Omega Writers Brisbane Book Fair

Image in header courtesy of Apolonia at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Almost two years ago the idea of a Christian Book Fair was mooted in a vigorous Facebook discussion - there was a lot of enthusiasm and ideas at the time. Earlier this year, Raelene Purtill and I were chatting. I'd loved the Rivercity Conference which Raelene had organised and I put it to her, why don't we get a Book Fair organised in September. She took up the challenge and, after a chat with Simon Kennedy, we enlisted the help of Omega Writers. Rochelle Manners will also present with Books in Stock as well as a number of authors (Indie or traditionally published).

Our vision is to connect readers with the range of great books available and the talented Christian authors, publishers, booksellers, editors, illustrators and others that make these books possible.

For now the Book Fair is in Brisbane, though we trust and pray that there will be others both in Brisbane and in other locations (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Auckland) in the future. We do appreciate the past efforts of Rochelle in staging previous book fairs, now over a decade ago. We are the beneficiaries of her vision and the vision of other pioneers at Omega Writers, Christians Writers Downunder, FaithWriters and Australasian Christian Writers.  

At the inaugural Omega Writers Brisbane Book Fair - there will be authors, table displays, books for sale, readings, and presentations. We are also pleased to have two fantastic workshops: The Power of Story by pastor, author and radio personality, Paul Clark and The Writing Life by our own Raelene Purtill.

Attendance at the fair is free (or gold coin donation) - but we would love you to sign up on the FB event page and keep up with the updates and tidbits of news.

You will need to pay and register on the Omega webpage, if you want to:

• Host a table display
• Do one or both of the workshops
• Wish to join in the catered lunch with a bunch of crazy - er - fabulous authors.

If you are an author and want your books represented but can't be there on the day, there is an opportunity to make your books available through Books in Stock (contact me to find out more). 

What can you do to help:

• Come to the event - with your family & friends
• Tell others (especially readers) about the Book Fair
• Share this post and/or the FB event - with friends, on your blog or among groups you think might be interested etc
• Give out flyers to friends, groups, churches, schools ...  (flyers available soon)
• Host a table display  
• Register for and attend one or both workshops
• Register for and enjoy the lunch
• Talk to the authors, have you books autographed, enter the competition
• Buy books
• Be a volunteer (we need volunteers for setup, on the day & takedown)
• Pray - even if you can't do anything else we'd love you to pray

While, obviously, not all of us can be there on the day due to distance or prior commitments - you could still supply your books through Books in Stock and/or support the event through prayer and by telling your fans, friends, family, and interested others about the Omega Writers Brisbane Book Fair.

When and Where

Saturday 3rd September 2016

The Hills Church

79 Queens Road,

Everton Hills Qld 

Brisbane

The venue is close to public transport and has plenty of parking (drive past the Op Shop up the top).

Stalls, Show bags, Prizes, Giveaways:

Come and meet a range of authors, booksellers and others related to the book industry. Discover new books for all ages and tastes: picture books, chapter books, young adult, romance, adventure, fantasy and science-fiction, biographies, memoirs, poetry and devotionals.

We will also be having readings and short presentations from different authors, books for sale, show bags, goodies, a competition and two great workshops. 

Admittance for attendees is free - though we would love you to sign up on the Facebook Event page (and share it with others).  You will need to book for workshops, to host a table display or for a catered lunch. Sign up is on the Omega Writers webpage.

Program: 

10.00 am Doors open. Peruse books, chat with authors, listen to readings from stage. 

11.00 am Workshop with Paul Clark (in separate room, until 12.15 pm). Auditorium remains open during workshop.
12.30 pm Auditorium closed for lunch
1.15 pm Doors re-open. Peruse books, chat with authors, listen to readings from stage.
1.45 pm Workshop with Raelene Purtill (in separate room, until 3.00 pm). Auditorium remains open during workshop.
3.15 pm Book fair closes

Workshops:

Morning Workshop: The Power of Story with Paul Clark

Paul Clark’s workshop: The Power of Story – Doing the impossible

Paul Clark loves to find new ways to tell the old, old stories of God’s love. His Car Park Parable series has over 30,000 books in print. His voice can be heard on radio across Australia with his At the Top spots. He has told stories, often using puppets, in schools across Qld, with the Mt Isa School of the Air, Stable on the Strand and Scarborough Lights. He is on the team that organises Qld’s largest Children Ministry Conference – Ignite.

11am-12:14 - at The Hills Church, 79 Queens Road, Everton Park 3rd September
Registrations on the Omega Website

Afternoon Workshop: The Writing Life by Raelene Purtill

Raelene Purtill’s workshop: The Writing Life

What do the weather and housekeeping have to do with the writing?
What sort of writer are you? What does your perfect writing life look like? Raelene will help us reflect on our writing life. Using image prompts, we will consider issues of time management, boundaries and focus and how they affect our practice. We will discuss strategies to overcome these issues. We will explore our relationship to our writing and spend time sharing.

Bring writing instruments of your choice.

Raelene enjoys all sorts of creative writing and she loves connecting with other writers at conferences, retreats and workshops. Having been involved in a variety of writing groups, she now facilitates one in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. She is a member of the Writing Anthology group which produces an annual anthology. Her virtual world consists of a very understanding and long suffering husband and three techno-absorbed teenagers.

1:45 - 3:00 pm - at The Hills Church, 79 Queens Road, Everton Park 3rd September
Registrations on the Omega Website

Links to Follow:

If you would like to register for a workshop or lunch, go to http://www.omegawriters.org/events/omega-writers-brisbane-book-fair/.

If you would like to book a table to promote your book/s, follow this link: http://www.omegawriters.org/events/omega-writers-brisbane-book-fair-table-registration/.

If you are coming to look at books, chat to authors, engage in the workshops, promote your own books - join up to the Facebook Event, follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2029393053953063/

For more information, would like to pray for the event or would be interested in volunteering, please email Jeanette O'Hagan: jenny@ohagan.name

Jeanette is excited about her upcoming launch of Heart of the Mountain this Saturday (30th of this July, 2016)  and the upcoming Omega Writers Brisbane Book Fair.

Jeanette O’Hagan enjoys writing fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. She is writing her Akrad’s Legacy Series—a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements. Her short stories and poems are published in a number of anthologies including Glimpses of Light, Another Time Another Place and Like a Girl. She

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and, more recently, a Master’s in writing. She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.

You can find her at her Facebook Page or at Goodreads or on Amazon or on her websites  JennysThread.com or Jeanette O'Hagan Writes .