Australian Writers' Centre blog

WIN: All SIX books in Lauren Child’s Ruby Redfort’s series!

A colourful treat for you this week, on the back of British author Lauren Child’s visit to Australia (Valerie interviewed her for episode 176 of the podcast – you can hear that here). As an author and illustrator, Lauren is the creator of many famous characters including Charlie and Lola... read more

Sally Fawcett takes us up the garden path and “Through the Gate”

We’re chatting today with an AWC alumnus in the form of Australian children’s book author and illustrator Sally Fawcett. Sally did our Writing Picture Books course in 2013, subsequently finding publishing success with her first book, What Could it Be, in 2016. And now she has a new... read more

Claire Corbett discusses her new wartime novel, “Watch Over Me”

Today we’re chatting to Australian author Claire Corbett about her new book, Watch Over Me. Described by Tom Keneally as “a tale of pilgrimages and adventures, all beautifully textured and lovingly narrated”, this is a story that Claire feels very strongly about telling. Hi Claire, can you describe your... read more

Word of the week: Farrago

Farrago (noun) [fuh-rah-goh] This comes from the Latin meaning "cattle feed" and, according to the Macquarie Dictionary means "a confused mixture; a hotchpotch". So you might say "The police were fed with a farrago of lies from the mafia family members." To hear Valerie and Allison chat more... read more

‘Have you always wanted to write a book?’ Debut author Sarah Bailey tells all

Melbourne author Sarah Bailey’s debut novel The Dark Lake has been described as “an addictive crime thriller, a mesmerising account of one woman's descent into deceit and madness, and a stunning debut that is already causing a stir around the world.” We’re thrilled for Sarah as she... read more

Ask Valerie: How can I get into corporate writing?

There are many genres in writing. Crime and thriller writing. Memoir writing. Travel writing. Some of these can conjure images of exciting plots or exotic locales. But not all genres evoke this same kind of romance or glamour. Like corporate writing. But wait. Before you screw your nose up at... read more

Ep 175 What kind of blogging routine do you need as a writer? And meet 2017 Vogel winner Marija Pericic.

In this minisode of So you want to be a writer: What kind of blogging routine do you need as a writer? And meet 2017 Vogel award winner Marija Pericic, author of The Lost Pages. Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at podcast [at] writerscentre [dot] com [dot... read more

Poetry and Short Story Competitions Closing In June

The Hunter Writers Centre are running two writing competitions closing in June 2017. 2017 Grieve Writing Competition First up is the 2017 Grieve Writing Competition. The Grieve Writing Competition is in honour of Grief Awareness Month (August) with a prize pool of $7,000. Applicants are encouraged to submit a... read more

Q&A: Boom vs boon

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 boom... read more

Talking Lifestyle: How to write a good murder mystery

I recently chatted with Ed Phillips on Talking Lifestyle about the rising popularity of the crime and thriller genre, and what makes a good murder mystery. You can listen to the interview here. Hope you enjoy it... read more

‘Pride’ and prejudice with author Lazaros Zigomanis

Today we’re chatting to Australian author Lazaros Zigomanis. No, not about how much his name would score in Scrabble, but rather his new book Pride – his first foray into Young Adult fiction. So Lazaros, can you give us a quick rundown of this book – what’s it all about... read more

Talking Lifestyle: Creative writing courses with the Australian Writers’ Centre

I had a great time chatting with Ed Phillips on Talking Lifestyle recently about creative writing and the courses we have on offer at the Australian Writers' Centre. You can listen to the interview here. Enjoy... read more

Ep 174 The 3 different types of editing you need. And meet Jenevieve Chang, author of “The Good Girl of Chinatown”.

In Episode 174 of So you want to be a writer: Make sure you know the 3 different types of editing you need. Discover how to create “scene goals” in your writing. We’re a bit gobsmacked by a plagiarised paper about plagiarism! Meet Jenevieve Chang, author of the memoir... read more

WIN: 10 double passes to fugitive story “Neruda”!

This week, thanks to our buddies over at Palace Films, we have 10 double passes to new film Neruda to give away. It opens in selected cinemas 25 May 2017. The film is directed by Pablo Larrain and follows real life 20th century Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who is outlawed... read more

Word of the week: Ersatz

Ersatz (adjective) [er-sahts] This is a word that comes from the German word for "replacement". According to the Macquarie Dictionary, it means "serving as a substitute". So you might say: "Vegetarians often like ersatz meat dishes." To hear Valerie and Allison chat more about this and more on the... read more

Ep 173 How to improve your writing. And meet Anne Trubek, author of “The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting”.

In this minisode of So you want to be a writer: How to improve your writing. And meet Anne Trubek, author of The History and Uncertain Future of Handwriting. And where does the term “John Hancock” come from? Got a question for Val and Al? Ask at podcast [at] writerscentre... read more

Q&A: Abolition vs abolishment

Kendall Talbot on the 2017 Romance Writers of Australia Conference

Calling all romance writers! The 26th annual Romance Writers of Australia (RWA) conference kicks off in Brisbane on 11 August 2017. Attendees will be spoilt for choice with over 40 interactive seminars and workshops on offer as well as the conference’s highlight – the Romantic Book of the Year (RUBY... read more

Ep 172 We review Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice, And meet Anna Daniels, author of “Girl in Between”.

In Episode 172 of So you want to be a writer: Are you a writer or an author? We review Amazon’s Whispersync for Voice! Some unexpected writing tools (which do you use?). You could win a copy of Behind Her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough! Plus: meet Anna Daniels, author... read more

WIN: 4x Sarah Pinborough’s thriller “Behind Her Eyes”

Released earlier this year, this bestselling thriller is in a similar vein to 2015’s runaway smash The Girl on the Train. Penned by prolific UK author Sarah Pinborough, Behind Her Eyes has been shocking people around the world since its release because of THAT twist ending. No more spoilers... read more