What if you could…

Achieve the full potential of your book manuscript, and bring those glorious things you imagine in your mind alive on the page

Become a better and more confident writer, growing constantly in skill and opportunities

Save a significant percentage of editing fees and/or get even better results when you hire professional editors

Access publishing expertise worth thousands for a fraction of the cost?

Join us and like minded writers for a weekend away to realise these possibilities and experience the beautiful, rural Queensland environment.

But hurry, tickets are limited!

If Covid forces cancellation of this event, it will be rescheduled, and new cancellation deadlines will apply.

Event Program

FRIDAY EVENING: 6:30-8:00 Simeon Lord Room - Esk Library

• Meet the team and fellow writers (nibbles provided)

SATURDAY MORNING: 8:00 -12:00 Simeon Lord Room - Esk Library

• Session 1. The hidden power of revision- levels and phases of the process- overcoming self-doubt
• Activity 1. Working out the kinks Session 2. Strengthening structure- refining your content- identifying and purifying your theme
• Activity 2. Working out the kinks

PICNIC LUNCH: 12:00 Wivenhoe Dam (transport and lunch included)

SATURDAY AFTERNOON: 2:30-5:00 Ottobah Llama walk (transport , Llama walk and afternoon tea included)

SATURDAY EVENING: 6:30-8:00 Dinner - Grand Hotel (Dinner not included)

SUNDAY MORNING: 8:00-12:00 Simeon Lord Room - Esk Library

• Session 3. Breathing life into your characters- capturing personalities- creating distinctive dialogue
• Activity 3. Working out the kinks
• Session 4. Painting vivid description- using scene vs summary to your advantage- learning from the masters
• Activity 4. Working out the kinks

FAREWELL LUNCH: 12:00 Angie's Country Cafe (Lunch not included)

Meet Your Presenters

Belinda Pollard

Belinda Pollard is a writing coach, book editor, author, blogger and podcaster. A twenty-year veteran of the publishing industry with a primary editing qualification in Journalism, she has passed a rigorous professional accreditation process through the Institute of Professional Editors. She also has a degree in theology.

Her clients’ books have won or been short-listed for prestigious awards and become bestsellers in specialist fields. She is a sought-after presenter of workshops for writers and editors in person and online, both in Australia and internationally, and has been selected to present at multiple national conferences of Australian editors and multiple Australian GenreCons for genre fiction writers.

She has more than 10,000 Twitter followers and many thousands of visitors per month to her blog at smallbluedog.com. As an author, Belinda writes the Wild Crimes mystery-thriller series, humorous memoir, Bible meditations, and resources for writers. Her writing prizes include a Varuna Fellowship.

More information about Belinda

Lee Cawthray

Lee Cawthray, has been associated with the fitness industry as a Fernwood member and as a trainer for more than 15 years. This has given her a greater understanding of the possibilities and challenges associated with training for women.

Lee's passion as an accredited Personal Trainer is to work with members to identify health and fitness goals, and encourage them on that journey by providing goal oriented personal training sessions, designing and instructing group fitness classes and overseeing safe use of all gym equipment.

Donita Bundy

Donita is a writer, blogger, podcaster and writing teacher who was appointed the inaugural Somerset Writer in Residence in 2019. Due to the support of that program she was able to publish her debut urban fantasy Dangerous Salvation in March 2020, the first in a YA series of seven. Her second book, Blinding Revelation, will be released later this year.

Since 2017 Donita has been working with writing enthusiasts, young and not so young, who want to investigate the art of creative writing. She ran an Extension Writing Program at Toogoolawah SHS from 2017-2018 and has been working with students at Lowood SHS from 2018. She is also the coordinator of the Somerset Writers Group.

More information about Donita

This amazing event is so affordable due the generosity of the Somerset Regional Council and the support of the Regional Arts Development Fund.

The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and Somerset Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture.

Ticket includes:

• Four writing sessions with Belinda Pollard
• Four "Working Out the Kinks" sessions with Lee Cawthray
• Llama Walk
• All morning and afternoon teas
• Transport to events outside of Esk
• Lunch on Saturday
• Gift bag

Ticket does NOT include:

• Accommodation
• Dinner Friday or Saturday
• Sunday Lunch

What to pack:

• In Esk, late August temperatures typically range between 9-21*C so dress warm
• Notebook and pen or computer
• Relaxed, casual clothes
• Comfortable walking shoes

Accommodation:

If you require accommodation, Esk has a range of possibilities from Hotels, Motels, Campground cabins, and local Air bnb options. However, due to Esk's growing popularity as a tourist destination, consider booking your accommodation soon.