Who’s involved?

Who we are
Queensland Writers Centre is the premier literature organisation in Queensland, supporting the development of Australian authors and promoting books, reading and literature. We are a non-profit association with more than 2,400 members across the state. In January 2011 we launched Writers on Rafts to activate Australian networks of authors, booksellers and publishers to raise money for Queensland flood relief. The Ultimate Girly High Tea is part of our fundraising efforts for Queensland.

Rebecca Sparrow is the bestselling author of The Girl Most Likely and The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay. She is a popular speaker and blogger and writes a weekly column in The Sunday Mail. The Girl Most Likely is currently in pre-production for a major film release in 2013.

The Sofitel Brisbane Central was the first international hotel in Brisbane, and is a venue of refined elegance and truly personal service.

Westfield Chermside is home to Australia’s top retailers in fashion, food, and entertainment and is an innovative and exciting place to shop, dine, and relax.

Confirmed guests – watch for more in the coming days!

Therese Rein is an Australian entrepreneur and the patron of the Indigenous Literacy Project, Ability First Australia and Arts First Australia. In December 2010, she was awarded the Human Rights Medal by the Australian Human Rights Commission for her dedication to the rights of people with a disability.

Jessica Rudd is the author of Campaign Ruby (Text Publishing) and former political campaign worker, lawyer and PR professional.

Frances Whiting is a journalist, author and one of Queensland’s most popular columnists. Her weekly columns in The Courier-Mail and The Sunday Mail engage millions of Queensland families.

Mia Freedman is a journalist, columnist, blogger and author. She is the former Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan, Cleo and Dolly magazines. She is a regular columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Sun Herald and the Sunday Age. She hosts one of Australia’s most prominent blogs at mamamia.com.au.

Emily-Jade O’Keefe is a prominent Brisbane media personality and speaker. She co-hosts The Cage, Triple M’s successful weekday breakfast radio show with Ian Skippen, Marto and Sully.

Shay Stafford was born in Brisbane and worked as a dancer around the world before moving to Paris and scoring a position as a top showgirl for twelve years. She returned to Australia and wrote Memoirs of a Showgirl, a colourful memoir about living your dream.

Rachael Birmingham is one half of the successful publishing duo behind 4 Ingredients, Australia’s highest selling cookbook of all time. 4 Ingredients has sold more than one million copies in Australia alone and spawned a television show, newspaper columns and popular websites.

Kate Morton is one of Australia’s bestselling authors. Her books – The Shifting Fog, The Forgotten Garden, and the newly launched Distant Hours – have sold more than 3 million copies in 38 countries.

Erica Bartle is a journalist and fashion blogger. She is the former Editor of Girlfriend magazine and publishes Girl with a Satchel, recently rated one of Australia’s Top 10 most visited blogs.

Robin Bailey is the popular co-host of 97.3FM breakfast radio in Brisbane, and high-profile speaker and social commentator.

Dr Anita Heiss is the author of non-fiction, historical fiction, commercial women’s fiction, poetry, social commentary and travel articles. She is a regular guest at writers’ festivals and travels internationally performing her work and lecturing on Indigenous Studies. She is an Indigenous Literacy Day Ambassador and a proud member of the Wiradjuri nation of central New South Wales. Anita divides her time between writing, public speaking, MCing, and as a workshop facilitator. She lives in Sydney.

Tara June Winch is a New York-based indigenous Australian writer and literacy campaigner. Her first book, Swallow the Air, won several major Australian literary awards.

Carolyn Donovan comes from an industry where women are known to have the shelf life of a banana, Carolyn Donovan has already scored a major coup by beating the odds and remaining in high demand as a model for over two decades. Carolyn entered the literary world with her book Chooks in Stilettos which delightfully smashes any illusions we may have of models sipping champagne with celebrities swathed in designer gowns that cover a cellulite, pimple free body seven days a week.

Caroline Overington is a mother of twins; a reporter for The Australian newspaper; a resident of Bondi Beach; and the author of four books including Ghost Child and I Came To Say Goodbye.

Paula Joye is a journalist and former magazine editor  (CLEO, Shop Til You Drop and Madison). These days she is the editor of  LifeStyled.com.au – a depot for all things stylish.

Juliette Wright is the founder and executive director of GIVIT, a  national charity designed to get items to those that need them  most. Juliette works closely with over 300 charities and has helped over 39,000 people receive items through her Direct Giving Network. Juliette is directly trying to alleviate poverty in Australia by empowering charities, providing education about quality donations and empowering schools in isolated communities.

Danielle Crismani Danielle’s 9 to 5 job sees her working for a government-owned corporation where her work colleagues have nicknamed her Digella as she taught them to bake. Four years ago Nigella Lawson inspired Danielle to start baking. On 10 January she used Twitter to start Baked Relief, a battalion of bakers that have fed at least 10,000 people during the Queensland floods. Danielle is now known as the Baking Queen. On International Women’s Day 2011 she was acknowledged as one of Queensland’s Extraordinary Woman - Ordinary lives.