Due to unexpected circumstances, Dr David Craig will be unable to present his workshops at this year’s WriteFest. He sends his sincerest apologies and he hopes to make it to WriteFest in the future.
While we hunt for a new presenter to fill the program, the booking form will be temporarily withdrawn from the website pending review.
Get advice from a professional Editor!
Editor and Publishing Assistant Rachael Donovan from Allen & Unwin Publishers will be attending the Bundaberg writers’ festival, WriteFest, on May 19 and advising selected writers on how to improve their query letter, synopsis, and manuscript sample.
Rachael will do this by conducting editor/writer consultations with six writers who have been selected by her based on their submitted work having the potential to hold an editor’s interest or be close to this level.
These consultations will not lead to the writer being requested to submit a full manuscript or considered for a contract. They are offered as an advice session only.
Writers are required to submit the first 50 pages (in industry-standard format) of their manuscript, together with a two-page single-line-spaced synopsis and covering letter outlining details of their writing experience and publishing history (if any).
The first 50 pages must be from a completed manuscript ready for submission to a publisher – first drafts are not acceptable.
Submissions will be read by a team of experienced professionals and the best will be forwarded to Rachael who will select the six she will consult with, and those writers must be attending WriteFest.
Each submission must be accompanied by an entry fee of $25. This entry fee is non-refundable but will be taken off the entry fee to the WriteFest workshops ($75) or masterclass ($95), or combined two days of workshops and masterclass ($145).
Submissions and entry fee can be posted to the Bundaberg Writers’ Club Inc, PO Box 1486, Bundaberg Qld 4670, or emailed to novels@sandycurtis.com provided the entry fee, or a receipt for a direct deposit to the Bundaberg Writers’ Club Inc is posted in. The Club’s bank details are Wide Bay Australia, BSB 656400, Account No. 104337281.
Successful applicants will be notified at least two weeks before the event. As reading and assessing the submissions will take the editor some time, we would appreciate writers submitting as early as possible. All submissions must be received by 15 April.
Any queries should be made to novels@sandycurtis.com or PO Box 1486, Bundaberg Qld 4670.
What does digital publishing mean for writers today? With the advent of new technologies and ideas, today we have a host of choices and opportunities for writers looking to connect with readers, and writers have a lot more options when it comes to driving their own careers. From traditional publishing houses, to e-books, to social media, in today’s world there are as many paths to publication as there are writers.
Join Meg Vann, manager of Australian Writers Marketplace, to learn about digital publishing options for writers today, and what it means to be an Amplified Author. [All participants will receive a free three-month subscription to the Australian Writers Marketplace online.]
Meg Vann is Manager of The Australian Writer’s Marketplace published by Queensland Writers Centre, Convenor of Sisters in Crime (Brisbane Chapter), and a tutor and guest lecturer in Writing, Editing and Publishing for The University of Queensland. Meg has a special interest in supporting aspiring and emerging writers to develop their creative works and pathways to publication.
The Amplified Author will be a morning workshop at this year’s WriteFest, Saturday 19 May.
Publisher/writer interviews
Clan Destine Press Publisher, Lindy Cameron, will be attending the Bundaberg writers’ festival, WriteFest, on May 19 and conducting publisher/writer interviews.
Writers are required to submit the first 50 pages (in industry-standard format) of their manuscript, together with a two-page single-line-spaced synopsis and covering letter outlining details of writing experience and publishing history (if any).
Submissions must be from a completed manuscript ready for submission to a publisher – first drafts are not acceptable.
Submissions will be read by a team of experienced professionals and the best 10-12 will be forwarded to Lindy who will select the six she will interview, and those writers must be attending WriteFest.
Each submission must be accompanied by an entry fee of $25. This entry fee is non-refundable but will be taken off the entry fee to the WriteFest workshops ($75) or masterclass ($90), or combined two days of workshops and masterclass ($145).
Submissions and entry fee can be posted to the Bundaberg Writers' Club Inc, PO Box 1486, Bundaberg Qld 4670. Submissions may also be emailed to novels@sandycurtis.com provided the entry fee, or a receipt for a direct deposit to the Bundaberg Writers Club Inc is posted in. The Club’s bank details are Wide Bay Australia Ltd, BSB 656400, Account No. 104337281 Successful applicants will be notified at least two weeks before the event. As reading and assessing the submissions will take Lindy some time, we would appreciate writers submitting as early as possible. All submissions must be received by April 15. Any queries should be made to novels@sandycurtis.com or PO Box 1486, Bundaberg Qld 4670, and full details can be found at bundywriters.com
With over 20 years of criminology experience, Dr David Craig will share his knowledge at WriteFest when he presents his workshop Can you tell if someone is lying? What if your life depended on it?
As part of David Craig’s doctoral research, he interviewed covert operatives and those who led prosecutions against criminals caught by undercover tactics in undercover programs in Australia, the United States, Canada, the UK and the Netherlands. He now runs a consultancy for Australian and overseas agencies on covert operations, which include surveillance, informant and undercover operations.
Knowing the difference between the truth and lies can be a matter of life and death in undercover operations, and this led David to write Lie Catcher; Become a Human Lie Detector in Under 60 Minutes (Big Sky Publishing).
His workshop has two parts:
Dirty Tricks – the Nature of Undercover Operations provides a gritty insight into undercover operations; the risks, the reality and how they net criminals. It also provides an insight into the mind of covert operatives and the criminals caught by undercover tricks.
The Truth About Lying discusses the role and nature of lies in society from little white lies to outright deceit. Importantly the session will focus upon how to detect when people tell you a porky, why they did, perhaps why sometimes you necessarily do too.
This workshop may assist writers in developing deceitful characters with relevant emotional tell-tale signs of lying and deceit, and the development of shady characters, truth seekers and investigators. The session should also assist writers to formulate story lines involving the murky world of undercover police and criminals.
Booking forms for WriteFest 2012 will soon be available so keep Saturday 19th May free to catch Dr David Craig’s workshop. Check out our WriteFest 2012 pages for information on our growing program.
1500 words – first prize $2000
http://www.blackdoginstitute.org.au/public/events/writingcompetition/index.cfm
Give your story the best possible chance of standing out from the rest with guidance from author Louise Cusack.
From character to plot: creating page-turning novels from the characters up
In this hands-on masterclass Louise will lead fiction novelists through the vital steps of developing strong, believable characterisation and tight plots that test a character’s virtues and highlight their flaws. You will need to bring a draft plot outline of your (completed or planned) novel as well as rough notes on your characters. Exercises during the day will clarify and strengthen characterisation and help you construct a plot that draws the most emotion and conflict from your characters, while ensuring all subplots mesh together seamlessly to create a cohesive, page-turning novel. Visit the Masterclass page for more info.
Louise Cusack
International award-winning fantasy author Louise Cusack is a favourite writing workshop presenter and mentor amongst Queensland writers. Her best-selling Shadow through Time trilogy, selected as ‘Editor’s Choice’ by the Doubleday Book Club, will be released Internationally by Pan Macmillan’s Momentum Books as ebooks in 2012. Louise has been a QWC Writer in Residence and key regional tutor, and has a reputation for inspiring, constructive residencies and retreats teaching all genres of fiction to both adult writers and school students. Check out her website at louisecusack.com
It’s been confirmed – Marianne de Pierres is on board to present two workshops at next years WriteFest. We’re excited, we know you’re excited, so keep Saturday 19th May 2012 free for WriteFest.
Stranger in a Strange World – Writing Sci Fi and Fantasy
Award-wining SF author Marianne de Pierres has been described by reviewers as “an utterly convincing world-builder” whose “descriptions are lush and evocative but never bogged down in superfluous detail.” In this workshop Marianne shares her keys to creating convincing, compact world-building. Learn how to cut the waffle.
Nothing Sweet About Me – Writing Crime
Davitt award winning author Marianne Delacourt shares her insights on writing humorous crime set in Australia. Plotting backwards, making your setting one of your characters, creating a likeable protagonist and knowing when to shed blood are just some of the things covered in this lively, fun workshop.
Marianne de Pierres
Marianne de Pierres is an award-winning author who publishes novels in the science fiction, fantasy, crime and young adult genres. Her stories have been translated into other languages, adapted into a role playing game and an animation. Visit her websites at http://www.mariannedepierres.com, http://www.tarasharp.com and http://www.burnbright.com
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Young adult fiction writer BELINDA JEFFREY presents an interactive and practical workshop for beginning and emerging writers. Plenty of tips & techniques for ideas, characters, settings, scenes and manuscripts. Wed 19 Oct, 1-4pm. Visit/Phone Bundaberg Library on 4130 4140 to book. LIMITED SPACES.
During the time he spent as part of the club Tony’s second great love was the creative arts – poetry, painting and making people feel at home. He wrote and painted with equal passion – of sundappled scenes, life changing events, love. Mostly of love.
Tony brought a serious respect for free poetry to the Writers’ Club. He and his wife, Lorraine, though somewhat opposed in the direction their poetry took them (she preferred poetry to rhyme), were very much together on the establishment of a poetry group as part of the club. The group later became the Bundaberg Poets Society.
To his first and final great love, Lorraine, we send our sincere condolences.
Bundaberg Writers' Club 