Stella Prize 2018 now open
The Stella Prize returns! The Stella Prize celebrates women’s contribution to literature and has been awarded annually since 2014. The 2018 prize is now open
Word of the week: Comstockery
Comstockery (noun) [kom’stokuhree] According to the Macquarie Dictionary, this is: “the overzealous censorship of the fine arts and literature, often mistaking outspokenly honest works for salacious ones.”
Writing Podcast Episode 195 Do I need a travel blog?
In Episode 195 of So you want to be a writer:Do you need a travel blog to be a travel writer and tips on converting typewritten
Q&A: Plane vs plain
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 194 Meet Sophie Green, author of ‘The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club’
In Episode 194 of So you want to be a writer: Discover lawyers who moonlight as romance writers. The intriguing case of a crime writer arrested for
COMP CLOSED: Win double passes to “Maudie” starring Ethan Hawke
Thanks to Transmission Films, we have 10 double passes to Maudie starring Sally Hawkins in the title role and Ethan Hawke as her initially reluctant
COMP CLOSED: Win Father’s Day 2-book pack!
Being the first Sunday in September, Father’s Day often stealthily sneaks up on us. But not this year, because we’re getting this giveaway completed before
Word of the week: Magisterial
Magisterial (adjective) [majuhs’tearreeuh] You might think this sounds like it comes from majesty, but it doesn’t. It actually comes from the word that gave us magistrate,
The secrets to writing successful short stories
Back in 2002, an author you may have heard of by the name of Stephen King said that “there are few pleasures so excellent as
Q&A: Cue vs queue
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 193 Meet Catherine Jinks, author of ‘Charlatan’
In Episode 193 of So you want to be a writer: How to use subplots to bring your story together and commuters can enjoy stories from
COMP CLOSED: Win Matt Haig’s “How to Stop Time”
This week’s book is an epic that spans a lifetime. Except that this particular lifetime just happens to include Shakespeare’s England, jazz age Paris and
Word of the week: Amanuensis
Amanuensis (noun) [uhmanyooh’ensuhs] Did you know this is a fancy word for “secretary”? It comes from Ancient Rome when an amanuensis was employed to take dictation
Writing Podcast Episode 192 Can you submit to multiple publishers as the same time?
In this minisode of So you want to be a writer: Can you submit your manuscript to multiple publishers as the same time? Tips on how to
Writing Podcast Episode 191 We chat to Patti Miller on her new book ‘Writing True Stories’
In Episode 191 of So you want to be a writer: The freelancing life and mental health. Writing movie ‘tie-in’ books as a path to publication.
COMP CLOSED: Win “A Dog’s Purpose” book + DVD pack!
A great prize this week for dog lovers (or simply lovers of a good story). Thanks to Entertainment One we have three book+DVD packs of
Word of the week: Eponymous
Eponymous (adjective) [uh’ponuhmuhs] This comes from the Greek word “eponym” (meaning “significant name”) and is the name of the person after whom a label or place
Writing Podcast Episode 190 Meet award-winning author Tamsin Janu on her third novel ‘Blossom’
In this minisode of So you want to be a writer: meet Tamsin Janu who talks about her third novel Blossom and how she has a
Are you guilty of this kind of corporate-speak?
You see it in boardrooms across the nation. People marking off words during meetings in a surreptitious game of bullsh*t bingo. They are noting down
Q&A: Bought vs brought
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 189 Meet author Louise Park, who writes under three pseudonyms.
In Episode 189 of So you want to be a writer: Walkley mid-year award winners have been announced, Keanu Reeves co-founds indie poetry press, and narrative arcs
#WhereIWrite: Crime author Emma Viskic
Yes, it’s that time again. Where we delve into the shelves, explore the doors and investigate the desk space of authors. Today it’s award-winning Australian
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
Stella Prize 2018 now open
The Stella Prize returns! The Stella Prize celebrates women’s contribution to literature and has been awarded annually since 2014. The 2018 prize is now open for entries and the winner will receive $50,000. What is the Stella Prize and how did it come about? From the website: “Dreams of the
Word of the week: Comstockery
Comstockery (noun) [kom’stokuhree] According to the Macquarie Dictionary, this is: “the overzealous censorship of the fine arts and literature, often mistaking outspokenly honest works for salacious ones.” And it is named after Anthony Comstock, a US moralist. So you might say “The conservative lobby encouraged comstockery when they were deciding on which
Writing Podcast Episode 195 Do I need a travel blog?
In Episode 195 of So you want to be a writer:Do you need a travel blog to be a travel writer and tips on converting typewritten pages into Word documents. Plus: should you mention to publishers when you’re submitting that you have other manuscripts underway? Click play below to listen to
Q&A: Plane vs plain
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 keeping it plain and
Writing Podcast Episode 194 Meet Sophie Green, author of ‘The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club’
In Episode 194 of So you want to be a writer: Discover lawyers who moonlight as romance writers. The intriguing case of a crime writer arrested for alleged murder, plus short story writing tips from Cathie Tasker. And meet Sophie Green, author of The Inaugural Meeting of the Fairvale Ladies Book Club.
COMP CLOSED: Win double passes to “Maudie” starring Ethan Hawke
Thanks to Transmission Films, we have 10 double passes to Maudie starring Sally Hawkins in the title role and Ethan Hawke as her initially reluctant employer. This beautifully shot biopic tells the story of Maud Lewis – a Canadian folk artist living on Nova Scotia in the mid-20th century. Check
COMP CLOSED: Win Father’s Day 2-book pack!
Being the first Sunday in September, Father’s Day often stealthily sneaks up on us. But not this year, because we’re getting this giveaway completed before 3 September to allow our winners to choose to either gift it or keep the books for themselves! We have THREE packs to give away,
Word of the week: Magisterial
Magisterial (adjective) [majuhs’tearreeuh] You might think this sounds like it comes from majesty, but it doesn’t. It actually comes from the word that gave us magistrate, which incidentally used to be schoolteacher. So magisterial means when something is done in the manner of a domineering school teacher. So you might say:
The secrets to writing successful short stories
Back in 2002, an author you may have heard of by the name of Stephen King said that “there are few pleasures so excellent as sitting in my favorite chair on a cold night with a hot cup of tea, listening to the wind outside and reading a good story
Q&A: Cue vs queue
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, cue the “queue & A”…
Writing Podcast Episode 193 Meet Catherine Jinks, author of ‘Charlatan’
In Episode 193 of So you want to be a writer: How to use subplots to bring your story together and commuters can enjoy stories from short story vending machines. Plus, how NOT to bury your lede. Meet Catherine Jinks, author of Charlatan: The Dishonest Life and Dishonoured Loves of Thomas
COMP CLOSED: Win Matt Haig’s “How to Stop Time”
This week’s book is an epic that spans a lifetime. Except that this particular lifetime just happens to include Shakespeare’s England, jazz age Paris and surfing in Byron Bay. The book is How to Stop Time – the latest novel by bestselling author Matt Haig, and it has been described
Word of the week: Amanuensis
Amanuensis (noun) [uhmanyooh’ensuhs] Did you know this is a fancy word for “secretary”? It comes from Ancient Rome when an amanuensis was employed to take dictation or copy manuscripts. These days it can refer to any kind of secretary or assistant that helps with words. So you might say: “My manuscript
Writing Podcast Episode 192 Can you submit to multiple publishers as the same time?
In this minisode of So you want to be a writer: Can you submit your manuscript to multiple publishers as the same time? Tips on how to drag yourself out of a rut when it feels like your novel is going nowhere. Plus: a new Facebook group for the So you want
Writing Podcast Episode 191 We chat to Patti Miller on her new book ‘Writing True Stories’
In Episode 191 of So you want to be a writer: The freelancing life and mental health. Writing movie ‘tie-in’ books as a path to publication. Creating a CV for your protagonist and tips on how to be prolific. Introducing a brand new Facebook group. Why you should make it easy
COMP CLOSED: Win “A Dog’s Purpose” book + DVD pack!
A great prize this week for dog lovers (or simply lovers of a good story). Thanks to Entertainment One we have three book+DVD packs of A Dog’s Purpose to give away. The book was written by W. Bruce Cameron and is the heartwarming story of a devoted dog who finds
Word of the week: Eponymous
Eponymous (adjective) [uh’ponuhmuhs] This comes from the Greek word “eponym” (meaning “significant name”) and is the name of the person after whom a label or place or product or invention is named. So you refer to “Ivanka Trump’s eponymous label that was dropped by the department store Nordstrom.” Listen to Valerie
Writing Podcast Episode 190 Meet award-winning author Tamsin Janu on her third novel ‘Blossom’
In this minisode of So you want to be a writer: meet Tamsin Janu who talks about her third novel Blossom and how she has a flourishing career as an author working on it one day a week. Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at podcast [at] writerscentre [dot]
Are you guilty of this kind of corporate-speak?
You see it in boardrooms across the nation. People marking off words during meetings in a surreptitious game of bullsh*t bingo. They are noting down classic phrases like: “game-changing innovations”, “corporate synergy”, “deep dive”, all while they “incentivise” people to “pick the low-hanging fruit”. In honour of this popular pastime,
Q&A: Bought vs brought
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 bought vs brought…bring it
Writing Podcast Episode 189 Meet author Louise Park, who writes under three pseudonyms.
In Episode 189 of So you want to be a writer: Walkley mid-year award winners have been announced, Keanu Reeves co-founds indie poetry press, and narrative arcs explained. Valerie gives her tips for writing across multiple devices. And meet author Louise Park, who writes under three pseudonyms. Click play below to listen
#WhereIWrite: Crime author Emma Viskic
Yes, it’s that time again. Where we delve into the shelves, explore the doors and investigate the desk space of authors. Today it’s award-winning Australian crime writer Emma Viskic – winner of the 2016 Ned Kelly Award for her critically acclaimed debut novel, Resurrection Bay. That same book also won
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
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