COMP CLOSED: Win literary prints!
This week you can win three limited edition literary prints – from Perth-based Hanaé Meyer of Sponthanaeity. Hanaé is a writer and artist, and combines
How writers can use OneNote to save time, streamline research and make life easier
As an author and journalist, I’m often interviewing people and researching ideas for stories that I’m writing. I used to have piles of papers everywhere
Q&A: Luxurious vs luxuriant
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
Q&A: Peak vs peek vs pique
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
Ep 126 Meet memoirist Toni Tapp Coutts, author of ‘A Sunburnt Childhood’
In Episode 126 of So you want to be a writer: The main factors that stop readers from finishing books. Effective strategies for surviving working alone. How
Q&A: “One of the only?”
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
Word of the week: Paean
Paean (noun) [pee-an] “This comes from Ancient Greece and refers to a song that gives thanks to a god (specifically Greek god Apollo). Since it’s
Top 10: Crime and thriller competition winners and notables
Last month, in celebration of our Crime and Thriller month, we asked you all to submit a story in 149 words or fewer. The rules
Ep 125 Meet freelance science writer, editor and copywriter Sarah Keenihan
In Episode 125 of So you want to be a writer: Can you be a successful freelance writer with a pen name? Submission tips from Curtis Brown
COMP CLOSED: Win a ‘Figgy’ book pack! (FIVE to be won)
The hot title on so many industry award shortlists in 2015 was Tamsin Janu’s debut young fiction novel, Figgy in the World. With the recent
Q&A: What’s the GO?
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
Word of the week: Antediluvian
Antediluvian (adjective) [anti-duh-LOO-vee-in] “This cute word means ‘in the period before the flood’ – as in the one Noah was in! But it can be
Q&A: The French connection
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
Ep 124 We chat to Nathan Besser, author of ‘Man in the Corner’
In Episode 124 of So you want to be a writer: Discover the biggest mistake writers make when applying for jobs and 5 common plotting errors.
Tamsin Janu’s award-winning start in children’s fiction
Tamsin Janu published her award-winning book Figgy in the World after completing a course at the Australian Writers’ Centre. After taking the book world by storm, she followed up with a sequel, Figgy and the President and Figgy Takes the City. Her latest books are Blossom and Winston and the Wondrous Wooba Gymnastics Club.
And it all started when she enrolled in a writing course that would change her life. “On the second day of the course I remember that’s when I came up with the idea for my first book!” said Tamsin.
Fiction edition of “The Big Issue” released
The Big Issue has just released its 12th annual fiction edition. The issue contains 12 stories from authors such as John Marsden, Miles Allinson, Gregory
Word of the week: Specious
Specious (adjective) [spee-shus] “No, this is not a typo. I don’t mean spacious. According to the Macquarie Dictionary, specious is something that is apparently good or
Dancing with the Tsars: Ninth time lucky for Evelyn Skye
Evelyn Skye’s debut novel is The Crown’s Game – a kind of Russia meets Westeros affair. Evelyn has been described as an avid pizza and
Tick tick tick tick tick tick… Nicholas Lee discusses his new 60 Minutes memoir
Nicholas Lee worked for Channel 9 as a 60 Minutes cameraman for three decades, before retiring in 2012. And now he’s released a book. It
Melbourne’s “Books on the Rail” is quite a find
A copy of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak sits on an empty Melbourne train seat. Seems appropriate. However, it isn’t waiting to be stolen
Q&A: Myriad possibilities!
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
Ep 123 Meet Louise Doughty, author of ‘Black Water’
In Episode 123 of So you want to be a writer: Gawker is closing down, discover why you’ll never finish your novel and how to write
COMP CLOSED: Win "Rebellious Daughters"!
Australia has a wealth of talented female writers, all with plenty of stories to tell. Our giveaway book this week – Rebellious Daughters – brings
Word of the week: Polemical
Polemical (adjective) [po-LEM-ickle] “This means controversial, especially when it’s associated with a particular doctrine. And a polemic is a noun that means a controversial
COMP CLOSED: Win literary prints!
This week you can win three limited edition literary prints – from Perth-based Hanaé Meyer of Sponthanaeity. Hanaé is a writer and artist, and combines the two disciplines in new and unusual ways. Painstaking in detail, there is nothing spontaneous about her pieces! These three artworks depict the popular retro
How writers can use OneNote to save time, streamline research and make life easier
As an author and journalist, I’m often interviewing people and researching ideas for stories that I’m writing. I used to have piles of papers everywhere but now collate all my interview MP3s, PDFs, online research and notes in one spot. Here’s how: Valerie Khoo CEO, Australian Writers’ Centre I’ve chosen
Q&A: Luxurious vs luxuriant
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 living a life of luxury…
Q&A: Peak vs peek vs pique
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 sneaking a peek… Q:
Ep 126 Meet memoirist Toni Tapp Coutts, author of ‘A Sunburnt Childhood’
In Episode 126 of So you want to be a writer: The main factors that stop readers from finishing books. Effective strategies for surviving working alone. How to avoid being sued when writing your memoir. Finding good words for body parts. Meet memoirist Toni Tapp Coutts, how to be interviewed as a
Q&A: “One of the only?”
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 explore the phrase “one
Word of the week: Paean
Paean (noun) [pee-an] “This comes from Ancient Greece and refers to a song that gives thanks to a god (specifically Greek god Apollo). Since it’s not likely we are singing such things these days, it’s now used to describe a form of rapturous or extravagant praise. So you might say:
Top 10: Crime and thriller competition winners and notables
Last month, in celebration of our Crime and Thriller month, we asked you all to submit a story in 149 words or fewer. The rules were to introduce us to a character of your creation. The story had to feature your character having committed a crime (any crime, big or
Ep 125 Meet freelance science writer, editor and copywriter Sarah Keenihan
In Episode 125 of So you want to be a writer: Can you be a successful freelance writer with a pen name? Submission tips from Curtis Brown agents; Discover which six of Roald Dahl’s words are now in the dictionary and find out what’s happening in Allison Tait’s world. Meet science writer
COMP CLOSED: Win a ‘Figgy’ book pack! (FIVE to be won)
The hot title on so many industry award shortlists in 2015 was Tamsin Janu’s debut young fiction novel, Figgy in the World. With the recent release of its sequel, Figgy and the President, we have FIVE packs of both books to give away! One of the reasons we love this
Q&A: What’s the GO?
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 systems GO… Q:
Word of the week: Antediluvian
Antediluvian (adjective) [anti-duh-LOO-vee-in] “This cute word means ‘in the period before the flood’ – as in the one Noah was in! But it can be also used in a humorous fashion to refer to something that is antiquated or old-fashioned or outdated. So you might say: ‘Her grandfather’s antediluvian opinions
Q&A: The French connection
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, please excuse our French… Q:
Ep 124 We chat to Nathan Besser, author of ‘Man in the Corner’
In Episode 124 of So you want to be a writer: Discover the biggest mistake writers make when applying for jobs and 5 common plotting errors. What happens when a client wants you to deliver more than what was agreed on? Moleskine have opened a Moleskine café! Win a copy of
Tamsin Janu’s award-winning start in children’s fiction
Tamsin Janu published her award-winning book Figgy in the World after completing a course at the Australian Writers’ Centre. After taking the book world by storm, she followed up with a sequel, Figgy and the President and Figgy Takes the City. Her latest books are Blossom and Winston and the Wondrous Wooba Gymnastics Club.
And it all started when she enrolled in a writing course that would change her life. “On the second day of the course I remember that’s when I came up with the idea for my first book!” said Tamsin.
Fiction edition of “The Big Issue” released
The Big Issue has just released its 12th annual fiction edition. The issue contains 12 stories from authors such as John Marsden, Miles Allinson, Gregory Day, Tegan Bennett Daylight, and Jennifer Down, just to name a few. This edition of The Big Issue isn’t just good for your fiction-loving brain.
Word of the week: Specious
Specious (adjective) [spee-shus] “No, this is not a typo. I don’t mean spacious. According to the Macquarie Dictionary, specious is something that is apparently good or right but without real merit. So you might have a ‘specious argument’ or say ‘the artistic work had a specious air of quality but was
Dancing with the Tsars: Ninth time lucky for Evelyn Skye
Evelyn Skye’s debut novel is The Crown’s Game – a kind of Russia meets Westeros affair. Evelyn has been described as an avid pizza and cookie eater who was once offered a job in the CIA, yet actually wishes she could go on a dancing reality show. She seemed worth
Tick tick tick tick tick tick… Nicholas Lee discusses his new 60 Minutes memoir
Nicholas Lee worked for Channel 9 as a 60 Minutes cameraman for three decades, before retiring in 2012. And now he’s released a book. It has been described as a ‘deliciously gossipy and humorous memoir’, as he shares his tales from that time. This all sounded worthy of a story,
Melbourne’s “Books on the Rail” is quite a find
A copy of The Book Thief by Markus Zusak sits on an empty Melbourne train seat. Seems appropriate. However, it isn’t waiting to be stolen – the sticker on the front cover revealing that this book is not here by accident. As the PR states, “welcome to a new movement
Q&A: Myriad possibilities!
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, the possibilities are myriad… Q:
Ep 123 Meet Louise Doughty, author of ‘Black Water’
In Episode 123 of So you want to be a writer: Gawker is closing down, discover why you’ll never finish your novel and how to write a memoir about a painful experience. Meet Louise Doughty, author of Black Water. Plus: writing tools for authors, great content marketing examples for author blogs,
COMP CLOSED: Win "Rebellious Daughters"!
Australia has a wealth of talented female writers, all with plenty of stories to tell. Our giveaway book this week – Rebellious Daughters – brings many of them together to share their tales of rebellion and independence as daughters looking to make their way in the world. “Powerful, funny and
Word of the week: Polemical
Polemical (adjective) [po-LEM-ickle] “This means controversial, especially when it’s associated with a particular doctrine. And a polemic is a noun that means a controversial argument. So you might say that a chef who writes a blog post about how everyone should be on a Paleo diet has written a
Browse posts by category
Courses starting soon
