Reports
Fantastic Queensland Presidents Report 2005-11-21 (download Doc)
In the coming months, we need to make significant strategic choices regarding Fantastic Queensland's future.
Preparing this report has given me fresh perspective on the scope of FQ's activities and the remarkable achievements the organisation has accomplished in such a brief timeframe. Many people appear to accept our professionalism and accomplishments as routine, yet the outcomes they observe only emerge through dedication and genuine expertise.
Conventionally a report begins by detailing the year's activities, then acknowledges the individuals responsible for those successes. I'm inverting this approach, as Fantastic Queensland's accomplishments are all undertakings directed by committed and capable people.
Throughout 2004-5, there has been a sustained display of the extraordinary drive and successes recognised at the previous year's Annual General Meeting.
Today's successful organisation relies on the internet to communicate with its members and broader audience. FQ boasts several internet-savvy members, enabling our multiple websites to perform exceptionally well and gain recognition. Kris Hembury has created FQ a polished and up-to-date website that runs with remarkable efficiency. It connects to four other FQ websites, each run by dedicated project teams.
A thriving organisation equally requires funding, and Peter Hannigan has guided us through yet another year, keeping our finances properly aligned with our commitments. Peter established his own company in 2005, which involves international travel that surely generates plenty of material for his publications, though this barely compensates for time away from loved ones. Peter has continued his position as treasurer despite these challenges, and is pleased to report an exceptionally strong financial year. We maintain several project accounts, and Peter oversees both these and individual project spending. We concluded the financial year with a stronger total balance of $42,882 available - sufficient to pursue all our planned initiatives: an achievement most writer's organisations would struggle to match!
In 2005, several innovative initiatives were launched.
Karen Hannigan established and oversaw the 'Writers for Games' programme, supported by funding from Arts Queensland. Aspiring game writers were encouraged to propose concepts for original games. Twelve of these were selected, provided training, and given the chance to present their completed work to industry professionals. Though the successful entries received awards, the industry found the initiative and calibre of contributors so compelling that there's discussion about the gaming sector running the scheme once more in the coming year. More positively, the initiative bolstered our financial base for future endeavours. Karen also maintains her position as team nutritionist, making sure nobody goes without sustenance during team meetings thanks to my forgetfulness!
A fresh mentoring initiative has commenced, with this programme being guided by Robert Hoge. The project is supported by funding from Arts Queensland, enabling an up-and-coming young writer to study under an accomplished author. FQ aims to foster a network of writers based in Queensland who can sustain themselves through their craft. Since the writing sector operates as an international marketplace, our writers must compete amongst the world's finest to gain recognition and achieve commercial success. Developing skills is therefore central to our approach, yet offering prospects for established authors to generate additional earnings by sharing their knowledge remains equally vital to making writing a sustainable profession.
We've also drawn on Robert's expertise as a public relations professional. Over the past year, we've once more discovered that his insight and political acumen are invaluable. Robert possesses remarkable maturity despite his youth, and further supports Speculative Fiction through his work as convenor of the Clarion South team, President of Vision (the organisation from which FQ emerged), and as editor of Aurealis magazine.
Another major undertaking consuming considerable FQ resources this year is Conjure – Australia's national science fiction convention being held in Brisbane during 2006. Led by the tireless Kate Eltham, the team is developing an impressive schedule designed to engage approximately 300-400 guests. It's a substantial undertaking, and we're grateful to have Nicky Strickland overseeing membership administration, Heather Gammage coordinating the programme, plus numerous other members prepared to assist wherever required. Darryl Lindquist has once again offered his animation skills, permitting his beloved character 'Bruce the Alien' to serve as the convention's mascot.
We'll require as much assistance as possible over the Easter period, given the programme's scope, and we're aiming for a well-coordinated convention with a relaxed and welcoming feel – something that demands meticulous planning and plenty of active volunteers!
Our Vice President, Rowena Lindquist (who also goes by the name of Cory Daniells – I haven't quite determined whether this is for national security or tax purposes!), once more organised Envision, the intensive week-long seminar designed to help speculative fiction authors refine their work into publication-standard manuscripts. According to the website - 'EnVision 2005 proved highly successful. In addition to ongoing tutoring from Cory Daniells and Louise Cusack, participants took part in a workshop led by Kim Wilkins on crafting the Selling Tool Synopsis. This turned out to be particularly valuable during the subsequent two industry meetings when they got the opportunity to pitch their works to Tara Wynne from Curtis Brown and Jack Dann who reads for TOR.' Envision won't be running in 2006. Rowena requires additional time for her own writing, and we'll need to reassess our capacity to re-establish the programme in 2007 and beyond.
Additionally, Rowena attended the 2005 Worldcon held in Glasgow alongside Robert and Kate. FQ organised a gathering at the Hilton in Glasgow, where they acquired useful insights into managing international conventions, the worldwide Spec Fic marketplace, and established relationships with contacts and proposals from globally respected industry professionals keen to serve as mentors at Clarion South in subsequent years. Rowena also secured representation with a fresh agent!
Clarion South, an intensive six-week writing programme, operated for its second iteration in 2005, and is scheduled to run again in 2007. Robert Hoge, Kate Eltham, Heather Gammage, and Robert Dobson once more ensured continuity of operations, overseeing an initiative with a $75,000 budget, acknowledgement from the writing and publishing community who comprise the talent pool for prospective mentors, and an emerging standing as possibly the premier avenue globally for spec fic authors to refine their craft.
In February 2005 we organised the Aurealis Awards for the first time in Queensland. An excellent attendance relished an evening of wit, celebration, and merriment. Damon Cavalchini and Robert Dobson, accompanied by their mischievous associates, created a spectacular audiovisual presentation – enhanced by a remarkable performance by Bruce the Alien (thanks to Darryl). Jason Nahrung made running the Awards seem almost straightforward – an impressive feat of skill, because we keep learning how taxing the responsibility is as we prepare to hold the awards for the second time in early 2006. He hasn't been spotted in daylight since.
Thankfully Lea Greenaway has been steering the 2005-6 Aurealis Awards endeavour with grace, diplomacy, and just occasional trips to a padded room to let loose. Cynthia Rohner has maintained the website functioning, even whilst being asked to deliver faster screen updates than 'Grand Auto 3'. Hosting the Aurealis Award was made possible by the financial backing of the Brisbane City Council.
The publication, Vision, evolved into a digital magazine titled The Specusphere, managed by a group led by Stephen Thompson who maintains it as an independent publication. During its time under FQ's stewardship, Vision developed a subscriber base of roughly 500 readers spanning the globe, establishing itself as a prominent outlet within Australia's growing collection of internet-based science fiction journals.
Kate Eltham (who also serves as FQ's secretary!) and collaborators partnered once more with Brisbane City Council Libraries to organise public readings and related events throughout the summer season – boosting the visibility of speculative fiction, and generating important revenue for FQ alongside the writers taking part.
I'm confident there are initiatives and individuals I've overlooked - my sincere apologies and gratitude to them, since countless people have contributed support. Elle Croxford provided guidance, connections, and outstanding assistance during a transitional phase at BCC. The team at State Development has adopted a supportive, if somewhat bemused, stance, and we're experiencing positive outcomes for authors through our partnership with them. A promotional event in New York featuring Queensland speculative fiction writers is planned for later this year, for instance. Another promising venture involves encouraging Queensland publications into Queensland educational institutions - arranging paid author visits to classrooms as a supplementary offering - which represents another avenue for writers to enhance their earning prospects.
The crucial question for FQ's committee members to address is what comes next for FQ.
Following the conclusion of Conjure after Easter 2006, we'll have finalised the majority of our existing initiatives. Our outstanding obligations comprise Clarion South 2007, plus the third presentation of the Aurealis Awards in 2007, in accordance with arrangements made with Dirk Strasser of Aurealis magazine.
I've consistently been mindful of the possibility that our modest group might experience 'burnout' from the demanding work required to operate FQ, along with the strain arising from life changes that affect everyone over time.
FQ serves a constructive goal - establishing Queensland as an acknowledged hub for speculative fiction, and supporting writers in becoming professional authors who can sustain themselves through their work. We can take satisfaction in having made considerable progress towards these aims in a relatively short period.
We must acknowledge, however, that our accomplishments rely on our resources - our people. I have previously noted some of the shifts that impact committee members. Rowena, our Vice President, needs to find time to write once more, particularly now she has such a prominent literary agent. Kate, our Secretary, has been named Director of the Queensland Writer's Centre, a wonderful progression, and one for which I offer my sincere congratulations. Peter our treasurer, as noted, is employed as we speak in New Guinea, though he continues his position as Treasurer by devoting considerable effort upon his comeback to Australia. Lea has indicated she is unable to organise the Aurealis Awards again, as she requires time to journey with her husband next year. Robert H is applying considerable effort at the office of the Minister of Transport. Elle's involvement with BCC will conclude shortly, and we are unlikely to secure another internal backer of the calibre we have appreciated previously. Other FQ members also have restricted availability to contribute.
We therefore encounter a critical shortage of our primary resource - people.
Though I'd like to see Conjure and the Aurealis Awards 2006 reach their successful conclusion, this marks my final opportunity to serve as President (should the membership decide to appoint me). My professional commitments mean I'm unable to dedicate the necessary hours this position demands. We ought to identify someone prepared to assume the responsibility beginning in 2006.
FQ members must therefore determine in the coming months which path we ought to pursue. The possibilities I can identify are:
- Recruit fresh members prepared to embrace the responsibility of steering FQ forwards, (and managing all the responsibilities!) Considerable effort has gone into building the FQ identity, establishing a track record as high achievers and a symbol for Queensland's standing in the SF field, it would be unfortunate to squander the progress . Nonetheless, we require committed people to sustain momentum.
- As projects wind down throughout 2006, Clarion South might serve as FQ's ongoing enterprise. FQ would persist as the legally registered entity managing Clarion South, with the FQ committee essentially superseded by those administering Clarion South. This would spare Clarion South the expense of obtaining separate Incorporation, a consideration the Clarion South committee had been exploring.
- Register Clarion South as incorporated, liaise with Dirk Strasser concerning delivery of the third Aurealis Award, and conclude FQ's undertakings in 2006 sometime following Conjure. Any leftover resources would be transferred to the QWC, in line with our Incorporation provisions.
- Any further proposals members may suggest.
Whatever decisions the committee reaches in the coming months, I'd like to express my gratitude to each and every member of your group for the tremendous effort you've demonstrated so far. I have been delighted to serve as President of FQ, and have acquired not just knowledge and fulfilment from what you have all accomplished, but also an extremely valuable experience of becoming integrated into the Brisbane community. The compassion and understanding of my colleagues in FQ following my losses during this year, their sincere appreciation of my modest literary successes, and their readiness to lend assistance whenever required, has transformed the role into a source of both personal and professional reward.
Richard Pitchforth
President Fantastic Queensland
21 November 2005
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The team thanks you, Richard, for your contribution, leadership and resolve to bring FQ into existence.
