TWELVE students from Cleveland District State High School have become published authors.
The students were part of a creative writing alliance with teacher and librarian, Sharon Hendy-Moman and Redlands authors, Louise Gibbon and Julieann Wallace, of Lilly Pilly Publishing.
The alliance, consisting of students from grades 7 to 10, culminated in the publication of an anthology titled Cirque dans le Ciel, meaning ‘Circus in the Sky’.
The students, all girls, wrote and illustrated the book and were mentored through the 10-month process by Ms Wallace and Ms Gibbon.
The stories are all based on a circus theme, which was chosen by the students during an early brainstorming session.
The front cover illustration is by year 11 student Alissa Nowak.
Student Julina Frame said they came together as a creative writing group.
The initial idea to publish a book was inspired by the student’s desire to support Cleveland High’s chaplaincy program which is fundraising to build libraries in Vanuatu schools.
Ms Frame said they had learnt how much work goes into publishing a book from the cover and the size of the publication, to editing, proofreading and marketing.
She said the group hoped to publish another book next year and to get more boys involved in the initiative.
In addition to Ms Nowak and Ms Frame, the other students involved are Rachael Elliott, Adrienne Malan, Ana Nielsen, Brooke Lember, Jada Habberjam, Maddi Kircher, Rebecca Hopwood, Safiya Dixon, Sarah Elliott, Sarah Ferguson and Summer Witika.
The first edition print run consists of 100 books.
The official book launch will be held at the Cleveland library on June 9.
The books cost $13 each and can be bought at the Cleveland Twilight Makers Market at Raby Bay on June 25 or via Cleveland High’s administration office.
For additional queries about the book, email Ms Hendy-Moman at shend6@eq.edu.au
