Gallery: Authors share bold stories at Maleny event
Pics Marsha Fotografie
Local readers gathered at Rosetta Books in Maleny for an inspiring and emotional afternoon celebrating Queersland — a bold new anthology of stories from queer writers across the state.
Hosted by Rangebow Festival Director Wayne Parcell, the sold-out event featured a Q&A with contributing authors Noel Miller, Sally Mansfield and Robert Phillips, who shared personal reflections on the process of writing and the power of representation.
Guests enjoyed wine and nibbles before the conversation began, setting the scene for an intimate and moving discussion that delved into the lived experiences behind the pages. The collection, edited by Rod Goodbun and Edwina Shaw with a foreword by Darren Hayes, spans almost 80 years of Queensland’s social history through fiction, memoir, poetry and images.
Described as “funny, raw, heartbreaking and brave,” Queersland captures the struggle to survive and thrive in a culture that has often resisted difference – while also celebrating love, resilience and community.
Mr Parcell said the event reflected the spirit of Rangebow Festival in championing inclusion and creativity across the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
The anthology features contributions from more than 20 writers including Dawn Daylight, Krissy Kneen, Lucinda Shaw, Wolfram-Jaymes Keesing and Odette Best, among others.
