CWD Highlights - July to Sept 2021

 

Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our Facebook page and blog.


Today's blog will highlight some of the achievements of our members from July to Sept 2021

Awards and Recommendations

OWBF Writing Competition

Congratulations to the winners or the inaugural writing competition

Helen Bishop with her poem Hope (Unpublished Writer), 

Warren Brooks with his short story Christmas Hope (Unpublished Writer), 

Joy Mal with her poem Waiting (Published Writer) and 

Hazel Barker with her short story Hope Springs Eternal (Published Writer)

And a big thank you to Helen Bishop who donated her prize towards the next Omega Writers Book Fair (most likely in May 2022). 

CALEB Prize Finalists

Congratulations to all the finalists of the CALEB Prize in the different categories. Many are CWD members -Kathy Hoopmann, Cecily Paterson, Jenny Glazebrook, Kristen Young, Nola Lorraine, Meredith Resce, Hazel Barker, and Rosanne Hawke.  You can see the full list of finalists here.

The winners will be announced at the on 9 October 2021 as part of the Omega Writers Zoom conference (see below for details).

Events

While the last three months seem to have been quieter on the new release front - there has been a flurry of activity when it comes to Book Fairs and Writers Festivals. Rather refreshing after the 2020 drought. 

Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane)

After all the planning and high hopes, the 2021 Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane) went ahead on the 31 July 2021 even as the announcement of a lockdown for South-East Queensland was being made.

This year the OWBF had a smaller number of author tables - with sixteen authors with works ranging for memoirs, biography, devotional theology, diversity and difference, to works of fantasy, science fiction, historical romance and crime fiction (written by a paramedic). The workshop by Anne Hamilton and Panel on Marekting and Promotion for Authors were both well attended.  Scavenger hunts and door prizes were given out and the winners of the inaugural OWBF Writing Competition were announced. All it all, it was a good time of networking, interaction and, indeed, sales. 

CWD members present  included Anne Hamilton, Judy Rogers, Ruth Bonetti, Nola Passmore, Naomi Eccles-Smith, Lynne Stringer, Jeanette O'Hagan, Hazel Barker (who won the published short story prize), David Bennett, Sally Eberhardt, Raelene Purtill, Rebekah Robinson, Ray & Sue Woodrow and Marion Kilchester

Read more about the 2021 OWBF here.

Cooparoo Presbyterian Book Fair

Some weeks later, on 28 August 2021, the Cooparoo Presyterian Church held their inaugural Book Fair with a number of stall holders, including CWD members David Bennett, Lynne Stringer, Ruth Bonetti, Jeanette O'Hagan, Jeanette Grant-Thomson, Hazel Barker and Rebekah Robinson. It was fantastic seeing a local church get behind Christian writers not only in holding the event but in in making purchases from the wide variety of books present. 

Inaugural Logan Writers Festival

And there was more. A small contingent of CWD writers were present at the inaugural Logan Writers Festival on 9-10 September.  Nola Passmore (aka Nola Lorraine) presented a workshop on the first day, while Ruth Bonetti, Naomi Eccles-Smith, Lynne Stringer and Jeanette O'Hagan all had book tables. The event was held outdoors which presented some challenges. Workshops and presentations were held in a pavilion throughout both days. Live music added to the festival atmosphere and on the first day four or five buses with students from local schools arrived and checked out the workshops and the books. And, breaking with the OWBF tradition (which the last two years seem to have preluded a lockdown) this time a lockdown was avoided. 

Other News

Ruth Bonetti is gratified that her recent release The Art Deco Mansion in St Lucia drew the attention of the books editor of The Weekend Australian–and a par review in the Review column of 18-19 September, 2021.

A charming look at one man’s post-war dream to build a mansion in the Brisbane suburb of St Lucia, which was in the 1950s mostly open kangaroo paddocks. Most astonishing for a private home in the 1950s, it had an elevator, which made Bonetti something of a celebrity at her local primary school as “the granddaughter of the man who had a lift in his house” she writes, with warmth and pride.

 

Who says that Indie published books can’t attract mainstream press reviews? With features in QMag Courier Mail and Toowoomba Chronicle, this makes a trifecta.

 
The take-out memo: Be persistent. Be confident and determined.

 

Coming up - Don't Miss Them

The Omega Writers Conference is now an online Retreat

With the logistical challenges of lockdowns and border closures, the Omega Writers Conference has pivoted from a retreat at Peppers Kingscliffe to a Zoom Conference in a living room near you.  The sad thing is that we will not be able to meet face-to-face, the plus is that anyone can attend regardless of their ability to travel.  If you haven't participated in an Omega Writers Conference before, maybe now is the year. 


THE 2021 OMEGA CONFERENCE IS AN ONLINE RETREAT
DATE: 8-9 OCTOBER
VENUE: YOUR PLACE, ON ZOOM
COST FOR THE SATURDAY PROGRAM: Omega Members: $50 Non-Members: $70
CALEB AWARDS PROGRAM IS FREE

The Conference will feature:

Collett Smart (Psychologist)
Nicole Partridge – Creative Writing
Genre and Breakout Groups
Two Panels – Pathways to Publication, Pathways to Promotion,
And the CALEB Awards Dinner

Find out more information here.

Omega Writers Conference and the Toowoomba Chapter

The Toowoomba chapter of Omega Writers has booked a venue in Toowoomba where we can attend the Omega Retreat Zoom day together on Saturday 9 October. 

Taking daylight saving into account, the Toowoomba sessions will run from 8-4 (and we can continue to watch the CALEB awards from our own homes later). 

In order to come, you'll have to register for the conference on the Omega site first. We'll have an additional small door fee of about $10 in Toowoomba to cover the room booking. 

If you're interested in coming, please write a comment below (or in the CWD Facebook group post) to  Nola Passmore. The Toowoomba chapter will need to firm up numbers ahead of time in case it's necessary to alter the booking.

South Australia Chapter

Contact Meredith Resce (on the CWD Facebook post) if live in Adelaide and are interested in getting together to watch the Conference on Zoom.

Rendered Realms at Supanova and Oz ComicCon

Rendered Realms (Lynne Stringer, Jeanette O'Hagan and Adele Jones) plan to be at SupaNova Brisbane November 6-7, 2021 and Oz ComicCon Brisbane in December 11 - 12. 2021, both at Brisbane Convention & exhibition centre. Please drop in and see them at these fantastic events.

Did you have a new release or event or brag point that didn't make it to the Highlights Post? Keep an eye out for the next call for information from members - the next Highlights post will be in December.

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements. 

Never too Soon to Connect

 by Jeanette O'Hagan

Can't it Wait?

 

'I'm just starting out as a writer, why should I worry about promotion and marketing now?'

'If God has called me to write, then surely that's all I need to do? Once I've written the book, people will read it."

"I'm an introvert. I hate the thought of promoting myself. Isn't there some way of skipping that part? Can't the publisher do it for me?"

The Panel

It's hard to believe it's almost a month since the Fifth Omega Writers Book Fair. Two years in a row, the Book Fair has managed by God's grace to slip in just before a lockdown.  The committee's aim for the Book Fair is to connect new and established authors with readers through author tables and readings, but it also provides networking opportunities between authors as well as workshops and panels of interest both to writers and readers. This is not something the committee can do no matter how hard they work behind the scenes without the support of the writing community. 

This year, I was on the Panel on Marketing and Promotion for authors - along with the vibrant Sally Eberhardt and the talented Lynne Stringer. Our moderator, Nola Passmore, added her expertise and gentle guidance. We interacted with interested and enthusiastic participants who were happy to ply us with questions. Both Sally and Lynne gave some brilliant answers drawn from their experience and skills.  I added my ten cents worth as well. I thought I'd share my thoughts with you on marketing and promotion. 

Are Marketing and Promotion the Same Thing?

Yes, I mean, no. I get confused about this too. 

One answers seems to be that Promotion is about keeping the brand in the minds of readers and building a positive reputation - building 'a platform' as it were - to make you and your books visible and attractive to the audience.  While Marketing focuses on a single product (the book). 

However, other definitions see marketing in a much broader way - as the whole process starting with market research, creating the product, determining price and placement as well as promotion (launches, adverting, publicity, etc.) The idea of 'writing for market' fits under this umbrella - that is, researching a genre or sub-genre that sells well and writing specifically for that market.  

However, for many of us, our aim is not (at least primarily) to make money (to sell a product), but to communicate, to reach readers with a story, to inspire or transform, to follow a calling. 

Marketing - and promotion - can seem almost grubby, even sleazy.

However, it doesn't have to be like that.  Rather it is about connecting with potential readers and making our books visible to those who want to read them. 

Jesus urges his disciples to be a city on top a hill, like a beacon, or a lamp lighting up the house rather than hidden under a basket or bin  (Matthew 5:14-16). He also told his disciples the parable of the talents, making it clear that He asks us to invest, take risks, to work with Him in the calling He gives us. 

Promotion is about making connections with people who will enjoy and/or will benefit from reading our writing. At the heart of promotion, is discovering our future readers.

The questions

Why do authors need to promote their books? Isn’t it enough to write them? Isn’t that something that the publisher does for you?

Long gone are the days when a publisher did all the promotion for an author, if those days ever existed.  Yes, traditional publishers plan for promotion around the launch of the book, but if the book doesn't make a splash they can be quick to move on. Small presses have less resources. Whether you Indie publish or go the traditional route, promotion will still be largely up to you as the author. 

Also, publishers may be more interested in someone with an established 'platform', in other words, someone who has already built up a name or following.

 

What have you done to market and/or promote your books? What have you found to be the most successful promotion strategy?

I've tried a range of strategies - networking, being part of groups interested in my genre or reading, engaging with social media - such as Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Instagram, Bookbub, Pinterest, Linkedin etc. I have a website (jeanetteohagan.com), have established an email list, used reader magnets (a freebie to encourage people to sign up to my email newsletter - in this case a story), had regular price reductions and promotions and giveaways, and dabbled in advertising. 

Online launches and connecting with people through groups and social media have been useful ways to connect with new readers.  The most successful by far, has been face-to-face events like Supanova and OzComic Con (attended by avid readers who love the genre I write) and the Book Fair. 

To me this underlines the importance of 'finding your tribe' - the people who will love what you write - and also of patience, as it takes time and perseverance to build up a presence. 

Out of the various strategies, what hasn’t worked for you? Would you do something different?

 So far, I haven't had much success in advertising. I've done two courses in this area (Mark Dawson and Bryan Cohen) which have been immensely helpful in understanding the mechanics and strategies of both Facebook and Amazon ads, but so far I haven't seen significant results. 

However, I have learnt a lot and my 'failed' experiments with advertising has given me pointers about a couple of areas I need to improve on. 

So I think, really,  what doesn't work is becoming discouraged and giving up when results don't come quickly.  At times, I put so much pressure on myself to do everything that I'm in danger of burning out.  Staying on task is important, and learning from mistakes is important. So too, is being kind to myself. 

One advantage of being an Indie author (I am my own publisher), is the power of the long tail. In a brick-and-mortar bookstore, books often have a six week shelf life before being replaced. But with publish-on-demand and e-stores (like Amazon), one's books can be evergreen. Persistence and perseverance become key - and so does pacing oneself. 

When is the best time to start promotion? 

The best time to start, is now - but certainly six months or more before publication.  Start connecting now with your tribe whether through social media, groups or a blog or website. Build anticipation. Make connections. Share interesting and intriguing content. 

What tips would you give to someone just starting out?

Start small.  There are so many different things to do that if you try to do it all at once, you will be overwhelmed. It's better to start with one or two things (say a Facebook page, or Instagram or a blog) and take time to learn how to make it work for you before moving on to another part of the picture. There are books and courses and you can ask questions in CWD or other writers groups to help. 

Experiment but don't try to do it all.  Not everything is going to work for everyone. Find out what works for you. 

Don't make it all about you.  If all you focus on is selling your book, you become like the bore in the party who only ever talks about themselves. Support others, provide interesting but related material, ask questions, make people laugh. 

And have fun. Promotion is not about forcing someone to read or buy your book. It's about making your book or writing visible to those who are looking for it (even if they didn't know they were). So, relax, be yourself, have some fun. After ploughing and tilling the fields, trust God to bring the harvest - in His time. 

You know, I may never make it 'big' or even earn a modest living from my writing, but I still have so much to be grateful for - a line of my books on the top shelf of the book case, having readers come back at a convention eager to read the next book, having numerous people comment about one or other of my stories have made them think or has given them hope - knowing that my stories have radiated a little of His light where it can be seen.

 

Jeanette O’Hagan has published ten books through her own imprint, By the Light Books —seven fantasy novels set in the world of Nardva, a collection of short stories and two anthologies. Many of her short stories and poems have been published in a range of anthologies. As an Indie author, Jeanette can vouch that marketing and promotion requires persistence, flexibility and a willingness to experiment.

Jeanette lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.



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Omega Writers News | August 2021 | Retreat and Book Fair News

 

2021 Omega Writers Retreat

Unfortunately, the latest lockdowns have meant the Omega Writers Committee have made the difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Omega Writers Retreat. Instead, the Committee have put together an online event.

Hold your diaries for the evening of Friday 8 October, and all day on Saturday 9 October from 9am.

Yes, we'll miss meeting in person, but an online event is a good alternative.

• Friday night will start with the Omega Writers Annual General Meeting at 7pm, and there will be a fun activity for everyone at 8:30pm.
• Saturday will include a welcome from our President, Penny Reeve, genre discussions, presentations from Psychologist Collett Smart and author Nicole Partridge, and panels on publishing and marketing.

All times are Sydney/NSW time.

The CALEB Awards will begin at 7pm on Saturday. Attendance is free, but you will need to register to receive the Zoom link. Click here to register.

The programme will cost AUD 50 for members of Omega Writers, and AUD 70 for nonmembers. Click here to reserve your place via TryBooking.

Omega Writer's Retreat Scholarships

There will be five scholarships available for the online event. Click here to apply.

Encouragement Award

Nominations are still open for the Caleb Encouragement Award.

If you’re a current paid member of Omega Writers, we would like to invite you to nominate a fellow Christian writer for an Encouragement Award.

This could be:

• A writer who has gone out of their way to support other writers (this will be a NEW CALEB award launched at this year’s Online Retreat)
• A writer who you believe needs encouragement.

We have three simple guidelines for the writers you nominate for either type of award:

• Nominees must be Christian writers currently living in Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific.
• Nominees can be published or unpublished writers in any genre.
• Nominees do not have to be members of Omega Writers.

Please email caleb @ omegawriters.org and tell us:

• The type of Encouragement Award you would like to nominate a writer for
• Your name and email address
• Up to 200 words explaining why you believe this writer should receive this prize.
• The name and email/website address of the author you’d like to nominate (so we can contact them if they win)

Nominations close on 31 August 2021.

Omega Writers Book Fair

The 2021 Omega Writers Book Fair went ahead almost as planned. A snap lockdown for South-East Queensland was announced as the sixteen authors set up their tables. The day went ahead anyway, although the turnout was (unsurprisingly) lower than anticipated and the event finished early to allow people to get home.

Visitors enjoyed readings from the attending authors, as well as a workshop by Anne Hamilton and a panel on Marketing and Promotion for Authors.

The winners of the Book Fair writing competition were also announced, with entrants writing a poem or short story with the theme of Hope.

The winners of the four categories, as announced at the Book Fair on 31 July 2021 are:

Unpublished Writer

• Poetry by an unpublished writer - Helen Bishop with her poem Hope
• Shorty Story by an unpublished writer - Warren Brooks with his short story Christmas Hope

Published Writer

• Poetry by published writer - Joy Mal with her poem Waiting
• Short Story by published writer - Hazel Barker with her short story Hope Springs Eternal

Click here for more information, and photographs.

Are you planning to attend the online retreat?

The CPU of Publication and Beyond

 by Jeanette O'Hagan

The C's

Way back in 2012, when I launched back into my writing dreams, I was introduced to the 'Snowflake Man Randy Ingermanson. Randy developed a nonlinear system of plot development - the Snowflake method - but that's a post for another day (you can find out about it here).  He suggested three things are needed to get published - Content, Craft and Connections

Content

'What you know'. Randy says everyone has content that is unique to them. It might be your life experiences or story, or a skill or professional expertise, or it could be your imagination. No matter if you write fiction or non-fiction - who you are, your story, your personality, your life and your imagination will infuse your writing so that it is uniquely yours. 

Even so, it's important to refine and test your content. Make sure you have a story worth telling in a way that's compelling and impactful. 

Craft 

Knowing what you want to write is important, but so is knowing how to tell it. There's a joke about someone on a tour of (let's say) an aged care home. The director takes the guest to the recreation room where a group have gathered. One old woman shouts out 23 and the whole group falls about laughing. A man says 12 and by this time the group is in stitches. The guest turns to the director and asks for an explanation. The director says, 'This group have been together so long, they know each other's jokes, so they've assigned numbers to them to save time. A few more call out numbers, much to the merriment of the group, until a man stands up and mumbles, '34'. Dead silence - not a chuckle, not a snicker, not a smile. The guest turns to the director mystified. 'What happened there?' The director shakes her head, 'Ah, Sam could never tell a joke. He always gets the delivery wrong.'

It's not quite enough to have a good story, we also need to know how to tell it. That is the craft - learning the techniques, the strategies, the rules of writing. It includes knowing reader expectations and being aware of changes over time. If as writers, we want our stories to be noticed we need to hone the skills of the craft.

Connections

The next C is connections. This, I think works on a few levels. Randy mentions going to conferences to make connections with agents and publishers. Not that this is an invitation to stalk or hound or to button hole. Make genuine connections. 

I think connections can be much wider than that and include being part of the writer community - encouraging and supporting each other. Other writers are not the opposition. Rather, we are stronger if we support each other through many and diverse ways - maybe providing constructive feedback in critique groups or as beta-readers, buying, reading and reviewing other authors' books (especially those who write in a similar genre or area) or maybe through encouragement and prayer. 

And the other important group to connect with are readers and fans.

But it's not quite as simple as that in my experience. I would add three Ps and a U.

Add in the P's

Patience

If we plant a young mango tree today, we would be mad to expect it to provide us with a bumper crop tomorrow. Fruit trees take time to grow and often don't fruit at all for the first several years. Most authors do not experience instant results. So one of the most important tools in a writers' toolbox is patience. Allowing time for things to happen. it takes time to write a book - and then to rewrite it, to prune and polish it. It generally takes time to publish (whether traditionally or as an Indie). And it takes time to build an audience - and generally it takes more than one book. And the hardest thing is being patient when nothing seems to be happening, no one seems to be taking notice. 

Persistence

Being an author is not for the faint-hearted. It requires hard work. It can be a rollercoaster ride of excitement (typing 'The End' for the first time, holding the first book in our hands, reading a glowing review, the first royalty payment, having a bunch of sales, having a fan come back to buy the next book, winning a prize) but it is also packed with times of disappointment (getting negative feedback, receiving the umpteenth rejection letter - or no letter at all, having sales drop or getting no sales at all, discovering a scathing one star review, having hardly anyone buy your latest book, and 'crickets' - the long periods of silence). And there are so many things to juggle, so many things to spend money on for, often, so little (monetary) return. Moreover, there's a lot of trial and error - of working out what works for you and your books among the multitude of options and possibilities

If you see a successful author (however you define success) you see an author who persisted despite the setbacks and disappointments. 

Prayer

And as Christian writers, we should add prayer. Why do we write? What is our motivation? Whatever we do, we should do to honour our Lord. And in whatever we do, we should seek His guidance, His wisdom, and His provision. In the fallow times, when nothing seems to be happening, we can and should trust Him, rest on Him, wait for Him to do His work through us. And maybe, that's the hardest lesson of all. 

Then there's the U

What does U stand for? Unlimited? Unexpected? Unequalled? Ultimate? Unerring? 

It stands for YOU. 

Yes, you.  You have a unique story or stories to tell - even if it's the 1000th retelling of Beauty and the Beast - or Pride and Prejudice - you can put your own imprint on it, if told well. 

But it's more than that, because in the end, the buck stops with U.  No one else is responsible for your story. The world does not owe you a reading of your book, no matter how hard you worked on it.  

There's that saying 'If you build it, they will come.' (From the movie Field of Dreams). But just because you wrote a book, even a book the Lord has called you to write, doesn't mean you can stand in the field and wait for people to discover it. Don't stand around asking what others can do for you - rather, be proactive and consider what you can do, what you need to do to bring your dream and calling to fruition. 

Trust in God does not mean quiescence, standing still and doing nothing. It may mean waiting in active faith but it also means stepping out of the boat in the middle of the storm and walking on the waves.

Omega Writers Book Fair & the Omega Writers Conference

There are two upcoming opportunities - the Brisbane Omega Writers Book Fair (31 July) and the Omega Writers Conference and CALEB dinner (October) - opportunities to meet with other Christian writers, to learn from others and - with the Book Fair  - to connect with readers and, perhaps, sell some books. Even if your book is unpublished, it's still worth coming to the Book Fair to connect with other writers, to do the workshop or panel - and maybe to win a prize. Mark the dates in your diaries and - if you can - please come.

Jeanette O'Hagan has published and promoted two joint anthologies – Glimpses of Light and Let Sea Roar, and seven books in her YA epic fantasy world - Under the Mountain novella series, the first two books in her Akrad’s Legacy series - a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements, and a collection of short stories in Ruhanna's Flight and Other Stories. Her short stories and poems have also been included in over twenty anthologies - including Gods of Clay, Challenge Accepted and Tales of Magic and Destiny.

It's one thing to write the book, another to get it published and a whole new level to make it visible. It's a steep learning curve and can often feel overwhelming but there is nothing better than connecting with enthusiastic readers.

 
She will be one of the panellists on Marketing and Promotion for Writers at the Omega Writers Book Fair, along with Sally Eberhardt and Lynne Stringer and moderated by Nola Passmore. 11:30-12:15 am, Saturday 31 July 2021. Find out more here.

CWD Highlights - January to March 2019

Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our facebook page and blog.

Today's blog will highlight some of the achievements of our members from January to March 2019

Awards

Raelene Purtill 

Congratulations Raelene Purtill for winning first prize in the Greenleaf Blossoms Writing Competition (first chapter of unpublished YA novel) with Thursday's Child. 

You can visit Raelene's page here.

Submissions

Jenny Glazebrook

Jenny Glazebrook is excited to announce that Elephant Press offered her a six book deal. 

"Very excited to have signed a new publishing agreement. Elephant House Press will be publishing the 6 books in my Bateman Family Series over the next few years with the first one to be released in December this year."

Jenny's new author page is here. 

New Releases:

Jenny Woolsey - Amy and Phoenix 

Jenny Woolsey was thrilled to launch her latest children's book, Amy and Phoenix

Title - Amy and Phoenix
Author: Jenny Woolsey
Publication date: 2018
Publisher: Pearls of Wisdom Press
Book launch date: 23 February 2019

Blurb:

Eleven-year-old Amy Pringle lives on a farm. She knows all the animals by name and can talk to them like Doctor Doolittle. Amy is looking forward to her favourite ewe, Edna, giving birth. When she sees her dad with his gun, she knows something is wrong.

Amy must think of a way to save Phoenix, the three-legged lamb's life.

After her sister Hannah, posts a video of Phoenix on YouTube and it goes viral, Amy thinks all her problems are solved. Little does she know what is about to happen.

Amy and Phoenix is a heart-warming fantasy story about a caring, strong-willed and determined girl. It explores the themes of disability, advocacy, friendship, farming and agriculture, animal welfare and cyber safety.

Link: http://jennywoolsey.com/Amy-and-Phoenix.php


Bio: Jenny Woolsey is a disabled author and speaker whose passion is for raising awareness and promoting acceptance of difference, diversity and disability.

David Rawlings

David Rawlings debut novel was released last month.

Title: The Baggage Handler

Publication Date: March 5 

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Blurb:

When three people take the wrong suitcase from baggage claim, their lives change forever. 

A hothead businessman coming to the city for a showdown meeting to save his job.

A mother of three hoping to survive the days at her sister's house before her niece’s wedding.

And a young artist pursuing his father’s dream so he can keep his own alive.

When David, Gillian, and Michael each take the wrong suitcase from baggage claim, the airline directs them to retrieve their bags at a mysterious facility in a deserted part of the city. There they meet the enigmatic Baggage Handler, who shows them there is more in their baggage than what they have packed, and carrying it with them is slowing them down in ways they can’t imagine. And they must deal with it before they can leave.
In this modern-day parable about the burdens that weigh us down, David Rawlings issues an inspiring invitation to lighten the load.

Other highlights:

• The Baggage Handler has also been signed in Germany and the Netherlands and those language versions will be coming out this year.
• David has also lodged his second novel with Thomas Nelson - The Camera Never Lies. This is due in December.

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Baggage-Handler-David-Rawlings/dp/0785224939/

Bio: David Rawlings is a based in South Australia, with a 25-year corporate writing career behind him and stories that look deeper into life in front of him. 

Jeanette O'Hagan - Shadow Crystals

Jeanette O'Hagan  has released the fourth book in the Under the Mountain series.

Title: Shadow Crystals: a novella

Publication Date: March 2019

Publisher: By the Light Books
Blurb:

She will do anything to save her people.

Delvina, Zadeki and the delegation lead by Danel must seek answers from the haughty Vaane, but they find the Lonely Isles in turmoil. Will Delvina find the way to open the Gate in time to prevent her people from starving? Will she be reunited with her twin, Retza. And why are the Forest Folk so secretive? As tensions increase, Delvina must discern friend from foe and defeat the shadows in her own heart.

Join Delvina and her friends on their quest to save the Glittering Realm under the mountain.

Set in the world of Nardva, Shadow Crystals is the fourth novella and penultimate novella in the Under the Mountain series.

Link:  https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B07NDQM8LV

Start the journey with Heart of the Mountain https://www.amazon.com.au/Heart-Mountain-short-novella-Under-ebook/dp/B01J74G9I6/

Bio: Jeanette spun tales in the world of Nardva from the age of eight. She enjoys writing fantasy, sci-fi, poetry, and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, millennia and cultures. Some involve shapeshifters and magic. Others include space stations and cyborgs. She has published over forty stories and poems. Jeanette lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.

Events & Opportunities:

Omega Writers Book Fair

Last month, over 30 authors and a bunch of readers got together for the 2019 Omega Writers Book Fair.  Fiction, Non-Fiction, Children's, Young Adult, Adult, memoirs, biographies, mystery, romance, science fiction and fantasy, self-help books and picture books - it was all on display. Authors were mostly from Brisbane but also came from Toowoomba, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, northern NSW, even Victoria. Readers came from as far away as Emerald. There was certainly a buzz happening as people perused the tables. 

Over thirty people attended the two different workshops - Healing Histories by Anne Hamilton & Writing Life Stories by Ruth Bonetti.  Readings by our authors was also enjoyed in the reading lounge. 

We are looking forward to another Book Fair in March 2020.

News from Toowoomba Omega Writers Chapter

The Toowoomba Chapter of Omega Writers was thrilled to host a workshop by up-and-coming author Jessica Kate on 30 March. 

Jess has landed a multi-book deal with Thomas Nelson in the US. Her debut novel Love and Other Mistakes will be released in July 2019, with her second book A Girl’s Guide to the Outback being released in January 2020. Both are in the romantic comedy genre. 

She shared tips about breaking into the US market, making the most of conferences, writing winning book proposals and maintaining a professional mindset. The nine attendees were really appreciative of her input and effervescent enthusiasm. For more information, please check out her author site: https://jessicakatewriting.com/

Rendered Realms at Supernova Gold Coast

Three CWD members, Jeanette O'Hagan, Lynne Stringer and Adele Jones will be at Supernova Gold Coast from Friday, 12-Sunday14th April.

Other News:

The 2019 CALEB awards are open. 

The 2019 CALEB Award is open for entries. There are three ways you can be involved:

• Entry opportunities
• Judging opportunities
• Sponsorship opportunities

Entries are for the Unpublished & Published prizes can be made here.  Closing date is 30 April, 2019. Check eligibility and enter here.

If you would be interested in applying as a Judge for the CALEB prize apply here.

More information is available either on the Omega Writers website, Christian Writers Downunder website or Australasian Christian Writers website. 

Poetica Christi

Entries to the 2019 Poetica Christi Press Poetry Competition are now open. The theme is Love’s Footprint.

From the Poetica Christie entry form:

This topic lends itself to poems about the multi-faceted nature of love and the many ways love forms and shapes us. Love’s footprint can be found in tenderness, delight, devotion, worship, friendship, affection, attachment, courtship, partnership, marriage, regret, forgiveness, reconciliation, God’s love for us. Love can be found in families; in parenthood, childhood, allegiance, involvement, the hurt of disappointment or the practice of discipline, unconditional love and the imprint of pets.

Details:
Competition is open to poets aged 16 or over, residing in Australia.
Closing date April 30th, 2018.

For more information click here.

Stories for Life

From Stories for Life: 

For the fourth consecutive year, Stories of Life is running a short story competition, seeking out true stories of faith and testimony. Our vision is two-fold: to equip Christians to tell their stories well and to share these stories widely.

To this end, we hold free writing workshops and publish all shortlisted entries in an anthology by Christmas. Some of these stories will also be broadcast on LifeFM in Adelaide. Throughout the year we love to celebrate the writing successes of contributors, past and present, by publishing links to their new books and articles.

We are not looking for devotionals or homilies. Rather, we want stories where something happens to someone (could be you or someone else – with their permission). Stories of faith could be so many things - happy, sad, warm, quirky, funny – the unifying theme will be a loving and faithful God at work among his people.

We hope you will consider sending in a story. The submission deadline is 31 July. We’d love to hear from you.

Toowoomba Retreat

The Toowoomba Writers Retreat is on again in from 7-9 June 2019.

The keynote speaker will be the fabulous Jo-Anne Berthelsen. She'll do two sessions relevant to fiction and non-fiction writers. There will be an Indie Publishing Panel; and lots of free time for writing, networking, brainstorming and soaking up the beautiful surrounds. So pop it in your calendars now. This is a great event, well worth attending.

Omega Writers Conference

This year the Omega Writers Conference with be from 11-13 October.

For more information read here.

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements in start of 2019

CWD Highlights March--May 2018

Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our facebook page and blog.

Anne Hamilton at Omega Writers Book Fair

Today's blog will highlight some of the achievements of our members from March to May 2018

Awards

Congratulations to Simon Kennedy, Phil Enchelmaier and everyone else involved in the making of Safe Harbour for the nomination for a logie award for most outstanding miniseries or telemovie. Safe Harbour is a Four-Part Drama developed from based on an original concept by Simon Kennedy and Phil Enchelmaier and screened on SBS. https://www.sbs.com.au/programs/safe-harbour

Simon shared about the process from concept to final production at the recent Omega Writers May Retreat (Toowoomba). 

Old secrets come to light, relationships are shattered and lives are put in danger. One question hangs over it all – who cut the rope? 

Friends on a sailing holiday discover a struggling fishing boat overloaded with asylum seekers. Deciding to tow the refugees, they wake the next morning and find the fishing boat gone. Who cut the rope between the two boats? 

Did they know it would end with tragic consequences?

Simon Kennedy is an award winning writer who loves discovering stories that will move people's hearts and challenge their minds

New Releases

Charis Joy Jackon's debut novel Rose of Admirias has been published as part of the On the Horizon Book Bundle.  Connor Sassmannshausen's first novel From the Ashes was also included in the Bundle. Find out more here .

Anusha Atukorala launched her non-fictional inspirational book Dancing in the Rain. Find out more here.

Other News

Valerie Volk: has had several poems published in Polestar Writers’ Journal (April, 2018) and The Mozzie (April, 2018) but had the special recent pleasure of having words from three of the poems from her first book, In Due Season, used as the text for a new requiem by composer Rachel Bruerville. This lovely piece of music, which was commissioned by the Adelaide Chamber Singers, was premiered over the weekend of May 5 and 6, first at a concert at the Ukaria Cultural Centre in the Adelaide Hills and next day at a concert in St Peter’s Cathedral, in central Adelaide. 

The book, which since first publication in 2009 has sold over 1800 copies, is available from the order page of Valerie's web site www.valerievolk.com.au It is given often as a condolence book to people who are facing grieving or loss, or just as a gift of love.

Elizabeth Klein has had two short stories accepted into two separate anthologies. 

The Landing was accepted by Storm Cloud Publishing for inclusion in their Short Tales 4 anthology on 13th April. 

The Landing:

When Quill's world is devastated by tree wars followed by alien invasion, the Elders of her planet seek to save a handful of young people by sending them into space. Quill is just one of them who lands on Earth. She is discovered by a missionary and one of the invaders of her planet. Now her very existence depends on how well she can hide in the jungle. 

And The Slaying of the Green-Eyed Monster was accepted into The Australian Pen collection #3, The Evil Inside Us anthology by 1231 Publishing on May 8th.

Slaying of the Green-Eyed Monster:

The woman at the rear of the block of units likes to watch people as they collect their mail and drive past. None of them suspects who she really is. The odd thing is, neither does she until the media screams of the deaths occurring in unsuspecting suburbia.

When Elizabeth Klein isn't writing, she is usually travelling about in her caravan with her husband, Malcolm.

Hazel Barker had the opportunity to talk at the Moreton Bay View Club and at the Writers’ Fair  about her latest book, The Sides of Heaven.  Read more here.

Hazel with Diana, Moreton Bay View Club 

Omega Writers Book Fair on 6 March brought together over 25 authors, editors, publishers with a diverse display of books. Gary Clark gave an inspiring workshop on finding humour. And a number of happy readers went home with their arms full of books.

Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones and Jeanette O'Hagan had a blast at Gold Coast Supernova in April, connected with hundreds of spec fic fans, sold some books and enjoyed the fabulous cosplay.

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements.  

The Power of Books

by Hazel Barker 

Books are a powerful weapon. There have been many instances of book-burnings throughout history. Some of the better-known conflagrations are the burning of Catholic theological works by Martin Luther in 1520, and the incinerating of English Monastic Libraries during the Dissolution of Monasteries from 1536-1541. Thousands of books were burned by the Communists in Russia. Books by Jewish authors and anti-Nazi books were burned by the Nazis in the 1930s and 1940s. The latest burnings to date have been those by ISIS in Iraq, Syria and Libya. Fear of their influence on people led to such destruction.

Books open our minds to knowledge, to understanding and to joy. There are millions to choose from, and were we to spend our whole lives consuming book after book, we could only read a fraction of them. For this reason, we need go to Book Fairs like the Omega Book Fair, which was recently held in March 2018. We need to visit good book stores like Koorong Book Stores. We need to be selective in what we read. We need to read edifying books. 

I enjoy reading memoirs and historical fiction. From memoirs I may learn how to avoid the mistakes others have made, or be encouraged to follow their examples. Reading historical fiction teaches me about the past, and I read them, bearing in mind the adage ‘History repeats itself.’ Books give me pleasure. Few joys give greater joy than relaxing with a good book. Ever since I learned to read from the age of four, I loved books. Later, even before I reached my teens, I longed to write – to be an author someday. 

Now that dream has been fulfilled. Book One of my memoirs Heaven Tempers the Wind. Story of a War Child and its sequel The Sides of Heaven, is available in all good bookstores. I assure you that men and women of all ages will enjoy reading it and will look forward to the third book. 

-----------

Hazel Barker lives in Brisbane with her husband Colin. She taught in Perth, Canberra and Brisbane for over a quarter of a century and now devotes her time to reading, writing and bushwalking. From her early years, her passion for books drew her to authors like Walter Scott and Charles Dickens. Her love for historical novels sprang from Scott, and the love of literary novels, from Dickens. Many of her short stories and book reviews have been published in magazines and anthologies.

Hazel’s debut novel Chocolate Soldier, was released by Rhizza Press in 2016. Book One of her memoirs Heaven Tempers the Wind was released by Armour Books this year. Both books are set during World War Two – the former in England and the Far East; the latter in Burma. Book Two of her memoirs, The Sides of Heaven, was released by Armour Books in February this year.

http://hazelmbarker.wordpress.com/

All for One, One for All

by Jeanette O'Hagan

Remember the image of a lonely, starving artist struggling in the garret, unknown and unrecognised until after his or her tragic death? Okay, some of you will, and some will be saying, 'What's a garret?'

According to that wise source of the hive mind, Wikipedia, 'A garret is a habitable attic or small and often dismal or cramped living space at the top of a house or larger residential building. In the days before lifts (elevators) this was the least prestigious position in a building. In this era, the garret often had sloping ceilings.'

So most of us don't live in garrets and most of us are not literally starving - though we might be if we tried to feed ourselves from our royalties (if we get royalties). And being seen and heard in a noisy, crowded book market can be daunting. So the struggles of artists and creatives maybe haven't changed that much over the decades, but one thing we don't have to be is lonely.

But, but ... we all know artists, particularly writers, are introverts (mostly). And writing is after all a solo pursuit - right? We sit down in our cave (or garret) with the door firmly closed and tap, tap, tap away at our keyboards composing masterpieces, engaging with our recalcitrant characters, patching up plot holes or wrestling with section headings, or daydreaming (hey, that's working) or reading, researching, (w)riting. Unlike musicians, scriptwriters and dancers - we do things alone and are responsible for set design, costumes, lighting, tempo, special effects, make-up, music, camera angles, and the gaffer's boy (whatever he or she does?!)- and also refreshments.

Well, yes, true the actual writing is often a solitary pursuit (though few strange writers like me don't mind writing in cafes and public places). Even so, it takes a team to bring a book into the world --- not just all the writers that have fed your imagination and inspired you to write, but also critique partners, beta-readers, editors, proof-readers, formatters, cover artists, publishers, printers, street team, reviewers and promoters. So yes, even writing is a team effort.

But what I really want to say today, is that we don't have to do this by ourselves. We don't have to be isolated and alone. We don't have to feel like we are stranded on a coral island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

For one thing, God understands. And chances are, if He has placed the passion in your heart, He has a purpose for it - maybe not always exactly how we envision it, but for something even better than we can imagine.

And in addition to that - you are not alone.

In fact, you are part of a crowd. And it's in banding together, in helping each other, in lifting each other up that we can flourish.  And how is that done?

• Groups like Christian Writers Downunder (and Australasian Christian Writers, Faith Writers and Omega Writers) can provide encouragement, support, advice, inspiration. 
• Critique groups and chapter groups.
• NaNoWriMo  through buddies in November and cabins in April and July (we are forming one now), or Month of Poetry or other writing challenges.
• Conventions, camps and retreats.
• Courses, workshops.
• Giving feedback, reading and reviewing others' works (though be wary of review swaps on Amazon). 

And if you are at the start of this journey or anywhere along the way - there are four events coming up that may be of interest:

Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane)

This Saturday (10 March).  We have over 25 local authors, editors and publishers with their books, plus a great workshop by Gary Clark on Inspiring Humour and - we praying for a big crowd of book fans :) FB Event page here.

Omega Writers Retreat (Toowomba)

4th-6th May
Week-end retreat with great seminars and a relaxed program - time to network and to write. Read more here.

CALEB prize

Opportunity to receive feedback as well as recognising the talents of aspiring and established authors. Read more here.

Omega Writers Conference

This year run in conjunction with Tabor College in Adelaide with fantastic guest speakers, workshops and networking.  This October 2018. Read more here.

And then there are smaller more focused groups.

Omega Writers chapter groups - as well as some online groups (check the webpage). 

Brisbane group - meets first Sunday of each month (2 pm) at St Francis College, Milton (next one in June - due Easter & May Retreat). Contact Judy Rogers.
Toowoomba - meets on the third Thursday of each month for some writing (7-9 pm), but also have other events on through the year.
Sydney group - next meeting is 7th April, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at St Joseph's Centre for Reflective Living, Baulkham Hills. Contact Raewyn Elsegood.
Wangaratta group.  Meet every second month. Contact Susan Barnes.
Screenwriters group - Screenwriters meets via Skype on the third Monday of the month. People can join the FB group to stay up to date on the areas covered.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy group - meet via Skype once a month.

Other groups are in the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Geelong, Adelaide, New Zeland - or include special interest groups in Writing for Children and Young Adults (COWS group) and non-fiction group.

There is sure to be other groups around - both Christian and secular - and if not, why not start one up yourself?

I wrote in isolation for some time - until I enrolled in a Master's Course on writing and then, almost by chance, went along to an Omega Writers Conference (it was run by Rochelle Manners and called World Word Fair at the time). That lead to me joining Christian Writers Downunder and then, in time, Omega Writers. I can't tell you how much the encouragement and inspiration of other writers -- like Paula Vince, Anusha Atukorala, Nola Passmore, Adele Jones and so many others -- has meant to me. I love being part of the Omega Writers Sci-Fi/Fantasy group - with a monthly Skype call. I'm also a member of a secular Spec Fic group and Month of Poetry.

When burning coals are scattered the flames go out. Bunched together and they can set the world on fire.

Jeanette has just released her latest book, Ruhanna's Flight and other stories, a collection of short stories in the world of Nardva. She started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children. Find her on Facebook or at her webpages Jeanette O'Hagan Writes or Jenny's Thread.