Category: Writing news

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

St Albans Writers’ Festival 2017 – A literary experience in an ancient landscape

The St Albans Writers’ Festival promises to make a gorgeous weekend retreat. The St Albans Writers’ Festival is on 8-10 September 2017 in the ancient Hawkesbury River basin. We reckon this festival warrants a trip to St Albans to soak up the literary vibes and drink up the picturesque... read more

Talking Lifestyle: How to write a good murder mystery

I recently chatted with Ed Phillips on Talking Lifestyle about the rising popularity of the crime and thriller genre, and what makes a good murder mystery. You can listen to the interview here. Hope you enjoy it... read more

Talking Lifestyle: Creative writing courses with the Australian Writers’ Centre

I had a great time chatting with Ed Phillips on Talking Lifestyle recently about creative writing and the courses we have on offer at the Australian Writers' Centre. You can listen to the interview here. Enjoy... read more

Kendall Talbot on the 2017 Romance Writers of Australia Conference

Calling all romance writers! The 26th annual Romance Writers of Australia (RWA) conference kicks off in Brisbane on 11 August 2017. Attendees will be spoilt for choice with over 40 interactive seminars and workshops on offer as well as the conference’s highlight – the Romantic Book of the Year (RUBY... read more

Winner of “The Australian” / Vogel’s Literary Award 2017 announced

The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is one of the most prestigious awards in Australia for an unpublished manuscript. Congratulations to Marija Peričić, who was just announced tonight as the 2017 winner – and must be feeling on top of the world! From the press release: Marija Peričić has... read more

Historical Novel Society Conference and Short Story Competition

The Historical Novel Society Australasia (HNSA) 2017 conference will be held in Melbourne from 8-10 September 2017. Plus, they’re hosting a short story competition this year (more details below). We’re super excited about this conference. Three Australian Writers’ Centre presenters – Kate Forsyth, Pamela Hart and Natasha Lester... read more

Inaugural Writers Week in Port Lincoln, SA

South Australian writers, we have fabulous news for you. The first ever Eyre Writers Week is kicking off in Port Lincoln in April! There will be talks, and workshops on different aspects of writing. The Eyre Writers Week is part of the SALT Arts and Innovation Festival (22 to 29... read more

We’re hiring: Amazing Office All-rounder with a Focus on Customer Service

The Australian Writers’ Centre team is growing and we have room for a full-time Amazing Office All-rounder With a Focus on Customer Service. 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... read more

Holly Bidwell’s new creative companion

We recently ran a competition for our community and challenged you to bring your creativity to the Surface. This was your chance to win Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 (RRP AU $2799). The winner was Holly Bidwell from Canberra. Congratulations Holly! Holly has turned it into her constant companion. “The... read more

Shortlist for the inaugural XO Romance Prize announced

The shortlist for the inaugural XO Romance Prize has been announced! The XO Romance Prize is held by the fastly growing independent publisher Xoum Publishing. The competition was open to all Australian writers aged 18 and over with a completed, unpublished contemporary romance manuscript. According to guest judge Alexandra Nahlous... read more

Winner of the 2016 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers announced

A huge congratulations to Susie Greenhill for winning the 2016 Richell Prize for Emerging Writers! Susie won with her Australian novel, The Clinking. According to one of the judges, Susie’s writing was “electric, and profoundly affecting”. Thanks to Hachette Australia, winners receive prize money, publishing mentoring, and their finished... read more

Rock & Roll Writers Festival returns for 2017

If the recent awarding of Bob Dylan with the Nobel Prize for Literature is anything to go by, songwriting is a bona fide segment of the larger storytelling canon. To build on this, a writing festival with a difference is returning in 2017 following its successful inaugural event. It’s... read more

“Hope: An Anthology” released, featuring winning entries from The Hope Prize

The newly released book Hope: An Anthology features 10 stories showcasing humour and resilience in the face of poverty. The stories were from the winning and highly commended entries of the Brotherhood of St Laurence Hope Prize, which was judged by Quentin Bryce, Cate Blanchett and Kate Grenville. From the... read more

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... read more

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... read more

Calling all children’s book enthusiasts! Attend the September 2016 SCBWI Sydney Conference

The Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) is holding its biennial conference on 4-6 September 2016. If you’re serious about networking with local and international industry professionals, this is your chance to take your work to the next level. Key attractions include a keynote by... read more

2016 Davitt Awards shortlist for best crime books announced

We are so proud of AWC presenter and acclaimed author, Candice Fox, with her novel Fall shortlisted for the 2016 Davitt Awards. As presenter of our Anatomy of a Crime: How to Write About Murder course, it comes as no surprise that Candice's thrillers have captivated critics and readers... read more

2016 Ned Kelly Awards shortlist announced

The Australian Crime Writers Association recently announced their shortlist for the 2016 Ned Kelly Awards for best in Australian crime writing. We were thrilled to spot a couple of familiar faces among the acclaimed authors. Candice Fox, our amazing presenter of our How to Write About Murder course, is up... read more