It's incredible seeing the online writing community join together to achieve something wonderful, like 100 Stories for Queensland. Hundreds of talented writers submitted stories, and 100 of those were selected to be part of this anthology - and it's an honour for me to be amongst the latter number.
Upon having an advance peek of the book, I was moved to tears by the introduction written so beautifully by Kate Eltham, CEO of the Queensland Writers' Centre. Eltham speaks of the day she and so many others watched the Brisbane River struggle against the onslaught of rain, and she tells us what it was like for a Queenslander to be part of the ensuing days and weeks.
Her short piece is an inspiring introduction to the uplifting fiction following.
Of course, I then flicked straight to my story - what writer isn't excited to see their name and work in print?! - before heading back to the beginning to read through the other 99 pieces.
And what a collection it is.
Headlined by authors Anita Heiss and Janet Glover, each work of fiction gives the reader a feeling of positivity. As a collective, they make up a few hundred pages of strong messages - there is hope, there is happiness, and the human spirit is an amazing thing.
Readers are taken from Australia to interspace, from past to present to future, in a number of genre, and an eclectic collection of writing styles and storytelling techniques. Entertaining, uplifting, funny or happy - each of these stories tells of ultimate triumph and hope.
Kate Eltham sums it up: "One hundred beautiful stories. Our stories. When so much was lost or destroyed, this was created. That’s something that can never recede or wash away."
You can buy the book here - as an ebook (available immediately), or as a paperback from Friday 6th May. All proceeds are donated to the Queensland Premier's Flood Appeal.
6 comments:
Congratulations Megan! It's no mean feat to get a short story accepted for a publication like this and you are in great company. Look forward to buying one soon (and it's for a good cause.) P.S. Love your blog too...
So proud of you! What a glorious book to be involved in. x
that is fantastic Megan! Well done to you - and what a thing to be involved in, writing for a wonderful cause. Be proud
Gill xo
Thanks for the review Megan. It is an honour to have your story in the anthology and it has been wonderful to meet and get to know you across the last few months.
Your review made me realise how everyone will have different headlining authors. Yes to Anita Heiss (because she's just a delight of a lady and an author)but for me the headliners would have to be Sean Williams, Geoff Nelder and Alan Baxter which gives a pretty good indication of the slant of my own writing and reading habits.
And that's what is so brilliant about this collection... there really IS something for everyone in here. You'd have to be a really grumpy b#stard not to enjoy something... oh wait! There's everyone a story for in which one of those grumpy fellas headlines.
Thanks for putting the word out there.
XX
Oh I should also say... as one of the first ten in the anthology (gotta love having a name so close to the top of the alphabet) your story is in the free downloadable sample.
http://100storiesforqueensland.org/?p=191 will direct your readers to the appropriate page.
Hi Megan,
I so agree with you about this project - it was wonderful to be involved with it. As a Queenslander living overseas - I was shocked when I saw the flood images on the news.
It's nice to know that in some small way I've helped. And to have such a great book as the end result really is a bonus.
Janet
Post a Comment