a collective of children's story writers
Get to Know The Ten Penners
how it all began
SHOCK, HORROR, GASP
The Ten Penners began when our adults writing for Children support group from the Gold Coast Writers Association decided to produce an anthology in 2004. At that time the name was very appropriate since there were ten authors contributing to the book titled SHOCK! HORROR! GASP!
The authors in this anthology were Gloria and Malcolm Kearton, Maria O'Donnell (the original Coordinator of the group), Jill Ford, Anna Boucaut, Lindy Standage, Margaret Cornwell, Marion Martineer, Lorraine Blomberg and Robert Young.
I recall with a smile on my face the Gold Coast Writers meeting when this book was launched. All the authors dressed up as witches, and ghouls and danced to the steps devised by Anna Boucaut to the tune of ‘The Monster Mash’. It was a great success, the then Community room at Pacific Fair rocked and roared with laughter. The limited edition print run soon sold out. Sadly many of these authors are no longer with us.
After the successful launch of ‘Shock, Horror, Gasp, some members went on to present workshops for primary school students.
We still met monthly to continue honing our skills, some moved on as new authors joined.
Fan-Tas-Tic-al Tales
In July 2008, we decided to produce another anthology. We worked on our stories and missed the initial deadline of November 2008 because we just had to be sure our stories were worthy of being published. Hence, after a short Christmas, break eight of us agreed on the new deadline of May 2009 and booked ourselves in for the launch date.
FAN-TAS-TIC-AL TALES was officially born in May 2009 and we have been proudly selling them since. Jam-packed with 34 short stories, poems and three novellas!
FAN-TAS-TIC-AL TALES was produced by (L-R) Lindy Standage, Yvette Coutts, Kate Pepper, Maria O’Donnell, Marion Martineer, Jill Smith, Lorraine Blomberg and Jill Ford.
Mystery, Mayhem & Magic
2017 saw the launch of our third anthology –with another lineup for the group.
Marion Martineer continues to be the lynchpin Coordinator, she and Lindy Standage have stories in all three anthologies, Kate Russell, Jill Smith, (with stories in two books) Julie Baythorpe (Plinko in the picture), Sharron Alexiou, Louisa Wright and Elli Housden were our newest members.
Backyard Beasts & Curious Capers
2022 – 2023
We started this year with a change in Coordinator, Marion has stepped down after sixteen years in the role and Jill Smith has taken over the reins. During the last disrupted year of venue changes, member changes and COVID restrictions, we began plans for our next anthology.
‘Backyard Beasts & Curious Capers’ is planned to be released later in 2023. The launch is scheduled to take place with cakes, dress-up costumes and fun, in the near future. We are now meeting regularly to create a cracking anthology for children of ages eight to twelve to enjoy!
Our line up has changed again; Jill Smith (coordinator 2022 / 2023), Marion Martineer, Katharine R. Pepper, A.D. Watson, Jennifer Scicluna (our talented illustrator), Julie Baythorpe (aka Reid Devron), and (ta-da!) our newest member Carly Been, that makes seven ladies contributing. We will continue to be called ‘The Ten Penners’ as the group is well known by that name however many members are part of the group.
Do read more about us on the Authors' Story and Interviews pages.
We had several successful book promotions in the last quarter of 2023. We will be having more promotions in 2024 through schools and libraries.
‘Backyard Beasts & Curious Capers ‘ is OUT NOW!
– Jill, The Ten Penners Coordinator 2023
