Ghost Writing

Hello

Recently my friend approached me to some ghost writing. So I said yes. It is a non fiction book about a couple's struggle with the health of their unborn child and how they had to make drastic decisions. And the ultimate triumph at the end and what we learn about ourselves through these kind of hardships.

I have enjoyed the process of writing, editing and providing some input as to how to put together the chapters and the flow of the book.

My fiction is on the back burner at the moment. But not forever, obviously. It is such a juggling act, but we all have to earn a living, don't we?

Stay tuned - the year of the novel starts in a couple of weeks.

Competition and Self Publishing

Hello again

After attending the Australia Council seminar I have received some good information about the whole process. Since then I have submitted a short story to the Alan Marshal Short Story Competition in Melbourne. I am crossing my fingers for this not necessarily thinking I will win, but hoping for a mention because in this comp some of the judges mention other stories that didn't win.

You can only hope, hey?

I received some editing from a woman from the Queensland Writers Centre which was good as well.

I have also been exploring an option of self publishing a collection of short stories. There are a few online publishers who allow you to POD. One is www.lulu.com and the other one I have found is www.blurb.com.

Both of them allow you to upload your book and you can order printed copies and other people can buy it printed from them or from Lulu you can download it as a PDF. I like how Blurb.com provided some layout software, however the price is slightly higher. I am weighing up the possibilities for which one suits what I want to do. I would like to try and get it onto www.amazon.com but I am not sure which way is best.

If anyone has had any experience of self publishing I would appreciate any advice you may have.

In less than a month I will be starting my novel course. I am very excited about this. I have written a synopsis of my novel and submitted it to Allen and Unwin as a long shot (but you have to try these things sometimes).

Anyway - lots of stuff is all up in the air but that's how I like it. If I don't put a few balls in the air I lose heart and interest (if I am honest).

I will keep writing, keep pushing different avenues and we'll all see how we go. It's exciting however that in our current day there are so many possibilities for artists, thank the good Lord.

Thanks for reading my ramblings, please feel free to offer any advice if you have some. Cheers.

Australia Council Grants

Hello everyone

Has anyone out there in writing land applied for an Australia Council Grant and been successful in achieving funding?

I am attending a seminar put on by the QWC
in conjunction with the Australia Council to provide information on Thursday February 15, at the Metro Arts Building.

I have been looking into applying for a grant for my novel. Has anyone else done this? Is anyone else from the Queensland Writing Group applying?

Anyway, I will let you know what I find out at the session, happy valentines and happy writing.

The Wall (submitted to Amazon Shorts Competition)

The Wall PDF

© Suzanne Strong, 2006

Author: Suzanne Strong

Score: 88 votes 7.8/10 106 comments.

Other stories I have written

Hello

I just thought I might post up a story I wrote recently and then another one soon.

I have only included One Beautiful Night as I am using the other story for something else. The PDF's are available below. I'd love to know your thoughts on these.

Thanks for your interest.
Cheers
Suzanne

One Beautiful Night

Click Here for a PDF