WHAT an action packed writers' weekend!
Billed as a showcase rather than a conference, the deliberate focus was to offer as many of our inspirational and prolific writers a platform to share their learning experiences and to encourage others.
CHRISTIAN AUTHORS SHOWCASE QUEENSLAND
opened on 6 July with a keynote by Ben Gray. He challenged us to build presence and connect with communities of readers. To plant seeds by word of mouth, and seek simple and real ways to connect with future readers.
POP-UP OPPORTUNITY
17 brave souls touted their books, braving the shepherd’s crook that threatened to haul them off if they over-stayed their 90-second mark. Most were timely with (psst!) some seconds' lenience extended to those on a roll. As wielder of that shepherd crook, I was the only one hauled off in disgrace. My excuse was to make others feel better!
30 seconds later...Oops!
BOOK LAUNCHES
As well as our anthology Palette of Grace, (which features 18 authors from all walks of life, nine first-time published), three books were launched in style, Adele Jones and Rebekah Robinson pitching high notes in song. They set a hard act to follow. (Watch this space for next event, though!)
TOPICS IN ABUNDANCE!
Panels were encouraged to give platform to more voices, across two rooms, choosing between:
- Writing about trauma...Life stories
- YA panel... Romance...Short Stories
- Dreams, goals and prayers
- Self-publishing...editing
- From paper to screen
- Edgy fiction
- Shaping characters
- Podcasts
- Publishers' POV
- Neurodivergence
- Overcome writers' block.
WRITING GROUPS NETWORK
Spotlight on various writing groups; Holy Scribblers, Grace Writers, Omega Writers and Rendered Realms. The latter shared ideas for marketing with pizzazz.
'More, please!'
Unanimous feedback from 55 attendees was heeded… drum roll… ANNOUNCING!
WRITERS' TRAINING DAY
It's what you've heard presenters say, but you just feel overwhelmed and think,
"Maybe if you know what you're doing!'
You really want someone to hold your hand and take you through the process.
If that's what you feel, this day is for you!
Three 2-hour sessions of hands-on how-to bring-your-laptop step-by-step guidance taking you through:
- Making and editing audio files for podcasts, reels or YouTube uploads (with Beck Robinson)
- Uploading a document file of your book to an eBook publisher (with Jeanette O’Hagan)
- Using (free) Canva to make PR Illustrations (with Anne Hamilton).
Bring your laptop, plugs and extension cords, notebook and pen.
Lunch, morning and afternoon tea are provided.
Cost $62 Book now
Coopers Colonial Motel
1260 Beaudesert Road
Acacia Ridge Q 4110
We look forward to your presence, to help you build your platform.
Ruth Bonetti founded Omega Writers back in 1992, and is awed by the rich harvest Christian authors have reaped since. She came away from the CASQ shining with bright ideas of a new series to empower presenters of Words and Music. Watch this space...
Thanks, Ruth! So many people contributed to such a fun time during the Showcase. The wealth of talent on display is such an encouragement of God's hand at work as we navigate the shoals of publishing.
ReplyDeleteThere’s a wonderful sense of teamwork making events happen. And so exciting meeting and welcoming talents we didn’t even realise we’re nearby.
DeleteIt’s a pleasure to work together with such a motivated, visionary team. Big kudos to Anne Hamilton and Judy Rogers who handled the lions’ share while I enjoyed a significant anniversary holiday.
DeleteThanks Ruth and the rest of the team. It was a great time and the cohort of 13 Toowoomba writers really enjoyed it. Lots of buzzing and momentum happening up the mountain.
ReplyDeleteSeems we all left buzzing, and so inspired. Thanks for your part in the action!
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