into my keyboard there. It was But I persevered. Eventually the book found a publisher and publisher for both Other People’s Houses and my children’s difficult to justify getting up early or staying up late to write finally, in March this year, it hit the shelves. More than five book The School for Talking Pets (to be released in September around jobs I was actually getting paid for, not to mention years after the germ of an idea – that of a grieving woman 2021, both with HarperCollins Publishing). It all happened looking after my kids, socialising – generally living a kind- who attends open houses on Sydney’s wealthy north shore, within a couple of months. My life completely changed of normal life. I certainly didn’t tell anyone I was writing a taking a memento from each one – came to me as I lay in direction. Timing – yet again – was everything. And I found novel. Well, just my husband (to avoid being served divorce bed one ordinary October night. Seeing the book out in the that editing and proofreading and emailing publishers and papers). The process ate greedily into what little free time world is an incomparable feeling, there’s no doubt about it. my agent provided an invaluable distraction from my grief. I had. It’s a feeling I often doubted I would experience during the So. Time, hey? It’s a doozy. So often, I thought to myself, why do I do this? arduous but somehow still precious writing process. Writing a novel is such a massive undertaking. It swallows I was a different person when I started writing Other My advice to writers – no, not just to writers, to all human up years of your life in great big gulps and there is no People’s Houses, five years ago. Time – insatiable time – took beings – is to accept your limited time in this world. Put guarantee you’ll ever produce a novel that will see the inside its toll, that’s for sure. It was while I was in the final stages yourself out there. Travel (overseas, or around the block). of a bookshop. And yet, most days, I sat down and did it. of writing that novel that my that husband was diagnosed Laugh. Pause. Take in what’s around you. Your family, Indeed, I wrote three novels before starting Other People’s with terminal bowel cancer. He was given two months to perhaps. Or the view. The magnificent scent of a eucalypt Houses. Three novels that still languish, unpublished, in my live. We were graced with almost nine before he died. I on your walk to the bus station. And write, of course, if it’s bottom drawer. But, for some reason, I kept going. The didn’t write much at all for a long time after his diagnosis. what you want – if it’s what you need – to do. first draft of Other People’s Houses took around a year to Time darkened. Moved faster. Much, much too fast. Kelli Hawkins writes novels for adults and children as well as Know that if you use your time, and take your time, eventually complete. A year. A year of my life spent writing words – reports for a private investigator. Over the years she’s travelled Until finally, for our little family, it ran out completely. that may or may not have been any good – onto paper. novels do get written, edited and even published. You just whenever possible and worked all kinds of jobs: she’s been Hundreds of pages of words. And that was just the first Three months after Matt’s death I started to send Other need to keep sitting down and putting those words onto a political journalist, a graphic designer, a mystery shopper – draft. People’s Houses to agents. I was in limbo at that point. paper. even a staple remover. She lives in Newcastle with her two Grieving, taking time away from my day job, spending teenagers. Who does that to themselves? Trust me. crucial hours and days and weeks with my teenage And, as any writer can attest, the first draft is only Though it often may not seem it, time is on your side.

16 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 17 Chasing the Wild Pineapple Sandy Curtis – ‘Bilo’ to Berlin by Lesley Synge

Image: Sandy Curtis

It’s noon at the Bundaberg Art WriteFest focused on publishing Gallery and, as arranged, through the industry workshops rather than being entrance springs Bundaberg’s most ‘another writers festival for readers’ famous writer, Sandy Curtis. and became a vital annual event for 11 years. One presenter requested For the next couple of hours, we belt Sandy to purchase a large, fresh leg through a startling range of topics, of lamb for him. Later, on stage, he starting with her 1950s childhood in demonstrated how easily a credit the very small town of Biloela west card could slice through flesh. A of Gladstone, where she ended her workshop that aspiring crime writers formal schooling at the age of 15. would never forget! Marriage and family saw Sandy move Signora Bella, May 2019 Credit SLQ to Bundaberg, the commercial centre With seven romantic thrillers set of the region which produces 25% of in Australia under her belt (Pan Lesley Synge holds an MA in Creative Australia’s fruit and vegetables. Macmillan; Clan Destine Press), Sandy Writing from UQ. Her novella, When is thrilled with the reach of her print Giuseppe Met Jackie, won Ravello Tales It wasn’t until her 40s when she Award (Italy) and her non-fiction has twice and e-books. German readers in emerged from family responsibilities won the Lorna McDonald Essay Prize. Her particular have taken to her oeuvre, to write. An unusual background to a latest poetry collection is Signora Bella’s in translation. Grand Tour. She is a founding member of successful writing career, but Sandy QWC. Curtis’s dynamism is anything but Still reeling from the recent death conventional. of her husband, Sandy is optimistic about completing three more novels. Drawn to the paying genres of ‘There’s never enough time in a day!’ romance and crime, she signed up as one of QWC’s first members. In What stands out as we part, is the 2006, her passion for professional effervescent life that Sandy has development inspired her to found, created for herself and how she and run, WriteFest, one of many has so magnanimously shared her examples of her extensive community enthusiasm and skills with her local service. community.

18 WQ WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 19 Taking the Slow Road

By Maree Kimberley

Fifty-eight. That’s my magic number. It’s the age I am I submitted my manuscript, Girl in the Shadows, with high Measday. It was a very rough first draft but Stephen saw saying “Text want to talk to you!” now, the age when I achieved my goal of walking into a expectations. After all I had direct access to an editor the story’s potential and encouraged me. While at Varuna bookshop and seeing a book with my name on the cover who was a decision maker, which is a rare thing for an I recorded a three-minute audio reading from Dirt Circus This wasn’t a contract offer. It was an opportunity for me sitting on the shelves. unpublished writer. When she rejected my manuscript I League. Later, this became a turning point on my road to to convince the editor I was prepared to work hard, listen was devastated. publication. I’d dabbled in writing for most of my life but didn’t start to to feedback and follow advice to make the book the best take it seriously until I started a creative industries degree I thought I’d blown my best chance at publication. I threw I finished my PhD in 2014 and spent several months it could be. I remember the editor commenting that it was in my late thirties. In my second year at uni I picked a myself onto the bed, cried into my pillow and decided I’d polishing the manuscript before submitting it to clear this wasn’t my first manuscript, and she could tell I’d subject that changed my life: Writing for children and young never write again. Once I’d calmed down a bit, I did some publishers and agents. I worked hard on my submission spent several years working on my craft. adults. soul searching into why I wrote and what I wanted from skills and had several requests for the full manuscript but writing. Ultimately, I decided that I would always write, no ultimately no offers. I’d always thought writing for kids would be too hard. I was The phone call went well and I signed a contract with Text matter what, because writing is an essential part of who right. Writing for children and young adults is hard. But it’s Then in 2016 Danielle Binks, who’d heard my Varuna Publishing in September 2018 with the book slated to I am. also where I discovered my writing passion. reading back in 2011, contacted me. She’d just joined come out in early 2020. That date was pushed to October Jacinta Di Mase as a literary agent focusing on children’s The major assignment for that course became the basis of 2020. Then came covid... and young adult books and asked about Dirt Circus League. my first children’s manuscript, titled Shark Boy. An editor from an Australian publishing house loved it and took it to But that didn’t diminish my I sent Danielle the manuscript. She saw its potential Finally, March 30, 2021 was my publishing day. Eleven acquisitions. The marketing department rejected it. dream of seeing my novel in but also wanted changes. Big changes. Specifically, she years after I started writing the manuscript and around wanted my third person point of view with three separate I still haven’t quite forgiven them... a bookstore 20 years after I set myself a goal of publishing children’s/ character voices to be changed to a single character, first young adult novel, I walked into a bookstore and there it In 2005 I had my first taste of success when an education person point of view. publisher accepted my children’s novella. The editor told was. That was a huge challenge. I had to ask myself some me it was one of the cleanest manuscripts they’d worked tough questions. Did I want to do it? Could I do it? And Dirt Circus League on the shelves, with my name on the with. That gave me a real boost. But I also made a very In 2010 I was invited to do a creative-practice-led PhD. how would I do it? rookie mistake and signed over my copyright to them. During my Masters I’d really enjoyed the research cover. component and so I jumped at the chance to do more I talked to a trusted industry insider who advised me to I learned an important lesson. Don’t be too eager to sign study. Not only for the access to all those beautiful think about whether I could make the changes and still It was worth the wait. your first book contract: always read it carefully and get libraries but for the time and space to spend working on have it be the book I wanted. I decided, yes. professional advice. another novel. I got to work. It took more than a year to get it to where I Maree Kimberley is a writer from Brisbane. Her work has been In 2006 I was accepted into a Master of Arts in young In the meantime, I continued to submit Girl in the Shadows thought it was ready to resubmit to Danielle. When she published in several anthologies, including The Year’s Best adult fiction at QUT with five other writers. This wasa but without success. Eventually I put it aside and focused accepted my rewrite and I signed with her we were both fantastic experience that gave us a chance to learn from Australian Fantasy and Horror 2015 and Defying Doomsday. on my PhD manuscript, Dirt Circus League. over the moon! industry experts, including a fiction editor working for a Dirt Circus League, her first novel for young adults, was inspired highly regarded publisher. She invited each of us to send In 2011 I went to Varuna Writers House to work on the Danielle pitched my novel to Australian publishers in by the remote landscapes of Cape York and her fascination for her our manuscripts as soon as they were ready. manuscript with the help of a wonderful mentor, Stephen August 2018. Then, in early September, she emailed me neuroscience.

20 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 21 $10,000 PRIZE The ACU Prize for Poetry Length: 80 lines Price: $25 Deadline: 26th July Prize: $10,000 Rabbit: a journal for non-fiction poetry, and Holmgren Length: 80 lines Design are offering Australian poets the opportunity to Deadline: 5th July submit their best unpublished poems on an environmental theme. The winning poems will be published on www. Established in 2013, the ACU Prize for Poetry is one of holmgren.com.au and in Rabbit. The competition is in Australia’s most prized poetry awards, receiving hundreds honour of poet and environment activist, Venie Holmgren. of entries each year. Through it, the Australian Catholic Competitions & Opportunities University aims to support the emergence of new and Sydney Hammond Memorial Short Story dynamic Australian Poets and poetry. The prize will be Writing Competition awarded to the most outstanding poem on the theme of Price: $12 Creative Arts Fellowship Length: Published book Resilience. Prize: $250 Hawkeye Gift Voucher Price: FREE Deadline: 31st July Length: 1,000 words $10, 000 grant and four-week Sponsored by Psychologists for Peace, the Children’s E.M. Fletcher Writing Competition Prize: residency at the library with access to Peace Literature Award is biennial award to Australian $20 HAGSOC members, $30 non- Deadline: 1st August collections. Price: authors of books for children that encourage promote members Length: Max ten pages peace. It is open to young people (up to 18 years) who $1,000, special HAGSOC member Hawkeye Books are seeking light-hearted, positive stories Prize: have a book published between 1st July 2019 and 30th prizes and publication on the theme of courage for this Sydney Hammond Deadline: 10th July June 2021 with a theme or main character(s) encouraging Memorial Short Story Competition. The judges will favour Length: 1,500-2,000 words The Creative Arts Fellowship and Creative Arts Fellowship the peaceful resolution of conflict and/or promoting stories with critical thinking, humour and/or a point of Deadline: 15th July for Australian Writing are for works inspired by the Library’s peace at the global, local or interpersonal level. difference. The top 40 stories will be published inan anthology and the winner’s story will inspire its front cover unique, rare or comprehensive collections. Works can $ The Heraldry and Genealogy Society of Canberra (HAGSOC) 15,000 design. be at any stage of development but must require direct 2021 Newcastle Poetry Competition PRIZE is running the E.M. Fletcher writing competition to reward access to the collections to progress or be completed. the best short story on the theme of family history/ Price: $33 Henry Savery National Short Story Award The final work, which does not have to be finished within genealogy. Open to Australian residents over 18 years, the residency period, should showcase the collections $15,000 and publication in the 2021 Prize: the winner will have their work published in an edition of Price: $5 in unique or interesting ways, and acknowledge their anthology The Ancestral Searcher (TAS), HAGSOC’s quarterly journal. Prize: $150 contribution through commentary or in the artwork. Length: Max 200 lines of poetry Length: 60 lines th Anthology Poetry Award National Playwright competition Deadline: 28 June st Early Bird - €10 per poem; final deadline Deadline: 31 August Price: $40 A poetry competition for all Australians. It is run by Price: – €15 per poem The Fellowship of Australian Writers Tasmania is seeking Prize: $300 and performance of the work. Hunter Writers Centre and sponsored by the University €500 and a 1-year subscription to original, unpublished poems for the FAW Tasmania Poetry of Newcastle. Poems must not include the name of the Prize: Equivalent to a production no less than Anthology magazine Prize. Results will be announced at the FAW October Length: author or any identifying marks. 25mins to a maximum of 45mins. Length: 3,000-5,000 words general meeting and all prize winners will be notified. Deadline: 31st June Wyndham Writing Awards Early bird - 31st July; Final deadline -31st Deadline: Playhouse Players Inc. are running the National Playwright Price: Free October Sunspot Lit: Rigel 2021 competition for its 20th year. The competition encourages Publication in the Wyndham Writing Price: $5 Prize: The Anthology Poetry Award was established to recognise emerging writers to write one act, original plays in English Awards Anthology 2021 and encourage excellence in the craft of poetry writing Prize: $750 and publication that are suitable to be performed by Playhouse Players Flash fiction 100-600 words; 1 poem and to provide a platform for publication. Entries are Length: 5,000 words Inc or another nominated Theatre Company. Winners Length: up to 60 lines; short story 1,500-3,000 invited from poets of all nationalities and there is no limit th will see their work performed as well as receiving a cash words Deadline: 30 June prize. Three successful One Act Play scripts (judged by an to entries per person. Open to original and previously Deadline: 30th June Sunspot Lit is an international literary journal. For their independent panel of Judges) will be performed for four unpublished poems in the English language, the theme Rigel competition they are looking for the single short premiere performances each in December. for this year’s poetry award is Freedom. Wyndham City is again hosting the Wyndham Writing story, novel, novella, graphic novel, or poem that outshines Awards. Prizes will be awarded for unpublished works Children’s Peace Literature Award Venie Holmgren Environmental Poetry Prize all the rest. in three categories: short story, flash fiction and poetry. Price: $15 Supported by Arts Assist, the awards aim to recognise, Price: $10 inspire and encourage emerging adult writers from Prize: $3000 Prize: $1,000 Victoria.

22 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 23 $10,000 PRIZE Richell Prize for Emerging Writers The BR4R Seeking Asylum Poetry Prize Price: $20 Price: Free $10,000 and a 12-month mentorship Prize: $300 and publication Prize: with Hachette Australia Length: 50 lines Length: 20,000 words Deadline: 15th August Deadline: 9th July Ballina Region for Refugees is running this poetry Hachette Australia, along with the Richell family, has competition to celebrate the positive contributions that launched the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers 2021. refugees make to our communities. They are seeking Open to unpublished writers of adult fiction and adult poems that consider the experiences, aspirations and narrative non-fiction the Prize will be judged on the first hopes of refugees and asylums seeking a home in which to three chapters of a novel, along with a synopsis and a build new, meaningful and safe lives. Open to anyone living statement about how the author’s writing career would in Australia, the theme for this year’s competition is ‘Time benefit from winning. Writers do not need to have afull for a Home.’ Winning entries and selected runners-up will manuscript at the time of submission, though they must be published in Social Alternatives. intend to complete one.

Aurealis FAW Tasmania 2021 Poetry Prize Price: Free Price: $5 Short stories 2,000-8,000 words; non- Prize: $150 Prize: fiction 500-2,000 words Length: 60 lines Length: 50 lines Deadline: 31st August Deadline: 30th September The Fellowship of Australian Writers Tasmania is also Established in 1990, Aurealis is one of Australia’s most seeking original, unpublished poems for the FAW Tasmania successful science fiction/ fantasy magazines. They are Poetry Prize. Results will be announced at the FAW October currently open to unsolicited submissions of unpublished general meeting and all prize winners will be notified. science fiction, fantasy or horror non-fiction and short story pieces. They do not publish horror without a supernatural element.

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24 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 25 Minimum 80k words. become home to Australia’s best Penguin Australia https://www.harpercollins.com.au/ storytellers. Accepts general and Submissions now open. They harlequin-books-submissions literary fiction and non-fiction. do not accept plays/scripts, Submission guidelines in the individual short stories, science contact section of the home Mills & Boon fiction/fantasy, poetry, picture Accepts a wide range of romance. books or educational textbooks. page. Online submissions open. Visit https://www.ultimopress.com. website for details. https://www.penguin.com.au/ getting-published/ au https://www.millsandboon.com.au/ submissions/ Rhiza Press University of Odyssey Books Currently considering unsolicited Queensland Press Publisher Update Accepts unsolicited fiction, submissions for young adult fiction memoir, narrative non-fiction, through Rhiza Edge and query Submissions only accepted picture books, and novellas. letters for manuscripts suited to during the first week of each Traditional publishing with direct the Rhiza Press digital list. month. Currently accepting submissions welcome; no agent unsolicited submissions for Affirm Press required. No advance paid. Self- https://wombatrhiza.com.au/rhiza- Bloomsbury Spark Ginninderra Press literary fiction and non-fiction. Only accepts submissions on the publishing options available. press-submissions/ Digital only publisher of teen, YA Hard-copy submissions only. Poetry, children’s and YA are first Monday of each month. Note https://www.odysseybooks.com.au/ and new adult between 25K and Accepts non-fiction, poetry, currently closed for unsolicited that submissions received outside 60K words. and collections of fiction. Must submissions/ Scribe Publications submissions. this window will not be assessed. enquire before submitting Submissions closed. They only https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/ One More Chapter https://www.uqp.com.au/pages/ children’s books. NOT accepting accept submissions during Please send all general submissions bloomsbury-spark/submissions/ Currently closed for submissions, novels at present. Enquire before submissions but will open up again very soon. seasonal three-week windows; to: [email protected] submitting children’s books. the next window is 1 September Boolarong Press See website for updates. Check website for full submission http://www.ginninderrapress.com. https://www.onemorechapter.com/ through to 21 September. Mainly publishes history, Ventura Press details: https://affirmpress.com.au/ au/getting.html https://scribepublications.com.au/ submissions/ biographies and Australiana Pantera Press Accepting submissions of children’s books, but open to about-us/submissions Giramondo Publishing Seeking well-written fiction and contemporary fiction, historical Allen & Unwin other genres. non-fiction, with best-seller fiction, crime/thriller fiction, Submissions closed until potential and international appeal. Sidharta Books & Print memoir, mental health, and Please note Allen & Unwin only https://www.boolarongpress.com. December. accepts manuscripts correctly au/writers/submission-guidelines/ Currently NOT accepting picture Currently only considers history. Currently NOT accepting https://giramondopublishing.com/ submitted through their or illustrated books, cookbooks, manuscripts that have been children’s fiction and nonfiction, submissions/ electronic system. Any hard-copy self-help books, health and professionally read (in entirety) poetry, young adult fiction or Carina Press by their own listed editors. submissions mailed in will be well-being books, travel books, non-fiction, or illustrated books Harlequin’s digital-first adult Hachette Australia poetry, play scripts, short stories, Submissions via email with brief recycled. Also that, despite its fiction imprint. Currently acquiring of any kind. Currently only Accepts fiction, non-fiction, compilations, chapter books or synopsis and author bio. name, The Friday Pitch is open to all subgenres and heat levels of accepting submissions on children’s and YA. children’s books (for ages 12 and submissions all week! romance (excluding inspirational https://publisher-guidelines.com Fridays. NOT looking for science fiction/ under). romance), new adult, historical https://www.venturapress.com.au/ https://www.allenandunwin.com/ fantasy, horror, illustrated books, https://www.panterapress.com.au/ romance, mystery and crime, submission-guidelines cookbooks, poetry, screenplays submit/ Text Publishing submissions action adventure, science or academic works. fiction, fantasy and interactive Pan Macmillan Broadly interested in publishing https://www.hachette.com.au/ fiction and non-fiction, including Walker Books Black Inc. and Nero Books adventures. Does not accept Currently interested in unsolicited submissions of submissions/ middle-grade and young adult. Unagented writers can only Accepts general and commercial contemporary drama, sagas, novellas under 35,000 words. psychological suspense, crime Currently NOT accepting submit on Walker Wednesday. non-fiction including history, Hawkeye Books and thrillers, historical, and literary poetry, play scripts or picture Check the website for the current affairs, sports, and https://www.carinapress.com/shop/ Submissions now open. Looking fiction; narrative non-fiction, books, individual short stories, upcoming Walker Wednesday biography – and for literary and pages/write-for-us.html for creative non-fiction, fiction, contemporary issues, memoir, technical manuals, cookbooks, dates in 2021. commercial fiction. self-help books, memoirs and history, true crime, lifestyle and how-to guides, travel guides or educational textbooks. https://walkerbooksaus.typeform. Currently NOT accepting Escape Publishing picture books. health, mind body spirit; junior com/to/MktCaKMM submissions for fantasy, Digital imprint of Harper Collins https://hawkeyebooks.com.au/ and middle grade fiction, young https://www.textpublishing. science-fiction, travelogues, Australia. All submissions must submissions/ adult/crossover fiction. com.au/manuscript- Wombat Books crime/mystery, erotica, poetry include a central romance or https://www.panmacmillan.com.au/ submissions or picture books. romantic elements focused on lead Harlequin Books Australia submissions/ Accepting unsolicited characters and an uplifting ending. Ultimo Press manuscripts via online https://www.blackincbooks.com.au/ Seeking strong commercial works submission. submissions https://www.harpercollins.com.au/ of fiction, memoir or non-fiction Ultimo Press is an independent escapesubmission/ Australian stories for women. publisher established in 2020 http://wombatbooks.com.au/index. with the simple ambition to php/authors/submissions

26 WQ QUEENSLANDWRITERS.ORG.AU/WQ-MAGAZINE 27 QWC Membership Benefits When you become a member of QWC, you become part of a vibrant writing community with access to a wide variety of resources and information. Writing Queensland (WQ) magazine Members-only programs and services (costs apply)

Exclusively for QWC members, the quarterly WQ Magazine features The Writers Surgery offers members 90-minute consultations to articles from industry professionals and writers. discuss their projects (including grant applications) face-to-face, by Skype or by telephone with an experienced editor or published author. Advertising discounts Year of the Writer series is a suite of master classes to help you plan, Members receive a discount on advertising in WQ and our weekly write and edit your novel. e-newsletter, a fantastic way to promote your business to an engaged, educated readership of thousands, with wide interests in culture, The Novelist’s Boot Camp is an intensive weekend of brainstorming, Member Milestones music, food, family and travel as well as reading and writing. plotting and practical exercises to get your novel started and well on its way. QWC Member Discounts QWC members receive discounts on QWC’s annual program of workshops, master classes and industry seminars. Presentation of your membership card will also provide you with discounts at the following places: Alexandra McCallum Christine Hand Sandra Bennett Bookshops Other discounts Alexandra McCallum was commissioned Christine Hand’s short story Amazons Short-listed winner of our Adaptable • 10% discount at: • Author Photos by Profile Portraits Australia: $110 for 3 low res by online platform Running Dog to review up in Arms was published by Adelaide competition, Sandra Bennett has Byblos Bookshop, Mareeba (discount on second-hand books photos(normally $150); $140 for 3 high res photos (normally the finals of the Kier Choreographic Literary Magazine. independently published her book only); Dymocks, Brisbane City; Dymocks, Townsville; Folio Books, $195). Contact Giulio on 0417 604256 [email protected] / Brisbane City; The Jungle Bookshop, Port Douglas; The Library Shop, profileportraitsaus.blogspot.com.au (mileage costs may apply) Award. Fossil Frenzy, the Adamson Adventures 3. SLQ, Brisbane; Maleny Bookshop, Maleny; Mary Who, Townsville; • Developmental editing and manuscript assessment services by Totally Rosemary Stride Riverbend Books, Bulimba; Rosetta Books, Maleny; Edited: 10% discount. Contact Richard Andrews at totallyedited.com The Written Dimension Bookshop, Noosa Junction; The Yellow Door Christine Wells Dean Buckley • La Boite Theatre tickets $25 (preview) $39 (in season). Rosemary Stride’s short story Never Books and Music, Yeppoon. Christine Wells, author of the Again is published in the Stringybark Dean Buckley had his poem The Futility • Olvar Wood Writers Retreat offers a 10% discount to QWC members on all their writer services: olvarwood.com.au upcoming Sisters of the Resistance, Anthology, ‘Golah Sing’. Her memoir, of Grass Minding published in the sold a second historical novel, Her Hindsight, was commended in Scribes Tasmanian Times. • $5 memberships at Dendy Cinemas Secret War, to Lucia Macro at Morrow, 2020 Short Takes competition. HarperCollins, New York. Juanita Simmonds Membership Form Peter Papathanasiou To join the Centre please Juanita Simmonds had her ‘Opal Applicant’s details Please indicate: New member Renewing Josh Donellan complete the information Screen Canberra has provided funding Mining’ piece published in the “This below or join online at Name: ______osh Donellan’s fiction podcast Six for a television adaptation of Peter Life” column in the Review section of qldwriters.org.au. Cold Feet was nominated for an award Papathanasiou’s memoir Little One The Weekend Australian. Please complete and return to: Organisation (if relevant): ______in the Best Fiction category of the (published by Allen & Unwin). Queensland Writers Centre, PO Box 3488, Postal Address: ______Australian Podcast awards. Kim Foale South Brisbane Queensland 4101 Katherine Franks Telephone: ______Postcode Nola Passmore Kim Foale’s has had her debut novel, p: 07 3842 9920 Katherine Franks has self published Adventures in Amelbria published. e: [email protected] Email:______Nola Passmore (writing as Nola her second novel ‘The First Wave’, a thriller set in the beautiful Sunshine Lorraine) has recently had her Lisa Walker Duration and type of membership Payment historical novel Scattered published Coast of Qld. Please find enclosed my payment of $______by Breath of Fresh Air Press. It’s Lisa Walker’s young adult novel One Year Two Years a tale of mystery, adventure, faith Fauun ‘Trouble is my Business’ will be Print PDF* Print PDF* Mastercard Visa Cheque Money order and romance; and is available from published by Wakefield Press in Full membership $79 $79 $149 $149 Card number Amazon and Koorong. Fauun published a first novel titled September 2021. Concession $59 $59 $109 $109 1991. Expiry date CCV #

Passionate (5 yrs) $349 $349 Jim Page Jan Prior Cardholder’s name: ______Sinval Aragao Youth For details go to: expressmedia.org.au Jim Page has recently published an Jan Prior’s short story ‘Archipelago’ has (26 and under) Sinval Aragao has self-published Aliny’s Signature: ______entry ‘Philosophy of Peace’ in The been published in Bent Street 4.2, a Organisation $150 Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy story living with domestic violence, the LGBTIQA literary journal. *PDF option means that you receive WQ as a PDF copy into your inbox, not as a Overseas hard-copy magazine. All prices include GST. Donations are welcome and are tax story of his niece’s murder, in English $50 (no GST) $90 (no GST) (https://iep.utm.edu/peace/), and Supporter deductible. QWC has a no-refund policy. Provided three working days’ notice is given, also an article ‘Is kindness enough?’, in and Portugese. participants may use the paid funds as credit towards the cost of attending another Donation^ $10 $20 $50 $____ workshop, seminar or event (space permitting). All credit must be used within 30 days Australian Ethics, 20(1): 3,4. 2020. of issue. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductable.

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