WRITING JUDGE / EDITOR
My twenty plus years experience as a teacher of language and literacy has prepared me well for the difficult task of judging writing competitions. As a published author I have been an editor, judge, mentor and workshop presenter in the competitions below:
Editor - Redlitzer Anthology 2014
Each year the Redland City Council runs the Redlitzer Anthology competition for adult and teen writers with fabulous prizes on offer from the city council and The Queensland Writers Centre, culminating with a published anthology of best stories.
In 2013 the competition was extended to include junior writers under 13. Ten talented young writers were selected from the many entries to spend a day workshopping their manuscripts for publication with published children's authors acting as mentors, myself included.
In 2014 I was the editor of the Redlitzer Junior Anthology.
Judge - Gympie Region Literary Awards
To read another writer's unpublished work is indeed a privilege, and to judge this work is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. The six categories of 2014's Gympie Region Literary Awards – Adult and Children's Short Story, Poetry and Picture Book – each with their own skill sets, literary elements and nuances, required a broad range of experience and knowledge as a judge.
Following guidelines, meeting a deadline and sending off a manuscript to an unknown reader can be a daunting experience. But it is the first step forwards as a writer – putting your work out there.
I was particularly impressed with the Children's Short Story category. The strength and depth of the themes covered belied the age of the writers.
And I really enjoyed meeting the writers at the awards night and workshop.
Ashmore PCYC Youth Creative Writing Competition,
Gold Coast
The Police Citizens Youth Club of Ashmore held its first junior writing competition for 10 to 15 year olds in 2013. I was delighted to assist them in developing the judging criteria and acted as one of three judges on the panel.
Hatchlings Writing Competition,
CYA Conference, Brisbane
Under the umbrella of the Children's and Young Adults' Literature Conference, the Hatchlings Writing Competition is for writers and illustrators 8 to 18 years old. With categories in picture books, chapterbooks, young adult novels, graphic novels and illustrated picture books and mid grade novels, there's something for everyone.