CWD Highlights - January-March 2023

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-March 2023

New Releases

The Elizion Shield by Elizabeth Klein

The Elizion Shield (Book 1)

A drought-ravaged planet. Secrets worth dying for. A boy's desperate struggle to survive a destructive alien agenda.

A teenage boy wanders alone through a drought-ravaged wasteland and witnesses a fight between two sky-born. Against all reason, he saves the life of a badly-injured girl who is left for dead.

His own desperate struggle for survival ramps up a notch when he is forcibly taken by her people to one of the great sky cities for questioning over the incident. For all its opulence, the city is not without its own problems when a series of inexplicable earthquakes strike and the outbreak of civil war forces him to flee.

The tale evokes the best and worst in two contrasting races who must work together to solve the terrible secret behind a destructive agenda hastening the world’s doom.

Gripping. Intense. Sometimes dreamlike and deeply moving.

A dystopian science fantasy set in a divided world.

Released on 9th February, 2023 & Self-published paperback on 13th February, 202. You can buy it HERE. 


Elizabeth Klein lives and writes in a caravan and has, to date, over 70 published works.

Reading Stones

Time of Grace: Olwyn Harris

Reading Stones have published the first of 6 Pioneers of Grace books ‘Time of Grace’ by Olwyn Harris, due to be released on March 31, with the remaining books to be released at 1 month intervals. Available now in print and eBook from your favourite online retailer. Keep your eyes open for book 2, Circle of Grace, coming at the end of April.

Abigail is the elegant wife of the most powerful station-owner in the valley. But powerful also means brutish and cruel. To correct her husband’s crimes, Abby is drawn into contact with the disgraced lawyer Ruben Davey, hiding in the hills with a band of displaced bushrangers. Will Abby be able to address these injustices and find a way to navigate towards a safer future in the meantime?

You can get it HERE

The Adventures of Dai and I: Juleeia Sneesby

Reading Stones also launched a children’s book ‘The Adventures of Dai and I’ by Juleeia Sneesby at the Tamworth Book event.

This beautiful book, with illustrations by Juleeia Sneesby, coloured and arranged by Wendy Brown, is based on the life of Juleeia and her brother David - Dai - in the South of Wales. Rain, snow, and shine, come on an adventure with Dai and I.

You can get it HERE

The New Twinkle Twinkle: Steve and Melissa Joseph


Wendy’s other label “Wendiilou Publishing” has a hard cover children’s book ‘The New Twinkle Twinkle’ by Steve and Melissa Joseph, Illustrated by Anna Young.

In a world where knowing who you are is so important, The New Twinkle Twinkle is a picture book for children, bringing to life the truth of their identity as a child of God. This book was created to inspire young children to believe that they are beautifully made by their heavenly Father, and knit together perfectly. Our desire is to see children grow up rooted in the knowledge that they are loved.

'The New Twinkle Twinkle' was originally devised as a song and rap - it is Fun, Endearing, and Sweet, using creative ways to express enduring truth.

Your can get it HERE

Helen Brown and WendyWood run Reading Stones publishing, which celebrated 4 years in the publishing business in March.

CALEB Award

Unpublished Award

CALEB Unpublised Award 2023 is open for entries. Closes 1 May 2023

It's time to enter the CALEB Award for 2023!

Writing contests are one of the best ways to get impartial feedback on your work in progress, and the

CALEB award is designed to help Christian Authors by Lifting up Each other's Books.

The categories for 2023 are:

- Unpublished Adult Fiction

- Unpublished Young Adult Fiction

- Unpublished Adult and Young Adult Nonfiction

The award is open to Christian writers from Australia and New Zealand who have never been published, and entry is open until 1 May 2023 when entries will close. Entrants may submit no more than one entry per category.

If you're a paid-up Omega Writers member hoping to enter the Award, then you would have already received an email with your discount code. (please check your spam folder - or check that you're paid up!)

The rules for the CALEB award are HERE

Barnabus Award

Also, this year marks the Barnabas Awards, our opportunity to encourage writers on their writing journey. The last recipient was the wonderful Eliane Frazer.

There are two streams of the Barnabas Award:Encouragement Awards (up to three awards given biennially)

The Barnabas Award (one biennial recipient)

Encouragement Awards are opportunities to celebrate emerging writers who Omega Members believe are worthy of encouragement and recognition for their commitment, attitude and development of their writing craft.

The Barnabas Award recognises writers who give selflessly to support and encourage other writers in the writing journey. This award celebrates the invaluable impact of such encouragement and acknowledges the often unseen work these writers do to lift others up.

The Barnabas Awards runs in odd years. Announcement of winner will occur at the same time as the CALEB Unpublished Award. Nominations for the 2023 Barnabas Awards (including the Encouragement Awards) will open on 1 June 2023.

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 or Barnabas Award.

Writers eligible for nomination for the Barnabas Awards are:Christian writers currently living in Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific.
Can be published or unpublished writers in any genre.
Do not need to be members of Omega Writers.
Any writer can be nominated, however the CALEB Organising committee and Omega Writers president are excluded from being able to win.

The Barnabas Awards are awarded on the merit of nominations received by the CALEB Committee.

Competitions

Poetica Christi

The 2023 Annual Poetica Christi Poetry Competition is now open.

1st PRIZE $300 2nd prize $100

25 poems will be selected to be included in an anthology to be published by PCP

The theme for this competition will be

JOURNEYS

This topic lends itself to poems about pilgrimage, migration, adventure, making one’s way, progress, odyssey, visitation, being called on a journey, encounters, pathways, perspectives, destiny, life’s journey, travelling, expedition, exploration, sojourning, touring, flight, hiking, voyaging, crossing, passage, wandering, being on a quest, the road less travelled.


The closing date for this competition will be 30th of April, 2023.

For more information and to download the Entry Form look HERE.

The Rhiza Edge Short Story Competition

The deadline for this Short Story Competition is rapidly closing. 

The Rhiza Edge Short Story Competition for 2023 is now open! Rhiza is looking for stories for Diverging Worlds: Short stories in dystopian and steampunk worlds, a collection of short stories in steampunk or dystopian worlds. The anthology will be edited by Lynne Stringer and Emily Larkin

Stories (up to 5000 words) need to be clean and 12+ friendly as we sell these books into schools.

Stories need to be in a Dystopian or a Steampunk world.

Entries can be submitted up to May 2023


Interested? Read more HERE.

Stories of Life

Stories of Life accept submissions for short stories (up to 1500 words) for their next anthology from 1 April to 31 July. 

However, contributors are strongly encouraged to take advantage of Feedback Month in June when our editors give feedback on story drafts at no cost to contributors. Your drafts will be returned with time for you to work on suggestions before 31 July.

What Stories of Life want:

Short stories that are interesting, lively, or even quirky. They love tales laced with warmth and humour. The stories can be about any aspect of faith, so lateral thinking is welcomed. They love reading about how our extraordinary God has touched ordinary lives.

For more information look HERE

Events

Gold Coast Supanova with Rendered Realms and N R Eccles-Smith

Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones and Jeanette O'Hagan (or the Rendered Realms team) will be at the Gold Coast Supanova with their science fiction and fantasy stories on 15-16 April 2023 -  the weekend after Easter.  

Lynne Stringer is author of the space opera Verindon series. Adele Jones writes near-science thriller Blaine Colton series. Jeanette O'Hagan set her stories in the world of Nardva.

As will be Naomi Eccles Smith with her Dragon Calling children books and wonderful artwork.

We would love to see you there :) 

Find out about Supanova Gold Coast HERE

Toowoomba Writers Retreat

Toowoomba Chapter of Omega Writers invites you to retreat at the long awaited return of the Chapter-hosted retreat. 

The 2023 venue is the beautiful Camp Somerset, strategically positioned 1.5 hours from Brisbane and Toowoomba, in the hills just a half-hour from Esk, Queensland.

Guest speaker: Best-selling Australian Author, Meredith Resce; http://www.meredithresce.com
Dates: 4pm Friday the 5th to 12pm Sunday the 7th of May, 2023
Location: Camp Somerset, The Lodge
Address: 1180 Stanley Pocket Rd, Crossdale QLD 4312, Australia, Phone: +61 7 5426 0126

Registrations close: Friday 21st April (though early bookings are helpful for event logistics)

Book for a CRITIQUE/MENTORING AND PUBLISHING APPOINTMENTS

Critique and mentoring appointments can be booked with:Meredith Resce (Best-selling Australian Author; http://www.meredithresce.com/)
Nola Passmore (Editor, The Write Flourish; https://www.facebook.com/TheWriteFlourish/)
Jeanette O’Hagan (Young adult fantasy author and editor; http://jeanetteohagan.com/)

Requirements: 4, double-spaced pages of your work plus a one-page synopsis; Preferably submitted ahead of appointment.Note: Appointments for mentoring and/or critique can be booked upon arrival at the retreat, however, it would be helpful to our mentors/editors if bookings can be made ahead of the retreat

Book a PUBLISHING APPOINTMENTS

Rochelle Stephens, Publisher/Commissioning Editor for Wombat Rhiza Books, is offering a discount rate that weekend only for an appraisal/publisher pitch (appraisal is usually $99), providing attendees an opportunity to skip the slush pile. Note: limited spaces available, so get in quick. https://wombatrhiza.com.au/appraisals/


Registrations close: Friday 21st April (though early bookings are helpful for event logistics)
BOOK NOW

Other News

Congratulations to Simon Kennedy (QLD) and Andrew Matthews (WA) for making it into now the ‘top 10 Finalists’ of the 168 Film ‘Write of Passage’ competition in March!

Lystra Rose's book 'The Upwelling' shortlisted for the UTS Glenda Adams' award. She gave a brilliant talk at the Omega Writers conference last year.

 

Jeanette Grant-Thomson's testimony was published on Ruth Embery's new website, 

www.voiceinthedark.org and there is a place to click 'Stories of us'.
Jeanette's testimony has been named Through Emptiness and Darkness to God's Life
and Light.

 

Jeanette Grant-Thomson is a North Brisbane based author who has had writings
published since her early childhood.

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 beginning of  3 July 2023.

Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements.

Jeanette O'Hagan

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 November 2017--February 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.

Today's blog will highlight some of the achievements of our members from July-October 2017

Awards

Congratulations Nola Passmore

Nola Passmore's debut novel Scattered was the fiction runner up in the 2017 FaithWriters Page Turner competition. She has also signed a contract for the novel with Breath of Fresh Air Press. You can read more about it at the following link

New Releases

Jeanette Grant-Thomson

Jeanette's short anecdote, Amazing Gracie, is included in the Stories of Life anthology, The Gecko Renewal.  Jeanette says, 'My story is the account of how our car broke down in New Zealand on a cold evening and God came to our rescue.'

The Gecko Renewal is an anthology of true short stories about how God intervenes in our lives. It consists of the long list selected from entries.

Published by Morning Star Publishing October 2017

Jeanette Grant-Thomson has been an author most of her life and currently lives in the Moreton area.

Christine Dillon 

Grace in Strange Disguise

Christine Dillon's Grace in Strange Disguise was released in October 2017

Physiotherapist Esther Macdonald is living the Australian dream, and it doesn’t surprise
her.

After all, her father has always said, “Follow Jesus and be blessed.” But at twenty-eight, her world shatters. Everyone assures her God will come through for her, but what happens when he doesn’t? Has she offended God? Is her faith too small? So many conflicting explanations.

Will finding the truth cost her the people closest to her heart?

Grace in Strange Disguise won a Gold star for cover design from Joel Friedlander Coverdesigner competition (October 2017)  You can find how to get a copy from here.

Christine Dillon is an Australia author working in Taiwan as a missionary since 1999. She writes non-fiction (traditionally and indie published) and this is her first novel. 

Stories aren't just for kids

Christine also re-released Stories aren’t just for kids: Busing 10 myths about Bible storytelling (indie published, Oct, 2017)

In a world increasingly anti-Christian, how can you communicate in a way that slides under listener's defences? How can you leave them hungry for more?

Stories are God-designed way to impact hearts. But many Christians reject stories as just for kids. Christine Dillon has trained thousands of people in storytelling. 10 myths come up over and over again, and they block Christians from using this life-changing ministry tool.
MYTH 1: Adults won’t listen to stories
MYTH 2: Stories are only for non-literate cultures
MYTH 3: Men won’t listen to stories ...
MYTH 6: Storytelling won’t grow mature disciples
MYTH 8: Storytelling will lead to heresy ...

Using stories from around the world Dillon tackles each myth and challenges you to master this tool. 

This book is currently a free download: http://www.storytellerchristine.com/blog/stories-arent-just-kids-busting-10-myths/

Christine Dillon is a Bible storyteller and trainer who works in Asia and Australia. Her book, Telling the Gospel Through Story: Evangelism that keeps hearers hungry for more (IVP, 2012) has inspired many to start telling the greatest story of them all.

Mixed Blessings: As Time By Go By

This delightful collection with one-hundred-and-one perfectly bite-sized stories, articles, devotions, and poems, on these ten time-related topics: Minutes, 24-Hours, Weeks, Seasons, Years, Centuries, Era, Time-Consuming, Once in a Blue Moon, Eternity...

Mixed Blessings—As Time Goes By is filled to the brim with fun, encouragement, food for thought, and inspiration. You may find yourself chuckling one moment and shedding a tear the next. In fact, it is the perfect mix of blessings for your daily reading enjoyment.

Includes stories by Christian Writers Downunder members:
Nola Passmore

Jeanette O'Hagan

Kirsten Hart

Rachel Timms

Debbie Roome
Helen Curtis
Noel Mitaxa

18 November 2017

Published by Breath of Press Air Press

Available on Amazon  or at Breath of Fresh Air Press.

Wonderment edited by Leigh Hay and Maree Silver

WONDERMENT – a poetry anthology – Grand themes do have their place in literary works, but good poems are more often the result of carefully observed ‘spots of time’, to use Wordsworth’s term. Being attentive to these moments in our lives, moments when we see the wonder of God’s creation in the world around us, is an aptitude that gifted poets develop. They observe what many often miss, divine glory revealed in the small things of life. This collection contains many such poems.

Including poems from Christian Writers Downunder members Valerie Volk, Nola Passmore, Jeanette O'Hagan, Rachel Timms and Pamela Heemskerke.

Poetica Christi is running the next competition - on the theme of Interludes - deadline 30 April 2018.  You can download an application form here.

Published by Poetica Christi

2 December 2017

May-Kuan Lim - Fish in the Well

May-Kuan Lim with Hen Chin Lim and Penne Lim, have relaunched Fish in the Well: A memoir of faith and aspiration. 

In his memoirs, Lim Hen Chin, born in 1940, recalls his early years around Ipoh and his search for a way out of poverty. His journey is described against enormous socio-political changes: Malayan independence, war against Communism and birth pains of a new nation, Malaysia. It tells of a young man's determination and his sister's unwavering belief in him. In later years, success brings its own troubles. Resigned to the life that fate has dealt him, peace remains illusive until he makes a decision that changes his life.

First published in 2013, relaunched as eBook on 16 Feb 2018. Available on Amazon. 

May-Kuan is the administrator of the 2018 Stories of Life faith-writing competition and a freelance writer, who blogs on migration and crossing cultures as The Curious Scribbler.

Jeanette O'Hagan - Ruhanna's Flight and Other Stories

Jeanette O'Hagan's Ruhanna's Flight and Other Stories (By the Light Books) is currently available for pre-order on Amazon for 6 March release.

Tales of wonder, romance, adventure - dip into the world of Nardva with this collection of stories.

* * *Ruhanna's Flight - Ruhanna’s father is coming for a rare visit from the capital. When everything goes terribly wrong, she discovers a mysterious gift that could save her --- if it doesn’t kill her first.

* * *Heart of the Mountain – When shapeshifter Zadeki slams into the mountain side, he finds himself trapped in a strange underground realm. Can he escape or is he there for another reason?

* * *The Herbalist's Daughter - Anna has her heart set on an burly guard at the palace, but the antics of the young Prince could jeopardise both of their futures.

* * * Rendezvous at Alexgaia - In her last mission, Space operative Dana secured the Infinity Cube at the cost her partner's life or at least his humanity. Will Neon's sacrifice be for nothing or will Dana be able to retrieve the key to the mysterious cube's use?

Also Anna's Dilemma, Lakwi's Lament, Moonflame, Withered Seeds, Space Junk, Rookie Mistake, Inferno and other stories.

Ruhanna's Flight and other stories includes Nardva tales previously published in a range of anthologies plus some new stories. While mostly set in the southern hemisphere of Nardva, the adventures range across the ages - from early days on the Lonely Isles to the space age of Nardva.

A delightful introduction to Jeanette O'Hagan's fantasy world of engaging characters and stirring adventures.

Jeanette spun tales in the world of Nardva as a child. She enjoys writing fantasy & poetry. Her stories span continents, time & cultures in another world.

Release date; 6 March 2018

Publisher By the Light Books. 

Preorder now for low price of 99cUSD at Amazon US or Amazon AU

Other News

Hazel Barker 

- Sides of Heaven Friday 23 February 10-11 am

Safe Harbour

Congratulations to Simon Kennedy. SBS is presenting a Four-Part Drama, Safe Harbour developed from Based on an original concept by Simon Kennedy and Phil Enchelmaier. https://www.sbs.com.au/programs/safe-harbour

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

Safe Harbour count premieres on SBS, March 7th at 8.30 pm. You and watch the trailer here. 

Missionary Biography

David Bennett has a new release, his latest missionary biography -  Hudson Taylor and China
Published by Rhiza Press in March 2017

 Book Fairs, Conventions, Events

Rochelle Manners will be running an online Rhiza Celebration on Tuesday, 6th March - 3-8pm (Brisbane time) here.

Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane) - a number of CWD authors will be at the Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane) 10am-2:15pm 10 March, 19 Queens Road, Everton Hills.

Several CWD authors, publishers and editors will be there - including Rochelle Manners, Deb Porter, David Bennett, Lynne Stringer, Anne Hamilton, Victoria Carnell, Nola & Tim Passmore, Adele Jones, Hazel Barker, Jeanette O'Hagan, Jan Morris, Ruth Bonetti, Raelene Purtill. If you are in or around Brisbane - this will be a great opportunity to meet up with other Christian writers, do a fantastic workshop with Gary Clark (creator of Swamp) and/or have a table to display your books.

To find out more look at the Omega Writers Website - or the FB event page.

Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones and Jeanette O'Hagan will have a stand at Gold Coast Supernova from Friday 27 - Sunday 29 April. We'd love you to drop and say hello and talk to us about our books :)

Towoomba Writers Retreat - Bookings will soon be open for the Omega Writers May Retreat in Toowoomba from 4th-6th May 2018

Why Anthologies?

by Jeanette O'Hagan

I was asked recently, 'Why contribute to an anthology?' 

Six years ago, when I dusted off the novel I wrote decades ago and started writing again, anthologies were the last thing on my mind. I struggled writing short fiction and my focus was on writing novels. My experience of reading short fiction was limited and often disappointing.

This month, I was thrilled to launch my first published novel, Arkad’s Children (a prequel to the first one I wrote). I still love writing my epic novels – but in between I caught the anthology bug, with stories and poems published in over a dozen of them. I now enjoy writing and reading short stories and love the anthologies I’m featured in.

What is an anthology?

An anthology is a collection of works by a group of different authors. It can be fiction or non-fiction, short stories or poems. Anthologies are often themed. For instance, the theme of the Futurevision anthology is on visions of the future, while that of Christian Writers Downunder's Glimpses of Light is on the glimmers of light (and hope) in the darkness. Some anthologies are genre specific. For instance, Like a Woman is restricted to speculative fiction (including horror). 

In contrast to an anthology, a collection is by a single author though again, often themed (for instance, Neil Gaiman’s Trigger Warning).

What are the Advantages?

Anthologies can:

Offer an opportunity to be published

Publishers and editors of anthologies are often actively seeking new authors. They usually give a theme to write to and a deadline to motivate.

Broaden your reach as an author

An anthology has a range of contributors — from a few to many — some of whom may be more well-known than you. Ideally, all the contributors will promote the anthology to their fan base and your story (or poem) will be read by new readers. Perhaps, these fans will fall in love with your writing. At the very least, you are now known to a wider community of writers (who, after all, are mostly readers too).

Are fun to be part of

Having your work accepted, edited, published and promoted is fun. Well, okay, editing may not be – but the buzz that surrounds bringing an anthology together and launching it into the world is. The recent Futurevision launch was wonderful event and our publisher gifted each contributor with a story-based poster. Tales from the Underground and Quantum Soul also have some fun promotional materials, including a trailer for TUG.

Build up your portfolio

Anthologies give an impetus to write and, even when the pieces aren’t accepted, you have a growing portfolio of stories, which may be submitted elsewhere or which can be published as stand-alones stories or in a collection, or which can be used as giveaways and free offers in conjunction with your email list or at launches.  If these pieces are linked in some way to your novels, they can act as a funnel to your work.

Provide you chance to give back

With charity anthologies, your story can help support a worthy cause. In collaborative anthologies, authors help each other with editing and feedback and  promotion.

Give writing creds and experience

Each publication adds to your bio and may catch the attention of a publisher or agent.  For me, writing shorter works and poetry has honed my skills, increased my knowledge of the ins and outs of publishing and given me the confidence to publish my novel, Akrad’s Children.

May pay, but not always

With charity anthologies (such as Glimpses of Light, Like a Girl, Like a Woman), the profits go to the designated charity. Other anthologies give prizes to place getters (eg Poetica Christi, Crossroads anthology), but otherwise offer a free copy to contributors.  Or, the publisher may offer the anthologies at a discounted price which contributors can sell for a profit (as with 1231 Publishing anthologies like Obliquity and Futurevision). Or the anthology may give royalties, like Quantum Soul or Tales From the Underground. How many royalties will depend on the success of the anthology and the split between contributors. Others anthologies will pay an upfront fee for their stories, for instance Chicken Soup for the Soul.

Overall, I think the other benefits are more important.

Questions to ask:

Are you happy with the overall aims and values of the anthology?

For instance, if it’s a charity anthology, is it supporting a cause you believe in. Or, what does it exclude or allow writings and genres you or your readers might be uncomfortable with.

Is it a good fit for your writing?

Short fiction is a great place to experiment and maybe try out new genres or ideas. On the other hand, if you wish to attract new readers to your longer fiction (or non-fiction), then choosing anthologies that focus on related themes and/or genres make sense.

What rights and exclusions are they seeking?

One anthology I decided not to enter, sounded attractive until I realised the publisher was asking for ‘all rights’ of the story. That’s a carte blanche which means I would have lost all control of the story forever. No thanks. 

Generally anthology publishers seek the right to publish the story in print & e-book and may ask for a period of exclusivity. For instance, Quantum Soul has a 12-month exclusivity from the date of publication so they can enrol the anthology into Kindle Unlimited. I can live with that. But would hesitate if it was any longer.

Always read the contract and ask for advice if needed.

What have you got to lose?

Well, maybe time and effort. Perhaps, focusing on anthologies will distract from writing the novel or other projects. Would I have published Akrad’s Children earlier if I hadn’t been involved in writing for anthologies over the last 2-3 years? Perhaps, but I think I’ve learnt much writing those stories and being involved in their publication that I’m sure my debut novel is the better for it.

Where are the Opportunities?

• Faith Writers – the top entries of the Weekly Challenge for Faith Writers are published by Breath of Fresh in the Mixed Blessings books
• Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies – are always looking for contributions on different themes.
• Fell Beasts and Fair– open for entries until 1st November, 2017
• Poetica Christi – is open for entries each year.

Are you aware of any other opportunities? Have you been part of an anthology? Yes? What were the advantages and disadvantages? If not, think about the possibilities.

........

Jeanette 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 stories and poems in over a dozen anthologies, including Glimpses of Light and Futurevision with three anthologies coming out this month - Redemption anthology, Tales From the Underground, and Quantum Soul.  She recently released her debut novel Akrad's Children - the first in the Akrad's Legacy series. 

Find her at her Facebook Page or at Goodreads or on Amazon or on her websitesJennysThread.com or Jeanette O'Hagan Writes . if you want to stay up-to-date with latest publications and developments, sign up to Jeanette O'Hagan Writes e-mail newsletter.

Exploring Genres - Free Verse and Verse Novels

by Jeanette O'Hagan

In the last Genre Post - Valerie Volk ably spoke for the value and place of poetry. (You can read her post here.)  Before we move on to another genre, let's explore a little more the possibilities of poetry.

Often when we think of poetry, we think of rhyming couplets, but there are, in fact, a wide number of poetic forms and traditions. There are traditional forms like couplets, sonnets and ballads; humorous forms such as limericks; or more challenging forms like villanelles and sistenas. There are also Japanese forms such as haikus and tankas, Arabic or Burmese forms etc and modern forms like found or shaped poetry.

Today, I'd like to explore two - the verse novel and free verse.

Verse Novel

As Valerie reminded us, the verse narrative (a story told in verse) is as old as story telling, itself.

The Epic of Gilgamesh, Homer's Iliad and Beowulf are all ancient stories told through poetry.  While much of the Bible is in prose - Song of Songs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations and most of Job are told poetically. Hebrew poetry relies more on structures such as parallelism, chiasmus (x-type pattern), assonance (similar sounds) and word puns, than rhyme and rhythm. Chaucer and Shakespeare used poetic verse. At a popular level, local stories were expressed in ballads - such as 'The Man from Snowy River'.

Since the eighteenth century and the rise of the novel, prose has replaced poetry as the preferred way to tell stories.

However, in recent decades, the verse novel has emerged as a popular genre, particularly in young adult literature. In a verse novel the narrative is told either entirely, or in part, by poetry. It also includes characters, point of view, dialogue, narration, description, and other features appropriate to writing a novel. The poetry may be traditional form with strict rhyming and meter, but it is often told in free verse.

Calvin Miller's powerful trilogy - The Singer, The Song, The Finale - is an allegorical and poetic retelling of Jesus' life, death and resurrection that helps one see this pivotal story with new eyes.

More recently, Michelle Dennis Evans has published Sink, Drift or Swim - a young adult, free verse novel about Rina's fishing trip with her dad. It an engaging and dramatic tale told from Rina's point-of-view in her distinctive voice.

Why not just tell the story in prose? By choosing free verse, Michelle Evans brings both a vividness and a focus to Rina's experiences and thoughts. It enables Michelle to tackle a serious subject with a light hand. I think it adds to the impact of the book.

So, what is free verse?

Free Verse

Usually, when English speakers think of poetry, we think of rhyme and meter (or beat), e.g. 'I'm a poet, and I didn't know it.' As I mentioned above, other cultures use different devices. The Hebrews especially liked parallelism, Japanese poetry often focuses of syllables. However, with English poetic forms we also have blank verse (meter without rhyme) and free verse (which may include rhyme, but isn't tied to a particular meter).

Free verse uses other elements such as assonance, metaphor, image, alliteration, the senses, themes, pacing, white space and other visual elements such as changes in font or how the letters are aligned to convey meaning and emotion.

While there is both a discipline and indeed a refining process in using a particular poetic form like a ballad or a villanelle - there is a freedom in free verse which I particularly enjoy.

Often poetry is a way of expressing the inexpressible, of allowing deep emotions eloquence and crystallisation. Free verse gives freedom to vary the rhythm and pace. Also, I find an element of play and fun with free verse.

Here is an example from my own work - but I'd also urge you to check out poets such as Michelle Dennis Evans or Cameron Semmens 10 Poems that can really help you through a tough spot and his other books or perhaps some of the poems in Glimpses of Light, especially Sue Jeffrey's 'Sight' or Mazzy Adams 'Journey' for great examples of free verse.

Thunderstorm

The teacher’s voice drones on

Futt, futt, white dusty blades whirl

the fan rotating overhead

listlessly pushing the hot humid air

around the temporary aluminium heat box.

At last the sonorous school bell rings

Books slap shut, chairs squeal, pushed backwards

“Class dismissed” “Homework due on Monday”

and we jostle and stream out into the turbid air.

Moisture beads on my upper lip,

my forehead and armpits drip.

Overhead white cotton candy clouds tower.

I adjust the strap cutting into my shoulder

and daydream my way home.

Clouds roil and collide

stacking ever higher

their underbellies bruised in aubergine tones.

The sudden hush of bird song,

a fitful wind stirs

harrying leaves along gutters

eyes seared by silver flashes

sonic booms reverberating

watery missiles pelting down

stinging arms and face

water sluicing through flattened hair

burrowing past turned up collar

flowing in plump streams

pooling and gurgling

overflowing in the gutters.

My shoes squelch

with each liberated step

until laughing and gasping

I hug my slick school bag

and run as I laugh

attempting to chart a path

between the silver rain drops

flying towards home.

Jeanette O'Hagan ( First published, Judge's choice, Poetica Christi Inner Child, 2014)

So - if you have an inkling to write poetry - but have always got bogged down in meter and rhyme - why not give free verse a go?

***This is a cross post with Australasian Christian Writers.***

Images and poems © Jeanette O'Hagan

Jeanette O’Hagan first 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.

Recent publications include Heart of the Mountain: a short novella, The Herbalist's Daughter: a short story and Lakwi's Lament: a short story. Her other short stories and poems are published in a number of anthologies including Glimpses of Light, Another Time Another Place and Like a Girl. Jeanette is also writing her Akrad’s Legacy Series—a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and a Master of Arts (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.

Find her at her Facebook Page or at Goodreads or on Amazon or on her websites  JennysThread.com or Jeanette O'Hagan Writes . if you want to stay up-to-date with latest publications and developments, sign up to Jeanette O'Hagan Writes e-mail newsletter.