Richell Prize 2017 Short List just announced
The short-list for the Richell Prize 2017 has just been announced. This is a prize for emerging writers, so it gathers quite a large number
COMP CLOSED: Describe NYC in three words!
This week, thanks to our friends at Roadshow Films, we have 10 double passes up for grabs for new film The Only Living Boy in
Writing Podcast Episode 203 Our ‘go to’ writing apps
In Episode 203 of So you want to be a writer: How to approach agents, especially when they all seem to say not accepting “unsolicited manuscripts”.
Q&A: Speciality vs specialty
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 202 Meet Torre DeRoche, author of ‘The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World’
In Episode 202 of So you want to be a writer: Tips for avoiding information dumping in dialogue and strategies for researching your historical novel. One editor
COMP CLOSED: Giveaway – What secret do YOU want to know the answer to?
This week’s giveaway is the first book in A.L.Tait’s brand new middle grade series – The Book of Secrets! (Tait is of course none other
Q&A: Heaps good?
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 201 Meet Tristan Bancks, author of ‘The Fall’
In Episode 201 of So you want to be a writer: How to teach your kids to write a good story, why social media advice for authors
COMP CLOSED: Who would paint YOUR portrait?
This week, thanks to our friends at Transmission Films, we have 10 double passes to the new film Final Portrait – starring Geoffrey Rush as
Is it always legal to snap?
Many people believe that photographing people without their knowledge or consent is an invasion of privacy and therefore against the law. However, you might be
The Richell Prize Long List 2017
It’s always exciting to see who made the Richell Prize long list, and this year is no exception. There are 20 fabulous writers on the
Q&A Rare form
Q: Hi AWC A: Hello. Are you ready to begin? Q: Absolutely! I’m rearing to go. A: Actually, if that were the case, you’d be
AWC alumna and AWC presenter in the 2017 fiction edition of The Big Issue!
It’s that time of year again. The Big Issue has released their annual fiction special. With 14 short stories, it features authors such as Paulo
Writing Podcast Episode 200 Meet Shankari Chandran, author of ‘The Barrier’
In Episode 200 of So you want to be a writer: Allison new book The Book of Secrets is out now! What is it like to be
Enter the 2017 Horne Prize for essay writing
After a successful first year, the Horne Prize for essay writing is back. This year, the prize is valued at $15,000. If you’re a keen
COMP CLOSED: Win Fifty Fifty by Candice Fox and James Patterson!
This week we’re excited to be giving away three copies of the latest collaboration between the world’s bestselling thriller writer, James Patterson, and award-winning Aussie
Writing Podcast Episode 199 What’s the difference between a structural edit, copy edit and proofread?
In Episode 199 of So you want to be a writer: Can you indie publish a professionally edited manuscript? What’s the difference between a structural edit, copy
Win $5000 and a publishing deal for your romance manuscript
Australian romance writing is heating up. And with the return of the XO Romance Prize for 2017, it’s going to get even more exciting. If
Word of the week: Asperity
Asperity (noun) [as’peruhtee] This means sharpness or harshness of temper. So you might say: “The teacher was frustrated with the Year 9 class and spoke to
Q&A: One nation?
Q: Is a country a singular or plural entity? A: Good question. After all, a nation can be both a united front but also made
Writing Podcast Episode 198 We chat to Jacqueline Harvey, author of the Alice-Miranda series
In Episode 198 of So you want to be a writer: Useful writing tips from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and how to balance freelancing with creative writing.
COMP CLOSED: WIN What’s YOUR favourite number?
This week we’re celebrating the success of one of our AWC alumni by giving away a set of her new series of picture books –
Writing Podcast Episode 197 Is my memoir interesting enough?
In Episode 197 of So you want to be a writer: Is my memoir interesting enough? How to give feedback on horror when you don’t read
Win $5000 with ELLE magazine’s short story competition
ELLE magazine have launched their first ever writing competition (for short stories up to 4000 words). Not only is there $5000 up for grabs for
Q&A: Tricks of the trade
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
Richell Prize 2017 Short List just announced
The short-list for the Richell Prize 2017 has just been announced. This is a prize for emerging writers, so it gathers quite a large number of entries. There were 579 entries this year and the judges managed to whittle that down to these five. We know you want to know
COMP CLOSED: Describe NYC in three words!
This week, thanks to our friends at Roadshow Films, we have 10 double passes up for grabs for new film The Only Living Boy in New York – opening nationwide in select cinemas from 12 October. The film features an all-star cast including Jeff Bridges, Kate Beckinsale, Pierce Brosnan, Cynthia
Writing Podcast Episode 203 Our ‘go to’ writing apps
In Episode 203 of So you want to be a writer: How to approach agents, especially when they all seem to say not accepting “unsolicited manuscripts”. Valerie and Allison share their “go to” writing apps. You’ll discover tips on how to tailor your writing to YA readers. And, does the editing
Q&A: Speciality vs specialty
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 covering our specialty subject…
Writing Podcast Episode 202 Meet Torre DeRoche, author of ‘The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World’
In Episode 202 of So you want to be a writer: Tips for avoiding information dumping in dialogue and strategies for researching your historical novel. One editor reveals big freelance pitching mistakes she sees every day. And meet Torre DeRoche, author of ‘The Worrier’s Guide to the End of the World’. Click
COMP CLOSED: Giveaway – What secret do YOU want to know the answer to?
This week’s giveaway is the first book in A.L.Tait’s brand new middle grade series – The Book of Secrets! (Tait is of course none other than Allison Tait – AWC presenter and co-host with Valerie Khoo on our So you want to be a writer podcast.) In the swashbuckling traditions
Q&A: Heaps good?
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’s Q&A is heaps good… Q:
Writing Podcast Episode 201 Meet Tristan Bancks, author of ‘The Fall’
In Episode 201 of So you want to be a writer: How to teach your kids to write a good story, why social media advice for authors can be tricky, and why freelancers should sample office life from time to time. Meet Tristan Bancks, author of the thriller book for kids, The
COMP CLOSED: Who would paint YOUR portrait?
This week, thanks to our friends at Transmission Films, we have 10 double passes to the new film Final Portrait – starring Geoffrey Rush as the world-renowned 20th century sculptor and artist Alberto Giacometti. The film, directed by Stanley Tucci, takes place in Paris in 1964, when American writer and
Is it always legal to snap?
Many people believe that photographing people without their knowledge or consent is an invasion of privacy and therefore against the law. However, you might be surprised to learn that leaving aside the moral issues that this might raise, in Australia it is (on the face of it) perfectly legal. This
The Richell Prize Long List 2017
It’s always exciting to see who made the Richell Prize long list, and this year is no exception. There are 20 fabulous writers on the list – and AWC alumnus Michelle Barraclough is on there with her work, As I Am. The Richell Prize has been running for 3 years
Q&A Rare form
Q: Hi AWC A: Hello. Are you ready to begin? Q: Absolutely! I’m rearing to go. A: Actually, if that were the case, you’d be “raring to go”. Q: Really? A: Really. Q: “Raring”? What even IS that? I’ve only heard of “rare” – and never as a verb. A:
AWC alumna and AWC presenter in the 2017 fiction edition of The Big Issue!
It’s that time of year again. The Big Issue has released their annual fiction special. With 14 short stories, it features authors such as Paulo Coelho, Matthew Reilly and AWC alumna Anna Spargo-Ryan. Plus AWC presenter Nick Earls was a judge for this edition. Talk about an all-star cast! From
Writing Podcast Episode 200 Meet Shankari Chandran, author of ‘The Barrier’
In Episode 200 of So you want to be a writer: Allison new book The Book of Secrets is out now! What is it like to be Obama’s speechwriter? Discover more apps to help with your writing and social media tips for authors. Your chance to win a copy of the latest
Enter the 2017 Horne Prize for essay writing
After a successful first year, the Horne Prize for essay writing is back. This year, the prize is valued at $15,000. If you’re a keen essayist, this is your chance to shine. The competition is now open and accepting essays of up to 3000 words. Like last year, this year’s
COMP CLOSED: Win Fifty Fifty by Candice Fox and James Patterson!
This week we’re excited to be giving away three copies of the latest collaboration between the world’s bestselling thriller writer, James Patterson, and award-winning Aussie crime-writing sensation, Candice Fox. The book is Fifty Fifty – the sequel to last year’s hugely successful Never Never. Pick up with kickass Detective Harriet
Writing Podcast Episode 199 What’s the difference between a structural edit, copy edit and proofread?
In Episode 199 of So you want to be a writer: Can you indie publish a professionally edited manuscript? What’s the difference between a structural edit, copy edit and proofread? Plus: with multiple submissions, should you mention in your pitch that you’re submitting to other publishers? Click play below to listen to
Win $5000 and a publishing deal for your romance manuscript
Australian romance writing is heating up. And with the return of the XO Romance Prize for 2017, it’s going to get even more exciting. If you’re an Australian romance writer with an unpublished manuscript, the XO Romance Prize will be right up your alley. What’s up for grabs? There’s a
Word of the week: Asperity
Asperity (noun) [as’peruhtee] This means sharpness or harshness of temper. So you might say: “The teacher was frustrated with the Year 9 class and spoke to them with asperity.” Listen to Valerie and Allison chat more about this and more on the world of writing, blogging and publishing.
Q&A: One nation?
Q: Is a country a singular or plural entity? A: Good question. After all, a nation can be both a united front but also made up of millions of people. Q: Exactly! So, is it “Australia play Thailand in the next soccer qualifier” or “Australia PLAYS Thailand”? A: Well, it
Writing Podcast Episode 198 We chat to Jacqueline Harvey, author of the Alice-Miranda series
In Episode 198 of So you want to be a writer: Useful writing tips from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and how to balance freelancing with creative writing. Freelance writing skills you can use to write your novel and Google’s most-searched “how-to” questions capture all the magic and struggle of being human. What writing for
COMP CLOSED: WIN What’s YOUR favourite number?
This week we’re celebrating the success of one of our AWC alumni by giving away a set of her new series of picture books – the ideal gift for the tiniest person in your life. This five-book series by Shelly Unwin is aimed at readers from age one right up
Writing Podcast Episode 197 Is my memoir interesting enough?
In Episode 197 of So you want to be a writer: Is my memoir interesting enough? How to give feedback on horror when you don’t read it. Which laptop should I buy? Click play below to listen to the podcast. You can also listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher Radio.
Win $5000 with ELLE magazine’s short story competition
ELLE magazine have launched their first ever writing competition (for short stories up to 4000 words). Not only is there $5000 up for grabs for the winner, their story will also be published in the January 2018 edition of ELLE. From the ELLE website: We’re on the lookout for fiction’s
Q&A: Tricks of the trade
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 learning the tricks of
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