COMP CLOSED: Win 2-book pack based on two 20th century literary figures
This week we have two books to give away to one lucky winner – The Crime Writer by Jill Dawson and On the Blue Train
Kimberley Freeman discusses “Stars Across the Ocean”
Today it’s a quick chat with rural romance author and dual-timeline specialist Kimberley Freeman, on her latest book – Stars Across the Ocean. So Kimberley,
10 short story competitions to enter in 2017
We’re well into the year now and your resolution to fulfil your writing dreams may have slowed under the weight of other priorities. But don’t
Word of the week: Lacustrine
Lacustrine (adjective) [luh’kustruyn] Thanks for Matthew Morrison @acutemattiosis for pinging us this word which he, in turn, read in a tweet by Rob Macfarlane. “Lacustrine” usually
Writing Podcast Episode 188 Is Wattpad useful?
In this minisode of So you want to be a writer:Is Wattpad useful? Should you send interviewees your article to approve? Got a question for Val
Q&A: Impression vs impersonation
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
Dorothy Hewett Award 2017 for an unpublished manuscript
Do you have a completed, unpublished manuscript living in your bottom drawer (literally or figuratively)? Does it have a connection to Western Australia? The Dorothy
Writing Podcast Episode 187 Meet Matthew Benns, author of ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’
In Episode 187 of So you want to be a writer: Discover how you could win $20,000 for writing 100 words, plus the story of how
COMP CLOSED: Win your fave book on a t-shirt with Litographs!
Okay, so you know how it’s great to GET INSIDE your favourite book and hang out there? Well this week we’re giving you the opportunity
Word of the week: Abstruse
Abstruse (adjective) [uhb’stroohs] If you think this word is hard to understand then you would be right! It actually means “difficult to understand or esoteric”. So
25-word Short Story Challenge: Winner and top 50!
Back on the shortest day of the year, we put out a simple challenge to you – write us a 25-word story. The only rule
Q&A: Loath vs loathe
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
COMP CLOSED: Win “A Monster Calls” book + film packs x 10!
Thanks to Entertainment One, this week we have 10 prize packs of A Monster Calls book + double film passes to give away. The Carnegie
Writing Podcast Episode 186 We chat to Natasha Lester about her new book ‘Her Mother’s Secret’
In Episode 186 of So you want to be a writer: Do you need to experience what your character goes through? There are two types of writers
St Albans Writers’ Festival 2017 – A literary experience in an ancient landscape
The St Albans Writers’ Festival promises to make a gorgeous weekend retreat. The St Albans Writers’ Festival is on 8-10 September 2017 in the ancient
Word of the week: Callipygian
Callipygian (adjective) [kal-uh-pij-ee-uh n] Believe it or not, this means “a well rounded bum”! So you would say “Kim Kardashian has made a business out of
Q&A: Throws vs throes
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
COMP CLOSED: Win 10x vouchers for movies and TV with Dendy Direct!
Winter is here. And thanks to our generous friends over at the TV/movie streaming service Dendy Direct, we have a prize perfect for these blanket
Word of the week: Ignoble
Ignoble (adjective) [ig-noh-buhl] When the letters ig are in front of an n, that usually mean “not” so this simply means “not noble”. The Macquarie Dictionary goes on
Writing Podcast Episode 185 Meet picture book author and AWC alumni Shelly Unwin, author of ‘You’re Five!’
In this minisode of So you want to be a writer: Have you started your book in the right place? And meet picture book author and
Q&A: Curb vs kerb
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 184 Meet Nicole Alexander, author of ‘An Uncommon Woman’
In Episode 184 of So you want to be a writer: Congratulations to both Anne Tonner and Shankari Chandran! Should you keep a reading journal? How
COMP CLOSED: Win 10 double passes to new film “Paris Can Wait”!
This week, thanks to nos amis at Transmission Films, we have 10 double passes to new film Paris Can Wait to give away. It opens
Lane Cove 2017 Literary Awards are now OPEN!
The 2017 Lane Cove Literary Awards are now open. There’s a possible prize pool of over $7,000. Entries are open to Australian writers aged 16
Word of the week: Lubricious
Lubricious (adjective) [loo-brish-uh s] According to the book 500 Words Your Should Know: “Another word for lewd, lascivious or indeed libidinous, though this is more formal than any
COMP CLOSED: Win 2-book pack based on two 20th century literary figures
This week we have two books to give away to one lucky winner – The Crime Writer by Jill Dawson and On the Blue Train by Kristel Thornell. Both novels are based on the lives of female literary figures. The Crime Writer is a riveting novel that folds a brilliant
Kimberley Freeman discusses “Stars Across the Ocean”
Today it’s a quick chat with rural romance author and dual-timeline specialist Kimberley Freeman, on her latest book – Stars Across the Ocean. So Kimberley, we know that the main character’s name is Agnes, but perhaps you could tell our readers a smidge more about her and her story? “Agnes
10 short story competitions to enter in 2017
We’re well into the year now and your resolution to fulfil your writing dreams may have slowed under the weight of other priorities. But don’t let that goal to write slip away – instead start slow and stretch your creative muscles by entering short story competitions. Short stories are a
Word of the week: Lacustrine
Lacustrine (adjective) [luh’kustruyn] Thanks for Matthew Morrison @acutemattiosis for pinging us this word which he, in turn, read in a tweet by Rob Macfarlane. “Lacustrine” usually refers to things like plants or animals that live or occur on or in lakes. So you must say “That’s a lacustrine plant” if it’s
Writing Podcast Episode 188 Is Wattpad useful?
In this minisode of So you want to be a writer:Is Wattpad useful? Should you send interviewees your article to approve? Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at podcast [at] writerscentre [dot] com [dot] au Click play below to listen to the podcast. You can also listen on Apple
Q&A: Impression vs impersonation
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 making quite an impression…
Dorothy Hewett Award 2017 for an unpublished manuscript
Do you have a completed, unpublished manuscript living in your bottom drawer (literally or figuratively)? Does it have a connection to Western Australia? The Dorothy Hewett Award is for unpublished manuscripts and the winner gets a cash prize of $10,000. Plus, the winner will be offered a publishing contract. Woohoo!
Writing Podcast Episode 187 Meet Matthew Benns, author of ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels’
In Episode 187 of So you want to be a writer: Discover how you could win $20,000 for writing 100 words, plus the story of how Stephen King’s pen name was revealed. What your website should include as a freelance writer. Your chance to win a t-shirt with the words from
COMP CLOSED: Win your fave book on a t-shirt with Litographs!
Okay, so you know how it’s great to GET INSIDE your favourite book and hang out there? Well this week we’re giving you the opportunity to literally (litorally?) do that with a very cool prize – thanks to the folks at Litographs! “What’s a litograph?” you ask? Well, it’s the
Word of the week: Abstruse
Abstruse (adjective) [uhb’stroohs] If you think this word is hard to understand then you would be right! It actually means “difficult to understand or esoteric”. So you might say that “He had an abstruse approach to solving the problem.” Listen to Valerie and Allison chat more about this and more on the
25-word Short Story Challenge: Winner and top 50!
Back on the shortest day of the year, we put out a simple challenge to you – write us a 25-word story. The only rule was that it contain the words “violin” and “victory”. The rest was up to you. The one we judged our favourite would win free access
Q&A: Loath vs loathe
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 fear and
COMP CLOSED: Win “A Monster Calls” book + film packs x 10!
Thanks to Entertainment One, this week we have 10 prize packs of A Monster Calls book + double film passes to give away. The Carnegie Medal-winning novel by British-American author Patrick Ness was released in 2015 and the film adaptation will be released this month on 27 July 2017. According
Writing Podcast Episode 186 We chat to Natasha Lester about her new book ‘Her Mother’s Secret’
In Episode 186 of So you want to be a writer: Do you need to experience what your character goes through? There are two types of writers – which one are you? Wow your friends and dinner guests with your use of the word “callipygian”. Also, hear Natasha Lester talk about her
St Albans Writers’ Festival 2017 – A literary experience in an ancient landscape
The St Albans Writers’ Festival promises to make a gorgeous weekend retreat. The St Albans Writers’ Festival is on 8-10 September 2017 in the ancient Hawkesbury River basin. We reckon this festival warrants a trip to St Albans to soak up the literary vibes and drink up the picturesque scenery.
Word of the week: Callipygian
Callipygian (adjective) [kal-uh-pij-ee-uh n] Believe it or not, this means “a well rounded bum”! So you would say “Kim Kardashian has made a business out of trading off her callipygian figure.” Listen to Valerie and Allison chat more about this and more on the world of writing, blogging and publishing.
Q&A: Throws vs throes
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 catching up on game
COMP CLOSED: Win 10x vouchers for movies and TV with Dendy Direct!
Winter is here. And thanks to our generous friends over at the TV/movie streaming service Dendy Direct, we have a prize perfect for these blanket snuggling days. Ten prizes in fact – of $20 vouchers to access quality movies and TV via the Dendy Direct platform! Dendy is all about
Word of the week: Ignoble
Ignoble (adjective) [ig-noh-buhl] When the letters ig are in front of an n, that usually mean “not” so this simply means “not noble”. The Macquarie Dictionary goes on to say that it’s of “low character” or “low grade”. So you might say “He had ignoble motives.” To hear Valerie and Allison chat more
Writing Podcast Episode 185 Meet picture book author and AWC alumni Shelly Unwin, author of ‘You’re Five!’
In this minisode of So you want to be a writer: Have you started your book in the right place? And meet picture book author and AWC alumni Shelly Unwin. Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at podcast [at] writerscentre [dot] com [dot] au Click play below to listen
Q&A: Curb vs kerb
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 kicking it to the kerb…
Writing Podcast Episode 184 Meet Nicole Alexander, author of ‘An Uncommon Woman’
In Episode 184 of So you want to be a writer: Congratulations to both Anne Tonner and Shankari Chandran! Should you keep a reading journal? How to launch your blog with your book in mind. How to write a kick-ass Amazon bio. 10x double passes to Paris Can Wait up for
COMP CLOSED: Win 10 double passes to new film “Paris Can Wait”!
This week, thanks to nos amis at Transmission Films, we have 10 double passes to new film Paris Can Wait to give away. It opens nationwide on 20 July 2017. It’s the feature film debut of Eleanor Coppola – the 81-year-old wife of filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. Of course, Eleanor
Lane Cove 2017 Literary Awards are now OPEN!
The 2017 Lane Cove Literary Awards are now open. There’s a possible prize pool of over $7,000. Entries are open to Australian writers aged 16 and up. There are several prize categories and opportunities for a range of aspiring writers. So, don’t be shy! From the media release: Short Story
Word of the week: Lubricious
Lubricious (adjective) [loo-brish-uh s] According to the book 500 Words Your Should Know: “Another word for lewd, lascivious or indeed libidinous, though this is more formal than any of them. It’s from the same Latin root as lubricate and lubricant, with their implications of slipperiness and reducing friction. Enough said, don’t you think?”
Browse posts by category
Courses starting soon
