Barbara Gurney writes across several genres including short fiction for adults and children and free verse poetry.

After over fifteen years of writing and editing a newsletter for a community-based organisation, she joined the Gosnells Writer's Circle in 2008 & Writefree Women's Writing Group at KSP Writers Centre in 2009.

Both groups continue to inspire Barbara to regularly produce poetry and short stories while their encouragement pokes at her ambition to publish a novel. Many of her pieces have been accepted for the groups' annual anthologies.

*Fairies of the Milky Way was accepted in 2009 by Stories for Children Magazine, an American online publisher.
*Living Histories, a Western Australia State Government initiative, accepted Barbara's submissions for both the 2008 & 2009 publications.
*Competition success came in October 2009 when Counting of the Stones was awarded a 'Commendation'.
*A short story for children Jake's New Friend was shortlisted in the Charlotte Duncan Award 2010.
*2011 ? Shadows of Remembered Dancing, a 267 word story was awarded Highly Recommended in Scribblegum's Gum Leaves Competition.
*2012 - Honourable Mention for 'Honest People' Golden Wattle Writing Competition.
*2012 - First Prize for "Purple". Yarram Community Learning Centre Annual Literary Competition.
*2012 - First Prize for "Wide Brown Land". Minlaton Show Literary Award.
*Barbara's book of poetry 'Footprints of a Stranger' is now available from Ginninderra Press ISBN 978 1 74027 767 9. www.ginninderrapress.com.au

In her non-writing life Barbara has been a drummer, bagpiper, swimmer, debt collector and a secretary - amongst other collective nouns. She has two adult children. Her son lives in Prague with his wife and two children, thus giving Barbara a glorious holiday destination with free accommodation. A locally based daughter and son-in-law makes sure she has people to spoil without an airfare being necessary.

She is the current Secretary of the Gosnells Writers Circle and a sub-editor of their magazine Showcase, which has been published three times a year since October 2010. Barbara communicates with the overseas contributors and approaches local businesses for paid advertising support.

Barbara likes nothing better than to tap away on the computer, creating characters worth remembering and hiding her life experiences in the pages. She finds satisfaction in writing s...