I hate to be a cliche but I’m a writer of fantasy books and I have cats. I was sitting at my computer writing and I heard this soft snuffling behind me. What should I find, but Sassy cat up to her old tricks!
This one is for Meaghan
Sorry, it has taken so long, Meaghan. My friend took the photo then had to fly back to Melbourne and sort things out, before she could send me the photos. I have two, both turned out really well. Here we are, Supanova, Brisbane 2012.
This is the wonderful Meaghan, who started her own book reading club. Readers, where would we writers be without them? Of course, we all started out as readers, too.
If you leave a comment, Meaghan,I can email you copies of the photos.
This one’s for Nat…
For much of Supanova it was really busy and the crowds were so thick you couldn’t hear what people were saying. But there were a couple of quiet patches where I managed to chat to people and several were aspiring writers. I promised Nat I would do a post about writing groups and resources for writers, so here it is.
If you’re based in Queensland, it is well worthwhile joining the Queensland Writers Centre. They offer a broad range of workshops including Year of the Novel (where you write a book in a year under the guidance of a published author who mentors you) and Year of the Edit (where you edit the book you wrote the previous year, again with the guidance of a published author).
QWC have paired with Hachette for the QWC/Hachette manuscript Development Program (closed for this year, but it is good to have a goal for next year). ‘Now in its fifth year, The QWC/Hachette Manuscript Development Program aims to uncover and develop new emerging Australian writers. This is a fantastic opportunity for emerging fiction and non-fiction writers to work with editors from Hachette Australia and develop high-quality manuscripts. Up to ten emerging writers will work with editors from Hachette Australia, and other industry professionals, to develop their manuscript and learn about the industry over the course of four intensive days.’
If you are writing Spec Fic, I’d recommend joining a writing group who love the genre as much as you do. There is the Vision Writers Group, which meets in Brisbane on the first of the month at the State Library. They also have an on-line discussion list.
There is my own writing group, ROR, where I post about opportunities for aspiring writers like this one: Pitching your book at Conflux (the national Sf convention).
There are also non-genre specific opportunities like the Text Fiction Prize. This is for writers of Children’s books and Young Adult books.
And there is a whole list of useful posts on the craft of writing and the writing industry here.
If you persevere long enough, you’ll learn the craft and write some wonderful stories. Writing is one of those rare past times, which are their own reward.
Back from Brisbane Supanova
Well, I’m back from Supanova and I’ve almost had a chance to catch my breath after working all day.
So many wonderful costumes, so many enthusiastic genre fans. Here we are in Artist’s Alley: Joe Abercrombie, Alison Goodman who had just launched her new book with ClanDestine Press, and Lindy Cameron her publisher and me.
Kudos to the hardworking team at Supanova. It is amazing how busy it gets, how long the queues are, how much noise there is and yet no one has a meltdown. In fact you see grown-ups jumping up and down in excitement.
I caught up with so many readers. A special Hi goes out to Meghan, who started a book club and got all her friends to read my King Rolen’s Kin trilogy. Thank you!
Drive-by Post about Supanova
Here I am with Lindy Cameron from ClanDestine Press at Supanova, Brisbane. We’re in Artists’ Alley, where all the cool people are.
I’m looking forward to catching up with lots of readers today. Already caught up with people I’d met at Supanova in Brisbane and Sydney. Wow, some people are dedicated, travelling interstate. And you should see the costumes!
Alison Goodman’s new book will be launched in the Wrestling Ring with John Birmingham. Get a ‘lucky door prize’ ticket. If your number comes up you’ll be given the first signed copy of her book for free!
Here’s a list of the Supanova Movie, TV and Author guests if you’re thinking of coming…
Fiona McIntosh
Rumplegeist, The Percheron, The Valisar
Billy West
Ren and Stimpy, Futurama
Paul Mason
The Soldier Legacy
Juliet Marillier
The ‘Seven Waters’ Trilogy
Tom Felton
Harry Potter, Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Kathleen Zuelch
Tex in Red Vs Blue
Masakazu Morita
Bleach, Tidus in FFX, Pegasus Seiya
Nelsan Ellis
Lafayette Reynolds from True Blood
Billy Tan
Uncanny X-Men, New Avengers, Shadowland
Alfred Enoch
Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films
Felicia Day
The Guild, Dollhouse, Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Chris Rankin
Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter films
Come along to Supanova Brisbane 2013
This weekend I’ll be attending SUPANOVA along with the team from ClanDestine Press.
Last weekend we all rocked up to Genre Con and had a ball. I discovered Narrelle Harris, author of Walking Shadows, is even funnier in real life. Lindy Cameron (award winning author) is the power-house behind #CDPBooks.
ClanDestine Press will be launching best selling author, Alison Goodman’s new book in the Wrestling Ring , with John Birmingham. Great cover!
The #CDPBooks stall will be in Artists Alley (where all the cool people are) so look for us there.
Genre Con, until next year…
The Genre Con panels and workshops were great, all aimed at published authors either dealing with the craft or the industry. (I made lots of notes). But the best thing for me was catching up with my writing friends.
The purpose of the con, to cross-pollinate between the genres, is something I’ve been doing for the last 20 years, having been a published across the genres from children’s fiction (around 30 books from early readers through to YA), romance (fantasy-romance), SF and F (Fantasy novels, Sf and Horror short stories), and crime (paranormal-crime). So I was madly introducing people and making new friends.
Here I am with PM Newton. Pam was on the World Building Panel which I chaired, along with Anna Campbell and Joe Abercrombie. (There was much laughter and some blushing due to Anna’s suggestion regarding Mr Darcy).
So I’m looking forward to Genre Con next year.
Fan-girl Squeee
This weekend I’m going to Genre Con, which is a wonderful excuse to catch up with my writing friend and talk about the craft of writing.
There’s Pitching Opportunities. And here’s a link with info about the program. But the reason I’m doing a Fan-girl Squee is because I’m chairing a panel with Special Guests Anna Campbell, PM Newton and Joe Abercrombie. And Joe Abercrombie just emailed me!
Somehow I must maintain my cool, be very professional and chair a great panel on World Building. To prepare for the panel in the last few weeks I’ve read Anna Campbell’s My Reckless Surrender (historical romance), PM Newton’s The Old School (crime) and I’ve just downloaded Joe Abercombie’s Red Country (dark fantasy meets western).
Off to the Gold Coast Writers Festival Tomorrow…
The Gold Coast is a beautiful place, beaches, sunshine and the hinterland of subtropical rain forest. Tomorrow I’ll be doing what I love almost as much as writing, I’ll be talking about writing at the Gold Coast Writers Festival. Saturday’s events are being held at the Robina Community Centre.
Here’s the program. They ran workshops today.
I get to hang out with a bunch of fellow writers and talk shop. I’ll be looking out for Anita Bell, Sandy Curtis and Louise Cusack, all old friends. And I’ll get to meet Jill Smith and Tony Cavanaugh who will be on panels with me. And I’ll see Meg Vann who is now CEO of the QLD Writers Centre.
Of course I’ve been doing my homework. I’ve read Tony’s very intense thriller, Promise.
And this is after several weeks of teaching, painting bedrooms for my in-laws who are coming to visit and a week of marking. A day on the coast with a bunch or writers and readers sound like just what I need!
Gold Coast Writers Festival
Coming up soon is the GOLD COAST WRITERS FESTIVAL 26 – 28th October, which promises to be heaps of fun. Not only is it held in my old stomping ground – I grew up on the Gold Coast back when it was fibro shacks, sand and surf – but there’s a bunch of great writers who will be talking about books and writing. My idea of a good day out. It will be held (mostly) at the Robina Commuity Centre. Here’s the program.
Saturday, 27th October, at 10am I’m on a Crime and Thriller panel with Sandy Curtis, Tony Cavanaugh and Meg Vann (chair).
The Thrill of the Chase – will be about writing crime and thrillers. You don’t have to commit a murder to write about it, but how do crime and mystery writers writers research?
At 4pm Fantasy and Sci-Fi panel with Anita Bell, Jill Smith and Angelika Heurich (chair).
Fantasy and Sci-Fi – we’ll be talking about the relevance of this genre, its popularity and the challenge of researching invented worlds.
I must admit, when I think of the sunburnt girl who grew up on the Gold Coast, loved reading books and dreaming of amazing adventures, I wish I could go back and tell her, believe in yourself, one day you’ll be a published writer, invited to appear at literary events. She would never have believed me. We had one bookshelf in the whole house and it held, maybe a dozen books. I remember being desperate for things to read… Now I can open my Nexus, put in an author’s name and download their latest book in a matter of seconds. Wow… I’m living in the future!
If you live in south east Queensland or northern NSW come along to the Gold Coast Writers Festival and say Hi.