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USC celebrates a year of creative success
1 December, 2004
Having published authors as Creative Writing lecturers and tutors has paid off for the University of the Sunshine Coast, with staff and students celebrating an outstanding year.
Three students have received publishing contracts, one launched a book, two staff members released four books between them and another staff member won a publishing contract as part of a prestigious literary award.
Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, Gary Crew, was also awarded a National Environment Award for Children's Literature by the Wilderness Society.
Mr Crew, who heads the Creative Writing course at the University, is the author of almost 50 published works and has won numerous awards during his prolific writing career.
His three most recent books, the series of; I Did Nothing, I Said Nothing and I Saw Nothing, won the Wilderness Society's Picture Book category national prize in June this year.
The books tell the story of the extinction of three Australian species through the eyes of children.
And Mr Crew's extensive writing experience has certainly paid off for his students.
This year, three students received the news that their manuscripts, all written for young adults, had been accepted for publication.
Maria Arena, who returned to study after starting a family, has now achieved her dream of becoming a writer through her study at USC.
"I was delighted to learn that someone of Gary's calibre was teaching here," she said.
Ms Arena's manuscript, Mira Falling, attracted the interest of a publisher within a week, and a publishing contract was confirmed two weeks later.
"Gary and the University certainly helped speed up the process for me," she said.
Lindsay Cripps is another student who received confirmation of a publishing contract for his manuscript, The Mystery of the Ruby Glasses.
"I've had the ambition to write a book for nearly as long as I can remember, so it was a tremendous thrill when they said they would like to publish my work," Mr Cripps said.
Mr Cripps, who has worked as an artist and antiquarian bookseller, has stayed on at the University and is tutoring in creative writing while completing his Doctorate of Creative Arts.
Honours student Luke Keioskie, received two publishing offers on the same day for his manuscript, Room One Nineteen.
Mr Keioskie said returning to study was the best thing he had ever done. The former photographer has just returned from Europe where he wrote his 25,000 word thesis for his honours degree while on the Greek Isle of Kefalonia.
"Gary Crew is a phenomenal teacher, he offers nothing but encouragement for his students," Mr Keioskie said.
As part of his undergraduate degree, Mr Keioskie also enrolled in cultural studies with Dr Karen Brooks, another USC Senior Lecturer who has released a book this year.
Dr Brooks, who is an expert in cultural studies and a well-known author of young adult fiction, also lectures in creative writing at the University.
Specialising in fantasy novels, Dr Brook's latest book, The Kurs of Atlantis, includes lost cities, mermaids, curses, gods and even a colossus.
Her novel has received glowing reviews including one from the journal ViewPoint, On Books for Young Adults which is used by teachers and school librarians to select books for young adults in which the reviewer says; "… this novel is technically superior to any contemporary text I've read in the past few years."
And it was the weekly writing exercises set by Dr Brooks that led to Mr Keioskie's novel being written.
"Karen was an inspiration. Her weekly creative writing assignments evolved into Room One Nineteen," Mr Keioskie said.
Room One Nineteen is due for release in April 2005.
Another successful student is Bob Grandin, who returned to study to create a third career for himself after successful careers in the armed forces and teaching.
Mr Grandin, who enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts Communication, has a lifetime of study behind him including a Doctorate of Education.
But it was his experience as a pilot in the airforce in the '60s that he called upon to write his book, The Battle of Long Tan As Told By the Commanders to Bob Grandin.
The book focuses on the accounts of the commanders who took part in Australia's most famous Vietnam battle.
"I spoke to each of the commanders and they share their personal experiences," Mr Grandin said.
"(The commanders) decisions saw 100 Australian soldiers hold 1500 enemy soldiers at bay."
In September this year, USC sessional lecturer, Steven Lang, topped off a year of Creative Writing success at the University, when he was awarded the Best Unpublished Manuscript prize at the Queensland Premier's Literary Awards in Brisbane.
Three and a half years in the writing, his novel, An Accidental Terrorist, is set to soon grace book shelves around Australia as the prize included a publishing contract.
If you're dreaming of a new career, it is not too late for non-school leavers to enrol at USC for 2005, applications close December 13.
Call 5430 2876 or 5430 1279 to find out how you can apply.