Category: Writing news

Lip Magazine announces the winner of the 2018 Rachel Funari Prize for Fiction

The 2018 winner of the Rachel Funari Prize for Fiction is Liz Allan for Our Voices, Fierce. Liz receives a $1000 cash prize, a 12-month online subscription to Books + Publishing, and a collection of books. According to the media release, judge Margot McGovern commented: “Our Voices, Fierce is a... read more

Attend the 2018 Romance Writers of Australia Conference

The hottest date in a romance writer’s calendar is fast approaching - the Romance Writers of Australia Conference from 17-19 August 2018. This year the conference is in Sydney’s Sofitel Wentworth Hotel and registrations are open to the public. With workshops from bestselling author Rachel Bailey on The... read more

Inaugural Shoalhaven Readers’ & Writers’ Festival coming in August

NSW South Coast’s Shoalhaven region, about two hours south of Sydney, is popular all year round with holidaymakers and anyone wanting to escape to the beach, bush and beautiful scenery. But now it’s also home to Australia’s newest literary festival – the Shoalhaven Readers’ & Writers’ Festival, set... read more

We’re hiring: Sales and marketing administration assistant

The Australian Writers’ Centre team is growing and we need a Sales and marketing administration assistant. Please note: This role is not a writing-based role. This role won’t be a stepping stone for you to publish your novel – but you will help others pursue their passion for writing... read more

2018 shortlist announced – Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature

We were stoked to spot a familiar name in the 2018 shortlist for the Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature. Our very own creative writing AWC presenter, Nicole Hayes, has been recognised for her novel A Shadow’s Breath. From the State Library of NSW website: The Ethel... read more

2018 shortlist announced – Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature

We’re delighted for super-talented children’s author and AWC alumnus, Tamsin Janu, who has not one, but TWO novels in the shortlist for the 2018 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards (Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature.) Tamsin came up with the idea for her first book during... read more

Announcing the CBCA Book of the Year Notable Books!

Congratulations to all the wonderful authors who have made it onto the Children’s Book Council of Australia’s list of Notable books for 2018. Huge accolades to these Australian Writers’ Centre presenters: Nicole Hayes for A Shadow’s Breath Zanni Louise for Archie and the Bear Judith Rossell for... read more

AWC alumnus Penelope Janu has won the 2017 XO Romance Prize

AWC alumnus Penelope Janu has won the 2017 XO Romance Prize for her unpublished manuscript, On the Same Page. Described by guest judge Alexandra Nahlous as “A wonderful, captivating story about a writer desperate to keep her identity hidden, and the man determined to expose her”, Penelope receives a $5000... read more

We’re hiring: Amazing Customer Service Coordinator and Office All-rounder

APPLICATIONS HAVE CLOSED Are you an Amazing Customer Service Coordinator and Office All-rounder? The Australian Writers’ Centre is expanding to more cities and we’re looking for a new full-time team member in our headquarters in Sydney. Please note: This role is not a writing-based role. This... read more

Brisbane Meetup: How to be a writer/artist/creative when you still have a day job

THIS EVENT HAS BOOKED OUT. Join the waitlist below and you'll be contacted should a place become available. Our courses are coming to Brisbane! And we’re kicking off with a meetup – so we’d love to see you there. Whether or not you’ve done a course at... read more

Now open: Annual Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing

Start your new year off right by entering your manuscript into the Annual Text Prize for Young Adult & Children’s Writing. First prize is a handsome $10,000 advance on publishing royalties and a contract with Text Publishing. Wouldn’t that be a fab way to kick off 2018... read more

Six courses to start this summer

As we come to the pointy end of December, you may be feeling particularly inspired to kick some goals in the new year. The holiday period is a fantastic time to ride that burst of motivation. We’ve lined up six writing courses that you can start RIGHT NOW. All... read more

AWC alumnus Sarah Bailey makes the 2018 Indie Books Awards Longlist

We were so excited to see Australian Writers’ Centre alumnus Sarah Bailey on the 2018 Indie Book Awards Longlist for best debut novel, The Dark Lake. According to the media release: “Established in 2008, what makes the Indie Book Awards unique is that it’s the Australian independent booksellers themselves... read more

We’re hiring! Amazing Administrative Assistant

The Australian Writers’ Centre team is growing and we have room for a full-time Administrative Assistant, based at our Sydney Head Office in Milsons Point. Please note: This role is not a writing-based role. This role won’t be a stepping stone for you to publish your novel... read more

Richell Prize 2017 Winner Announced!

From 579 entries, the judges of the 2017 Richell Prize for emerging writers managed to not only whittle it down to a short list, but they have announced the winner! Sam Coley has won for his work in progress titled State Highway One. According to the press release, this is... read more

AWC alumnus Tamsin Janu shortlisted for 2017 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards

The shortlist for the 2017 Prime Minister's Literary Awards was announced today, and we were thrilled to spot a familiar name on the list! AWC alumnus and award-winning author Tamsin Janu has been shortlisted in the Children's fiction category with her junior fiction novel, Figgy and the... read more

Story-Fest 2017 brings poetry slam competition to Sydney

Story-Fest is happening in Sydney from 13-15 October 2017. It’s a three day-event culminating in the Australian Poetry Slam - National Final, which takes place at the Sydney Opera House on Sunday 15 October 2017. Story-Fest is organised by Word Travels, a not-for-profit arts... read more

Steve Bisley book launch invitation

To celebrate the publication of All the Burning Bridges, the sequel to Stillways, Steve Bisley's acclaimed first memoir, Bonnier and Better Read Than Dead are launching the book at Leadbelly, 42 King St, Newtown NSW on Tuesday 12 October 2017, 6:00pm. Steve Bisley will be in conversation with... read more

The Richell Prize Long List 2017

It’s always exciting to see who made the Richell Prize long list, and this year is no exception. There are 20 fabulous writers on the list - and AWC alumnus Michelle Barraclough is on there with her work, As I Am. The Richell Prize has been running for 3 years... read more

AWC alumnus and AWC presenter in the 2017 fiction edition of The Big Issue!

It’s that time of year again. The Big Issue has released their annual fiction special. With 14 short stories, it features authors such as Paulo Coelho, Matthew Reilly and AWC alumnus Anna Spargo-Ryan. Plus AWC presenter Nick Earls was a judge for this edition. Talk about an all... read more