How to DIY your own writer’s retreat
Every writer dreams of being able to dash away to the Tuscan countryside for a few weeks of uninterrupted writing bliss, gazing upon distant lush
Q&A: Manoeuvre vs maneuver
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 297 Meet Joe Gorman, author of ‘Heartland’
In Episode 297 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Joe Gorman, author of Heartland and discover how to improve your book with
Lesley Gibbes has a hit with ‘Searching for Cicadas’
Above: Lesley Gibbes with her book Searching for Cicadas AWC presenter Lesley Gibbes is no stranger to cicadas. “They are the soundtrack of my childhood,”
Richell Prize for Emerging Writers 2019 Longlist Announcement
We’re thrilled that five Australian Writers’ Centre alumnae have been announced on the Richell Prize Longlist for 2019. Congratulations to Jennifer Carlisle, Lauren Draper, Kylie
COMP CLOSED: ‘Bake Australia Great’ by Katherine Sabbath
Something to whet your appetite this week and perfect for the foodies (or pun fans). We have THREE copies of Bake Australia Great by Sydney
Q&A: Suffice to say or suffice it to say?
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
Our favourite 29-word stories…
Last week, we asked you to come up with a story that was exactly 29 words in length. No more, no fewer. But that wasn’t
Writing Podcast Episode 296 Meet Patti Miller, author of ‘The Joy of High Places’
In Episode 296 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Patti Miller, author of The Joy of High Places. Discover how the Creative
COMP CLOSED ‘The Joy of High Places’ by Patti Miller
This week we have three copies to give away of The Joy of High Places – a soaring new memoir about longing, resilience and delight
Q&A: Why is 13 a baker’s dozen?
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 295 Meet Petronella McGovern, author of ‘Six Minutes’
In Episode 295 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Do you need a book curator? And meet AWC alumna Petronella McGovern, author of
Enter our 29-word story challenge!
Okay, end of winter – cobwebs and all that. Time to stretch your creative muscles. Keen to play? Today’s the 29th, so we challenge you to
COMP CLOSED: ‘Little Puggle’s Song’ by Vikki Conley
This week we have three copies to give away of Little Puggle’s Song – a delightful picture book from Vikki Conley, with illustrations by Hélene
7 short story competitions with huge prizes
There are lots of reasons why you might enter short story competitions. They’re a great incentive to help you finish and hone your story. They’re
Q&A: Phony vs phoney
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
International short story competition now open
The Wollongong Writers Festival Short Story Prize 2019 is open to everyone – including writers outside Australia. There’s $1,000 up for grabs for the winner
Furious Fiction August 2019 winner and shortlist
This month’s Furious Fiction continued to break records, with almost 1400 entries received across the weekend! The theme was a little different too, as we
Writing Podcast Episode 294 Meet Mick Elliott, author of the Squidge Dibley series
In Episode 294 of So You Want To Be A Writer: We talk to children’s author Mick Elliott about his Squidge Dibley series. Fresh content
COMP CLOSED: ‘Where the Dead Go’ by Sarah Bailey
This week we have three copies to give away of Where the Dead Go – the new book from bestselling, award-winning author and AWC alumna,
Queensland Writing Fellowships now open
Queensland writers, are you looking for a fellowship opportunity? Well, the Griffith Review Fellowships for 2020-2021 are now open. This fellowship is not just for
We’re hiring: Assistant Project Manager
The Australian Writers’ Centre team is growing and we need an Assistant Project Manager. Please note: This role is not a writing-based role. This role
Enter The Deakin University Non-fiction Prize 2019
Write non-fiction? The Deakin University Non-Fiction Prize is now open and there’s $3,000 AUD up for grabs! Entries for this competition close on 1 September
Q&A: Origin of ‘southpaw’ and ‘goofy foot’
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 293 We chat to Tony Park, bestselling author of ‘Ghosts of the Past’
In Episode 293 of So You Want To Be A Writer: We chat to Tony Park, bestselling author of Ghosts of the Past. We also
How to DIY your own writer’s retreat
Every writer dreams of being able to dash away to the Tuscan countryside for a few weeks of uninterrupted writing bliss, gazing upon distant lush hills, finding inspiration in every cup of coffee, and interacting with kind locals … or something of the sort. The reality is that we all
Q&A: Manoeuvre vs maneuver
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 manoeuvring around the topic…
Writing Podcast Episode 297 Meet Joe Gorman, author of ‘Heartland’
In Episode 297 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Joe Gorman, author of Heartland and discover how to improve your book with beta readers. There are three copies of Bake Australia Great by Katherine Sabbath up for grabs. Plus, the Richell Prize for Emerging Writers longlist has
Lesley Gibbes has a hit with ‘Searching for Cicadas’
Above: Lesley Gibbes with her book Searching for Cicadas AWC presenter Lesley Gibbes is no stranger to cicadas. “They are the soundtrack of my childhood,” she says. “My own summertime garden is full of cicadas.” So Lesley didn’t have to reach far for inspiration for her latest picture book Searching
Richell Prize for Emerging Writers 2019 Longlist Announcement
We’re thrilled that five Australian Writers’ Centre alumnae have been announced on the Richell Prize Longlist for 2019. Congratulations to Jennifer Carlisle, Lauren Draper, Kylie Orr, January Gilchrist, and Sarah Fiddelaers. All super talented writers! Over 700 entries were received and 21 writers have been announced on this year’s longlist.
COMP CLOSED: ‘Bake Australia Great’ by Katherine Sabbath
Something to whet your appetite this week and perfect for the foodies (or pun fans). We have THREE copies of Bake Australia Great by Sydney cake queen Katherine Sabbath to give away! This mad-cap collection of edible Australiana will win over anyone with a love for the land of the
Q&A: Suffice to say or suffice it to say?
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. Suffice to say, we have questions… Q:
Our favourite 29-word stories…
Last week, we asked you to come up with a story that was exactly 29 words in length. No more, no fewer. But that wasn’t all. We also wanted the first and last word to be the same. And finally, we wanted this story to take us somewhere, somehow, by
Writing Podcast Episode 296 Meet Patti Miller, author of ‘The Joy of High Places’
In Episode 296 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Patti Miller, author of The Joy of High Places. Discover how the Creative Writing Quest for Kids can help your child improve their writing. Learn why you need to stop apologising for your voice. Plus, we have three
COMP CLOSED ‘The Joy of High Places’ by Patti Miller
This week we have three copies to give away of The Joy of High Places – a soaring new memoir about longing, resilience and delight in the natural world, from Australia’s foremost memoirist, Patti Miller. In this extraordinary and unexpected book, Patti tells the story of her own long-distance walking
Q&A: Why is 13 a baker’s dozen?
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 checking out maths skills
Writing Podcast Episode 295 Meet Petronella McGovern, author of ‘Six Minutes’
In Episode 295 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Do you need a book curator? And meet AWC alumna Petronella McGovern, author of Six Minutes. MOJO MONTH is coming! Discover sweet book nerd merch. Valerie’s journals are now available to order. Plus, we have 3 copies of Little
Enter our 29-word story challenge!
Okay, end of winter – cobwebs and all that. Time to stretch your creative muscles. Keen to play? Today’s the 29th, so we challenge you to write a story that uses EXACTLY 29 words. But wait, there’s more. Your story has to begin and end with the SAME word and include
COMP CLOSED: ‘Little Puggle’s Song’ by Vikki Conley
This week we have three copies to give away of Little Puggle’s Song – a delightful picture book from Vikki Conley, with illustrations by Hélene Magisson. Vikki has been a professional writer for many years and with multiple titles set to publish in the coming year, she is emerging as
7 short story competitions with huge prizes
There are lots of reasons why you might enter short story competitions. They’re a great incentive to help you finish and hone your story. They’re also an excellent opportunity to get your story in front of famous judges – who could be agents, publishers or writers. And of course there’s
Q&A: Phony vs phoney
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 such phonies… Q: Hey
International short story competition now open
The Wollongong Writers Festival Short Story Prize 2019 is open to everyone – including writers outside Australia. There’s $1,000 up for grabs for the winner of the competition. This year’s theme is “All Lit Up” and the word limit is 2,500 words. From the Wollongong Writers Festival website: Our aim
Furious Fiction August 2019 winner and shortlist
This month’s Furious Fiction continued to break records, with almost 1400 entries received across the weekend! The theme was a little different too, as we got all descriptive. The August criteria were: Each story had to include, word for word, ALL of the following SIX descriptions: SHINY, SILVER COLD AND
Writing Podcast Episode 294 Meet Mick Elliott, author of the Squidge Dibley series
In Episode 294 of So You Want To Be A Writer: We talk to children’s author Mick Elliott about his Squidge Dibley series. Fresh content ideas for your author newsletter and we have three copies of Where the Dead Go by international bestselling and award-winning author Sarah Bailey to give
COMP CLOSED: ‘Where the Dead Go’ by Sarah Bailey
This week we have three copies to give away of Where the Dead Go – the new book from bestselling, award-winning author and AWC alumna, Sarah Bailey. This is Sarah’s third book, following on from the success of The Dark Lake (2017) and Into the Night (2018). You can read
Queensland Writing Fellowships now open
Queensland writers, are you looking for a fellowship opportunity? Well, the Griffith Review Fellowships for 2020-2021 are now open. This fellowship is not just for writers currently living in Queensland. According to the Griffith Review website: Up to six fellowships of $3,000–$7,000 will be awarded in 2019 to Queensland writers,
We’re hiring: Assistant Project Manager
The Australian Writers’ Centre team is growing and we need an Assistant Project Manager. Please note: This role is not a writing-based role. This role won’t be a stepping stone for you to publish your novel – but you will help others pursue their passion for writing. And hey, you
Enter The Deakin University Non-fiction Prize 2019
Write non-fiction? The Deakin University Non-Fiction Prize is now open and there’s $3,000 AUD up for grabs! Entries for this competition close on 1 September 2019. It’s open to writers aged 30 and under, writing long-form non-fiction who are also Australian residents. From the media release: Entries between 5,000 and
Q&A: Origin of ‘southpaw’ and ‘goofy foot’
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, it’s all about lefties… Q:
Writing Podcast Episode 293 We chat to Tony Park, bestselling author of ‘Ghosts of the Past’
In Episode 293 of So You Want To Be A Writer: We chat to Tony Park, bestselling author of Ghosts of the Past. We also share Book Week costume ideas. AWC presenter Patti Miller’s book launch for The Joy of High Places was a great success. Plus there are three
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