Queensland Writers Centre offers masterclasses intended for writers who write regularly, and have some publishing experience. They are not suitable for beginner writers because each session works through advanced writing techniques.
Participants will have a sample of their work read by the tutor prior to the masterclass. To ensure the tutor is given ample time with the samples, each masterclass has an enrolment cut-off date.
If you are unsure whether your current writing practice is at a masterclass level, please phone to speak to a Queensland Writers Centre staff member before booking.
The Proposal led by Sally Collings
Your publishing proposal is your ‘elevator pitch’: 30 seconds to pitch your book idea to a publisher or literary agent. This is the first stage in getting your work published. During this masterclass you will learn how to put together a proposal including cover letter and synopsis, that will catch a publisher’s eye. The first half of the day will be dedicated to the general principles of publishing proposals: what publishers are looking for, how to cover all the angles, the style of language to use. The second half will be intensively hands-on, critiquing and developing the participants’ own proposals.
When: Sunday 11 April. Booking Deadline: Friday 26 March
Where: Queensland Writers Centre, Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank. QWC workshops run from 10.00am until 4.00pm unless otherwise stated.
Cost: QWC members $160, Concession members $150, Non-members $210
Bookings: Phone QWC on 07 3839 1243 or book online
The First Cut is the Deepest: Editing for Writers with Shelley Kenigsberg
Editing your own work requires a surgeon’s precision. The art of the edit is knowing what you need to do, being able to spot the problems in your own writing and how to fix them. Whether you are writing fiction or non-fiction, if you have a completed work that is ready to edit, this masterclass is a must for you. Shelley Kenigsberg will deepen your understanding of the elements that great writers use such as style, voice, viewpoint, dialogue, narrative flow and balance, and structure.
When: Sunday 18 April. Booking Deadline: Friday 2 April
Where: Queensland Writers Centre, Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank. QWC workshops run from 10.00am until 4.00pm unless otherwise stated.
Cost: QWC members $160, Concession members $150, Non-members $210
Bookings: Phone QWC on 07 3839 1243 or book online
On the Edge of their Seats Suspense led by Katherine Howell
Writing a thriller? Need to make sure your prose scares readers out of their La-Z-Boys? When your young heroine’s car breaks down on a deserted highway, her mobile phone doesn’t work and the serial killer is closing in you want to elicit yelps, not yawns. Katherine Howell’s workshop will help you learn the tools of the trade to create suspense through character as well as structure.
When: Sunday 16 May. Booking Deadline: Friday 30 April
Where: Queensland Writers Centre, Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank. QWC workshops run from 10.00am until 4.00pm unless otherwise stated.
Cost: QWC members $160, Concession members $150, Non-members $210
Bookings: Phone QWC on 07 3839 1243 or book online
Developing Feature Articles led by Tiana Templeman
So, you have written a feature article . . . what next? How do you shape it for publication, edit it to suit different publications and editors’ needs. Tiana Templeman (Absolutely Faking It) will show you how to analyse an article with a view to rewriting it and how to expand on your ideas to make them publication-ready. Bring along a sample article and learn how to expand and recraft it to make the writing stronger, more engaging and more marketable at this practical hands-on masterclass.
When: Sunday 23 May. Booking Deadline: Friday 7 May
Where: Queensland Writers Centre, Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank. QWC workshops run from 10.00am until 4.00pm unless otherwise stated.
Cost: QWC members $160, Concession members $150, Non-members $210
Bookings: Phone QWC on 07 3839 1243 or book online
Moving On: From Travel Writing to Travel Memoir led by Claire Scobie
Critics have often predicted a shrinking world would mean the end of travel writing, but other people’s journeys continue to fascinate the reading public and travel writing thrives. Travel memoir, in particular, has a strong foothold in the publishing market. For more experienced writers, Claire will present Moving On: From Travel Writing to Travel Memoir. This masterclass will show more seasoned travel writers how to take the next step and craft a longer piece of work.
Moving On explores ways to elevate your travel experience from straight reportage or a magazine article to something more complex; a travel memoir, a private journal or an extended blog for that next trip down the Ganges. Whoever the audience, learn how to impress your reader with credible characters, dialogue, atmosphere and revelation. Revising and editing, popular genres of travel writing in non-fiction and ways to get your manuscript published will also be covered. This masterclass provides extensive take-home notes and is interactive with dynamic presentations. By the end of the day, participants will have the creative tools to craft a compelling must-read story.
When: Sunday 30 May. Booking Deadline: Friday 14 May
Where: Queensland Writers Centre, Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank. QWC workshops run from 10.00am until 4.00pm unless otherwise stated.
Cost: QWC members $160, Concession members $150, Non-members $210
Bookings: Phone QWC on 07 3839 1243 or book online
Writing Between the Sheets: Crafting Sex in Fiction led by Krissy Kneen
There is an annual award for the worst sex scene in a novel – this is not an award that you want to win! Crafting sex scenes in fiction is a delicate affair. You have to find your own rhythm and see beyond the sex to the core of the story. Elements such as mood, tone and choreography (that is believable and possible!) help drive the passion of a sex scene. Acclaimed erotic author Krissy Kneen (Swallow the Sound and Affection) will guide you through the dos and don’ts of writing between the sheets so your prose engenders sighs of passion, not groans of laughter and embarrassment from your readers.
When: Saturday 5 June. Booking Deadline: Friday 21 May
Where: Queensland Writers Centre, Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank. QWC workshops run from 10.00am until 4.00pm unless otherwise stated.
Cost: QWC members $160, Concession members $150, Non-members $210
Bookings: Phone QWC on 07 3839 1243 or book online
Writing Scenes that Work with Kim Wilkins
Scenes are the building blocks of story. They don't just move the plot forward, but help you reveal character and moderate pace and tension. But how do you plan scenes? How do you write effective entries and exits for scenes? How do you pull off reversals and layer the subtext in your scenes? This masterclass will provide a laser focus on scene writing to help lay the right foundations for your story.
When: Sunday 27 June. Booking Deadline: Friday 11 June
Where: Queensland Writers Centre, Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank. QWC workshops run from 10.00am until 4.00pm unless otherwise stated.
Cost: QWC members $160, Concession members $150, Non-members $210
Bookings: Phone QWC on 07 3839 1243 or book online