QUT's Scratch That
Leora spent her third and final year at QUT working with Scratch That, a student run magazine that focusses on helping young, developing writers at QUT, as well as the Brisbane-based area, to showcase their talent. She worked on the content team for both the Autumn and Spring edition, developing pieces for the website, newsletter and printed magazine.
In July, Leora stepped up to be leader of the content team for the new edition, developing her leadership skills in a community whilst still working on her writing. Scratch That was the perfect opportunity for Leora to learn and grow in an industry workplace, where she found people as passionate as her about the writing, editing and publishing industry. Working in an interdicplinary environment, Leora was able to learn how to write for publication, work with editors, artists, promotion teams and also lead the content team in thier own journeys. Scratch That assisted her in taking the next step in her career, by having her poetry published online a a public audience, and her short stories and creative non-fiction work featured in the printed magazine.
In addition to Scratch That, Leora worked closely with the Allen & Unwin writers prize in her final year. This provided the opportunity to learn more about the behind the scene judging processes, whilst also connecting with shortlisted writers for the prize and connecting them with respective editors for the process. This coordination role provided Leora with valuable experience, in conjuction with her position as content leader for Scratch That.
Dunes (published piece from Scratch That's printed magazine)
University Studies
During her time at QUT Leora was able to branch out in her styles of writing whilst meeting like-minded peers within the industry. Beginning her tertiary studies writing predominantly in fiction, by the end of her time at QUT Leora was able to develop her techniques and genres into creative non-fiction such a memoir writing as well as mutiple forms of poetry. Whilst pursuing her major in creative writing, Leora completed multiple minor studies over her three years. Studying both journalism and screenwriting as electives ignited passions for different writing styles, growth and change.
Leora has additionally had a range of experience in different sectors of the writing industry, developing a range of editing skills and understanding of publishing processes. Copyediting, proofreadimg, line editing and structural editing are valuable skills that she has learned a began to appreciate that will assist her journey into a professional workplace. Studying a range of writing subjects allowed Leora to learn to be adaptive in her writing and use her skills across multiple diciplines. Planning for the future, she is going to use what she had learned in her undergraudate studies to develop a portfolio to apply for a Masters degree at UQ.
