The modern age has given us amazing tools like spell check, but that’s a little like having an excellent team of paramedics always waiting at the base of the cliff (surely a dubious use of medical resources?). What happens if you can’t use ‘spell check’? Wouldn’t you rather not leap
It’s competition time again, and we couldn’t give this one away without first having a chat to the woman behind all the men, music and misadventures – journalist Jane Cornwell. In this breezy travel memoir, Jane shares her flings and whirlwind experiences around the globe. These include the young Greek
We interview some great thriller authors on our So you want to be a writer podcast – and they graciously let us into their world (and mind!). Luckily, Michael Robotham is far more pleasant than some of the scenarios he paints on his pages. Here’s one from the vault –
Each week, we chat about the quirks & anomalies of the English language. Although this week it’s more analogy than anomaly… Q: Hi AWC, what time is it? A: It’s GRAMMAR TIME! Q: Ah, okay. NO. That’s very cute, but I actually want to know what the actual time is.
When you start out as a copywriter it seems pretty simple. Get some clients, write some ace copy – get paid! And seriously, who doesn’t want to write for a living? But sooner or later you’re going to come across the dreaded “quote creep”. This is where your definition of the work and
In Episode 72 of So you want to be a writer: Cover reveal for Allison Tait’s latest instalment of The Mapmaker Chronicles, brutally honest writing advice from brutally honest writers, US bookshop offers refunds for Go Set a Watchman, an author sends out manuscripts out under a masculine pseudonym, how women authors
Each week, we chat about the quirks, oddities and anomalies of the English language. Like whether we needed a comma after the word “oddities” in that last sentence… Q: Hi AWC, one of our readers recently wrote to us to say that her mother always said that you should never
It may still be winter, but if you’re in Melbourne you’ll want to leave the comfort and warmth of your blanket fort for the Melbourne Writers Festival (MFW). This year’s festival runs from the 20th of August to the 30th of August and embraces all forms of writing from Nobel prize
Writing loves a purpose. That purpose might be completing a chapter, a novel, or a picture book. It could be a copywriting assignment or proposal. Maybe even getting your 500 words (or 140 characters) for the day out of the way. Alternatively, it could also be the promise of cash
The author on this week’s competition prize desk needs no introduction, but we’ll give you one anyway. He has written more than 50 books, not to mention a very very good book ABOUT writing books. Many of his novels have been adapted into memorable films or television shows and his
The Ned Kelly Awards are Australia’s oldest and most prestigious prizes honouring our crime fiction and true crime writing, and this year they’re celebrating their big 2-0! The winners of the 2015 Ned Kelly Awards will be announced at the Melbourne Writers Festival on Saturday August 22 – and they’ve just
What’s most important in your writing is to get the reader to care – about the main character, the story, the idea. In fiction you don’t necessarily need to like the hero but you do need to care about him or her. That’s what keeps you turning the pages. After
In Episode 71 of So you want to be a writer: Five essential podcasts for writers, National Bookshop Day, Richard Linklater top choice to direct The Rosie Project movie, the psychology behind writer’s block, an awesome interactive map of the most famous road trips in American literature, Reservoir Dad the movie, text
Well it’s time to have a chat with the author of new novel, Techbitch. Or should we say TWO authors (yes, we should) – Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza. Together they wrote this book, so let’s get comfy here in the Writers’ Room. Okay, Lucy and Jo. (Or should we
Monday 12 October 2015 Time: 6.30–8.00pm Although the official time is from 6.30pm to 8.00pm, you are welcome to stay as long as you like – and we imagine many of you will! Who: Natasha Lester had always wanted to be a writer but somehow found herself studying Commerce when
The new love of my life is not tall, dark and handsome, nor is it likely to bring me flowers every day. But it does something even better – it makes writing a book a breeze. And it’s name is Scrivener. Scrivener is a program especially designed for novel writing,
We’re on a break this week while Valerie moves house and argues with a certain telco provider about promised installation dates… but in the meantime, we thought we’d share your top 10 podcast episodes for 2015 (…so far!) 1. Ep 45 – Lisa Heidke Our first episode back for the year! We
Are you a new or emerging writer? Check out Overland‘s short story competition: From Overland‘s website: The Overland Victoria University Short Story Prize for New and Emerging Writers is now open. This annual competition encourages excellent and original short fiction by new writers of up to 3000 words in length.
We waited with bated breath all day long… only to remember that the announcement happens at 12pm British Standard Time. Finally, the clocks have ticked over in the UK, and the longlist is here! From the official announcement: The longlist, or ‘Man Booker Dozen’, for the £50,000 Man Booker Prize is
If you’ve ever heard the term “someone who wears many hats” to describe a multi-skilled person, then you may need to be an expert milliner to fathom Matt Nable. Notably he has played top level rugby league for Manly and earned his keep as an actor in a number of high
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