Category: Writing news

2019 Indie Book Awards Shortlist announced

Australian independent booksellers are thrilled to announce their Shortlist for the Indie Book Awards 2019, for the best Australian books published in 2018! Direct from their website, here is the Shortlist for the 2019 Indie Book Awards: FICTION SHORTLIST The Lost Man by Jane Harper (Macmillan Australia) Shell by Kristina... read more

2018 Australian Romance Readers Awards finalists announced

Voting has opened for the 2018 Australian Romance Readers Awards and we are delighted to announce that Pamela Hart (aka Pamela Freeman, AWC’s Director of Creativity) and AWC creative writing alumni Penelope Janu and Joanna Nell are amongst the finalists.   Pamela is a finalist in the Favourite Historical Romance... read more

The 2019 Woollahra Digital Literary Award is now open

Now in its third year, The Woollahra Digital Literary Award is a national literary award supporting innovation in Australian literature and publishing, encouraging writers producing work in a digital medium. From the Woollahra Municipal Council website: The award seeks submissions of a literary nature that are digitally born – published online... read more

What inspires children’s writer and AWC presenter Sue Whiting

AWC presenter of How to Write for Children and Young Adults, Sue Whiting has had two books published this year, Beware the Deep Dark Forest for 3-6-year-olds and Missing, a middle-grade contemporary mystery novel, both published by Walker Books Australia. Sue is author of more than... read more

Indie Book Awards for 2019

Australian Independent Booksellers are thrilled to announce their Longlist for the Indie Book Awards 2019! From the Indie Book Awards media release: “Established in 2008, what makes the Indie Book Awards unique is that it’s the Australian independent booksellers themselves who nominate their best titles for the year; select... read more

Valerie and Allison talk about National Novel Writing Month challenge

AWC’s Director, Valerie Khoo and AWC presenter and internationally acclaimed bestselling author, Allison Tait chatted to Myf Warhurst on ABC Radio earlier this week about the upcoming NaNoWriMo – the National Novel Writing Month challenge for the month of November. This annual global challenge started in San Francisco, USA in... read more

National Young Writers’ Festival announces its 2018 artist lineup

The National Young Writers’ Festival has given us a sneak peek at their 2018 artist lineup and it’s exciting! Guests for the festival, which runs from 27-30 September 2018 in Newcastle, NSW, include: Alison Evans, author of Ida, (who we interviewed) Hella Ibrahim, Egyptian-Australian Muslim editor and... read more

Independent fantasy publishing house now open for submissions

Do you have a fantasy manuscript gathering dust in a drawer? Or maybe you’re currently working on a manuscript and are wondering how on earth you’re ever going to get it published. Well we’ve got great news for you!  Fantasy fiction publisher, Talem Press, an imprint of... 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

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