By R.A. Spratt R.A. Spratt’s latest book is The Peski Kids 5: The Final Mission, a mystery story for kids. We get her to spill five tips on how to write a great mystery story for children. 1. Plot backwards I usually come up with the big reveal of the
By award-winning author, Allison Rushby We’ve all been there. It’s Sunday. Your chores are done. Everyone else in the house has gone out. The dog/cat/ferret has been walked/played with/whatever you do with a ferret. You’ve got a few hours up your sleeve. Uninterrupted time! You were all set to write
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, there’s a shark attack… Q:
A picture told 500 words this month as we welcomed back the infamous picture prompt to our Furious Fiction criteria club. The picture above was the image in question and the complete challenge for September went something like this: Each story had to be INSPIRED by the picture above. Each story’s
HarperCollins Australia has announced their winner of The 2020 Banjo Prize and we are thrilled it’s Dinuka McKenzie, one of our talented alumnae! Dinuka took out the major prize for her manuscript Flood Debris, winning a publishing contract with HarperCollins and a $15,000 advance. This is an incredible achievement and
In Episode 349 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Christie Nieman, author of Where We Begin. Discover what you can learn from being an author-entrepreneur. Plus, we have 5 double passes to ‘The Translators’ to give away.
As cinemas reopen across Australia, thanks to Palace Films this week we’re offering up FIVE double passes to new film The Translators. It opens in cinemas from 17 September 2020. A big hit at the recent Alliance Française French Film Festival, THE TRANSLATORS is written and directed by Régis Roinsard
Do you write narrative non-fiction? Do you have an idea for a publishable book, but just need an extra boost? Hardie Grant has just launched its inaugural Spark Prize for narrative non-fiction. According to the Hardie Grant website, the winner will receive: $2000 prize money, a 6-month mentorship with Hardie
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, weight for it… Q: Hi
Bestselling author of epic middle-grade fiction Allison Tait met with AWC CEO Valerie Khoo in a Creative Conversations episode to chat about her new book The Fire Star and answer the community’s burning questions about all things writing. Allison Tait, also known as A.L. Tait, is the internationally published bestselling
In Episode 348 of So You Want To Be A Writer: Meet Richard Fidler, broadcaster and author of The Golden Maze: A Biography of Prague. Congratulations to AWC alumnae Felicity McVay and Brooke Grahams for publishing their debut picture books. Plus, shout out to AWC alumna Petronella McGovern for being on the 2020 Ned Kelly Crime Awards shortlist with her thriller Six Minutes. Plus, we have 3 copies of The Golden Maze by Richard Fidler to give away.
Calling all Australian illustrators – established, emerging and in between. The SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) Australian Picture Book Illustrator Awards are now open. What are the awards? According to the SCBWI website: The SCBWI Australian Picture Book Illustrator Awards recognise the talent of PAL published Australian
This week’s giveaway book is from beloved ABC broadcaster and bestselling author of Ghost Empire and Saga Land, Richard Fidler. His latest book is The Golden Maze – a personally curated history of the magical city that is Prague. Here’s a blurb about it: In 1989, Richard Fidler was living
HarperCollins Australia has released the shortlist for the 2020 Banjo Prize and we’re so proud that all four are from the Australian Writers’ Centre community. The 2020 Banjo Prize shortlist: The List by Megan Albany The Tuesday Afternoon Murder Club by Karli Florisson Roses of Budapest by Rachael Keene Flood
Have you wanted to get a break in the publishing industry? Hachette Australia have announced a paid summer internship. According to the website: “The Hachette Australia Summer Internship Program will run for four months each year, with the first successful candidate commencing in November 2020. The intern role will be
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, there’s a lot of misinformation
One of Australia’s most prestigious novel-writing competitions, the Richell Prize, released its 2020 longlist – and we were thrilled to see so many familiar names on the list from the Australian Writers’ Centre community! Out of 800 entries, 22 authors made the longlist. Among some of the names are AWC
Are you a crime writer in Australia or New Zealand? Whether you’re a debut author or have previously been published, the Allen & Unwin Crime Fiction Prize is looking for new talent in crime writing. The prize itself is a killer! The winner will receive a publishing contract with Allen
Learn how to edit your own manuscript and meet Fiona Palmer, author of Tiny White Lies. In a shocking plot twist, Allison shares her Word of the Week. Discover when to tune into a special Facebook live Creative Conversations with Allison Tait. Plus we have 3 copies of The Fire Star: A Maven & Reeve Mystery by A.L. Tait to give away.
‘I was up past midnight finishing this book! The mystery kept me turning the pages, and I felt like I’d known Maven and Reeve forever.’ – Amie Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Ice Wolves Great news! Our very own AWC presenter and podcast co-host A.L. Tait is back
AWC courses completed:
Anatomy of a Crime: How to Write About Murder
Build Your Author Platform
Sonya is now proud to call herself an author with her debut adult novel, Inheritance of Secrets, out now through HarperCollins.
AWC courses completed:
Writing Picture Books
Writing Picture Books Masterclass
How to Write for Children and Young Adults
Build Your Author Platform
For writers, self-editing is a crucial skill, especially if you’re planning to send your finished manuscript off to a publisher or enter it in a competition. Whether or not you have friends who can help you as beta readers, you need to be able to edit yourself well. The Australian
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 thinking outside the box…
Discover what you need to know about writing across age groups. Meet Nick Place, co-author of Stalin’s Wine Cellar. It’s launch day for A.L. Tait’s eagerly anticipated book The Fire Star. Plus, there are 3 copies of The Good Teacher by Petronella McGovern (AWC alumna) to give away.
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