Category Archives: Books

……Meet Our Gold Coast Anthology Authors………….Britt Melville

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Could this be author Britt Melville, caught in a tidal time warp? Unidentified girl with a 'body board' for surfing, Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta, Queensland circa 1920 [picture] / Photographer unknown. Asset name LS-LSP-CD803-IMG0010

Could this be author Britt Melville, caught in a tidal time warp?
Unidentified girl with a ‘body board’ for surfing, Snapper Rocks, Coolangatta, Queensland circa 1920 [picture] / Photographer unknown.
Asset name LS-LSP-CD803-IMG0010

Britt Melville That Girl No More

What are you reading at the moment?
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I’ve just been on holiday and it was the perfect page-turning thriller. I’m also reading Stasiland by Anna Funder because I love true stories. It’s brilliant but stayed in the suitcase while I was away.
What’s your favourite place on the Gold Coast, and why?
I’m happy anywhere the sand meets the sea. A walk and a swim is a cure for many things (between the flags of course!) I do prefer the quieter beaches. We’re lucky to have so many to choose from.
What’s your connection with the Gold Coast?
Before I moved here from Brisbane in 2013, the Gold Coast meant Christmas holidays and days at the beach. I’m learning it’s about much more than that.
What does your story convey about the Gold Coast?
I know many people will share similar memories to me, coming here on holidays with their family. In part, it’s a short walk down memory lane. But it’s also a cautionary tale. Just because our beaches are busy and there are lots of people around, we can never be complacent about water safety.
What attracted you to the photo you selected?
I saw this girl and immediately thought, “That could be me!” She looked so carefree and happy. Like I used to be.
Tell us about your story in one sentence.
That Girl No More is true story about innocence lost and how we always believe our parents will save us.
What else have you published?
This is my first submission and first published story. After working as a copywriter for fifteen years (getting paid to write for others) it feels a bit like I’ve shown up to work with no clothes on – but I’m enjoying it! (www.missword.com.au)
What’s your main genre?
I’m attracted to memoir. I think recording personal histories is important for families, and also to help people make sense of their lives.
What are you working on now?
More stories from my own life. In the future I hope to help other people write their own stories.

……Meet Our Gold Coast Anthology Authors………..David Stringer

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Prana Writer David Stringer brings to life a mysterious couple. Wedding portrait of unidentified couple at their Mudgeeraba bush wedding, Queensland, 1924 [picture] / Photographer unknown. Asset name LS-LSP-CD136-IMG0015

Prana Writer David Stringer brings to life a mysterious couple.
Wedding portrait of unidentified couple at their Mudgeeraba bush wedding, Queensland, 1924 [picture] / Photographer unknown.
Asset name LS-LSP-CD136-IMG0015


David Stringer Three Wishes

What are you reading at the moment?
Currently reading New Scientist’s “The Big Questions”, and Ayya Khema’s “Being Nobody, Going Nowhere”.
What’s your favourite place on the Gold Coast, and why?
Fav place in GC is the Surfer’s Paradise Esplanade on the foreshore, because of its wonderful fusion of the city with nature.
What’s your connection with the Gold Coast?
I came to the GC because my son and daughter came here to live.
What does your story convey about the Gold Coast?
I thought it interesting how many people from other parts of Australia retire to the GC.
What attracted you to the photo you selected?
Can’t really answer this, as Janis chose it for me. But I do love the way the man seems to tower over the woman so protectively.
Tell us about your story in one sentence.
A whimsical look at what we wish for and the meaning of a life now over.
What else have you published?
My novel: “Islands of the Heart”. The web page may be accessed through
www.publicious-authors.com then David Stringer.
What’s your main genre?
Serious adult fiction.
What are you working on now?
I always try to have an entry in the Short Story, Poetry and Essay competitions run
by the Australian Book Review, (ABR). An essay I did in 2011 made the top 20 out
of 200 in that competition, the Calibre Competition.

Gold Coast Anthology Undertow Sales

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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
                         

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Coral Sea Monster National Winner 2011 WABIAD

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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.