Click HERE to book a seat or express your interest!

Author Talks: Writing Groups, Book Groups, Schools, and Libraries

In person or via Zoom. Meet Lauren Elise Daniels, author of Serpent’s Wake: A Tale for the Bitten, editor of 100+ published books, Aurealis Award nominated/winning editor, and Australian Shadows Award finalist, for a chat about writing or a workshop tailored to suit your needs. Lauren is a literary judge [IP Picks, Hawkeye Publishing] and co-author of the bestselling Winning Short Story Competitions: Essential Tools for the Serious Writer. She’d love to join your group to discuss a genre/topic of your choice, a judge’s perspective on competitions, what to expect from editors and the publishing industry, and how to write with power and authenticity.

2023 Courses

Bunya House courses from $239 @ 1167 South Pine Road, Arana Hills, QLD, AUSTRALIA.

Queensland Writers Centre and Council courses vary in fees/location.

Schedule changes subject to demand. 10% discount offered for multiple bookings.

Full refunds for cancellations 21 days prior to course date. Course transfer/changes 7 days prior incur $99 fee.

For writers experiencing financial difficulty, email scholarships@brisbanewriters.com

FREE Workshops Sponsored by Queensland Writers Centre, Gold Coast, Moreton Bay Councils

FREE Workshop Intro to Short Stories Workshop @ Nerang Library

Saturday, 11 November: 10am-12.15pm, Nerang Library, Corner White & Price Streets, Nerang QLD. Course Fee: FREE. Register HERE. Join editor/best-selling author/short story competition judge, Lauren Elise Daniels to examine what makes your short stories unforgettable. the elements of taut narrative and sharp characterisation and trace the literary pattern of rising action to climax to falling action so we can do it beautifully ourselves. We will cover:

• Conventions from flash fiction to novella.
• Why writing short fiction first is key to long-term success.
• What makes short fiction great: citing amateurish errors & rising above the average.
• What calls characters alive & how structure breaks or makes the story.
• Writing exercises & prompts so we can play with our ideas.
• Writer’s resources: markets, submission guidelines, industry formatting, competitions & publishing.
• Self-editing & finding good writing groups.

FREE Self-Editing for Creative Writers @ Redcliffe Library

Saturday, 18 November: 10.30-1.30pm, Redcliffe Library, 476 Oxley Avenue, Redcliffe QLD. Course Fee: FREE. Register HERE. Find out what you what you need to know so you can polish up your fiction or non-fiction before spending a cent on editors or assessments. Spend time with an experienced, qualified editor and author who intimately knows both the writing process and the publishing industry. Lauren Elise Daniels will show you how to:

• Apply the editing cycle from structural editing right down through copyediting & proofreading.
• Establish & access a style sheet, the most essential tool for your proofreaders.
• Resolve common errors considered ‘earmarks of the amateurs’.
• Professionally format your work for submission.
• Compile a market savvy synopsis that gives the editor & publishers precisely what they want.
• Hone your expectations of an editor to get the best return.
• Read, manipulate, accept/reject & apply ‘Track Changes’ left on your draft by an editor.
• Access top resources like style manuals, etc.

FREE Indie Author Day @ Wynnum Library

Saturday, 25 November: 10am-3pm, Wynnum Library, 145 Florence St, Wynnum QLD. FREE. Bookings essential by phone: Wynnum Library, 07 3403 2199. Looking for some inspiration for your next read? Want to start your writing career? Come along to our indie author mini-festival to meet other authors who have taken the independent publishing path, take part in a Queensland Writers Centre workshop, hear about some great books and discover your next read! Lauren Elise Daniels will be moderating a 12-person panel that addresses the confusion around independent publishing which spans quality, traditional publishers who serve niche/literary markets, hybrid publishers who share the cost of publishing and promise editing and promotion, and self-publishing with writers in control of their brand.

2024 Courses

Intro to Creative Writing: Light My Fire [2 SEATS LEFT]

Sunday, 21 January 2024: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Course Fee: $239. Click HERE to BOOK. Grow your skills with this small-group course presented by Lauren Elise Daniels. A popular starter or a writing refresher, this workshop is suitable for budding writers across all genres: poetry, short stories, novels, memoir, travel writing, even ‘how to’ and personal development articles. We welcome beginners but don’t treat you like one. Our topics aim to lift your awareness around your strengths, invite freshness into your technique, and bolster your knowledge. We will:

• Practice literary techniques/devices through writing exercises.
• Explore common issues like ‘purple prose’ and ‘show don’t tell’ as we sharpen our authentic voices.
• Discuss focus & perspective.
• Unwrap theme & character & models for structure & plot.
• Discuss why all the great writers study fiction & poetry.
• Deconstruct a classic working story.

Seasons & Symbols: Writing the Inner Journey [3 SEATS LEFT]

Sunday, 4 February 2024: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Course Fee: $239. Click HERE to BOOK. “Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.” ~Yoko Ono An event for all creative pursuits, we explore our lives through the richness of our stories and experiences. We will:

• Discuss memories and dreams as wellsprings of creativity and insight.
• Draw our stories into form through exercises and gentle exploration.
• Explore the repeating themes, mythologies, and challenges that have served as guideposts for our growth.
• Play with the concept of our lives as allegory, stories lined with symbols and universal truths.
• Discover ways to refresh ourselves by tracing our own stories of growth and transformation.

A writing workshop with a gentle but focused approach, this workshop is run by an author/editor, not a counsellor. Bring your desire to write and tap into the wellspring of your experiences. A rewarding course for anyone seeking a respectful place to reflect on our own emerging stories. Bring your lunch for outdoor, undercover dining.

ONLINE: Self Editing for Creative Writers with Two Industry Professionals [SMALL GROUP]

Wednesday, 7 February 2024: 9am-12.20pm via ZOOM. Course Fee: Early Birds before 31 December 2023: $189. From 1 January 2024: $210. Click HERE to BOOK. As you may know, first contact with an editor can point you to publication. A vetting process often begins as editors consider suitable publishers, so you want your manuscript to shine. Sometimes, however, writers expect editors to teach them the basics, but it’s not their role. Manuscripts littered with common mistakes also communicate that writers haven’t educated themselves and look daunting to industry professionals. This course teaches you what you need to know before spending a cent on editors or assessments. Our qualified, experienced author/editors show you how to:

• Apply the editing cycle from structural editing right down through copyediting & proofreading.
• Establish & access a style sheet, the most essential tool for your proofreaders.
• Resolve common errors considered ‘earmarks of the amateurs’.
• Professionally format your work for submission.
• Compile a market savvy synopsis that gives the editor & publishers precisely what they want.
• Hone your expectations of an editor to get the best return.
• Read, manipulate, accept/reject & apply ‘Track Changes’ left on your draft by an editor.
• Access top resources like style manuals, etc.

Join awarded author/editors, Lauren Elise Daniels & Geneve Flynn for this informative Zoom. Includes two ten-minute breaks.

ONLINE SPECIAL: Family Ties & Life Stories: Exploring Memoir [SMALL GROUP]

Three Consecutive Saturdays, 2, 9, 16 March 2024 via ZOOM: 9am-11am Brisbane Time. Course Fee: $189. Click HERE to book! Everyone has stories to tell. The secret’s in using the literary techniques of good fiction along with a sharp focus and clear intention. Join Lauren Elise Daniels and Emma Rennison to explore ways to frame your journeys across three Saturdays. Through readings, discussions and writing exercises, we:

• Transform memories into memoirs through an array of literary devices & structures.
• Explore broader contexts to frame personal meaning within universal themes.
• Reflect upon integrity, emotional truth, subjectivity & the unreliability of memory.
• Cite the differences between a diary entry & personal essay; autobiography & memoir.
• Cultivate trust between reader & speaker.
• Trace the path to grow short works into longer ones through research & reconstruction.
• Enjoy freewriting exercises that practice technique & pan for gold.
• Emphasise focus as the key to good memoir & strengthen the central theme of our stories.

Fantasy, Sci Fi, Horror: Otherworldly Writing [7 SEATS LEFT]

Sunday, 3 March: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Cost: $239. Click HERE to BOOK. This unique course is homegrown for aspiring writers of sci fi, horror, fantasy, superhero and supernatural fiction. While ‘speculative fiction’ has gone more mainstream, let’s help you meet your readers’ expectations. With awarded author/editors as your guides, Lauren Elise Daniels and Geneve Flynn will offer you a survey of the crucial elements you need to succeed. Join us as we unpack:

• The history & styles of spec fic.
• Psychology, motivation & character arcs.
• Killer opening lines, world building & kick butt fight scenes.
• Tropes & clichés…heroes & villains.
• Myths & legends as inspiration.
• Writer’s resources & markets.

Lifestyle & Travel Writing: Our Experiences in Blogs, Articles & Books [5 SEATS LEFT]

Sunday, 24 March 2024: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Course Fee: $239. Click HERE to BOOK. With seasoned author/editor, Lauren Elise Daniels as your guide, join this expedition into one most the most popular and elastic approaches to writing. Whether you want to start a travel/lifestyle blog, compile your experiences into a cohesive draft, or pitch articles to magazines, take our workshop with you.  From blogs to books & across commercial articles, the writing skills are universal and set out to captivate your readers. We:

•  Strengthen our voices & match our writing to an audience.
• Explore how to do & earn more with your professional, personal & travel experiences.
• Unpack inspiration & the truth about writer’s block.
• Examine strong openers, strategic details, & killer angles.
• Try out structural & stylistic variations to enhance our stories.
• See portraits & interviews as pivotal as we capture characters with economy.
• Review publishing myths & realities & offer a word on photos.

Bloggers seeking more clout and authenticity are encouraged to join us. Absolute beginners to advanced writers create our supportive atmosphere. Pack a lunch for outdoor dining.

Family Ties & Life Stories: Exploring Memoir In-Person Workshop [6 SEATS LEFT]

Sunday, 14 April 2024: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Course Fee: $239. Click HERE to book! Everyone has stories to tell. The secret’s in using the literary techniques of good fiction, a sharp focus, and a clear intention. One core theme can also structure the wealth of our memories into a cohesive story. Join us to explore ways to connect and frame your journeys. Through readings, discussions and writing exercises, we:

• Transform memories into memoirs through an array of literary devices & structures.
• Explore broader contexts to frame personal meaning within universal themes.
• Reflect upon integrity, emotional truth, subjectivity & the unreliability of memory.
• Cite the differences between a diary entry & personal essay; autobiography & memoir.
• Cultivate trust between reader & speaker.
• Trace the path to grow short works into longer ones through research & reconstruction.
• Enjoy freewriting exercises that practice technique & pan for gold.
• Emphasise focus as the key to good memoir & strengthen the central theme of our stories.

Join seasoned author/editor, Lauren Daniels for a day of exploration and experimentation. Pack a lunch for outdoor dining.

Demystifying Publishing with Two Professionals [8 SEATS LEFT]

Sunday, 28 April: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Cost: $239. Click HERE to BOOK. If you’re polishing up a manuscript and the publishing industry looks daunting, this course is for you. Let us share our experience with you so you can choose the path that best suits your ambition. Join two qualified industry experts–Lauren Elise Daniels and Kylie Fennell–who offer 25+ years of experience each in traditional and independent publishing. We highlight what you need to know to make informed decisions and to succeed in this business. Join us to:

• Demystify traditional, independent, hybrid, and self publishing models.
• Identify predatory presses and competitions.
• Unpack what social media and sites like Amazon’s Author Central and Goodreads.
• Discover where to start with your elevator pitch, query letter, synopsis, character outline, and marketing platform.
• Find out how to source reviews and blurbs pre-launch.
• Set the stage for a successful launch your book.
• Delve into sustainable marketing activities.

Writing for Children & Young People: Picture Books to YA with Industry Professionals [7 SEATS LEFT]

Sunday, 19 May 2024: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Course Fee: $239. Click HERE to BOOK. Meet with author/editors, Lauren Daniels and Charmaine Clancy to glean tips on what children’s and young adult [YA] publishers seek and how to prepare professional submissions. We welcome beginners but don’t treat you like one as we cover a range of topics to open new doors, invite freshness to your technique, and bolster your knowledge. We will:

• Unpack industry standards & publishing trends of picture books & YA novels.
• Review the best literary techniques that engage & delight young readers.
• Take on some writing exercises to test our strengths.
• Examine conflict & tension as opportunities in good fiction.
• Cover developmental psychology models & the insights they offer into the motivation, capacity & existential exploration across age groups.
• Discuss why children are the toughest audiences & how to win them over.
• How to structure picture books with seasoned author, editor and educator, Charmaine Clancy.

Seriously Short: Short Fiction Workshop

Sunday, 2024: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Course Fee: $239. Click HERE to BOOK. “I would also suggest that any aspiring writer begin with short stories. These days, I meet far too many young writers who try to start off with a novel right off, or a trilogy, or even a nine-book series. That’s like starting in at rock climbing by tackling Everest. Short stories help you learn your craft.” ~George R.R. Martin

Martin says precisely what editors and publishers are thinking. Practice. Start small. Observe the nuance of literary technique. In this course, join acclaimed authors, Lauren Elise Daniels and Pamela Jeffs, whose short fiction shortlisted for multiple awards, including the Aurealis and Ditmar. We examine the elements of taut narrative and sharp characterisation and trace the literary pattern of rising action to climax to falling action so we can do it beautifully ourselves. We cover:

• Basic critique on your working draft.
• Conventions from flash fiction to novella.
• Why writing short fic first is key to long-term success.
• What makes short fic great: citing amateurish errors & rising above the average.
• What calls characters alive & how structure makes a plot rock.
• Writing exercises & sample critique.
• Writer’s resources: markets, submission guidelines, industry formatting, comps & publishing.
• Self editing & finding good writing groups.

Magic Realism for Rebels: Shaking the Tree with L.E. Daniels

Sunday, 2024: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Course Fee: $239. Is your writing…different? Are you drawn to social issues and extraordinary ways to explore them? Magic realism conjures the imagery of Frida Kahlo and Henri Rousseau and is something Salman Rushdie calls “a newish name for a very old thing”. We’re talking Kafka, Woolf, Márquez, and Murakami. Linked with Latin American writers of the ‘50s, magic realism has deep roots for storytellers. Launched at the ‘19 Whistler Writer’s Festival in Canada to a full house and online in ’20 with the Queensland Writers Centre, Magic Realism for Rebels is designed for fiction writers with a mission. We’ll investigate this very special genre in the following ways:

• Magic realism explores gender, diversity and power disparities. What voices do we hear that need to be shared through our stories and how can we capture them?
• Magic realism is a way to tell the truth, when truth is drowned out by force. We’ll explore point of view as an intrinsic and fluid aspect of this genre’s structure.
• Like myths, fables, folk and fairy tales, these naturalistic stories are grounded in reality and threaded with fantastic elements to convey visions that may be confrontational. How do we balance such forces in our writing?
• Transforming the wisdom of our experience into cohesive prose is a mean feat. How does our place of origin and the events that have grown us translate into stories readers will care about, and even see playing out in their own struggles?

If you want to write with purpose, imagination and true grit, tune in with awarded author/editor, Lauren Elise Daniels and shake the tree. Have your cuppa and lunch on standby and prepare for some wild writing sessions.

Fiction Blitz: A Crash Course with 3 Published & Awarded Authors

Sunday, 2024: 10am-4pm, Bunya House, Course Fee: $239. Click HERE to Book. If you’re polishing short stories or a novel, we can help. Our Fiction Blitz gets rave reviews for its practical approach on what makes fiction stand up in today’s market. Our acclaimed team of published authors–Lauren Elise Daniels, Geneve Flynn, & Pamela Jeffs–will tackle:

• Anatomy of openers and scenes.
• Lifting your game with literary devices.
• World building with texture and purpose.
• Conflict, character, and dialogue that drive story.
• Water-tight narratives.
• Enhancing your self-editing practice.
• Working with editors.
• Professional formats and submission opportunities.
• Dealing with publishers and tips on contracts.

The Character Arc: Conflict, Flaws, Psychology & the Hero’s & Heroine’s Journey

Sunday, 2024: 10am-4pm, Bunya House. Course Fee: $239. Click HERE to BOOK. In both fiction or non-fiction, characters are the pillars of a good story. Together, we explore where literature and psychology converge through Joseph Campbell, Ann Davin, Maureen Murdock, Caroline Myss, Carl Jung, and K.M. Weiland. We examine transformation and how personalities imbue your story with life and humanity. We contrast archetypes with clichés and stereotypes and use psychological models to track how characters integrate or disintegrate through a story arc. Join us as we:

• Experiment with character styles.
• Trace the arcs of the hero & heroine’s journeys.
• Consider how flaws and weaknesses make our cast human.
• Explore what it means to act ‘in character’ for authentic plot points & transformations.
• Track defense mechanisms, healthy integration & unhealthy disintegration patterns.
• Examine what makes good characters great.
• BONUS MATERIAL: the literary Enneagram. Use this outstanding model to enhance character motivation, authentic response stress, and organic development.

Join author/editor Lauren Daniels for lively discussions, writing exercises, morning and afternoon teas. Please pack a lunch. You can read Lauren’s blog post for the course HERE.

Beyond Beginnings: Short Story Clinic for Works-in-Progress [Max. of 6 Attendees]

IN-PERSON or ONLINE, 2024. Over two or three consecutive weeks. Course Fee: $239. Click HERE to BOOK. 

Practice. Start small. Observe the nuance of literary technique. In this course, join editor/best-selling author/short story competition judge, Lauren Elise Daniels as we examine the elements of taut narrative and sharp characterisation and trace the literary pattern of rising action to climax to falling action so we can do it beautifully ourselves. You’ll need a working short story [fiction only] draft under 2000 words to workshop with attendees. We will cover:

• Basic critique on your working draft.
• Conventions from flash fiction to novella.
• Why writing short fic first is key to long-term success.
• What makes short fic great: citing amateurish errors & rising above the average.
• What calls characters alive & how structure makes a plot rock.
• Writing exercises & sample critique.
• Writer’s resources: markets, submission guidelines, industry formatting, comps & publishing.
• Self editing & finding good writing groups.

ONLINE SPECIAL: Creating Characters Masterclass

2024: 9am-12pm. Via Zoom. Course Fee: $99. To win our audience, the characters populating our stories must rise through our words and come alive. In solid fiction and creative non-fiction (like memoirs and historical recreation), character and narrative arcs cooperate to create a seamless gravity that draws readers into our dream. This course provides opportunities to craft, revise, and amplify our character ideas and working drafts.

Through practical exercises and discussion, we will:

• Use models and brainstorming to revive formative or stalled characters.
• Link positive, negative, and flat character arcs with the movement of our narrative arc.
• Chart the degree of our character’s needs, wants, turning points, obstacles and transformation.
• Unleash the power of character flaws and well-crafted dialogue as story drivers.

Polish & Publish: Guided Critique Session for 4 Speculative Fiction Writers, 4 General Fiction Writers, or 4 Memoir Writers

2024. Small group of 4. Seeking four writers of specified genres with a work-in-progress to join a supportive, one-day critique. Short stories or novel excerpts welcome.

Submit up to 3000 words of your writing to collect constructive and supportive feedback, discover your strengths, define opportunities for improvement, and get the inside scoop on publishing. We will:

Enhance your writing with our passionate editor/authors and join the ranks of writers who take our workshops and get published. Submissions must be vetted to ensure a good match for the group.

Person & Place: Character & World Building: 2.5 Hour Workshop

2024. For fiction and non-fiction, characters are the pillars of a good story. Through discussion and writing exercises, we explore where literature and psychology converge. Drawing from Joseph Campbell, Caroline Myss, and Carl Jung, join Lauren Daniels to examine how transformation and character arcs drive a story. We:

• Trace the arcs of the hero & heroine’s journeys.
• Consider ‘hubris’ and the power of character flaws.
• Contrast archetypes with stereotypes.
• Examine psychological models as character blueprints.

Editorially Savvy with Two Professional Editors

2024. Course Fee: $239. With seasoned pros Lauren Elise Daniels and Geneve Flynn, learn what to expect when navigating the editing world, including how to format your work, contrasting your original draft with editorial suggestions, how to negotiate editorial advice and invent organic solutions alongside critique, and much more. A powerful workshop for emerging authors trying to understand what they have to do and how to do it, and how to tell a good editor from a dodgy one. Our qualified, experienced author/editors show you how to:

• Cite the differences between mentors & editors.
• Navigate the editorial loop from developmental editing through line editing, copy editing & proofreading.
• Define the scope of your manuscript & what you as an author need.
• Explore the different publishing paths available to authors today.
• Spot the hard & soft skills that make a good editor.
• Gauge current rates of pay for professional editors.
• Find a good editor & converse with them professionally.
• Navigate copyright & non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
• Keep your voice & writing goals during & after the edits.
• Tap into publishing resources, social media networks, convention links & writers’ groups.

ONLINE: Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction for Teens

2024 via ZOOM. Learn the secrets of speculative fiction in this crash course & sharpen your writing skills. If you are an aspiring writer of sci-fi, fantasy, superhero or supernatural fiction, this is for you! Be guided through a range of writing exercises to improve your world building and character development with editor and author, Lauren Daniels. This workshop is hosted on Zoom by Lauren Daniels, in partnership with Moreton Bay Region Libraries.

Exploring Character: FREE Workshop for Seniors

IN PERSON 2024: POSTPONED DATE T.B.D.: 10am-1.15pm @ Able Australia, 56 Cascade Street, Raceview. Lunch provided. CONTACT: Jessy Byrnes, Community Project Manager, Able Australia on 07.5600.0733 or email alps@ableaustralia.org.au

Our characters make our stories come alive. In fiction (from children’s stories to novels) and creative non-fiction (like memoirs and historical recreation), characters create a sense of gravity that draws readers into our world. This short workshop course provides opportunities to explore and amplify our character ideas and working drafts. Through practical exercises and discussion, we will:
• Use models to enhance our characters.
• Review character arcs in cooperation with our plot.
• Cite character transformation as the seed of a good story.
• Unleash the power of character flaws and well-crafted dialogue as story drivers.

Join awarded author/editor, Lauren Elise Daniels to develop your characters for fiction and creative non-fiction work. Senior residents aged 60 and over and Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander residents aged 50 or over can participate. Lunch provided. Space is limited. Bookings essential.