Staff and Board of HWC

Staff and Board of Hunter Writers Centre

Karen Crofts - Director

I graduated with a masters degree in Creative Arts from the University of Newcastle in 2009. My thesis was a collection of short stories centred around food and I have remained a short story writer and lover of the form since then. Since graduating, I won the Parenting Express/Sydney Writers Centre Short Story competition, shortlisted for the Australian Country Life Magazine Short Story competition, published in the anthology of the Stringybark Short Story Award and my play was featured in Newcastle's Short and Sweet Festival last year. I have worked as a teacher for the last 20 years and also at Sydney Children's Hospital as Health Education Manager, running the child health column in the Courier Group Newspapers.

I am passionate about creating writing opportunities in Newcastle and the Hunter region and welcome ideas from members about projects and groups you may wish to establish.

Candice Ward - Newcastle Poetry Prize Co-ordinator

Candice is co-ordinator of the Newcastle Poetry Prize. She is a freelance writer who focuses on travel, the envrironment, lifestyle and architecture. Her articles have been published in the Sydney Morning Herald and industry magazines. Candice graduated with BA (Communications) Honours in 2007 from the University of Newcastle and in 2008 she was Faculty Medal Winner. www.newcastlepoetryprize.com www.candiceward.com.au

Mark Liston - Poetry Group facilitator

Mark has published poems in an array of anthologies and magazines including the Newcastle Poetry Prize, the Lake Macquarie Prize, Skive magazine, Through the Valley and Semaphore Dancing, Islet and Five Bells. He completed a Hunter Writers Centre mentorship in 2009 and now runs our poetry groups at the centre. In 2011 he was Australia's Cafe Poet, Newcastle.

HWC Board - HWC Members are welcome to join the board

Russell Blackford - Chair

Russell is a philosopher, a literary critic, and sometimes a creative writer – specialising in fantasy and science fiction. He was based in Melbourne for many years, but returned to Newcastle, where he grew up, in 2009. Russell’s novels include a tie-in trilogy for the TERMINATOR franchise, collectively known as Terminator 2: The New John Connor Chronicles. His other books include Strange Constellations: A History of Australian Science Fiction (co-authored with Van Ikin and Sean McMullen), 50 Voices of Disbelief: Why We Are Atheists (co-edited with Udo Schuklenk), and Freedom of Religion and the Secular State - which deals with many of the hot-button issues that arise when religion and politics meet. He has published articles, reviews, and short stories in many journals, magazines, and anthologies. He is editor-in-chief of The Journal of Evolution and Technology and a regular op.ed. contributor to Free Inquiry. Russell’s qualifications include separate PhDs in English literature (University of Newcastle) and philosophy (Monash University), and a first-class honours degree in law from the University of Melbourne. He is a Conjoint Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Social Science, University of Newcastle.

Jill McKeowen - Secretary

Jill has been on the board for many years. She is a Learning Skills Advisor at the University of Newcastle, giving language and academic support to undergraduate and postgraduate studies.

Reeze Dryden

Reeze is a multi-published author who writes for Harlequin Mills and Boon under the pen-name of Michelle Douglas. She has a BA (Hons) and MPhil (Creative Writing) from the University of Newcastle. She is a member of several
professional writing organisation including Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of Australia, the Varuna Alumni, and the International Association for the Study of Popular Romance. She has run writing workshops and appeared on numerous author panels. www.michelle-douglas.com

Jenny Blackford

Jenny Blackford writes poetry, sf, fantasy and historical fiction for people of all ages. She has an honours degree (with a University Medal) in Classics from the University of Newcastle. Her archaeologically-accurate novella set in 5th century BC Delphi and Athens, The Priestess and the Slave, was described by award-winning author Alison Goodman as "A compelling blend of vivid storytelling and meticulous research". Her short stories have appeared places including the School Magazine and Cosmos magazine. Her first poem for years was the only one chosen for the Ticonderoga Year’s Best Australian Fantasy and Horror 2010, and others have appeared recently in Star*Line and The Pedestal Magazine. Her current major project is writing the violent, sexy life of Bronze Age princess Medea. In 2009, Jenny was one of the five judges worldwide for the World Fantasy Awards. Her website is www.jennyblackford.com.