Eight new USC graduates will celebrate the publication of their first book on Thursday 21 February.

The anthology, titled eMerge, features extracts of novels now underway by the Creative Writing master-level graduates.

Settings range from parallel galaxies to dystopian Australia, and characters include a shipwrecked heroine, an alcoholic motorcyclist and a slave on the First Fleet.

Members of the public interested in writing, studying or the creative process are invited to the self-published book launch at the USC Art Gallery from 10am to 11.30am, when the students will give short readings from their works.

Speakers will include senior lecturer Dr Paul Williams, who leads USC’s Creative Writing and Publishing program, author and lecturer Shelley Davidow, and Boolarong Press general manager Dan Kelly who will share his industry insights.

Coolum’s Richard West, whose contribution is part of a memoir he is close to finishing, said the book’s publication was a major step for the group.

“I found the lecturers and the students inspiring,” he said. “The exposure we had to great writers had a significant impact on my work.”

Dr Williams said USC’s current degree options included a Master and PhD in Creative Writing, and a Bachelor of Creative Industries (Creative Writing and Publishing).

Applications are still open to study at USC in 2019. Details are available at www.usc.edu.au/learn