Writing into the Dark - Joanna Morrison (Publishable 2021 Shortlisted Writer)
Most writers know what it’s like to write into the dark, hoping a story will take shape and eventually resonate with someone. Most have known the angst of waiting for feedback, wading through rejections, and digging deep to find the tenacity needed to keep going. It’s a career path known for closed submissions and form rejections if you’re lucky, which means the feedback, affirmation and guidance offered by the Publishable program are just priceless.
I wrote the bulk of The Lost Words of Freya Minx during Covid lockdown in early 2020. It was the only time I’ve ever got up at 5am to write. I’m not a shiny morning person, though I’d love to be, but home-schooling my kids during lockdown forced my hand (Literally?). Writing Freya was a great distraction from the unfolding global pandemic. It also got me through the agonising wait to find out if my first novel, Still Dark (Fremantle Press, 2022), might be shortlisted for the 2020 Hungerford Award and ultimately be published. Drafting a new novel meant I was placing fresh eggs in a new basket—a great diversion while querying a completed project. But while ‘managing expectations’ about my first novel’s odds, those fresh eggs were under a lot of pressure to work. That’s where the QWC Publishable program came in, cutting through the uncertainty with a welcome boost of hope.
Those of us longlisted for Publishable 2021 were invited to participate in online seminars with two hugely successful authors (Natasha Lester and Ally Blake) and two experienced IPEd editors. Next, as finalists, we were shown how to construct strong pitches—essential if you want a publisher or agent to consider your manuscript—and gifted a 5-hour mentorship with an industry expert.
In my case, I was privileged to work with Logie-nominated screenwriter and producer Leigh McGrath. Leigh’s enthusiasm and incisive eye for storytelling were vital, not only in helping me create an engaging pitch, but in shaping key plot elements of the novel as well. He was so supportive and motivating, as was the wonderful QWC CEO Lori-Jay Ellis, who advocated for my work and listened to my rehearsal pitch. By the time I pitched to the publisher I’d been matched with, I’d rehearsed it online twice and received exacting feedback each time. I felt as prepared and confident as it was possible to be, and the pitch went really smoothly. What happens next is out of QWC’s hands, but they really have done everything they can to give my novel a chance in a highly competitive field.
The Publishable 2021 experience brought so much to my little party, including industry skills, insights, motivation, guidance, validation and great contacts. It gave me a delicious shot of optimism, which can be hard to come by as an emerging author. I’m indebted to the QWC team for pulling this experience together. If you have a completed manuscript you’re ready to share, I’d absolutely recommend throwing your hat in the ring.
Joanna Morrison was a shortlisted writer in Queensland Writers Centre’s 2021 Publishable program. Applications for the 2022 program are open now.
Joanna Morrison was a shortlisted writer in Queensland Writers Centre’s 2021 Publishable program. Applications for the 2022 program are open now!