Australian Writers' Centre blog

Q&A: Aluminum or aluminium?

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 umming... read more

VOTE: Do you prefer coffee or tea when you write?

This week, we need your help to settle a debate that’s been raging in the AWC office – and no doubt throughout history. (No pressure!) Tea and coffee have both been trusty companions of writers for many centuries. More than 300 years ago, author Jonathan Swift stated that "coffee makes... read more

Why we love our listener community!

We asked for a parade and we got one! When our podcast So You Want To Be A Writer celebrated episode #300 recently, we offered a 30-book pack as a party favour and asked our wonderful listener community to help create the party.  Entrants had to answer this question... read more

WIN ‘Gotta Get Theroux This’ memoir by Louis Theroux

This week we’re giving away copies of the new memoir from much-loved documentary maker Louis Theroux. It’s called Gotta Get Theroux This (we see what you did there, Louis) and it’s a funny, heartfelt and entertaining account of his life and weird times in TV. In... read more

13 Australian authors share their creative rituals

Some writers swear by their creative rituals. And, we get it. Once you get into a creative routine, it can be hard to break – especially if it provides you with inspiration and motivation. We asked Australia’s top authors, poets and illustrators – nominees for the 2019 Prime Minister’s Literary... read more

Q&A: Alumnus, platypus, octopus plurals?

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 one... read more

COMP CLOSED ‘The Weekend’ by Charlotte Wood

This week we have three copies to give away of The Weekend – a brilliant new novel from acclaimed author of The Natural Way of Things, Charlotte Wood. “People went on about death bringing friends together, but it wasn't true. The graveyard, the stony dirt – that's what it was... read more

Furious Fiction turns 21 and fans sign the card

Furious Fiction this month celebrates 21 months of fantastic flash fiction fun! So to get into the party spirit, we bought one of those huge novelty cards and passed it around some of our biggest fans for them to each say nice things (sniff… you GUYS!... now we’re getting... read more

Q&A: Nought or naught?

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... read more

Q&A: Historic or historical?

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 a... read more

Furious Fiction September 2019 winner and shortlist

This month, more than 1000 writers entered Furious Fiction – mixing alchemy with creativity in the hope of stumbling upon the magic story elixir. The September criteria were varied and many: Each story had to include the name of at least ONE element from the periodic table. Each story’s first... read more

Q&A: Shoe-in or shoo-in?

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 into... read more

COMP CLOSED ‘TRIM: The Cartographer’s Cat’

A purrfect giveaway this week! We have THREE copies of TRIM: The Cartographer's Cat up for grabs, a delightful book by Matthew Flinders, Philippa Sandall and Gillian Dooley. Detailing the adventures of explorer Matthew Flinders' much-loved feline friend, Trim – learn about the amazing cat who accompanied Flinders on... read more