Category: Fiction writing

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

How to DIY your own writer’s retreat

Every writer dreams of being able to dash away to the Tuscan countryside for a few weeks of uninterrupted writing bliss, gazing upon distant lush hills, finding inspiration in every cup of coffee, and interacting with kind locals … or something of the sort. The reality is that we all have... read more

Richell Prize for Emerging Writers 2019 Longlist Announcement

We’re thrilled that five Australian Writers’ Centre alumnae have been announced on the Richell Prize Longlist for 2019. Congratulations to Jennifer Carlisle, Lauren Draper, Kylie Orr, January Gilchrist, and Sarah Fiddelaers. All super talented writers! Over 700 entries were received and 21 writers have been announced on this year... read more

Lesley Gibbes has a hit with ‘Searching for Cicadas’

Above: Lesley Gibbes with her book Searching for Cicadas AWC presenter Lesley Gibbes is no stranger to cicadas. “They are the soundtrack of my childhood,” she says. “My own summertime garden is full of cicadas.” So Lesley didn’t have to reach far for inspiration for her latest picture book... read more

Our favourite 29-word stories…

Last week, we asked you to come up with a story that was exactly 29 words in length. No more, no fewer. But that wasn’t all. We also wanted the first and last word to be the same. And finally, we wanted this story to take us somewhere, somehow... read more

7 short story competitions with huge prizes

There are lots of reasons why you might enter short story competitions. They’re a great incentive to help you finish and hone your story. They’re also an excellent opportunity to get your story in front of famous judges – who could be agents, publishers or writers. And of course... read more

International short story competition now open

The Wollongong Writers Festival Short Story Prize 2019 is open to everyone – including writers outside Australia.  There’s $1,000 up for grabs for the winner of the competition. This year’s theme is “All Lit Up” and the word limit is 2,500 words. From the Wollongong Writers Festival... read more

Queensland Writing Fellowships now open

Queensland writers, are you looking for a fellowship opportunity? Well, the Griffith Review Fellowships for 2020-2021 are now open.  This fellowship is not just for writers currently living in Queensland. According to the Griffith Review website: Up to six fellowships of $3,000–$7,000 will be awarded in... read more

2019 Brisbane Writers Festival tickets now on sale

The Brisbane Writers Festival is on from 5-8 September 2019 and tickets are now on sale. The Brisbane Writers Festival have announced a massive lineup with over 160 internationally renowned writers, thinkers and more scheduled to speak and present at the event. The festival will have a special focus... read more

How high do your stakes have to be?

By Nat Newman  How high do your stakes have to be when writing a story? Is death, destruction and violence necessary to push your story forward? Short answer: No way. I started thinking about this after a discussion on the So you want to be a writer Facebook community. A... read more

‘Why I write’ collection part 3

“If I waited till I felt like writing, I’d never write at all” – Anne Tyler Writing can bring you incredible joy – but it can sometimes feel like a chore. It depends on your mood, what’s gone on that day, and whether you got out on the right side... read more

‘Why I write’ collection part 2

“The worst thing you write is better than the best thing you did not write” For so many of us, writing is a creative urge that simply must be brought to the surface. To live a life having never expressed yourself in this way, simply unthinkable. Your favourite authors – imagine... read more

‘Why I write’ collection part 1

“There is no greater tragedy than bearing an untold story inside you.” So goes the quote (attributed to Maya Angelou), summing up the curious compulsion that so many people on this planet have to WRITE. To tell a story – any kind of story – and continuing a verbal tradition started around... read more

The simple secret to a successful story structure

Guest post by Pamela Freeman If you’re planning out your structure, it can be overwhelming. All the graphs of three-act structures, all the pacing advice, all the ‘do I have a midpoint reversal’ panics… But there is a simpler way to consider if your structure is solid. And... read more

TELL US: What fuels your writing?

This week, we invite you to take part in a small writing task. What is it that drives you to write? Why do you do it? Writing can bring you incredible joy – but it can sometimes feel like a chore. It depends on your mood, what’s gone on that... read more

Petronella McGovern’s book launch for ‘Six Minutes’

Congratulations to AWC alumna Petronella McGovern who launched her debut novel Six Minutes at Berkelouw Books in Mona Vale in Sydney last week. With over 160 people attending, it was so popular, the event had to relocate across the road to the Memorial Hall. Launched by bestselling author Liane Moriarty... read more