Gold Coast Writers' Association
Writers coming together to create
Next Meeting
Saturday 18 January
Fradgley Hall, Park Avenue, Burleigh Heads – 12.00 – 2.45 p.m.
12.15 – 12.55 pm: Workshop session: Beverley Streater (Punctuation Dialogue) and Kerri Yarsley (Stylesheets)
12.55 – 1.55 pm: Three Author Perspectives on Self (Independent and Assisted) Publishing and Traditional Publishing. Authors who will be speaking are: Christine Betts (Independent), James Culverhouse (Assisted) and Ron Thomas (Traditionally) Published.
1.55 – 2.15 pm: Afternoon Tea
2.15 – 2.45 pm: Notes from a Self-Publishing Company Director (Andy McDermott); and, Panel with Authors and a Self-Publishing Company.
GCWA Committee Members and Authors, Beverley Streater and Kerri Yarsely will provide insight into creative writing skills that address ‘Punctuating Dialogue’ and ‘Stylesheets’.
English and the written word was not originally a strength, especially coming from a Science background as a computer programmer, but it became so after two decades of technical writing.
Kerri’s first book, “The Instruction Manual for Kids – Parent’s Edition”, took twenty-five years to research and twelve months to write. After that, Kerri chose to format and edit the work herself, feeling that she was up to the task, having done it for corporations and governments for years. The book was self-published in 2012 and received wide acclaim.
As a career public servant, Beverley developed a strong appreciation for effective communication and designed technical communications (media releases, briefs, speeches) for a range of stakeholders.
As a writer, Beverley currently contributes via her blog Classic Women, social media, book reviews, and has been published in the online magazine, Broad. As a freelance editor, she offers encouragement, support, guidance, and editing to local writers.
Three authors
Are you confused by the terms Self-Publishing and Traditional Publishing? Don’t worry, it is something many people struggle with and is the cause of numerous discussions! In fact, Self-Publishing is sometimes considered an overarching term for Independent and Assisted Publishing … so that can just add another confusing dimension!
Come and find out from a trio of authors who have taken three very different approaches:
Christine Betts is a business owner and published writer.
Her first novel Hotel Déjà vu (independently published through her imprint Time Step Press, 2018) combines her passion for Paris with her interest (obsession?) for artists, writers and their lives.
You can find her on Facebook by searching @ParisTimeTravel or at her website www.writerpainter.com
Ron Thomas is a lover of writing, a storyteller, a searcher for tales as yet unwritten. For more than 20 years, Ron was Managing Director of a successful Australian technology company. It was a big decision to leave a job he loved to indulge in his passion for writing and a long bucket list.
Ron is a believer in the power of words and considers that wordsmithing skills are the most empowering tools in his armoury. His first effort was a musical, Ballaarat; then, he turned to historical novels and so began, the Solly Trilogy. Unsurprisingly, its key character is a story-telling swagman. Ron has traditionally published several books. https://ronthomasauthor.com/
James Culverhouse has been a pizzaiolo, business owner, projectionist and teacher. He currently works as an IT professional in the higher education sector. He has dived with sharks off the Queensland Coast, survived being a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman, and lived in a mud-brick house in Tasmania.
James and his wife share their home in Moreton Shire, Australia, with their black cat, Shadow, and their loveable dog, Chad. He has published his first book, “Wolf and the Crow”, the first book in the Ebonsheare Chronicles trilogy.
When you’ve heard from our trio of authors, it’s time for a Self-Publishing company to provide their perspective and also respond to comments made before Afternoon Tea.
Join Andy McDermott from Publicious, as he provides his insights – https://www.publicious.com.au/
Fradgley Hall is located upstairs next to the Burleigh Heads Library.
There are two entrances: Park Avenue (next to Library entrance) – up the stairs, or at the back of the building, a pathway from Ocean Street – this is a ground-level entrance.
Parking is available in the adjoining Council car park.
Regular Meeting Timetable (please note slight adjustments for Januray’s meeting, please see top of this page)
11.45 a.m. – Doors open & Registration
12.00 p.m. – Start!
12.15 p.m. – Writing Skills
12.45 p.m. – Workshop/Presentation
1.45 p.m. – Afternoon Tea
2.00 p.m. – Guest Presentation
2.30 p.m. – Wrap Up & Networking
2.45 p.m. – Close
Members $5, Non-members $10 (new members welcome, please email Membership Secretary Jackie Moore gcwa.membersec@gmail.com
