Laurel Cohn

Laurel Cohn 

Laurel Cohn is an editor passionate about the power of stories to communicate. As a developmental editor she has been helping writers since the 1980s prepare their work for publication. She spent five years with one of Australia’s top literary agents and four years as Consultant Editor to the NSW Writers’ Centre before turning freelance. She works with individual writers, publishers and self-publishers, and is a popular workshop presenter. She has a PhD in Literary and Cultural Studies. www.laurelcohn.com.au

Nail your Story and your Pitch

Facilitator: Laurel Cohn

In a world of communications dominated by headlines and key words, it is crucial to pitch your project to others concisely. You may be required to give a verbal pitch as well as one in writing or asked for a one-liner or for an extended synopsis. The key to a successful pitch is a clear and fundamental understanding of what it is you are writing and where it fits in the publishing world. This is relevant whether you are just starting out on a story idea of whether you are well under way.  Sounds easy in theory, but in practice, encapsulating your writing project in one sentence, a short blurb or even a 500 word synopsis can feel more difficult than writing a book-length work. This workshop offers tips and tools to help frame your work for different publishing opportunities, and shows how synopsis writing can help you develop your ideas from an early stage. Whether you are applying for a mentorship or grant, entering a pitching competition, submitting work to an agent or publisher, self-publishing, or just beginning your writing journey, your ability to pitch your work well and appropriately plays a crucial role in success.

Graeme Gibson

Graeme Gibson

Graeme Gibson has a background in adult learning, principally in the environmental and   community services sectors. His approach to learning is that that people learn from and with each other, not just from a teacher. He also works as a group facilitator and mediator, getting close to people’s core concerns. Most of his writing is non-fiction with a focus on nature, community, politics and their intersection. He has published essays, contributed to and edited a number of short story collections, and self-published Beyond Fear and Loathing: Local politics at work. This account of local politics and community activism is based on personal experience.

Graeme has been presenting writing workshops, including life story and writing about place, since 2013. These have been mostly in regional areas – he likes to get around. Another interest is Little Literature, poetry or prose responding to or interpreting art, place or events, real or imagined. Graeme and his partner relocated to the NSW northern rivers in early 2016.

Writing from Life 1: Memoir, Biography, Personal Essay - wherever your creative non-fiction takes you

Facilitator: Graeme Gibson

• Starting/overcoming any blocks
• Consider voice – active/ passive
• Openings – finding a hook
• Contrast narrative (facts) with plot (story)
• Using sensory language

Bring an idea or an empty slate and see what happens.

NOTE: Writing from Life 1 and Writing from Life 2 workshops are independent sessions not repeats.

Writing from Life 2: Memoir, Biography, Personal Essay – wherever your creative non-fiction takes you

Facilitator: Graeme Gibson

Show, Don’t (Just) Tell Participants should be familiar with the term “Show, don’t tell,” before the workshop: if not, Google it. Bring an idea or an empty slate and see what happens.

Leonie Henschke

Leonie Henschke

Leonie Henschke is a freelance journalist and writer with a background in book publishing, newspapers and magazines.

She was Managing Editor of Angus & Robertson Publishers based in Sydney and London and worked closely with well-known Australian writers including Peter Carey, Frank Moorhouse and Michael Leunig.  Leonie also managed the extensive Australiana backlist that included works by Henry Lawson, Banjo Paterson, Miles Franklin, Thea Astley, C.J. Dennis, and Xavier Herbert.

She began her career as a feature writer, sub-editor and editor with Sir Frank Packer’s Australian Consolidated Press after a degree in English and politics from the University of Sydney. She was on the staff of a number of the company’s newspapers and magazines.

Following her time with Angus & Robertson Publishing, Leonie was Managing Director of UNE (University of New England) Partnerships, using her communication skills in the management of corporate education and training, both within Australia and overseas.

 Now living on the beautiful north coast she continues to write and undertake workshops for writers, manuscript assessments and guidance on publishing options. She is also active in the creative industries networking with local, state and federal governments for arts funding and support.

Writing like a Journalist

Facilitator: Leonie Henschke

Learn how to think like a journalist in your approach to blogs, publicity, short articles for newsletters and magazines and even your family Christmas letters and emails!

Number one tip: always put the most important information in the first line.

Wendy Laharnar

Wendy Laharnar

Wendy Laharnar grew up in the central west, NSW, graduated from UNE, Armidale, with a BA in English Lit., Classical Lit (in translation), and History, both modern and ancient. She writes historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy. Her medieval novel, The Unhewn Stone, won third prize in the 2013 International Digital Awards for best YA novel and short stories. Wendy lives on the South Coast of NSW with her husband and mini Schnauzer. When she is not writing, she creates with fabric and wool and enjoys travel and photography.

Igniting your Reader’s Curiosity

Facilitators: Wendy Laharnar and Rosalie Skinner

An action packed, practical session considering seven ways to ignite your reader’s curiosity so that he/she is drawn into your story and trapped! The group will work on examples that excite our unique creative spirit and have fun with lateral thinking.

Participants should bring along:

• A 5 star rave review, written by you, of the novel you yearn to write.

Or

• A list of first lines that sparked your curiosity.

A Plan of Writing Action for the Future

Facilitators: Rosalie Skinner and Wendy Laharnar

Keeping up our level of enthusiasm for writing is the objective after we leave a weekend such as Grassroots. What works for you? Critique groups, beta readers, writing sites and writing meet ups (online and face-to-face). We will be looking for what participants feel they need and if possible, create solutions from the Grassroots group.