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."

A Word from the Writer-in-Residence

Greetings regional writers and readers, and welcome to our community blog. Now that you're here, why not have a look around.

In the left hand column, under the Community Blogging Project heading, you'll find a list of categories. By clicking on the links, you'll be taken to all the stories in each category.

Beneath that you'll see our blog roll. This is a list of local bloggers who have their own sites. If you would like to add your own blog to the list, simply add a comment to this post and let us know your URL. There is also a list of links to local resources for writers and readers; book clubs, library services, bookshops, writers groups etc. If you'd like to add your group to this links list, again, post a comment and we'll add your link. For now, the site is moderated, but once it's launched, it will become your site.

All the best,

Annette Hughes

About the Writer in Residence

Annette Hughes is a Cooroy based author who moved to the region six years ago after a twenty year career in first Brisbane, then Sydney, in the entertainment and publishing industry. In her previous lives she has been a bookseller, contemporary art dealer, small publisher, theatrical, film and television agent, literary agent and now, author.

She is an industry expert with many years experience in publishing from every possible angle. Her skill set includes; intimate knowledge of the entertainment and publishing industries, preparation of copyright contracts in all fields, structural editing of both fiction and non-fiction, life writing, art criticism, and assesses manuscripts for a major publishers. She has represented authors international rights to the London Book Fair, and attended Australian literary festivals to participate in the Australia Council's VIP program (Visiting International Publishers), selling international publishing rights. She has was also contracted by the Australia Council for a research project to scope and assess opportunities for regional writing in FNQ.

She is also a trained and registered art and English teacher, and speaks on a range of subjects encompassed by her professional skills. She has appeared at the Byron Bay writers festival, Reality Bites festival (Cooroy), Sydney Writers Festival, New South Wales writers centre, and various bookshops and libraries.

Annette is currently self employed, trading as Books&Writing, providing professional services to the publishing industry and teaching and mentoing to individual emerging and established authors. Her recent book, Art Life Chooks (a memoir) is published by Harper Collins Fourth Estate.

Blogging Workshops

Learn how to set up your own blog by coming along to these free blogging workshops.

The 8 workshop sessions are designed to get you started. You will need have your own computer at home, set up a g-mail account prior to the workshops, and bring it with you.

The workshops are held every Saturday afternoon from 1 pm - 5 pm, running from 5 Sept - 17 October (inclusive).

The workshops will take place at Noosa District High School.

Space is limited to 12 places, so bookings are essential.

Community access sessions

THESE SESSIONS ARE NOW FULLY BOOKED

Got a problem with your story? Need help with your writing? Need advice about how to get your work out there? As part of the Writer-in-Residence programme, the writer is available for consultation about any questions will be in residence at the Butter Factory Arts Centre at the following times:

2pm - 5pm on Monday afternoons from 2 Nov - 30 Nov (inclusive)

or

9am - 11am on Saturday mornings on 31 Oct, and 7, 14, 21 & 28 Nov.

The sessions are free and access is open to both amateur and professional writers as well as participants in the Community Blogging Project, but bookings are essential.

To book an appointment during the above times, contact the butter factory.

Submissions

What's Your Story?

The Community Blogging project is all about us - our life in this beautiful region of Queensland. Whether you are the secretary of the local footy club, a farmer, a mum or a serious writer (or indeed, all of these at once), everyone has a story to share.

Here are a few ideas to get you started, but your story (up to 1000 words) can be about any facet of life in the Sunshine Coast Region. It can also be in any writing form, whether it be prose, poetry or song.

The Great Outdoors

Down by the Seaside

History

People and Places

This Sporting Life

Down on the Farm

Tall Tales and True

Top Spots

Family and Friends

Big Day Out

The Environment

To submit a story to the project, click on the comment link at the bottom of this post. A comment box will appear.

Simply copy your text into the box and then post your comment. The comment won't appear immediately, because the blog is moderated, so include your email address so that I can get in touch with you if the story needs editing before it is published on the site.

Note to teachers: It would be a great help if you could edit student stories before submission.

Manuscript development mentorship

Submissions are now closed for a mentorship with the Writer in Residence.

There has been a fantastic response to the program, with twenty full length manuscripts recieved for consideration.

The mentorship was announced 30 October and awarded to Chevellum writer Rhys Rodgers for his work for older readers entitled 'Jac and the Wild Children'.

Rhys is also a poet and hes work can me seen on is website.

The mentorship was open to unpublished emerging authors who already have a completed book length (over 60,000 words) manuscript.

The mentor will read the successful manuscript, write a full length assessment of the work and meet with the mentee to discuss development of the manuscript. The mentee will work to the mentor's notes and resubmit the manuscript to the mentor for another full read through, report and face to face meeting to discuss any further improvement. There will be one further meeting to work on a revised synopsis.

Conditions of submission.

Applicants must be resident in the Sunshine Coast Regional Council area.

The manuscript must be original.

The successful mentee must be available to undertake the mentorship during the advised dates 30 Oct - 15 Dec 2009.

The submission should contain: a covering letter which notes the applicants name, address and contact details; a one page synopsis and the first three chapters of the manuscript with a footer bearing the title of the work and page numbers. The author's name should not appear on the synopsis or chapters.

The submission must be mailed as hard copy, double spaced in 12 pt times roman type and be printed on one side only on A4 paper.

Address the submission to The Writer In Residence Mentorship, c/- The Butter Factory Arts Centre, PO Box 141, Tewantin QLD 4565.

If the applicant wishes to have the material returned, the submission must contain a stamped, self addressed envelope.

This is not a prize or competition - there is no prize attached to the awarding of the mentorship, and there is no guarantee of publication.

The Writer in Residence will select the successful author on the quality of the submission alone, and will not enter into any correspondence regarding unsuccessful submissions.

Workshop feedback

Workshop Schedule

A program of professional development workshops for regional writers.
Places are limited to 12 participants, so book early.

Cost: Each workshop is $50 for the day - morning and afternoon tea, and lunch provided.

Place: Butter Factory Arts Centre, Maple St Cooroy, all day Sunday (10am - 5pm)

Workshop 1: Life Writing
date: Sunday 6 September

This is an all day workshop that looks at the art of memoir. The workshop explores techniques for writing your own story. It gets you writing, offering informed feedback and guidance. Whether you are writing a story about place, collective memory or the story of your own life and times for your grandchildren, this workshop will set you on your journey. A practical workshop for anyone serious about writing their life and for those looking for a way to begin.

Workshop 2: The Business of Publishing
date: Sunday 20 September
A full day seminar covering the business and practicalities of being a writer. This seminar will cover the intricacies of the publishing process, following the path of a manuscript through a publishing house, the role of the agent, the work of the manuscript assessor and the editor, the bookseller and the librarian. Learn how to apply for funding for your writing project, how to pitch your story to the market place, how to find resources, and gain feedback about the commercial potential of your work.

Annette Hughes unpacks her toolkit of insider knowledge for emerging writers and those who are just plain curious.

Workshop 3: Reading for Creative Writing

date: Sunday 11 October

An all day workshop for creative writers. Reading quality writing by the best in the business is one of the most effective ways to develop your craft. This workshop will focus on the written word, and what can be gleaned from the work of some of Australia's best writers. Learn how to unpick a text, analyse it and harvest it for style, technique and how to apply both macro and micro critical reading to your own work, looking at structure, tense, plot, narrative voice, pace, character and dialogue.

Workshop 4: The Nuts and Bolts of Creative Writing
date: Sunday 8 November

This workshop is designed to build skills in polishing and preparation of your writing. Bring a sample of your own work (or work on a piece of supplied draft writing) and be guided through the process of applying an editorial scalpel to it. Discover what editors look for, what to cut, how to mould your writing into the most economical and pleasing form to keep your reader hooked, and to tell your story in the most elegant way possible. Lots of hands on exercises and experimentation.

Workshop 5: The Business of Publishing (by popular demand)If
date: Sunday 22 November