TOMORROW’S VISION

ISSUE 270 Anna Whateley – Debut in a Pandemic Sep 2020 – Nov 2020 Philip Neilsen – QWC Chair 1992–94 WE SEE YOU TAKING YOUR TALENT FURTHER

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ISSUE 270 Sep 2020 – Nov 2020 ISSN 1444-2922

Editorial and Production Sandra Makaresz Contents Editor Jandamarra Cadd Guest Artist 3 Philip Neilsen Green Fox Studio Design 4 Debuting During a Pandemic CPX Printing & Logistics Printing By Anna Whateley Submissions 6 Life Story Writing Members can submit Milestones or details of Events or Competitions and Opportunities, By Robin Storey or pitch articles for WQ, by emailing us at [email protected] QWC reserves the right to edit all 8 Ways to Save Money on an Editor submissions with regard to content and By Callum McDonald word length. Advertising 9 QWC Quills Member Robyn Sheahan-Bright Advertising rates, deadlines and dimensions and other information on how to advertise remembers Sue Pechey in WQ is available at qldwriters.org.au/ advertise. For advertising enquiries please contact [email protected] 10 Disappeared into Thin Air: QWC members enjoy a reduced advertising Gone Girls in Children’s Fictions rate. Before booking an advertisement potential advertisers should read QWC’s By Shannon Horsfall Advertising Terms and Conditions at qldwriters.org.au/advertise 12 How to Impress Competition Judges Staff Lori-Jay Ellis 15 Announcing the Flinthart Chief Executive Officer Our New Writing Residency and Online Writing Course. Charlie Hester Social Media Officer Craig Cauchi 16 Memoir through Poetry Livestream Officer By Anna Jacobson Meredith Taylor Financial Officer Callum McDonald 17 Chasing The Wild Pineapple Aleisha Yu Aimee Cheung Project Officers 18 The Geography of Love Management Committee

By Patty Beecham Kym Hausmann Chair 20 Writing Competitions Ann Wilson Vice Chair Vacant 24 Publisher Update Treasurer Carleton Chinner Secretary 26 Events Sandra Makaresz Andrea Brosnan 28 Member Milestones Sarah Thornton Angela Samut Judy Gregory 29 QWC Membership Benefits Ordinary Members

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 1 ISSN 1444-2922 ISSUE 270 PUBLISHED BY

GUEST ARTIST Editorial Jandamarra Cadd Sandra Makaresz Cover Illustration: Editor Ancient Dreaming; Tomorrows Vision

Biography: Jandamarra Cadd – a Yorta Yorta and Dja Dja Warung descendent, Welcome to our second ‘created in isolation’ edition of WQ. Once again, is an inspirational man with many it’s been a challenge. But it’s definitely been worth the effort! stories to tell. With his vibrant and expressive portraitures, The title Tomorrow’s Vision comes from our beautiful cover image by Jandamarra’s artwork is emotive Jandamarra Cadd, Ancient Dreaming: Tomorrows Vision. I think you’ll agree that and insightful – and is a powerful it’s a stunning image and I’m so happy to feature his work both on the cover medium to bridge the story telling and the writing competitions page. Please take a moment to visit Jandamarra’s divide between Aboriginal and website and explore his work. mainstream Australia. Each of this month’s articles holds something of our vision for tomorrow. Painting has been a way of life Whether it’s Philip Neilsen drawing on the past to advise emerging writers that has enabled him to express about the future, Anna Whateley and Shannon Horsfall speaking to new his creativity and story telling. In representations in fiction or our articles aimed to grow your skills as a writer, many of his paintings of the human they are all filled with a positivity about the future of writing that is inspiring. condition he seeks to be a peaceful I hope you will take that inspiration and use it to motivate whatever creative voice for unity. Jandamarra uses project you’re working on or would like to be working on. a variety of styles and mediums; By the time you read this our newest competition, Scriptable, will have with his unique blend of traditional opened. If you dream of seeing your words come to life on a screen of any aboriginal art techniques along with size, now is the time to finish those manuscripts and send them in. This is his own signature contemporary an excellent opportunity with up to 15 winners receiving mentoring from portraiture. industry professionals. We’ve also arranged for a special meet and greet with our industry partner Screen Queensland, so our winners can start making valuable connections!

The Queensland Writers Centre, Management Committee and staff present WQ in good faith and accept no responsibility for any misinformation or problems arising from any misinformation. The views expressed by contributors or advertisers (including advertising supplying inserts) are not necessarily those of the Management Committee or staff.

2 WQ Philip Neilsen QWC Chair 1992-1994

Philip Neilsen is an award winning poet whose latest book which often engage critically and in depth with social, Wildlife of Berlin was shortlisted for the Kenneth Slessor Prize in environmental, gender, race and health issues. 2019. He has written or edited 16 books, received an Australian Notable Book Award, and an Australia Council fellowship. He The continued existence of QWC is critical to develop founded the creative writing program of degrees at QUT where and sustain writing in Queensland. From the beginning he was a professor in Creative Industries and now teaches we were concerned to include regional writers, and the poetry writing at the University of Queensland. recent development of online workshops helps serve that purpose. Helen Horton, Craig Munro and I headed a team that worked for years to establish Queensland Writers Centre. My advice to emerging writers always includes joining A lot of paperwork and lobbying followed. Craig became QWC, entering the competitions listed in the newsletter, the first chair and I the second, from 1992 to 1994. It as well as submitting work to literary magazines. And to was an exciting time to be a writer in Queensland, as it attend readings and book launches by the many world- coincided with a buoyant feeling of self-confidence here. standard writers who live here. Writers who had fled ‘south’ during the Bjelke-Petersen years started to return, and there was a Labor government Study creative writing if possible and read widely. (Too with a more supportive attitude towards the arts. many beginning writers have read too little). You are either born with talent or not, but a great deal can be It’s not widely known that the National Party premier Mike learned to develop your talent and craft. And the maxim Ahern had supported the new QWC being incorporated ‘writing is rewriting’ is true. into South Bank. There followed years of battling to gain a permanent location − but with hard work QWC thrived, Writers may need to be flexible to succeed as professionals. becoming the largest centre in Australia. And we finally Though I began exclusively as a poet in my 20s, I have gained the ‘promised land’ by the river with our leased also had quite a few short stories anthologised, written space at the State Library of Queensland. five fiction books for young adults and children, and ABC radio scripts. I’m working on an adult time-slip novel as It has always been harder for literature to receive funding well as a new poetry collection. Find ‘critical friends’ who than art forms providing ‘colour and movement’, despite will tell you constructively when you are writing badly and writing being the most practised art form in this country. celebrate your successes.

While I was QWC chair I was a member of the Literature You have to be mentally tough to be a writer, but it is Board of the Australia Council. It was exhilarating to be endlessly rewarding. able to argue for grants to emerging Queensland writers like Andrew McGahan. It is a disgrace that the Literature Board has been disbanded – and difficult not to conclude that governments are uncomfortable with art forms such as novels, creative non-fiction, plays and poetry

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 3 Debuting During a Pandemic

By Anna Whateley

Releasing your debut novel during safe haven. As the restrictions lift in and kept saying yes, I’d keep calling a global pandemic is an intense Queensland, we are now faced with them. I had that feeling of connection, experience. My life is an intense a world that feels too large, too busy, and something to hyper focus on experience at the best of times, and too loud. while the world shifted under my feet. so in many ways it felt natural that Video editing is much like manuscript every booking would be cancelled, Just before the coronavirus spread, I editing. Details relax me, and the and my three children would start started a vlog. I wanted to get used soundwaves of a chuckle or a laugh to my face on screen and relinquish home schooling the month before are unique to each guest. Nova my previously strict privacy. I like Peta Lyre’s Rating Normal would hit Weetman had long sections of spikes processing outwardly – talking my the shelves. Peta goes on the school with a deep undertone. Wendy Orr’s way to what I really think. I’ve heard ski trip and falls in love with the new laugh trickled up and then down. many ADHDers say the same. I make girl. Peta is also autistic, has ADHD, excuses for my wriggles in nearly sensory processing disorder, and The details were also confronting. I every video, only realising that it’s she’s gifted. We share our alphabet deleted awkward silences, or the parts perhaps not those reasons when I soup. Intensity is something I crave where I was so lost in their words I edit. and endure in equal measure. forgot to respond. I learnt the sounds I make when I really want to hang up, On the day I realised Australia was Our family would normally be camping and that I can’t look at someone when closing down I recorded a plea to at Woodford for The Planting Festival I ask a question. Overcoming this the writing community. I wanted in May. The sun changes to Autumn would hinder my thinking process, to stay in contact. Writing events, gold, and we enjoy Byron Bay donuts festivals and workshops have been and so I figure everyone will just get for more meals than is strictly healthy. a structured social space where used to my ways. They can choose In winter, we’d visit Stanthorpe and I could feel accepted and valued. whether to watch or not, and in this tread on frosty grass. Even when going out is hard, I knew way, I accepted my letters once again. I’d be glad I went. I refused to have I’ve hardly seen the sun this year. Our Since my diagnosis as autistic last that connection to my people taken living room became the classroom, year, a direct result of writing Peta away. The next weekend I started office and relaxation area for five Lyre, I’ve faced my own internalised #AusChat; a YouTube series of people. My partner has the office, ableism head on. I was overjoyed zoom calls between myself and book and I have the better internet industry folk. when I could talk to my children and connection. The details and bargains say, ‘we often think this way,’ or ‘it’s seem insignificant, but they aren’t. I rang Kay Kerr, my fellow autistic own alright that we need headphones in These trivialities have become the voices, young adult fiction writer and the airport’. We. Not they or them. topic of conversation for everyone friend. We chatted. It was lovely. Then The pronouns changed and they since lockdown began, and again I called another person, and another. were no longer Other to their mum. now, in Melbourne. This home is our So long as people were interested, On the flip side, I was faced with

4 WQ accepting that my masking had been bookstores. I’ve met more people many more send messages that a destructive force throughout my life, than I did in the previous six months they’ve finally realised they aren’t and that I hadn’t been as good at it as and attended more book events than alone in how they think; that the I thought. Masking is the process by I dreamed possible. I’ve interviewed tears won’t stop flowing, and they which neurodivergent people behave and been interviewed for the Sydney have bought copies for their family in ways that appear neurotypical. We Writers’ Festival, and I’ve pitched for and friends. I’m never quite sure Adaptable. I can have my feet in a play you. It’s exhausting. what to say. Congratulations? Thank massager, wring my hands or play you? Sorry? There are no rules for Peta Lyre faces a similar struggle, with a fidget toy, wear my favourite this. Mostly, I say welcome. This is and she’s helped me understand comfortable clothes, and all while not the end of our story, it’s just the I’ve judged myself harshly for ‘getting promoting my own voices novel. I beginning. things wrong’ all my life. No one hope this accessibility remains in showed me an alternative. I hope my some way when we resume physical novel offers a space for readers to events. That said, I’d rather it had Anna Whateley, author of Peta Lyre’s search for that alternative. come about without so many people Rating Normal (Allen & Unwin) lives in being ill, or losing their lives or Brisbane, and holds a PhD in young My launch events were virtual, and livelihoods to Covid-19. adult fiction. Anna is an ‘own voices’ I loved them all. We launched an author, proudly autistic, with ADHD and online platform, @ozauthorsonline, Since Peta Lyre came into the world, sensory processing disorder. She founded under the leadership of Wai I’ve had two friends seek and gain #AusChat, and is an active member of the Chim and it directs sales to local diagnoses as autistic or ADHD, and #LoveOzYA community.

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 5 Life Story Writing

By Robin Storey

Sometimes when people ask me what Over a series of recorded interviews Sometimes the client has been my occupation is, I’ll tell them I’m a with my client I collected as much wanting to tell their story for years ghostwriter. Many non-writers don’t information as he could remember, and hasn’t had the opportunity until know what that is, and it sounds rather and wrote his story. The family were you come along. This happened to mysterious and exotic. But if I’m not thrilled and published it themselves, me with a client, Bob, who had been in the mood for lengthy explanations, instrumental in the transformation of using an online publishing program. I’ll say I’m a life story writer. It covers all the Queensland Ambulance Service, bases – autobiographies, biographies I was hooked, and from there it and had been wanting to tell his story for over 20 years. and memoirs. snowballed. My next client was a man who lived in the same retirement Life story writing is a niche profession, That he was able to do so and publish but steadily growing because people village as my previous client, and I’ve his book at the age of 96 was life are realising the importance of telling gained subsequent clients by word changing for him, and for me, that their stories, whether as a legacy of mouth and referrals from friends was the greatest reward. Holding for their family, publishing for the and associates. the published book you’ve written, wider community or becoming a part even if your name’s not on it, is also a tremendous source of satisfaction. of history. Baby boomers coming Rewards and Challenges into retirement are eager to write about their lifetime of rapid and There are challenges as well. While One of the most rewarding aspects extraordinary change, and are also you should make sure before you of being a life story writer is the persuading their parents, of a more start that you and the client agree on relationship you develop with your modest, self-effacing generation, that the structure, content and tone of the their stories are worth telling. client. Writing is by nature a solitary story, the client has the final say. They profession – we often feel as if we’re might insist on including something writing in a vacuum, especially if we you think is irrelevant or changing How I got started only get limited responses or feedback something else you don’t agree with, from consumers of our work. but apart from politely expressing I’ve been a professional writer for your opinion, there’s nothing you can over 25 years, first as a freelance Talking to your client about the do except respect their wishes. writer then a fiction novelist, but I events in their life and their struggles fell into life story writing by accident. You also need to be flexible in other and successes forges a strong bond I had a part-time job as a social areas. My usual process is to email support worker for a man in the between you. During the process the the finished first draft to my client for early stages of dementia. His family, client often gains new perspectives on them to read and suggest changes. knowing I was a writer, asked me if I their life - for example, their strengths However this wasn’t going to work would write his life story before his and their value to the community - for Bob, due to his poor vision and memory faded completely. and you’re a witness to that. minimal computer skills. So we

6 WQ Life Story Writing

devised a system whereby after the same principles apply for life How to start as a every couple of chapters I wrote, I’d story writing. Hook readers in the life story writer print them out and read them out first couple of pages, show character loud to him, so he could correct any development, build up to a climax Like any business, you need a website, factual errors. This worked well and and finish with a sense of resolution. an ABN and whatever social media was easier for us both to do it as we sites you want to be active on. (I just went along, rather than wait until I’d Interviewing is a skill developed with do Facebook and LinkedIn). finished the manuscript. practice, but you can’t go wrong if you There are lots of free apps you can remember the classic advice of asking download on your phone or tablet for Required skills open-ended questions. I think of it voice recording. I use Smart Recorder. more as having a conversation. Even If you don’t want to do your own The two most important skills are self- though I have a list of topics I want to transcribing, which is time consuming evident – writing and interviewing. If discuss at each session, I also go with and laborious unless you’re a speed you don’t have a portfolio to show the flow and if a client is particularly typist, there are a myriad transcription potential clients, you could try writing services available. keen to talk about a certain part of a short memoir for a friend or family member – or your own! their lives, I usually let them. For support and advice I recommend joining Life Stories Australia, an I found my lessons learned from You can always put it all in chronological organisation for professional life writing fiction invaluable, because order later. story writers.

Robin Storey is a life story writer and also offers a mentoring service for those wishing to write their own. She has published eight of her own books, including her own memoir Making The Breast Of It. You can find her at Storey-Lines, https:// storey-lines.com or on Facebook https:// www.facebook.com/RobinStoreywriter or LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/ in/robinstoreyauthor.

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 7 Ways to Save Money on an Editor

By Callum McDonald

Unless you’re an A-list author with a Hollywood movie only because I have not had the time to make it shorter”. deal, writers aren’t known to have deep pockets. So, it In other words, anyone can ramble on for 100K words; might seem unfair that, as a yet-to-be-published author, it takes talent and time to cut that down to 70K without you’re expected to spend your own money on an editor losing its message. Not only will tightening your prose at some stage. This is the case whether or not you intend improve your writing, but if your editor charges per to publish traditionally or independently. Yes, once you word, presenting them with a manuscript of 70K words get a book deal, your publisher will provide you with a will be (wait for it) cheaper than presenting them one very fancy in-house editor free-of-charge, but you need with 100K. Likewise, if your editor charges per hour, 70K to submit a pretty brilliant manuscript to get there. And won’t take them as many hours to get through. That is, to get your work to that stage, you’ll need to pay an unless there is something else that’s slowing them down: editor that plays on your side of those big pearly-white the standard of the writing itself. publisher gates. If your manuscript is riddled with simple errors, it But what if you’re just a humble student/barista? What if will take your editor more time to go through your you’re retired? Perhaps you have a big family with limited manuscript, and that means more dollars paid by you. funds? Everyone has their reasons why money might That is why it’s worth brushing up on the technical rules be an issue, and why that editor’s estimated cost after of the English language so you can present your editor reading your sample chapter might have left you rocking with the best possible version of your manuscript. Of in the foetal position as your dreams grow even more course, you might be thinking: “But I’m a writer. An artist, unattainable. Luckily, there are a number of ways you if you will. The technical aspects of writing are beneath can save a few hundred dollars on an editor. And you me. That’s the editor’s job.” That’s where you’re wrong, can do most of them before you even talk to one. humble writer. As a writer, words are your tools, as is proper punctuation and syntax. You don’t need to be The first step is understanding how an editor’s rates work. a master (that’s what the professional editors are for), Some charge per word, others per hour. Depending on but you should familiarise yourself with the basics and the type of editing, some will have a flat rate, but that cost hold yourself to a certain standard. Poor attention to will depend on the state of each individual manuscript. the technical aspects of writing is the easiest way to Regardless of how one particular editor charges, here are some ways you can take advantage of this. undermine yourself as a writer, so a grammatically clean manuscript (regardless of any plot holes or two- A habit many novice writers have is to overwrite. This dimensional characters you might have) will show your is because some still think good writing is measured by editor that you take the craft of writing seriously. Most a work’s length. After all, isn’t the Iliad more impressive importantly, the time it takes your editor to polish up than The Very Hungry Caterpillar? But there’s a famous those simple, easy-to-fix-up-yourself mistakes might be and apologetic quote by Blaise Pascal that suggests the difference between a $400 estimate and a far more otherwise: “I have made this letter longer than usual, expensive one.

8 WQ QWC Quills Member Robyn Sheahan-Bright remembers… …editor, writer and oral historian, Sue Pechey (1941–2019).

‘Sue edited and desktop published my literary history of the Gladstone region Kookaburra Shells Port Curtis Literature and the year we spent working largely remotely on this was a huge pleasure to me. My abiding memories of Sue are of her humour and wit, her passion for local history and the Finally, a new draft is only as good as the feedback you importance of individual memories in that history, received on the draft before it. And while editors may be her commitment to social justice, and of her deep the professionals, they aren’t the only people who can connection to the area of Pechey, where her family give you advice on your manuscript. You can also reach had lived for generations.’ Robyn Sheahan-Bright. out to other writers through writers’ groups, online During the 1990s, Sue shared office space for a time forums, or Queensland Writers Centre to get new eyes with QWC when it was located on Wickham Terrace. on your manuscript and some decent feedback. Even She conducted many workshops for QWC and other well-read family and friends can be good value as well. organisations in Brisbane and regional centres. She Feedback from other writers and readers can not only was invited by the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery smooth out any glaring technical errors, but also bring to and Museum, in the early 2000s, to conduct the light potential logical holes in your story, or where your Waves of Settlement project. narrative feels too slow or falls flat entirely. Of course, an editor will do this as well, but by exhausting other avenues for feedback first, you can save your editor time and yourself money in the long run.

You might still be asking, “But isn’t cutting down words, perfecting grammar, and giving feedback an editor’s job?” Yes. And, honestly, we would gladly take all your money if you had it. But renovating a fixer upper manuscript into a mansion takes time and money; money you can save by doing your own structural work beforehand. In all, if you want to save money on an editor, learn to think like an editor. This will also make you a better writer.

Callum McDonald organises the set-up and delivery of the events program at Queensland Writers Centre. He is also a freelance editor with a Bachelor of English Literature and Writing. He is currently undergoing a Masters in Writing, Editing, and Publishing.

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 9 Disappeared into Thin Air: Gone Girls in Children’s Fictions

By Shannon Horsfall

Statistically, girls are less often the aspect of helping those on diagnosed with AS. Scientists in the spectrum to ‘understand their recent years have uncovered several difference’ and to encourage learned explanations for this skewed gender ways in which to ‘control’ the condition ratio, with studies finding females as per societal expectations of manifest AS differently, by masking ‘normative’ behaviour. It is important or compensating for the symptoms for narratives to conduct alternative more effectively than males. As a readings of AS. They must challenge result, a gendered bias in diagnoses the assumptions and tropes of so- is exposed. Mirroring these reduced called normative characteristics as an rates in diagnoses is this absence of exercise in exploring estrangement. representation in media, which fails Narratives need to examine the to reflect reality, and impacts females positives stemming from the Fiction is empowering, beautiful, with the condition substantively. An conventions of the syndrome, and and provocative. It has the potential increased representation of girls on illustrate differences as enhancement to dispel myths and improve public the spectrum in fictional media will rather than hindrance – where the understanding of the experiences of enable individuals to see themselves idea of ‘normal’ is questioned. under-represented groups within our reflected in those narratives and will Stereotypical representations of AS society. Fictional representation of a assist in destigmatising the condition abounds across children’s and adult diverse population allows individuals through developing awareness of AS media. Previously in popular culture, to feel included, connected with, and across the broader community. predominantly male portrayals understood. Inclusion literature has Literature about disabilities, or have been seen to overemphasise become popular with publishers, ‘inclusion literature’, is of great certain symptoms, such as social authors and readers in recent years importance. It allows young readers to awkwardness and restricted interests. across all age ranges, and yet there progress from a distanced awareness Some characters were depicted remains a glaring absence in female to a place of understanding, empathy, with savant-like abilities, when in representation of neurodiversity. and acceptance of diversity. However, reality, savantism is rare among Look to children’s and young adult it is common that when AS is written individuals on the spectrum. This media and you will find a plethora in fiction it is from a perspective of tendency to exaggerate quirks and of male characters with autism or alienation – explored and interpreted omit subtler features of autism Asperger Syndrome (AS), yet an as something that a character paints a cartoonish picture of the absence of female protagonists , struggles with, gives in to, or seeks to condition instead of the intricate particularly in middle grade fictions. understand. Literature that speaks portrait it warrants. A close study There are a number of speculations directly to the issue of neurodiversity of narratives on both screen and in as to why this is the case. tends to approach the subject from books reveals myriad male characters

10 WQ with exaggerated showings of their Through the novel’s first-person point pathological, or tragic, and it does not condition. Glorified, hyperbolic of view, Haddon argues through need to be sentimentalised. It is not renderings, of AS being alienated Christopher’s eyes that disability an opportunistic metaphoric device. again and again. Society reflects this is a social construct. Disability is Instead, give readers a portrayal of a fictional portrayal. It alienates and not central to Christopher’s own real girl with a complicated identity – ‘others’ people on the spectrum, experience of the world, and Haddon complex and motivated by a variety perceives them to be measured emphasises the value of personal of forces. within a socially constructed scale of experience as opposed to expert intelligence, potential and capability. authority in accessing ‘truth.’ Shannon Horsfall is undertaking her Honours degree in Creative Writing at So, I come to the seminal fictional There is a definite need for narratives USC. She is the award winning author- novel on autism, Mark Haddon’s The that work against this tendency illustrator of Was Not Me and Nomax Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night- popular culture has to portray (both HarperCollins), and the illustrator time, in which the male protagonist AS as male-gendered, hyperbolic of Dear Santa (Scholastic) and My Unicorn Christopher is presented as having and stereotypical. There is a need Farts Glitter (Hachette). She has published short stories, poetry and flash fiction in a condition that makes him a social for complex, nuanced female the USC anthologies 2018 and 2019. In outcast, ‘other’, ‘special needs’. In protagonists on the spectrum, rather 2017-2018 she illustrated Issue 259 of many ways he is not what is thought than just characters who fill the WQ Magazine for QWC. of as ‘normal’ particularly in terms role of the alienated ‘other.’ All too of how his mind works. However, often, characters on the spectrum in questioning the idea of normal, are a symbol of contamination or the narrative in effect challenges tragedy, exotic in their difference ableism. Christopher does not see or spectacle – a phenomenon in himself as having a disability; in fact, literature described as a kind of in response to being categorised as narrative prosthesis. It happens ‘special needs’, he sees everyone as when a character is used only to having some sort of need, whether it hold together the text’s narrative. be the need to wear glasses, or, in the These characters never speak for case of his father, the need to carry themselves, but they fulfil a narrative artificial sweetener around with him. function by resolving plots or repairing Christopher aligns his limitations to societally deemed deviances. Readers those of any person, suggesting that it need to see female, AS empowered is the need that defines disability, not characters presented with agential the person. By challenging readers to identity, away from the symptomatic, see Christopher as normal, the novel gendered and stereotypical. AS does questions the very idea of normalcy. not need to be written as exotic,

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 11 How to Impress Competition Judges

Short fiction is in demand. For 5. Ensure that your characters have emerging writers, it’s a swift path to The Technical Nuts & Bolts: differing voices/personalities. You publication—swifter than that first 5.should be able to strip away your novel, for sure. Submission calls While I can’t guarantee you a speech tags (i.e., Kitty said), read are global, and a few publications in first place—that’s up to you, your your story out loud, and have your portfolio will light up the pitch imagination, and your original writing your audience know who said for your first book. Listing with a skills—I can guarantee that without what. If they can’t, draw more competition conveys to publishers these essential criteria covered, character nuances. that you can follow guidelines, substantial writing prizes will stay out work with editors, and gather an of reach. 6. Work on your story’s structure audience—the star qualities they and pace. Your story must have a beginning that grabs, inciting seek in their authors. 1. Show Not Tell. Use the five senses 6. to place the reader in the story. incidents that build tension, a When we enter competitions, we’re 1.Good writers spend their entire climax, and a resolution. Longer pitting ourselves against a legion of careers improving this tool. It’s sentences slow the pace. Curate other writers who are largely just as easy to read Anton Chekhov’s shorter sentences to show tension. talented and passionate about their famous quote, ‘Don’t tell me the 7. Ensure your main character is subject as we are. Competitions are moon is shining, show me the glint an instigator of action. Passive filled with good to great writers. The of light on broken glass,’ and think bystanders reacting to events are difference between winners and the you’ve ‘got it’. Dig deeper. There’s 7. boring. well-populated layer of the field that much to learn on this topic. Your score around the 8/10 mark for their ‘show’ needs to transcend cliché. 8. If you need an adverb/verb work, is that winners have mastered combination to say what one the technical aspects of writing, 2. Enter the story as late as you can, strong verb can say, you’ve and resonance. and leave as early as you can. This 8. chosen the wrong verb. One well- 2.minimises the risk of a slow start placed verb can often replace half As a judge, it’s stunning to read and that doesn’t grab your reader, and a sentence. judge entry after entry, thinking, killing the ending with too much ‘Many of these are quite good; how description. 9. Remove redundant words. We am I ever going to choose one single all litter our first drafts with entry as the winner?’ Good art is not 3. Create credible, three dimensional 9.overwritten text. For example, just evocative; it is also collective. A characters—flaws that align their ‘Sawyer began to giggle’. No, just story’s resonance ventures into the 3.humanity with the audience. no. ‘Sawyer giggled’ has more transcendent territory of the arts, dramatic impact. Learn all you can but most readers know what I mean. 4. Write authentic dialogue. Real about the many redundant words When a story leaves its fingerprints people rarely talk in well-rounded, and filters and slash them from on us, it’s unmistakable. We feel it. 4.fully formed, perfect sentences. your drafts.

12 WQ 10. Errors are amateurish in a short I appreciate the work on a wider earned space towards publication. story competition. Ensure correct scale. Even an urban fantasy Writers leave an impression, an 10.spelling, grammar, punctuation about vampires can leave readers echo—a touch of perfume or and formatting. Read the questioning their perceptions. That’s scratches on the wall. What’s your competition guidelines and theme the good stuff. echo like? requirements and abide by them. • Resonance – has the work left an echo within me? Higher Level Elements That Separate the Winner from Your Writing Community: the Pack:

Choose your support community • Structure & Focus – the best thoughtfully. Being a member of stories have an escalating sense a writing or critique group offers of drama. tremendous opportunities to test- • Scenes & Transitions – a good drive stories before submitting to story shows its events more than competitions. Often, we learn in equal tells them. measure by aiding another with their story’s structure, as we do by receiving • Characterisation – authenticity critiques on our own work. Your beats cliché every time. loved ones’ ‘wow, that’s great’ is no • Style – Elmore Leonard wrote, ‘If comparison to considered analysis by it sounds like writing, I rewrite it.’ other writers. This article is based on excerpts from That belongs on a sticky note at our the writing guide, ‘Winning Short Story While there is no doubt that a win is Competitions’ by competition judges writing desks. a serious thrill, short- or long-listing L. E. Daniels & Cate Sawyer. Re-printed • Message – like many readers, if I in writing competitions can be just with permission of Hawkeye Publishing. ‘Winning Short Story Competitions’ is am challenged and left wondering as valuable to your writing career. available at hawkeyebooks.com.au. about the world and my beliefs, All competition credits support your

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 13 PROUDLY BROUGHT TO YOU BY SHAWLINE PUBLISHING GROUP

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14 WQ mentoring, for one lucky writer each year. The writer will Announcing work on site at Queensland Writers Centre in our Fishbowl writing space. We expect to open applications for The the Flinthart Flinthart in early 2021. The Blackbelt in Writing course will be based on a series of Our New Writing 22 articles written by Aiki this year and published on her Warrior Woman Words blog. In our online course, Aiki’s Residency and Online articles will inspire a series of writing activities and additional Writing Course. readings. The course is currently under development and is expected to be launched by the end of 2020.

Aiki Flinthart is a well-known and well-loved genre writer. She has published 13 novels including the Kalima We are deeply indebted to Aiki Flinthart, whose generosity Chronicles, the Ruadhan Sidhe Urban Fantasy series, and is making it possible for Queensland Writers Centre the 80AD series. She’s also written two non-fiction books to establish a new writing residency and online writing and several short stories. Her workshops and tutorials are course in 2021. firm favourites with Queensland Writers Centre members.

Aiki has donated her Blackbelt in Writing series of articles In her Blackbelt in Writing, Aiki shares her life lessons and to Queensland Writers Centre, for us to adapt into online passions. She explains how things she’s learned from training. We’ll use the income from the training to fund the martial arts training are applicable to writing. She writes new writing residency. about determination, strength, respect, collaboration, The residency – aptly called The Flinthart – will provide adaptability, and facing the inner darkness. Her writing tips 10 weeks of dedicated writing time, plus a stipend and and motivation will help all writers develop their craft.

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 15 Memoir through Poetry Poetry finds you

By Anna Jacobson

In 2011, I woke up in hospital, after an drive, or something more immediate Write a memory that is wedged episode of psychosis and emergency that you remember; how the sun tracks in reality, then let it take you on ECT treatments, with no memory. I across the wall at 3pm in the afternoon adventures and swerve. See where it had to reassemble the pieces. When and how it reminds you of another takes you. I was discharged from hospital, I sat memory from years ago. Memories are malleable and can also at my computer and started writing be evoked from dreams. Recurring fragments and vignettes that I later Have you all picked a snapshot? dreams are particularly interesting realised was poetry. Can you see it and hold it like a for their unusual imagery and hologram—glimpse just to the left unconscious undercurrents. Nine years later, while I still cannot and right or beyond? What’s the access memories from my hospital lighting like? What’s the texture of your In preparation for my three hour stay prior to this ‘waking up’, my photograph? Is it faded and old, or workshop, I did a practice run- memories have mostly returned. I am glossy? Pick one, hold it in your mind. through with my Mum. Seated down now writing my memoir of this time This is your poem. Write it. the corridor from each other and as part of my PhD project at QUT. linked together through Zoom, she While this is a long-form creative In July I ran a Zoom workshop through diligently wrote and experimented non-fiction work, poetry is how these Avid Reader on ‘memoir through with each exercise. When it came ideas, thoughts and understandings poetry’. I was excited to share my time to sharing work, I asked which first found their expression. knowledge—this was one aspect of piece she would like to read. She read poetry I felt at home in, and designed it to me and I felt teary realising she My first collection of poetry Amnesia exercises to guide the participants had written the most moving poem I Findings (UQP, 2019), is a time capsule through each idea. I use storytelling, had ever heard expressed. of poems with stories and memories memory, and gaps in memory, as a of family, my Jewish culture, and Simple language and vivid imagery springboard for writing poetry. dreams, as well as poems I wrote to in poetry evokes strong emotional responses. By letting the reader see understand a period of unwellness. I have learned that poetry is the and feel for themselves, this is one perfect form to express these short Poetry and writing is how I make of the most powerful things you can vignettes. Poetry provides a different sense of my life. I come at poetry do as a writer. Poetry reveals hidden writing experience to long-form from a sideways angle. truths when you let it work itself out works. Poetry is filled with disruptions, on the page. Images and sequences Close your eyes and think of your life as silences and gaps, much like that at first seem unconnected, find a series of photographs. memory(loss). Memory and poetry new meanings juxtaposed against are deeply connected; both are each other. I had talked about this That time at the beach when you found episodic, fragmented and condense throughout the three hours, but a rockpool, the day you first learned to experiences in powerful ways. hearing this poem from my Mum

16 WQ Chasing the Wild Pineapple Herb Wharton, Wharton’s significant service.

Chasing the Wild Pineapple pays tribute to Thea Astley, author of Hunting the Wild Pineapple and founding member of the Queensland Writers Centre.

made me realise that my workshop guest in QWC’s early years, I’m could help empower others, just one of many who rang him with as much as poetry had found and congratulations. empowered me. We talked about the weather – ‘bloody Sometimes the best poems are cold at nights but not a cloud in the written to work through ideas. I sky in the days’ – and how he’d been often feel I am reclaiming a sense on a trip to take photos of some of the of agency for my story and self old droving tracks out past Windora through poetry. But writing can also way where ‘the waterholes were full bring up strong emotions so if it’s but we hardly saw a kangaroo or an not the right time to be exploring Photo of Herb Wharton by Lesley Synge. emu, and there were no birds in the it, it’s important to take care of trees, only feral cats.’ yourself and have a break. Herb Wharton from Cunnamulla, I had to press him about what sort of elder of Kooma people, is a recipient These are the things I have learned celebrating he did when informed of of 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours. over the decade: cooking a meal is the award, but all he said was that he poetry, walking is poetry, brewing a Uncle Herb, born in 1936, was a sat on his front veranda and watched pot of tea is poetry. Writing poetry everything go by, just as he always did. stockman and drover in his early life, doesn’t just begin— you have been and a much-loved and respected gathering observations all along. member of the Queensland writing Your life is a poem, with so much ...bloody cold at nights community. He is recognised for material and specific experiences but not a cloud in the that it is bursting to be written. ‘significant service to the literary arts, sky in the days’... Weave these observations and to poetry, and to the Indigenous your unique way of looking at the community.’ The award of Member Three other writing elders from world into your poems, and you’ll of the Order of Australia (AM) is the Queensland were also honoured: connect with readers in meaningful latest in a string of honours, including historian Dr Denver Beanland, ways. Poetry is not just a piece of an Australia Council Award for journalist Sean Dorney and Professor writing on the page. It’s a way of Lifetime Achievement in Literature Marcia Langton a descendant of living and observing. This is what and his naming as a ‘Queensland Yiman nation in Central Queensland. poetry is to me. Great.’ Naturally, his portrait hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. The official presentation of the awards is planned for September. Having had the privilege of calling I’ll be on my veranda, revisiting their Herb a ‘good mate’ for around 30 works and contemplating their years, ever since he was a regular diverse contributions to the nation.

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 17 The Geography of Love (life, grief, loss)

The Professor Bruce Dawe, AO, Patronal Prize. #Prism43 © Patty Beecham

By Patty Beecham

…And I hug my son so deeply that I press him into my chest When you lose a child, you lose everything. Until his bones are squeezed between my ribs You lose the future. You lose the life you would have had Until his skin and his pores become my flesh, and our together. bones calcify. You lose hope. You lose love. I wrap both of my arms around him, and hold him. Breathe There is only blackness and stillness and deep, dark waters him in. that make you dog-paddle in oceans of grief; until your arms flail with tiredness and your legs have no kick. When your son leaves you, it’s like a part of your heart breaks off, There is no other option but to sink to the bottom of the And carves into the ocean, and you know you can never world without a sound. stick it back. *** He becomes an island, and your heart becomes a broken jigsaw of isthmuses When you lose a friend, you leave the door open for loneliness to come in and make itself at home. You lose your And estuaries, and jaggedness laugh, and it’s replaced by the sound of a wine bottle being Where once was smooth. twisted open and poured; and it’s a desert. *** It’s the Nullarbor of our lives; flat and featureless, without rhythm, or bumps. When your parent dies, gravity ceases to exist, and you float, Every day is an effort to step one foot in front of the other, Weightlessly without direction, and walk that dryness and not fall over the cliffs, to find Like that party balloon drifting across the roofs and houses what’s around the corner, when there are no corners, just of strangers; straight lines, leading to the dusty horizon. No one to hold you: the weight of all those memories binding you together That damn horizon, and the setting sun. And ungrounded, your heart becomes a sinkhole, with

No one to pull you back to earth. ***

When you find that person who loves you, it crushes Vale QWC everything, like the weight of a thousand volcanoes erupting, Founding Patron to the point where you can’t breathe: to the point where you can’t think. and Quills Member You explore the broad brown paddocks and wild plains of Bruce Dawe his shoulders, His granite arms. 15 Feb 1930 – 1 Apr 2020 His breath becomes your breath, his thoughts become your Bruce had hoped to attend last year’s Christmas thoughts, and you both move like glaciers, as time stands still. The weight of mountainous love is too much to bear. party but was kept away by ill health. Described as outspoken and a voice of the people, QWC will Such alps and valleys of life. remember him always. ***

18 WQ CALL FOR MANUSCRIPTS Looking for a Publisher?

he Melbourne-based Sid Harta Team appreciates that Tit is a brave step to hand over one’s work to a stranger. Our editors bear this in mind with an assessment that is sensitive while critical, encouraging, and realistic. Sid Harta Publishers is offering writers the opportunity to receive specialised editorial advice on their manuscripts with a view to having their stories published.

Contact SHP at: Sid Harta Publishers specialises [email protected] in new and emerging authors, Phone: (03) 9560 9920 and offers a full range of Mobile: 0408 537 792 publishing options. Web: http://sidharta.com.au We publish: SID HARTA PUBLISHERS: • print editions & print- 23 Stirling Crescent, Glen Waverley Vic 3150. on-demand via Amazon / Lightning Source I’ve now had four books published by Sid Harta. The fact that I have kept on • ebooks for all platforms. coming back indicates that I have been very happy with the services provided, Call us to discuss our service. from the initial manuscript assessment, to editing, book design and distribution. I have enjoyed the collaboration, particularly in editing and design, the final outcome a fusion of my ideas and suggestions made. Many thanks! — Noel Braun author of The Day Was Made for Walking, I Guess I’ll Keep on Walking, Whistler Street, Friend and Philosopher

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Writers Queensland advertisement_2020 June_full page.indd 1 12/05/2020 1:05:09 PM Writing Competitions

Buzz Words Short Story Prize The QueryLetter.com Writing Contest (USA) Price: $10 Price: FREE Prize: first prize $1,000; second prize $500 Prize: $500 Length: up to 1,500 words Length: up to 100 words Deadline: 2nd September Deadline: 15th September

Buzz Words is a fortnightly e-zine for writers and illustrators This writing contest is all about book blurbs. The twist? of children's and YA books, as well as librarians, teachers, We want blurbs about completely made-up, non-existent editors and publicists. The Buzz Words Short Story Prize is books. Get creative! an annual prize awarded to recognise excellence in short story writing for children. The story must be suitable for The Horne Prize readers 8 to 11 years. Price: N/A $15,000 Most Underrated Book Award (MUBA) Prize: $15,000 PRIZE Price: N/A Length: up to 3,000 words Length: N/A Deadline: 16th September Deadline: N/A Here’s one for the essayists! Aesop and The Saturday Paper have been cultural partners since 2014, promoting Watch this space. Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the MUBA the written word through an annual calendar of events. award is not yet accepting entries for 2020. Every year, however, the Small Press Network runs the most underrated Together, they nurture writers of longform non-fiction book award. Sponsored by the Australian Booksellers through The Horne Prize. Taking cues from Donald Association, MUBA aims to uncover and celebrate the Horne’s rigorous exploration of Australian culture, essays hidden gems of Australian publishing. Any book published should be founded on reportage, and bring light to a by a member of the Small Press Network is eligible. person or issue that helps us to understand who we are.

Green Stories’ Stories for Children Competition (UK) Stringybark Times Past Award Price: FREE Price: from $14 Prize: £200 Prize: up to $500 Length: up to 2,500 words Length: up to 1,500 words Deadline: 14th September Deadline: 20th September Owing to popular demand, the Stringybark Stories’ Times We are looking for stories for children that in some way touch upon ideas around building a sustainable society. Past Award will be back in 2020! Our Times Past Awards We will consider all genres, and the story doesn’t have to ask our writers to take a particular historical incident and be about sustainability or climate change directly – but weave a story around it. stories must include green solutions.

20 WQ KSP Short Fiction Competition Australian Book Review is delighted to announce the upcoming Peter Porter Poetry Prize. The prize is one of FREE Price: for youth up to 17yo; from $10 for adults Australia’s most lucrative and respected poetry awards. Prize major prize residency at KSP Writers’ It honours the life and work of the great Australian poet Pool: Centre worth $300 Peter Porter (1929–2010), an honoured contributor to 1,000 words for youth; 2,500 words ABR for many years. All poets writing in English are eligible Length: for adults to enter. Deadline: 25th September Tom Howard/Margaret Reid Poetry Contest (USA) The KSP Writers' Centre is proud to present this annual Price: US$15 short fiction competition for Australian writers, which is FREE for youth to enter thanks to sponsorship from the Prize: US$3,000 Shire of Mundaring. Judges will be looking for good quality Length: up to 250 lines original, unpublished writing with engaging characters Deadline: 1st October and a compelling narrative. All fiction styles and themes are acceptable. Open worldwide, except to countries under US Noosa Arts Theatre Playwriting Competition government restrictions (Syria, Iran, North Korea and Crimea). Accepts poems written on any theme. Will award Price: $40 the Tom Howard Prize of $3,000 for a poem in any style or $8,000 Prize Pool: $8,000 genre, and the Margaret Reid Prize of $3,000 for a poem One act between 30 PRIZE Length: POOL that rhymes or has a traditional style. and 45 minutes long Deadline: 1st October Zoetrope: All-story Short Fiction Competition (USA) Noosa Arts Theatre holds this annual competition to Price: US$30 foster and encourage playwrights, whether amateur or Prize: major prize US$1,000 professional. An adjudication panel will assess the scripts Length: up to 5,000 anonymously and equally based on the quality of the writing, and on its suitability for staging in an intimate Deadline: 1st October theatre setting. Accepts all genres of literary fiction. This prize boasts Perito Prize (UK) the three winners and several honourable mentions will Price: FREE be considered for representation by a troupe of literary agencies. Check the prize out online to see who could end Prize: £500 up representing you. Length: 1,000 – 2,000 words Deadline: 1st October KSP Poetry Awards FREE Price: At Perito, we think accessibility and inclusive design are for youth up to 17yo; from $10 for adults meant to be holistic, and that these themes are something Prize major prize residency at KSP Writers’ that can fundamentally benefit everyone. You just have Pool: Centre worth $300 to make sure the story is centred around the theme of Length: up to 50 lines accessibility. Also make sure it is able to be printed on the Deadline: 9th October website, so any derogatory language or offensive content will not be considered. The KSP Writers' Centre is proud to present this annual Peter Porter Poetry Prize poetry competition for Australian writers, which is FREE for youth to enter thanks to sponsorship from the Shire $15 for full-time student or ABR Price: subscribers; $25 for non-subscribers of Mundaring. Entries must be original and unpublished. Prize Pool: $10,000 All poetry styles and themes are acceptable. Length: not more than 70 lines Deadline: 1st October

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 21 f(r)iction Fall Contests (USA) Tom Howard/John H. Reid Fiction and Price: Free Essay Contest (USA) Prize Pool: $1,600 Price: US$20 1,000 – 7,500-word short stories; 1,000- Prize: US$3,000 Length: word flash fiction; up to five poems Length: up to 6,000 words Deadline: 30th October Opening: 15th October Open worldwide and includes three categories of prizes Open worldwide, except to countries under US government in short stories, flash fiction and poetry. The f(r)iction restrictions (Syria, Iran, North Korea and Crimea). For this editorial team celebrate experimental, non-traditional and contest, a story is any short work of fiction, and an essay is boundary-pushing works of fiction, non-fiction and poetry. any short work of nonfiction. Entries can be published or Joe O’Sullivan Writers Prize unpublished. Entries close April 30 2021. Price: $10 The Commonwealth Short Story Prize Prize: $1,000 Price: FREE Length: 2,000 to 4,000 words £5,000 Prize: major prize £5,000 PRIZE Deadline: 31st October Length: 2,000 – 5,000 words The Australian-Irish Heritage Association was founded in Opening: 1st November 1993 as an inclusive organisation which encourages and The Commonwealth Short Story Prize is awarded for the promotes an awareness of Australia’s Irish Heritage and Culture. To this end, the AIHA creates opportunities for best piece of unpublished short fiction in English. Regional all to learn about, participate in and enjoy this distinctive winners each receive £2,500 and the overall winner receives heritage. The Joe O’Sullivan Writers Prize honours the £5,000. Translated entries are also eligible, as are stories memory of the organisation’s late founder. written in the original Bengali, Chinese, French, Greek, Kiswahili, Malay, Portuguese, Samoan, Tamil and Turkish. The Joyce Parkes Women’s Writers’ Prize John Steinbeck Award for Fiction (USA) Price: $10 Price: US$20 Prize: $500 Prize: US$1,000 Length: 1,000 to 2,000 words Length: up to 5,000 word Deadline: 31st October Opening: 1st November Sponsored by The Australian Irish Heritage Association, the Joyce Parkes Women’s Writers’ Prize honours Joyce Reed Magazine, California’s oldest literary journal, celebrates Parkes, a well-known poet living in Western Australia. She Nobel laureate John Steinbeck in an award that recognises is the patron of the prize, which aims to promote and and celebrates exceptional works of fiction. Aesthetically, encourage women writers in Australia. we are open to most styles and approaches, including experimental and literary. The Larry Brown Short Story Award (USA) Price: US$10 Edwin Markham Prize for Poetry (USA) Price: US$20 Prize: major prize US$500 Length: up to 4,000 words Prize: US$1,000 Deadline: 31st October Length: up to five (5) poems Opening: 2nd November We’re pleased to announce the fifth annual Larry Brown Short Story Award. The winners will receive the following With an award of $1,000 for the winning poem, the Edwin prizes: 1st $500 USD, 2nd $50 USD, 3rd $50 USD, and Markham Prize honors outstanding works of poetry. Our 4th and 5th will receive a copy of the book Tiny Love: The taste is eclectic and celebrates the wonderful diversity Complete Stories by Larry Brown. Each prize winner will of forms, styles, and levels of diction available to the be published in the January 2021 issue of Pithead Chapel. contemporary poet.

22 WQ Odyssey House Short Story Prize Colin Roderick Award Price: $10 per story Price: N/A $20,000 coupled with the Prize: $1,000 Prize: H.T Priestley Memorial Medal $20,000 Length: up to 1,500 words Length: N/A PRIZE Opening: 13th November Deadline: 14th September This year’s theme is ‘Isolation.’ Stories must include The Colin Roderick Literary Award is awarded to the best references to alcohol and/or drugs. Money raised from original book, in the judges' opinion, that is published in this competition will go towards the work of Odyssey Australia in the previous calendar year. Submissions must House Victoria, who provided a supportive drug-free deal with any aspect of Australian life and can be in any environment for people and their families affected by field or genre of writing, verse or prose. problems associated with drugs, including alcohol.

Neilma Sidney Short Story Prize Chris O’Malley Prize in Fiction (USA) $12 for subscribers and $20 for Price: US$2 Price: non-subscribers Prize: US$1,000 Prize Major prize $4,000; $500 each to Length: up to 30 pages Pool: two runners-up 1st November Length: up to 3,000 word Opening:

Deadline: Mid-September The Madison Review annually hosts the Chris O’Malley Prize in Fiction. The finest unpublished short story will Supported by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, and be awarded $1,000 with publication in an issue of The named after the late Neilma Gantner, this prize seeks Madison Review. excellent short fiction themed around the notion of ‘travel’; imaginative, creative and literary interpretations Phyllis Smart-Young Prize in Poetry (USA) are strongly encouraged. This competition is open to all Price: US$2 writers, nationally and internationally, at any stage of their writing career. Prize: US$1,000 3 poems with a maximum total length Length: Judith Wright Poetry Prize of 15 pages $12 for subscribers and $20 for Opening: 1st November Price: non-subscribers Prize Major prize $6,000; second prize The Madison Review annually hosts the Phyllis Smart-Young Pool: $2,000; third prize $1,000 Prize in Poetry. The finest group of three unpublished Length: no more than 80 lines poems will be awarded $1,000 with publication in an issue $6,000 Deadline: Mid-September PRIZE of The Madison Review.

Established in 2007 and supported by Stringybark Short Story Award the Malcolm Robertson Foundation, Price: from $14 the Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Prize: up to $500 Emerging Poets seeks outstanding poetry by writers who Length: up to 1,500 words have published no more than one collection of poems under their own name (i.e. writers who’ve had zero Opening: 16th November collections published, or one solo collection published). Stringybark Stories’ editor, David Vernon, prides himself on It remains one of the richest prizes for emerging poets, a deep love of short stories. So much so that his brand has and is open to poets anywhere in the world. produced, since its inception in 2010, over $24,000 and 33 paperback anthologies. Stringybark Stories’ annual open- themed short story award produces wonderful tales and there is little doubt the 2020 competition will do the same.

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 23 Publisher Update

Affirm Press genres: fantasy, science-fiction, Ginninderra Press Only accepts submissions on the travelogues, crime/mystery, Hard copy submissions only. first Monday of each month. Note erotica, poetry or picture books. Check website for details. that submissions received outside https://www.blackincbooks.com. http://www.ginninderrapress. this window will not be assessed. au/submissions com.au/getting.html Please send all general submissions to: submissions@ Bloomsbury Spark Giramondo Publishing affirmpress.com.au Digital only publisher of teen, YA Accepts unsolicited submissions. Check website for full submission and new adult. Check website for details. details: https://affirmpress.com. https://www.bloomsbury. https://giramondopublishing. au/submissions/ com/au/bloomsbury-spark/ com/contribute/ submissions/ Allen & Unwin Hachette Australia Please note Allen & Unwin Boolarong Press only accepts manuscripts NOT looking for science fiction/ correctly submitted through our Mainly publishes history, fantasy, horror, illustrated books, electronic system. Any hard-copy biographies and Australiana cookbooks, poetry, screenplays or submissions mailed in will be children’s books, but open to academic works. Check website recycled. Also that, despite its other genres. for submission guidelines. name, The Friday Pitch is open to https://www.boolarongpress. https://www.hachette.com.au/ submissions all week! com.au/writers/submission- submissions/ https://www.allenandunwin. guidelines/ com/submission-guidelines Hardie Grant Carina Press Currently closed for submissions. AndAlso Books Harlequin’s digital-first adult https://www.hardiegrant.com/ Brisbane based boutique fiction imprint. Detailed au/egmont/about/submissions publishing house specialising in submission guidelines available on art, design, music culture and website. history projects. Recent projects Harlequin Books Australia https://www.carinapress.com/ include include ‘All We Could Do: Strong commercial works of shop/pages/write-for-us.html Queensland Flu Stories 1918-20’ fiction, memoir or non-fiction and ‘Our Inside Voices: Reflections Australian stories for adults. on COVID-19’ (both anthologies). Escape Publishing Minimum 80k words. Digital imprint of Harper Collins For more information check their https://www.harpercollins. Australia. All submissions must website at: www.andalsobooks. com.au/harlequin-books- include a central romance or com submissions/ romantic elements focused on lead Black Inc. and Nero Books characters and an uplifting ending. Currently NOT accepting https://www.harpercollins.com. submissions for the following au/escapesubmission/

24 WQ Mills & Boon contemporary issues, memoir, University of Online submissions open. Visit history, true crime, lifestyle and Queensland Press website for details. health, mind body spirit; junior Submissions only accepted https://www.millsandboon.com. and middle grade fiction, young during the first week of each au/submissions/ adult/crossover fiction. month. Currently accepting https://www.panmacmillan. unsolicited submissions for Odyssey Books com.au/submissions/ literary fiction and non-fiction. Traditional publishing. No advance Poetry, children’s and YA are currently closed for unsolicited paid. Self-publishing options Penguin Australia submissions. through Odyssey Publishing. Currently closed for submissions. https://www.odysseybooks.com. https://www.uqp.com.au/pages/ https://www.penguin.com.au/ au/submissions/ submissions getting-published/ One More Chapter Ventura Press Rhiza Press Publishers of unputdownable Not currently accepting fiction from swoon worthy Currently considering unsolicited submissions romance, to heart stopping crime submissions for young adult fiction https://www.venturapress.com. and gripping historical fiction. through Rhiza Edge and query lettes for manuscripts suited to the au/submissions-2 https://www.onemorechapter.com/ Rhiza Press digital list. Walker Books Pantera Press http://rhizapress.com.au/15- submissions Unagented writers can only Currently NOT accepting picture or submit on Walker Wednesday. illustrated books, cookbooks, self- The next upcoming Walker help books, health and well-being Scribe Publications Wednesday will be 25th books, travel books, poetry, play Accepts unsolicited and November, 2020. scripts, short stories, compilations, unagented submissions during chapter books or children’s books an upcoming window from 1-21 https://walkerbooksaus. (for ages 12 and under). September. typeform.com/to/MktCaKMM https://www.panterapress.com. https://scribepublications.com. Wombat Books au/submit/#tab_what-were- au/about-us/submissions looking-for Accepting online submissions. Text Publishing http://wombatbooks.com.au/ Pan Macmillan Currently NOT accepting poetry, index.php/authors/submissions Currently interested in play scripts or picture books. contemporary drama, sagas, psychological suspense, crime https://www.textpublishing. and thrillers, historical, and literary com.au/manuscript- fiction; narrative non-fiction, submissions

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 25 Events BRISBANE WRITERS FESTIVAL HAS A DRAMATIC PLOT TWIST WITH AN ALL DIGITAL PROGRAM LINEUP IN 2020 The Room to Dream: A Celebration of the Arts Led by Literature digital program will highlight 14 incredible Australian artists from different disciplines in a celebration of story, connection and collaboration. Artists spanning disciplines from dance to poetry and illustration to fiction will interpret and respond to the Room to Dream themes of awe, wonder, love, reverence for nature, resilience and connection. In seven online events over seven days, two different artists will engage in a ‘call and response’ collaboration, which will be presented on the BWF website.

Townsville Writers and Publishers Centre Ongoing

Workshops designed to improve the writing craft are run monthly for spec lit, pop lit and kids lit writers and publishers. Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings.

BAD Sydney Crime Writers’ Festival, NSW 11th to 13th September

BAD sets its sights on exploring what crime tells us about humanity, both contemporary and historic. Speakers include writers, reporters and filmmakers, as well as professionals from the justice system such as detectives, judges and psychologists.

Wollongong Writers Festival, NSW 27th to 29th November

The not-for-profit Wollongong Writers Festival presents another year of free and ticketed events. On the last weekend of November each year, they unleash a tidal wave of literature, art and ideas on the seaside city of Wollongong. The organisers curate a diverse array of experiences, showcasing local and national writers and artists.

26 WQ WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 27 Member Milestones

Meredith Taylor Jan-Andrew Henderson Pam Rushby

Meredith Taylor has co-won the UQ Jan-Andrew Henderson’s adult thriller Pam Rushby’s The Mummy Smugglers Modern History Society Pandemic Father Figure a psychological horror of Crumblin Castle, a thrilling middle Creativity Competition in May based on real events was released in grade historical fantasy is out with alongside friend and author Jo digital and paperback form. The 20th Walker Books Australia. Pilsworth with their poem submission anniversary edition of The Emperor’s Plague: Full Circle. New Kilt: The Two Secret Histories Joanna Barrett of Scotland was released in July and Carnage in August. Joanna Barrett’s story Topek and Me John Holliday has been accepted by Antipodean SF and will appear online in Issue 268 in John Holliday’s novel Clara Colby: The Mocco Wollert January 2021. International Suffragist was published this year and has been written up in Mocco Wollert recently had her column Consequences published in Your Time Jane Smith the Madison Magazine. magazine June edition, as well as her Jane Smith’s A New World, published poem Yellow Butterflies becoming part this May, was the first book of her new Kim Horwood of the winter edition of Senior’s Digest. children’s series Carly Mills, Pioneer Lament For Europe poem published Kim Horwood’s short story New Boot Girl. The second book Emergency! is THE MOZZIE May 2020. Dreaming will be published in the due for release in October. children’s anthology Bedtime Ballads & Tall Tales from the Australian Bush Jenny Old Toni Risson launching in October. Jenny Old published her second Toni Risson’s short story Button and book Innocent Nurses Abroad a true Bobbie is one dog’s perpsective on David Daniel account of nurses travelling in 1968, the pandemic. It has been published with Ocean Reeve Publishing. David Daniel has had two of his in Our Inside Voices by AndAlso Books. illustrated Tarkine the Tasmanian Tiger books published by Forty South in Alaine M. Neilson Jaclyn Riley-Smith Hobart, as well as having written and Alaine M. Neilson published her Jaclyn Riley-Smith’s short story “Literally illustrated five self-published Recycle parapsychological mystery book Are the worst” won first prize in the 2020 Michael books. You Sure You Want to Know. Banjo Paterson Writing Awards.

Joanne Hattersley Dimity Powell Dr Christine Velde

Joanne Hattersley has two new books Dimity Powell’s picture book Pippa Dr Christine Velde’s novel Into being released soon and has just had featured on Channel 9’s GO kids’ The Exotic has been published by her fourth article published. reading@homeTV. Boolarong Press.

28 WQ 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, 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: Bookshops Other discounts • 10% discount at: • Author Photos by Profile Portraits Australia: $110 for 3 low res Byblos Bookshop, Mareeba (discount on second-hand books photos(normally $150); $140 for 3 high res photos (normally 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 profileportraitsaus.blogspot.com.au (mileage costs may apply) Shop, SLQ, Brisbane; Maleny Bookshop, Maleny; Mary Who, • Developmental editing and manuscript assessment services Townsville; Riverbend Books, Bulimba; Rosetta Books, Maleny; by Totally Edited: 10% discount. Contact Richard Andrews at The Written Dimension Bookshop, Noosa Junction; The Yellow totallyedited.com Door Books and Music, Yeppoon. • La Boite Theatre tickets $25 (preview) $39 (in season). • Olvar Wood Writers Retreat offers a 10% discount to QWC members on all their writer services: olvarwood.com.au • $5 memberships at Dendy Cinemas Membership Form To join the Centre please Applicant’s details Please indicate: New member Renewing complete the information below or join online at Name: ______qldwriters.org.au. Please complete and return to: Organisation (if relevant): ______Queensland Writers Centre, PO Box 3488, Postal Address: ______South Brisbane Queensland 4101 Telephone: ______Postcode p: 07 3842 9920 e: [email protected] Email:______

Duration and type of membership Payment

One Year Two Years Please find enclosed my payment of $______Print PDF* Print PDF* Mastercard Visa Cheque Money order

Full membership $79 $79 $149 $149 Card number

Concession $59 $59 $109 $109 Expiry date CCV #

Passionate (5 yrs) $349 $349 Cardholder’s name: ______Youth For details go to: expressmedia.org.au (26 and under) Signature: ______Organisation $150 *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 $50 (no GST) $90 (no GST) Supporter deductible. QWC has a no-refund policy. Provided three working days’ notice is given, 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 of issue. Donations of $2 or more are tax deductable.

WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 29 QUEENSLAND WRITERS CENTRE Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Stanley Place, South Brisbane qldwriters.org.au Postal address: PO Box 3488 South Brisbane Queensland 4101 Contact details: 07 3842 9922 [email protected] Fax: 07 3842 9920 Connect with us: Instagram: instagram.com/qldwriters Twitter: @qldwriters Facebook: facebook.com/qldwriters