Workshop programme
Conflux workshops are approximately 2 hours and limited to 15 participants.
To register for any of these workshops, please email chair@conflux.org.au or telephone 02 6291 8009 during school hours.
GOD IS IN THE DETAILS or HOW TO STAY ON THE EDITOR'S GOOD SIDE
A Workshop with Maxine McArthur
10AM TO NOON
This workshop uses a hands-on approach to editing manuscripts. By the end of the workshop, you should be able to produce a page of copy that any editor will read with a sigh of relief and a smile of happiness—because she can concentrate on your story, not the little annoying mistakes. The workshop will probably be most useful for new writers, writers from backgrounds other than fiction, and writers who like to dash off a first draft hot from the keyboard and then can't really be bothered with all that finicky stuff. Maxine McArthur is the author of three novels and numerous short stories. Her first novel, Time Future, won the 1999 George Turner Award for Best Unpublished Science Fiction or Fantasy Novel. She is currently working on a space opera that continues the adventures of the Time Future characters, and an historical time-slip novel. Maxine lives in Canberra with her family, is a founding member of the Canberra Speculative Fiction Guild, and works as an editor at the Australian National University. This workshop is free for Conflux members (it is not open to the general public).
WRITE THE FIGHT RIGHT
A Workshop with Alan Baxter
10AM TO NOON
The secrets of writing realistic fight scenes. A workshop on writing convincing and realisitic fight scenes in your fiction. What really happens in a fight, how does it actually feel and what is just Hollywood theatrics? Look at some principles of writing realistic fight scenes, along with some hands on self-defence and fighting techniques in this dynamic two hour workshop with Alan Baxter.
Alan is a speculative fiction writer and martial arts teacher, head instructor of the Illawarra Kung Fu Academy. His novels RealmShift and MageSign are available now through Blade Red Press. Learn all about Alan and his writing and martial arts experience at http://www.alanbaxteronline.com and http://www.illawarrakungfu.com.au. This workshop is free for Conflux members (it is not open to the general public).
TAXATION FOR WRITERS AND ARTISTS
with Andrew Sykes from RSM Bird Cameron Chartered Accountants.
10AM to 11AM followed by Q&A.
This session covers maximising your taxation deductions and record keeping for self employed writers and artists. This session is free for Conflux members (it is not open to the general public).
HOW TO DRAW MONSTERS!
A Workshop with Marc McBride.
12.30PM TO 2.30PM
Fantasy Illustrator and Conflux Guest Marc McBride shows you how to draw monsters and mythical creatures in this special workshop. Marc McBride has illustrated over fifty book covers and countless magazines, and has produced artwork for advertising campaigns. He is the Artist for the Deltora Quest series and is author of "How to draw a Deltora Quest Monster". This workshop is open to the public, cost is $11 per person.
THE KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
A Workshop with Jack Dann
12.30PM to 3PM
Cost: $55
This 21/2 hour intensive with Conflux guest, Nebula and World Fantasy Award recipient Jack Dann, offers participants a unique opportunity to broaden their working understanding of speculative fiction with a writer of international renown. Participants will cover technical and thematic aspects of historical and fantastic fiction, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and magical realism. They will learn about writing in the various genres (and the history of the genres); the essentials of writing cutting edge fiction and the nature of creativity; the workings of the Australian, British and American markets; how to get an agent (if necessary) and how to submit a manuscript. Participants will also be given handouts of "The Keys to the Kingdom", which Jack wrote for Writers Digest, an updated "Books For Writers: An Essential List", and other material that Jack has found helpful for writers. This workshop is open to the public, cost is $55 per person.
THE NOBLE AND KNIGHTLY ART OF THE LONG SWORD
A workshop with Chris Barnes
12.30PM to 2.30PM
Medieval Europe produced martial arts just as effective as those of Asia. This workshop will teach you the basic techniques of the German tradition, which was taught throughout the Holy Roman Empire from the 14th to the 17th centuries. The workshop will focus on use of the long sword (also known as the bastard or hand-and-a-half sword). You'll learn correct footwork, basic attacks and counterattacks, plus the history and principles of the German system. We'll also demonstrate some more advanced techniques and (if time permits) samples of techniques from other European fighting traditions. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and shoes (shoes should preferably be smooth-soled, but ordinary sneakers will be OK). Wooden training swords will be provided. The workshop is suitable for ages 18 and over. This workshop will be essentially the same as the sword workshops held at Conflux in 2007 and 2008; people who took part in those workshops will find this one a useful refresher. However, no prior experience is needed. This workshop is free for Conflux members (it is not open to the general public).
RESEARCHING AND WRITING SECRET HISTORY - HOW TO CONVINCE PEOPLE THAT CONSPIRACIES AND OTHER HIDDEN HISTORY IS REAL
A Workshop with Gillian Polack
3.30PM TO 5.30PM
Cost: $11
Mostly for fiction writers, but also for those who want to think about the relationship between those deep secrets and the history they know. Gillian has a doctorate in Medieval history and is Jewish, both very useful for understanding the invented past. She also works with writers on historical background for their fiction. Gillian's third novel "Life Through Cellophane" will be released at Conflux. Her editorial collaboration with Scott Hopkins ("Masques," CSfG Publishing) was released in March, 2009. She is currently working on her own fiction and a new anthology, featuring writers such as KJ Bishop, Jack Dann, Lucy Sussex and Jennifer Fallon. This workshop is open to the public, cost is $11 per person.
WORDS TO SCREEN
A Workshop with Sean McMullen
3.30PM TO 5.30PM
Nearly every beginner-author with a good idea has a lot of problems when they try to turn their plots, characters and worlds into words on a screen. Sean will take you through some guidelines for turning your visions into reality, keeping them under control once they become reality, what to do when ideas refuse to materialise, how not to take a good idea too far, and how not to make a fool of yourself when you venture outside your area of expertise. He has conducted workshops on writing in Australia, New Zealand, the US and Britain over the past decade. This workshop is open to the public, cost is $11 per person.