New writers’ festival launches on the Central Coast
Do you want to escape to the Central Coast, NSW for a writers’ festival? Maybe you already call the Central Coast home and are looking
Copywriting Podcast Episode 002: Former Clemenger Creative Director Ben Keenan on how to find freelance copywriting work
In Episode 002 of So You Want To Be A Copywriter: Ben Keenan is one of Australia’s leading brand strategists, creative directors and copywriters. He also happens to have got his start in advertising by completing my copywriting short course over 15 years ago! Which just goes to show what can happen if you hang in there and persist!
Writing Podcast Episode 386 Meet Pip Drysdale, author of ‘The Paris Affair’.
In Episode 386 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Pip Drysdale, author of The Paris Affair and discover hot tips for writing arguments. Plus, we have 3 copies of The Speechwriter by Martin McKenzie-Murray to give away.
COMP CLOSED: WIN ‘The Speechwriter’ by Martin McKenzie-Murray
“The ‘Black Mirror’ Australian politics has been waiting for.” – Zan Rowe This week’s giveaway book is the fiction debut of erstwhile speechwriter and Saturday
Copywriting Podcast Episode 001: How to become a highly paid copywriter
In Episode 001 of So You Want To Be A Copywriter: What is copywriting? Why are so many people interested in becoming one? What does it take to become a successful copywriter? Is it possible to make a living from copywriting? How can you get started as a freelance or ad agency copywriter?
Q&A: “A shot or stab in the dark?”
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
Writing Podcast Episode 385 Meet Felicity Lewis, national explainer editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age
In Episode 385 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Felicity Lewis, national explainer editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and editor of ‘What’s it like to be chased by a cassowary?’ Discover short story competitions to enter in 2021 and how to take a good author photo. Plus, we have 3 copies of ‘The Four Winds’ by Kristin Hannah to give away.
COMP CLOSED: WIN ‘The Four Winds’ by Kristin Hannah
She will discover the best of herself in the worst of times… This week’s giveaway book is The Four Winds – a deeply moving, powerful
Writing Podcast Episode 384 Tania Blanchard’s ‘Letters from Berlin’ [Story Sessions series]
In Episode 384 of So You Want To Be A Writer: This ‘inbetweenisode’ is part of our Story Sessions series featuring Letters from Berlin by Tania Blanchard. Set in 1943 Berlin, 18-year-old Susanna Göttmann accepts the help of an influential Nazi officer to protect her family and the man she loves. But at what cost? Tania once again draws on her own family history to tell an extraordinary tale of tragedy and courage, love and loss, endings and new beginnings. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this book.
$20,000 up for grabs with the 2022 The ‘Australian’/Vogel’s Literary Award
Do you want to enter the same literary award that launched many famous Australian author’s careers? The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award 2022 is now open for
Q&A: Edgeways vs edgewise
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
6 tips for writing tight, compelling scenes
Scenes are the building blocks of stories. No matter how much planning or plotting or character development you do, sooner or later you have to
Writing Podcast Episode 383 Meet Remy Lai, author of ‘Fly on the Wall’.
In Episode 383 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Remy Lai, author of Fly on the Wall. Discover the writing competitions you need to enter for 2021. Authors share the most surprising thing about getting published. Plus, we have 3 copies of The Paris Affair by Pip Drysdale to give away.
COMP CLOSED: WIN ‘The Paris Affair’ with your superpower
This week’s giveaway is The Paris Affair by bestselling author of The Sunday Girl and The Strangers We Know, Pip Drysdale. It’s hot off the
Writing Podcast Episode 382 Pamela Cook’s ‘All We Dream’ [Story Sessions series]
In Episode 382 of So You Want To Be A Writer: This ‘inbetweenisode’ is part of our Story Sessions series featuring ‘All We Dream’ by Pamela Cook. Sydney lawyer Miranda McIntyre discovers family secrets and her quest for the truth forces her to question the life she’s worked so hard to create. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this book.
2021 West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award shortlist announced
The West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award (WAYRBA) shortlist has been released and we’re delighted to see some familiar names on the list. Book of
Q&A: “Shameless” vs “shameful”
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
Furious Fiction January 2021 winner and shortlist
It’s a new year and we were so eager that we hit the ground running with our first Furious Fiction challenge for 2021 on the
The most surprising thing about getting published
Finishing your book will feel like a huge achievement, and it is. You’ll have learnt a lot along the way. But the learning doesn’t stop
Writing Podcast Episode 381 Meet Frances Chapman, author of ‘Stars Like Us’.
In Episode 381 of So You Want To Be A Writer: You’ll meet Frances Chapman, author of Stars Liks Us. We also cover how to write scenes. Plus, there are 10x double passes to see High Ground – in cinemas 28 January.
COMP CLOSED: WIN ‘High Ground’ double passes with just ONE word
This week, we have 10 double passes to be won for a new film set in outback Australia in the first part of the 20th
Writing Podcast Episode 380 Penelope Janu’s ‘Starting from Scratch’ [Story Sessions series]
In Episode 380 of So You Want To Be A Writer: This ‘inbetweenisode’ is part of our Story Sessions series featuring ‘Starting From Scratch’ by Penelope Janu. Return to the town of Horseshoe Hill and Sapphie Brown as she grapples with her injured pride, and questions if it’s standing in the way of true love. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this charming rural romance.
2021 Questions Writing Prize is now open for young writers
Calling out all young Australian writers (18 to 30 years) – the 2021 Questions Writing Prize is now open! This prize awards $2000 to the
Q&A: Is “refudiate” a word?
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
Enter a competition with just the first 5 pages of your manuscript
Want the chance to win money for the first five pages of a fiction or creative non-fiction manuscript? The First Pages Prize is all about
New writers’ festival launches on the Central Coast
Do you want to escape to the Central Coast, NSW for a writers’ festival? Maybe you already call the Central Coast home and are looking for something to do in June. The Words on the Waves Writers’ Festival is a brand new writers’ festival taking place over the June long
Copywriting Podcast Episode 002: Former Clemenger Creative Director Ben Keenan on how to find freelance copywriting work
In Episode 002 of So You Want To Be A Copywriter: Ben Keenan is one of Australia’s leading brand strategists, creative directors and copywriters. He also happens to have got his start in advertising by completing my copywriting short course over 15 years ago! Which just goes to show what can happen if you hang in there and persist!
Writing Podcast Episode 386 Meet Pip Drysdale, author of ‘The Paris Affair’.
In Episode 386 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Pip Drysdale, author of The Paris Affair and discover hot tips for writing arguments. Plus, we have 3 copies of The Speechwriter by Martin McKenzie-Murray to give away.
COMP CLOSED: WIN ‘The Speechwriter’ by Martin McKenzie-Murray
“The ‘Black Mirror’ Australian politics has been waiting for.” – Zan Rowe This week’s giveaway book is the fiction debut of erstwhile speechwriter and Saturday Paper journalist Martin McKenzie-Murray. In The Speechwriter, he takes us on a frantic, funny, and surreal journey through the corridors of power. Here’s a quick
Copywriting Podcast Episode 001: How to become a highly paid copywriter
In Episode 001 of So You Want To Be A Copywriter: What is copywriting? Why are so many people interested in becoming one? What does it take to become a successful copywriter? Is it possible to make a living from copywriting? How can you get started as a freelance or ad agency copywriter?
Q&A: “A shot or stab in the dark?”
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 taking a shot in
Writing Podcast Episode 385 Meet Felicity Lewis, national explainer editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age
In Episode 385 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Felicity Lewis, national explainer editor at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, and editor of ‘What’s it like to be chased by a cassowary?’ Discover short story competitions to enter in 2021 and how to take a good author photo. Plus, we have 3 copies of ‘The Four Winds’ by Kristin Hannah to give away.
COMP CLOSED: WIN ‘The Four Winds’ by Kristin Hannah
She will discover the best of herself in the worst of times… This week’s giveaway book is The Four Winds – a deeply moving, powerful story about the strength and resilience of women and the bond between mother and daughter, by the multi-million copy number one bestselling author Kristin Hannah.
Writing Podcast Episode 384 Tania Blanchard’s ‘Letters from Berlin’ [Story Sessions series]
In Episode 384 of So You Want To Be A Writer: This ‘inbetweenisode’ is part of our Story Sessions series featuring Letters from Berlin by Tania Blanchard. Set in 1943 Berlin, 18-year-old Susanna Göttmann accepts the help of an influential Nazi officer to protect her family and the man she loves. But at what cost? Tania once again draws on her own family history to tell an extraordinary tale of tragedy and courage, love and loss, endings and new beginnings. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this book.
$20,000 up for grabs with the 2022 The ‘Australian’/Vogel’s Literary Award
Do you want to enter the same literary award that launched many famous Australian author’s careers? The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award 2022 is now open for submissions. The Vogel Award is a prestigious literary award that has launched the careers of many famous Australian authors including Tim Winton, Kate Grenville, Mandy
Q&A: Edgeways vs edgewise
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 taking the leading edge…
6 tips for writing tight, compelling scenes
Scenes are the building blocks of stories. No matter how much planning or plotting or character development you do, sooner or later you have to dramatise that story via scenes. We sat down with bestselling author (and creator of our Fiction Essentials: SCENES course) Pamela Freeman to find out more,
Writing Podcast Episode 383 Meet Remy Lai, author of ‘Fly on the Wall’.
In Episode 383 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Remy Lai, author of Fly on the Wall. Discover the writing competitions you need to enter for 2021. Authors share the most surprising thing about getting published. Plus, we have 3 copies of The Paris Affair by Pip Drysdale to give away.
COMP CLOSED: WIN ‘The Paris Affair’ with your superpower
This week’s giveaway is The Paris Affair by bestselling author of The Sunday Girl and The Strangers We Know, Pip Drysdale. It’s hot off the press this month, so if you love psychological thrillers, you might want to add this to your collection. Here’s a summary: Meet Harper Brown …
Writing Podcast Episode 382 Pamela Cook’s ‘All We Dream’ [Story Sessions series]
In Episode 382 of So You Want To Be A Writer: This ‘inbetweenisode’ is part of our Story Sessions series featuring ‘All We Dream’ by Pamela Cook. Sydney lawyer Miranda McIntyre discovers family secrets and her quest for the truth forces her to question the life she’s worked so hard to create. We bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this book.
2021 West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award shortlist announced
The West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award (WAYRBA) shortlist has been released and we’re delighted to see some familiar names on the list. Book of Chance by AWC presenter Sue Whiting and Four Dead Queens by graduate Astrid Scholte have both been shortlisted in the Older Readers category. According to
Q&A: “Shameless” vs “shameful”
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, shame on you… Q: Hi
Furious Fiction January 2021 winner and shortlist
It’s a new year and we were so eager that we hit the ground running with our first Furious Fiction challenge for 2021 on the first day of January. (Ahem, it may have also had something to do with the calendar.) A new year was dawning, so here’s what we
The most surprising thing about getting published
Finishing your book will feel like a huge achievement, and it is. You’ll have learnt a lot along the way. But the learning doesn’t stop there! If you’re submitting your book to get published, or you already have a book deal, there’s still plenty for you to learn. Here, five
Writing Podcast Episode 381 Meet Frances Chapman, author of ‘Stars Like Us’.
In Episode 381 of So You Want To Be A Writer: You’ll meet Frances Chapman, author of Stars Liks Us. We also cover how to write scenes. Plus, there are 10x double passes to see High Ground – in cinemas 28 January.
COMP CLOSED: WIN ‘High Ground’ double passes with just ONE word
This week, we have 10 double passes to be won for a new film set in outback Australia in the first part of the 20th century. The film is High Ground and it’s in selected cinemas nationwide from 28 January 2021. Set against the stunning landscape of 1930s Arnhem Land,
Writing Podcast Episode 380 Penelope Janu’s ‘Starting from Scratch’ [Story Sessions series]
In Episode 380 of So You Want To Be A Writer: This ‘inbetweenisode’ is part of our Story Sessions series featuring ‘Starting From Scratch’ by Penelope Janu. Return to the town of Horseshoe Hill and Sapphie Brown as she grapples with her injured pride, and questions if it’s standing in the way of true love. Narrated by the author herself, we bring bookshop browsing to you in this episode with the first chapter of this charming rural romance.
2021 Questions Writing Prize is now open for young writers
Calling out all young Australian writers (18 to 30 years) – the 2021 Questions Writing Prize is now open! This prize awards $2000 to the best writing submitted and is a great chance to flex your creative muscles. According to the website, the piece can be either fiction or non-fiction,
Q&A: Is “refudiate” a word?
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 refudiated… Q: Hi AWC,
Enter a competition with just the first 5 pages of your manuscript
Want the chance to win money for the first five pages of a fiction or creative non-fiction manuscript? The First Pages Prize is all about supporting emerging writers who are currently unagented. According to the press release, “Five winners will receive $5000 total in cash awards, a developmental edit to
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