Budding writer set to bloom

Chevallum author Rhys Rodgers has been awarded the Regional Writes manuscript development mentorship.

20 year old Rhys studied creative writing briefly at the University of the Sunshine Coast, but quit and wrote his novel instead. His story, "Jac and the Wild Children", picks up from where JM Barrie left off by re-imagining the origin of the lost boys and pirates of Peter Pan.

Rhys has written a beautiful moral tale about power and friendship, betrayal and resistance; about growing up and holding onto the truth that to love one another is the only rule we need to follow.

The winner was selected in a 'blind' read, (without knowing the identity of the authors) from 20 full length manuscripts received from all corners of the Sunshine Coast region. The strong field was narrowed to a shortlist of three, including Cooroy author Tanya Overson and Christine Wunderlich of Yandina.

Rhys will be mentored by local author Annette Hughes, writer in residence at the Butter Factory Arts Centre in Cooroy, and will receive one-on-one coaching through the process of redrafting to take his manuscript to the next stage of development towards publication.

"I've been completely blown away by the quality of submissions to this mentorship program," says Annette," and by the range of genres authors are working across in this region; from fantasy to non-fiction, travel writing to the philosophical investigation of the natural world."

“The professional development workshop component of the Regional Writes program has received great feedback from participants, with most of the workshops booked out, and an extra session scheduled to meet the demand.” said Councillor Jenny McKay. “There is an amazing wealth of literary talent on the coast which Council is pleased to be able to identify and nurture through the Regional Writes program. The collaboration between Council and funding bodies from the Regional Arts Development Fund and Arts Queensland have enabled the delivery of a fantastic program."