Sandybeach Writers Celebrate Publishing Success and Award Recognition

Writers from the Sandybeach Creative Writing groups are continuing to achieve outstanding results, with members gaining publication opportunities, developing book projects and receiving recognition in writing competitions.

Several participants have already published books, while others are working towards publishing their first memoirs, poetry collections, autobiographies, auto-fiction works, short story collections and novels. The groups provide a supportive and encouraging environment where writers can develop their skills, share their work and build the confidence to pursue their creative goals.

That encouragement is paying off. In recent weeks, two Sandybeach writers have been recognised in major poetry competitions. One student was awarded Runner-Up in the Ada Cambridge Poetry Prize, while another won First Prize in the Kingston Council Arts Blitz Poetry Award. Both writers were encouraged by fellow group members to submit their work, highlighting the collaborative and inspiring nature of the classes.

The groups are led by acclaimed writer and educator Gayelene Carbis, who has been teaching for more than 30 years across universities and community programs. A nominee for a Teaching Excellence Award, Gayelene is a multi-award-winning writer of poetry, prose, plays and short film. Her work has been widely published and recognised in Australia and internationally.Most recently, her poetry collection I Have Decided to Remain Vertical won the Eyelands Writers Choice Award and the Eyelands Poetry Book Award in Greece. The collection was also recognised as a finalist or highly commended in several prestigious awards, including the NSW Society of Women Writers' Poetry Book Award, the NYC Best Book Award, the Poetry Book Award UK and the Best Book Award USA.

Each year, Sandybeach also hosts the Sandybeach Writers' Reading, usually held in October. This special event gives participants the opportunity to share their work with family and friends in a welcoming public setting. For many writers, it is their first experience reading their work aloud to an audience, making it a memorable milestone in their creative journey. This year, Sandybeach hopes to open the event to the wider community and celebrate the achievements of local writers with an even larger audience.

If you have always wanted to write, or are looking to further develop your skills in a supportive and inspiring environment, we'd love to welcome you to one of our writing groups. To learn more, visit Sandybeach Writing Programs.