D CAR something to get your teeth into ISSUE 269 Alison Whittaker on AI in poetry Jun 2020 – Aug 2020 Gary Crew reflects CEO 1994-97 WQ Cover illustration.indd 1 29/05/2020 5:21 PM 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 RECENT TITLES… Writers Queensland advertisement_2020 June_full page.indd 1 12/05/2020 1:05:09 PM PUBLISHED BY ISSUE 269 Jun 2020 – Aug 2020 ISSN 1444-2922 Editorial and Production Sandra Makaresz Contents Editor Shannon Horsfall Guest Artist 2 Editorial Green Fox Studio Design 3 Meet Gary Crew CPX Printing & Logistics Printing 4 Machine Yearning Submissions By Alison Whittaker Members can submit Milestones or details of Events or Competitions and Opportunities, 6 Securing an Agent or pitch articles for WQ, by emailing us at By Alison Quigley [email protected] QWC reserves the right to edit all submissions 8 7 Ways to Create Sizzling First Sentences with regard to content and word length. By Pamela Rushby Advertising Advertising rates, deadlines and dimensions 10 6 Tips for Researching Your Novel and other information on how to advertise in By Tara East WQ is available at qldwriters.org.au/advertise. For advertising enquiries please contact 12 Emigrant [email protected] By Jane Smith QWC members enjoy a reduced advertising rate. Before booking an advertisement potential advertisers should read QWC’s 14 Thirty Years of QWC Advertising Terms and Conditions at By Craig Munro qldwriters.org.au/advertise 16 Writing a Business Strategy Staff By Lynne Lumsden Green Lori-Jay Ellis Chief Executive Officer 18 Challenge Accepted Winners Charlie Hester Social Media Officer Discord and Harmony Craig Cauchi Love at first sight Livestream Officer Meredith Taylor 23 Chasing the Wild Pineapple Financial Officer By Lesley Synge Callum McDonald Sophie Bafekr 24 NED Makes Legal Deposit Easy Samantha Tan By Robyn Hamilton Project Officers Management Committee 25 Member Milestones Kym Hausmann Chair 26 Writing Competitions Ann Wilson Vice Chair 29 QWC Membership Benefits Vacant Treasurer Carleton Chinner Secretary Sandra Makaresz Andrea Brosnan Sarah Thornton Angela Samut Judy Gregory Ordinary Members WWW.QLDWRITERS.ORG.AU.MAGAZINE 1 ISSN 1444-2922 ISSUE 269 PUBLISHED BY Editorial GUEST ARTIST Sandra Makaresz Shannon Horsfall Editor Cover Illustration Biography: Shannon Horsfall is undertaking her Honours degree in Creative Writing at USC. She is the award winning author-illustrator of Was Not Me and Nomax (both Writers often find solace in the world of imagination, but for some it hasn’t HarperCollins), and the illustrator been an easy escape to make of late. Uncertainty, fear, and misinformation Dear Santa My of (Scholastic) and have meant that many writers find themselves unable to focus, unable to Unicorn Farts Glitter (Hachette). achieve their best work. And I’m sure writers are not alone in this feeling. She has published short stories, With so much attention focussed on matters pandemic I do hope this issue poetry and flash fiction in the USC of WQ brings you a few moments of escape. anthologies 2018 and 2019. In 2017-2018 she illustrated Issue Reading Alison Whittaker’s article on AI in poetry was a challenging experience 259 of WQ Magazine for QWC. for me. I felt excited by the possibilities of poetry and wanted to put pen to paper. At the same time I was terrified to ever go there again, after her knowledgeable discussion of an aspect of poetry I’d never considered. In celebration of the Queensland Writers Centre Quills, our many past CEOs and Chairs, we have reflections from Gary Crew and Craig Munro. We’ll continue to feature these in issues to come, where you’ll pick up unexpected gems like Gary’s advice on what is and is not writing. Reading these two past Chairs’ work was an important lesson in remembering. This year we have had what seemed to be unforgettable bushfires that quickly slipped from the mainstream conversation as a virus stole our attention. Our memories are captured in the stories we tell and we hope you find support for your stories through the community of writers you’ve chosen to be part of at Queensland Writers Centre. Get involved, be part of something special and write the stories that you will be remembered for. 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 Meet Gary Crew QWC Chair, 1994–1997 Gary Crew is Professor Emeritus, Creative Writing, at Underworld, in 1994. I remained as chair of QWC from the University of the Sunshine Coast. Among his many 1994 until 1997 when, overwhelmed by my commitment awards, he has won the Australian Children’s Book to teaching and studying my doctorate at USC, and my of the Year Award four times, the American Children’s personal involvement with writing, I had to resign. Book of Distinction, the Wilderness Society Award for Environmental Writing, and the Royal Zoological Society At 73 years of age in 2020, and as a Professor of Creative Whitley Award. He lives on the waterfront of Bribie Island. Writing who has published over 90 novels, novellas, short stories and illustrated books internationally, it is probably As a Brisbane based author in the 1980s, I was a regular expedient to share a little advice. visitor to QWC, then based opposite Albert Park, Wickham Terrace. Brisbane was a lonely place for an emergent author Emergent writers should read widely, opening their minds in those days, so I often dropped in to seek advice from Dr to new ideas, new styles and new structures. And they Robyn Sheahan-Bright, the first QWC Director. Robyn had should write, write, write―constantly honing their craft. been my much-admired publisher at Jam Roll Press. Having a glass of red while watching the sun set is not writing; it’s thinking about writing—there’s a big difference. In 1994, with an MA from UQ, a dozen publications, and a Similarly, a great idea does not a novel make. Add to the few national and international literary awards, I moved to constant practice of writing the hard-earned attribute of Maleny. Within six months the newly opened University of persistence, and the would-be author may have a chance. the Sunshine Coast contacted me, asking if I would begin their Creative Writing Program. I agreed, also agreeing Given that the writer succeeds in producing a finished to undertake my Doctor of Creative Arts in Creative work, it’s devastating when the treasured manuscript is Writing. Not long after, Hilary Beaton, who had replaced rejected—often curtly. After just such a rejection, I once Robyn at QWC, asked if I would become Chair of QWC. polished off a bottle of brandy and sat in the back paddock, I was astonished (and flattered), but agreed. The now celebrated Queensland author, Steven Lang, who opened moping, until my wife wisely said, ‘What’s your next trick? the amazing Rosetta Bookshop in Maleny, agreed to join Get up and fix it!’ Yes, irrespective of numerous failures, QWC and accompany me on my trips to Brisbane. By this I have been blessed with success. But yes―I admit—the time, QWC was housed in Lower Edward Street. Meetings older a writer gets, the more rejections hurt, especially were held on Saturdays and parking was hell. when the publisher rejecting your work is half your age. Admittedly, most meetings were taken up with approving Ouch! mundane administrative issues (insurance, rent), but a great deal of energy was also devoted to establishing workshops Let me close by saying that QWC’s assistance in all matters for emergent writers, with workshops conducted by the relating to writing has continued to improve since my day. growing number of local writers. While Queenslanders In 2020, QWC’s policy of providing access to the skills of venerated their iconic peers such as David Malouf, experienced writers across a range of genres is a very Jessica Anderson and Jenny Wagner, serious publication positive initiative. Much has changed in publishing since had begun among QWC’s rising younger membership, my (prehistoric) time as Chair, but the Queensland Writers namely: Nick Earls, James Moloney and Venero Armanno.