Author a special guest

Author Karenlee Thompson.

By Jeremy Sollars

A former Stanthorpe local and contributor to the Southern Free Times will be the special guest at an upcoming Stanthorpe Writers Group event on Thursday 4 May.
Karenlee Thompson was the founding chairperson of the Stanthorpe Writers Group and is on a national book tour to promote her latest work ‘Flame Tip’ – a collection of short stories linked by the Tasmanian ‘Black Tuesday’ bushfires of 1967.
Locals will also recall Karenlee from a number of pieces she wrote for the Free Times while completing her journalism degree some years ago.
Stanthorpe Writers Group chairperson Jessica Andreatta said Stanthorpe is “a special place for Karenlee”.
“We are thrilled to have her back, if only for a night,” Jessica told the Free Times.
“The question and answer-style evening will focus on her writing journey and her new book.
“With a forward by David Walsh of Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art, her book has been acclaimed by critic Kerryn Goldsworthy as ‘a compellingly readable and thought-provoking collection’ “.
Among other accolades Karenlee has been shortlisted for the Tasmanian Writer’s Prize twice, in 2015 and 2016.
The Stanthorpe Writers Group extends their thanks to CDS Stanthorpe for their support as the Group’s auspicing body.
Event details – ’A Conversation with Karenlee Thompson’ …
* Thursday 4 May, 5pm for 5.30 pm
• CDS Youth Centre, 15 Hilton St, Stanthorpe
* Light supper provided
* RSVP by Friday 29 April by return email to jess_andreatta@yahoo.com or to 0457 361 696
While the event is free, places are limited so please reserve your seat to avoid disappointment. ‘Flame Tip’ will be available for purchase on the night.
About Karenlee Thompson …
Karenlee Thompson is a Queensland-based writer of fiction and non-fiction, who is passionate about reading and writing the Australian voice.
Born in Tasmania, she honed her craft in Stanthorpe and now lives and writes on the Redcliffe Peninsula north of Brisbane.
As a founding member of the Stanthorpe Writers Group and the patron and judge of an annual Stanthorpe writing competition, her ties with the town she lived in for many years are still strong.
She has been published by The Weekend Australian, Antipodes, Woman’s Day, The Big Issue and Writing Queensland among others. She has written short stories for children (NSW Education Department’s Countdown and Orbit) and her novel ‘Eight States of Catastrophe (Brolga)’ was published in 2011.
She was a finalist in the Tasmanian Writers’ Prize in 2015 and in 2016, and a finalist in the Hal Porter 2016 Short Story Prize.