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Author Archives: Janis Hanley

Every project needs one of these ….

Posted on May 16, 2014 by Janis Hanley

And Prana Writers is fortunate because it has two … maybe more.
What am I talking about? I’m talking about the Choinski Factor…

When you have someone who will say, ‘I can do that!’, whether they’d done it before in their lifetime, or not, and it is done superbly – that’s the Choinski factor. The way the Choinski element operates is that, whether it is the first time through, or they are seasoned professionals, whatever it is they are doing will be done to the highest quality imaginable. In fact , I suspect the way Choinski principle triggers is that the less experience, the more energies are injected – and with incredible outcomes. That’s when you really know it’s the Choinski Factor at play.

Here are some examples of the Choinski factor at work with ‘Undertow':
– Slush wrangling
– Interior layout
– Exterior layout
– Author spotlights

I do think one should be selective in deploying the Choinski factor. The energies at play should only be directed at the most important jobs – the mission critical stuff. You don’t want it wasted. I’ve actually heard it said that a team imbued with the Choinski factor is like a team with super powers. We’ve certainly seen evidence of that here with the anthology. All I can say is ‘Thank God for the Choinski factor.’

The Choinski factor was brought to Gold Coast Anthology by Penner and Jasmine Choinski.

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Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment |

Anatomy of a Launch

Posted on May 11, 2014 by Janis Hanley

Well it’s done. Undertow is launched, and is setting sail. What a fantastic day it was yesterday. The day started with Kerry and I chatting with Peter Scott on ABC radio. Then while I was chairing the panel session at the Local Studies library, Kerry was coordinating the launch venue set up and the launch itself.

It’s not customary to ‘lift the veil’ on what it takes to launch a book, but because this is essentially a community project, I thought is was worth relating the extraordinary work that Kerry Gibb put in to bring this together.

The organisation started back in February. Here’s just some of Kerry’s to-do list—there is much that’s not here, and possibly Kerry doesn’t remember:
– look for sponsors
– look for venues – decide on the Community Centre Southport – high standard, new venue.
– book venue and attend to conditions
– look at catering options
– find house to live in and move to new house (Kerry really did this within a week. This doesn’t sound like anything with the launch, but refer to next point)
– discover that new home has no internet connection and there is a nine month wait to get one!
– work out licensing issues so we could serve wine
– design launch invitations
– compile list of invitees and email addresses
– send out invitations and post invitation to as many social media sites as possible
– attend to RSVPs
– order and fund books for launch
– cajole kids and their friends to assist with set up and food/drink service
– start getting everyone collecting items and Prana Writer books for raffles
– wrestle with Vistaprint for hours to design and order banner and business cards
– arrange for launch cake that will knock the socks off everyone.
– order and pick up icing replica of book – take icing to cake icer
– twist arms for someone to be MC.
– send many emails/ FB posts

One week out
– revisit venue
– work out running sheet for the day – timing, speakers etc.
– Take delivery of beautiful banner
– arrange printing of paper invitations for last minute invites
– meet with team to work out- raffle, thank-yous, hall decorations, food, alcohol, book sales, cash floats, credit card payments, timing etc etc etc
– attend to copious amounts of paperwork to enable online credit card transactions though PayPal
– edit speakers notes
– work out change needed for cash floats, and go to bank to pick up change.
– organise PWs to pick up platters
– sort out last minute venue issues
– design posters for the day
– arrange PWs to print posters for wall, and copies of “Coral Sea Monster” book
– pick up the most awesome book launch cake in the history of the planet.
– post photos of most awesome launch cake in the galaxy
– send even more emails and Facebook posts.
– liaise with speakers and MC.
– work with Jasmine to midnight the night before launch getting PayPal app working.
– buy soft drinks, ice and launch bits and pieces.
– arrange and download video of Louise to play at launch
– do PowerPoint of photos
– arrange loan of AV equipment for the day

Day of launch
– arrive at ABC studios 7am to do a radio spot to promote launch
– cajole son and friend to dress as waiters – black tie
– load car with books, food, drinks! AV equipment, most amazing cake, and teenagers – boys almost dressed.
– Arrive at venue at midday with car bursting with food, most amazing cake miraculously still intact , drinks, books, teenagers trying to do up black ties
– safely unload all of the above
– coordinate set up of venue – seating, tables, table decorations, food, microphone and podium, book sales, drink and raffle sales,
– forget to put up banner (specially priority delivered) because Janis got part way through, had to go to panel and left it where no one would find it.
– do battle with audio for video and background music, but retire defeated.
-finish set up with ten minutes to spare, just in time to not sit down, but start welcoming guests …
– keep things running in the background
– deliver speech
– barely have a moment for food
-start packing up and cleaning
– quick photo with authors
– pack car, squeeze in with leftovers, teenagers, and half demolished most amazing book launch cake.
– arrive home and enjoy glass of red, knowing that the most amazing book launch with the most amazing cake had just been delivered.

…that’s just to give you an idea of just how amazing Prana Writer Kerry-Lea Gibb is.

And because Kerry organised all this, I do not know who else to thank apart from The Choinski Family for supplying ALL the wine for the launch and some of the platters and person power carrying boxes, cleaning, setting up, and clean-up at the end. Nicola for dressing the tables and putting raffle prizes together, Jasmine for handling book sales, Tom for doing an excellent job MCing and all PWs for food and support; Kerry’s kids and their friends for food and drink services as well set up and clean up assistance.

Outside the PWs it gets sketchy …

Rob Molhoek MP for a great speech and support of the Anth.
Kyla Stephan, Local Studies for entertaining speech
Greg Davidson, Artist and Author for his ‘Robot Man’ sculpture come presentation TV
Alison- for most Amazing Book Launch cake IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE … MORE ABOUT Alison in her own post.

And most importantly, all the authors and guests for making it a wonderful occasion. I think 44 attended the panel session and 70 the launch.

All just amazing. Thanks Kerry for organising an unbelievable launch.

Note PW=Prana Writer

PS. The great thing about a blog is that all omissions and errors can be readily corrected.

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Posted in News, Uncategorized, Undertow | 1 Comment |

We made the Bulletin!

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Janis Hanley

Bullie Article1This week-end’s Gold Coast Bulletin (Sat 26th April 2014) ran a great piece on the anthology.  The article was written by Barbara Dyer and featured stories Three Wishes by David Stringer, War Bride by Kay Gibbs and Jumpinpin by Thoraiya Dyer (no relation). You’ll find the article on page 33.  Make sure you buy a copy.

‘Opening floodgate of talents’ is an excellent headline – and that’s really how the whole process of the anthology has felt.  Not only has it drawn on the great talents of writers through the stories, but we have discovered great talents within Prana Writers in putting the publication together, and drawn on many great talents of those supporting us through the process.  In all, a flood of talents.

Thank-you to all, and special thank-you to Nicola Tierney for organising the press release, and Barbara Dyer for putting it together.

 

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Posted in About the Anthology, News | Tags: gold coast, Gold Coast Anthology | 7 Comments |

Gold Coast Anthology Undertow Sales

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Janis Hanley

Gold Coast Anthology: Undertow Sales

Paperback Copies

For Sale!

$19:95

                                                                                                             Plus postage
 
                                                 Fill out the contact form below to order a copy direct from Prana Writers
                         

IMG_3451IMG_3453

 

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Posted in Books, Gold Coast Anthology, Gold Coast Anthology: Undertow | Tags: gold coast, Gold Coast Anthology | Leave a comment |

Coral Sea Monster National Winner 2011 WABIAD

Posted on April 23, 2014 by Janis Hanley

Coral Sea MonsterBack in 2011, a Prana Writers team won the National Open Section for Write-a-Book-in-a-Day (WABIAD).  The book has been available for sale on Smashwords since.  All process of sales go to the Royal Qld Children’s Hospital, so we thought we would give both WABIAD and our little volume a push, while we are spreading the word about the anthology.

Here is the link to purchase a copy of the Coral Sea Monster for $2.99.  The brilliant cover work and illustrations were done by Angela Sunde.  The story is suitable for 9-14 year old audience, and is set on the Gold Coast.  Here is the back cover blurb:

Thirteen year old sheep-shearer Jack’s dream of going to the Ekka seems doomed when a truck overturns on the highway, blocking traffic in both directions. Just as he resigns himself to a boring day waiting for the tow-trucks, his brother’s car is rammed from behind, and so begins an adventure like no other to rescue The Coral Sea Monster. An Aussie adventure for nine to fourteen year olds.

Write a Book in a Day  (https://www.writeabookinaday.com/index.html) is a fabulous annual event.

The ultimate writing challenge

Write, edit, illustrate and bind a children’s book in 12 hours in a team of 5-10, and make a difference by raising funds to help sick children in your State’s children’s hospital.

For Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, and Open Teams
April 1 2014 to August 31 2014
At school, home, book club, writing centre or office.

Teams of writers come together to write a book in 12 hours.  At 8am the team is emailed a location, main characters and words to include in a story.  Books must be written, illustrated and bound within the 12 hour time limit.  Teams can be school students or adults (in the open section). For the open section the book must be at least 8,000 words.  I think Prana Writers produced 16,000 words in the end.  Each chapter was written by a different writer, so we were really amazed that  it sounded like it was the one voice.

The physical books produced are given to the Children’s hospital of the team’s choice.  Part of the deal with entering is the team must also fund raise for their chosen hospital.  It really is a win-win for the children’s hospitals.

Hats off to Chris and the volunteers at Write Book in a Day and their efforts to keep this running over the years.

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Posted in Books, Coral Sea Monster, Posts about Prana Writers | Leave a comment |

Know what this is?

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Janis Hanley

20140409-123509.jpg

Well of course it’s Broadbeach Library …

But this is the true birth place of the Prana Writers group. Where we met for the first year with Louise Cusack after winning the Write that book competition run by Gold Coast City Council in 2009. What an impact that’s had on all of us. We were talking last night about our fondness for this place.

I’ve always loved libraries. They are wonderful places for encountering the unexpected …

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Posted in Gold Coast Anthology | Tags: Louise Cusack, Prana Writers | Leave a comment |

National Trust Heritage Festival – We’re a part of it!

Posted on April 8, 2014 by Janis Hanley

Well the month long National Trust Heritage Festival is about to commence – and the Gold Coast Anthology is a part of it!

The panel discussion at the Local Studies Library that’s happening as part of our launch, is part of the festival.  Here’s the excerpt.

screenshot221 screenshot219

Saturday May 10 2014

Check out the full program at www.nationaltrustfestival.org.au

Book online to attend panel or contact Southport Local Studies library on 07 5581 7217.  Those attending the panel discussion are of course welcome to our launch afterwards.

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Posted in Gold Coast Anthology, Launch, Panel Discussion, Uncategorized, Undertow | Tags: gold coast, gold coast stories | Leave a comment |

Inside the Undertow – the contents

Posted on April 5, 2014 by Janis Hanley

Twenty authors…

Twenty beautifully crafted stories…

Twenty sets of images ….

Congratulations to the twenty fabulous authors whose stories grace our volume. We are delighted to have your work as part of  Gold Coast Anthology: Undertow. Here is the list of authors and their stories  in the order of contents:

Gold Coast Anthology – Undertow
‘Tales from outside the flags’
  • Betsy Roberts  No Lime Ice-Cream
  • Rebecca Fraser Coralesque
  • Paul Garrety Last Day at Elephant Rock
  • Tom Betts The Lions in Autumn
  • David Stringer Three Wishes
  • Di Morris The Clearing
  • Kathleen Bleakley Frangipanis
  • Britt Melville That Girl No More
  • Elli Housden Snapper Rocks
  • Janis Hanley Pulped Fiction
  • S. Elliot Brandis Empty Calories
  • Penner Choinski In the End
  • S. G. Larner Paradise Drowned
  • J.S. Choinski Deliver Me
  • Jane Downing Duck
  • Jocelyn Hawes Dear Sam
  • Kay Gibb War Bride
  • Tara  Calaby Breath
  • Thoraiya Dyer Jumpinpin
  • Nicola Tierney The Ghosts of our Ancestors

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank all those who sent stories in during the subscription period.  There were many, many great stories, and unfortunately there could only be twenty in this volume.

While you are here, did your see the anthology’s great cover art by Shauna O’Meara?

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Posted in Gold Coast Anthology, News, Slider, Undertow | Tags: gold coast, short stories | 2 Comments |

Here’s how the front cover looks ..

Posted on April 4, 2014 by Janis Hanley

Sure you want to venture outside the flags?

You might get caught …

screenshot213

Wanna look inside ?

Stunning artwork by Shauna O’Meara

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Posted in About the Anthology, Gold Coast Anthology, News, Slider, Undertow | Tags: gold coast stories, Shauna O'Meara | 4 Comments |

Check out our cover art …

Posted on April 1, 2014 by Janis Hanley

Much has been happening behind the scenes since the anthology editing was completed.  Typesetters have typeset, proofers have proofed – authors have poured over their galleys.

We even have a brand new website – you’ll find us at PranaWriters.com.  All is ready to go.

So, we are pleased to announce the title of our wonderful volume –  a collection of 20 stories inspired by photos of the Gold Coast ….

Gold Coast Anthology:

Undertow

 

And to match this suspenseful title, we have the stunning cover art by the talented Shauna O’Meara

screenshot211

 

Want to see how it transforms into a book cover?

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Posted in About the Anthology, News, Slider | Tags: Gold Coast Anthology, Undertow | Leave a comment |
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