Gary Smith - poet and freelance writer

Bachelor of Arts with Honours
Double Major in Writing and Literature

Dr Gary Smith arrived at Deakin as a successful tradesman and left as an equally successful (if less well-paid) poet whose poetry, fiction and non-fiction has popped up in many magazines and journals. He has since gone on to gain a PhD and an academic career.

‘I found the course well structured in its balance between academic research and in giving me an awareness of writing industry expectations,” he says. “As a result of my experience and academic credentials gained at Deakin, I have achieved many of the goals I set when I started the course.”

These goals were both artistic and practical. Gary began the course with writing skills which he admits were raw, but which have developed into a poetry which shines with craft and polish. On the practical side, one of Gary's goals was to make a living in the writing industry.

Since completing his qualification, he has worked as a writer and editor for trade magazines, published an anthology, Midnight (Grendon Press), and now teaches at Holmesglen TAFE.

Note: In 2006 the Bachelor of Arts (Professional and Creative Writing) replaced the Writing major stream within the Bachelor of Arts.