Q&A: Where does “going haywire” come from?

Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, we’re on a wire… Q:

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VIDEO: Kathy Reichs on her novel ‘Cold Cold Bones’

Kathy Reichs has written over twenty novels featuring forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan, including Cold Cold Bones. An international best-seller, she’s also worked as the producer of the television series based upon her work, Bones, and she’s one of very few forensic anthropologists certified by the American Board of Forensic Anthropology.

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COMP CLOSED ‘The Unbelieved’ by Vikki Petraitis

This week’s giveaway book comes from the winner of the inaugural Allen & Unwin Crime Prize, Vikki Petraitis. Her novel, The Unbelieved, is a compelling fiction debut and we have three to be won. Here’s a quick synopsis: When Senior Detective Antigone Pollard moves to the coastal town of Deception

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GIRL READING IN THE DARK WITH HER TORCH

Q&A: Flashlight vs Torch

Q: Hey AWC, can we talk about something light this week? A: Oh, we didn’t realise our chats were so heavy! Q: No, I literally want to talk about lights. A: Ahhhhh, well certainly. What’s the question? Q: I’d like to know the difference between a “torch” and a “flashlight”

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VIDEO: Patti Miller on ‘True Friends’

Patti Miller was raised on Wiradjuri land in central western NSW and now lives in Sydney. She is the author of True Friends, Writing Your Life; The Last One Who Remembers; Child ; Whatever the Gods Do ; The Memoir Book; the award-winning The Mind of a Thief; Ransacking Paris; Writing True Stories; and The Joy of

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The cover of 'The Cutting' by Richard McHugh with the text ‘Win This Book’

COMP CLOSED ‘The Cutting’ by Richard McHugh

This week’s giveaway book is The Cutting by Australian author Richard McHugh – described as “a darkly humorous novel about modern Australia and what it means to be a good person”. We have three copies to be won. Here is a quick synopsis: It’s 2016. Lance Alcocke, sole heir to

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A woman smiling at her laptop in a cafe, with a cup of coffee next to her.

How to make a living as an author

By Allison Tait. Authors can earn money from a diverse range of income streams. Check them out …. Diverse income streams are key So, where does the money come from? How can you make a living as an author? If you’re an author, whether traditionally published, hybrid or indie published,

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Man in striped top with a pipe sitting in front of laptop.

Top three tips for writing cosy mystery stories

By Allison Tait. If you are a regular visitor to the Australian Writers’ Centre’s courses, a regular listener of our So You Want To Be A Writer podcast, or a regular attendee at our Zoom events and seminars, chances are you’ve come across our amazing director of creative writing, Dr

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Q&A: “Nip in the butt” vs “nip in the bud”

Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, bud wiser… Q: Hey AWC

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Video: Kimberley Starr on ‘The Map of Night’

Kimberley Starr is an Australian novelist and teacher whose novels have won and been shortlisted for multiple literary awards, including the Queensland Premier’s Literary Award and the Text Publishing YA Prize. She lives with her sons and their labrador in semi-rural Victoria and is currently completing a PhD in Creative

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COMP CLOSED ‘Stay Awake’ by Megan Goldin

“Megan Goldin has a sure hand at ratcheting up the tension. The pages turn themselves.” – New York Times Book Review This week’s giveaway book is “the heart-stopping new thriller from the Australian author who has taken the world by storm”. A complex thriller that unfolds at a breakneck speed,

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Six things you need to know about book publicity

When you are launching a novel, particularly your first (but really, any novel), getting publicity for that book can feel like a blend of luck, magic and random intervention. The truth is, though, that book publicity, like so many aspects of publishing, is a job, and it takes a lot

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A pile of four notebooks with crimson thread and golden scissors resting on top, and two copies of Kate Forstyh’s The Crimson Thread

Inside the notebooks of bestselling author Kate Forsyth

By Valerie Khoo. Bestselling author Kate Forsyth has written 48 books, across all age groups and many genres. She is published in 20 countries and her most recent book is The Crimson Thread, a reimagining of ‘The Minotaur in the Labyrinth’ myth, set in Crete during the Nazi invasion and

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Q&A: The origin of “spruce up”

Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, we have spruce almighty… Q:

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What to do after attending a writers’ festival

Even after a writers’ festival, smart writers know there’s still plenty of chances to build relationships with the writers, publishers, and friends they met at the event. Australian Writers’ Centre CEO and podcast host Valerie Khoo shares the quick steps you can take to build on your festival experience.

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Video: Pamela Hart on her cosy mystery, ‘An A-List For Death’

Pamela Hart is an award-winning, best-selling author of more than 40 books and novellas, plus short stories and scripts. Her novel, An A-List for Death, is the second book in the Poppy McGowan mystery series, and she’s published regency romances, historical novels, and (as Pamela Freeman) multi-award winning picture books

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COMP CLOSED ‘Flipper and Finnegan’ by Sophie Cunningham

This week’s giveaway book is “an affirming and delightful tale based on a true story of animal rescue and community cooperation”. It has a very long title – Flipper and Finnegan – The True Story of How Tiny Jumpers Saved Little Penguins and it’s by Sophie Cunningham, with illustrations by

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A woman’s hands holding an open book with the words “BEST SELLER” in large red font.

What does it take to create a bestselling novel?

By Allison Tait. Every author, whether aspiring or emerging or established, dreams of writing a bestseller. A book that will rocket up the sales charts, whether propelled by word of mouth or prize-winning status, dragging its writer behind it into a dream life of champagne and literary lunches. Whether the

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3 ​​ways beta readers can improve your manuscript

By Angela Slatter. In your travels as a new writer, you’ve probably heard the term ‘beta reader’ but you might not quite know what that means. So, what’s a beta reader? A beta reader is someone who reads through your completed manuscript and gives their feedback. So, not just someone

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Q&A: “Couldn’t care less” vs “could care less”

Each week here at the Australian Writers’ Centre, we dissect and discuss, contort and retort, ask and gasp at the English language and all its rules, regulations and ridiculousness. It’s a celebration of language, masquerading as a passive-aggressive whinge about words and weirdness. This week, we have “care less” whispers…

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