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Gold Coast Writers' Association Meeting 18th October 2025

MEETING ORDER OF EVENTS

12:00 Arrive and register
12:30 News and brief announcements
12:40 Speaker: January Gilchrist - Plot Twists, Page Turns & Publishing: Writing Commercial Mystery That Sells
13:45 Afternoon Tea & Networking Break
14:15 Speaker: Renee Black - Crafting Complex Characters: Writing Trauma with Authenticity
15:15 Raffle
15:30 Close

In our first session, January Gilchrist breaks down what it takes to write a compelling mystery that keeps readers up past midnight. Drawing from her experience writing The Final Chapter, a locked-room thriller set in the Blue Mountains, January explores structure, suspense, character psychology and building commercial appeal. Perfect for emerging writers and curious readers alike, this talk covers:

Writing morally grey characters
Mastering red herrings and misdirection

Crafting killer first pages and irresistible pitches

Navigating the debut publishing journey without a platform or agent

Expect actionable advice, honest insights and a behind-the-scenes look at how a murder mystery goes from messy draft to page-turner.

In our second session, join award-winning rural romance author Renae Black for an engaging deep dive into writing characters shaped by trauma. With 15 years of experience as a social worker, Renae brings an informed perspective to understanding how trauma influences behaviour, relationships, and personal growth. Explore what trauma truly is, the distinction between traumatic reactions and lasting impacts, and learn how to craft emotionally rich, believable characters that resonate with readers. Whether you write crime, historical fiction, romance, fantasy, or anything in between, understanding trauma can transform your storytelling and elevate your narratives to new heights. Workshop Warning: As Renae’s books include themes of domestic violence, childhood abuse and sexual assault, these and other similar topics are likely to be discussed. Please take care of yourself.

Members and visitors are all welcome.

Entry prices are:
Members: $5.00
Visitors: $10.00. Click here for more information on GCWA membership

Tickets will also be available at the door. EFTPOS payments are preferred.

ABOUT GCWA

The Gold Coast Writers’ Association is a not-for-profit organisation.

Our mission is to encourage and support writers from all genres, age groups, and levels of experience to grow, learn, and excel in their craft.

Our events offer the opportunity to connect and share with like-minded people in a relaxed environment.

Guest speakers are invited from all genres of writing. Speakers are encouraged to share information about their writing life, discuss their techniques, and sell their books.

We encourage guest speakers to include a mini-workshop for members during their presentation.

Workshops are held at each meeting. These workshops provide informal opportunities for members and visitors to enjoy hands-on writing, listening, and reading activities in small groups.

Membership offers the additional advantages of being able to sell your books at the meetings, attending our member-only critique groups, and much more.

Keep an eye on the Gold Coast Writers’ Association Facebook page for more information.

If you have any questions, please email secretary@goldcoastwriters.org