The Aspiring Writers Mentorship Program is designed to encourage aspiring writers in their pursuit of creating fiction for children with a view to publication.The CBCA NSW Branch is delighted to again welcome Penguin as sponsor of the Charlotte Waring Barton Award for 2013.

Submissions are evaluated in one of three age categories: Junior (under fifteen years), Young Adult (fifteen to twenty years) and the Charlotte Waring Barton Award (over twenty years). The Entry Form has a category for indigenous people, who are encouraged to enter under this acknowledged classification.

Closing Date: Entries close on June 1st, each year.

The most promising script in each category is matched with an appropriate mentor. Suitable mentors are chosen according to the genre and subject matter of the winner's script. The winners are announced during Book Week by CBCA NSW.

For more details visit: nsw.cbca.org.au/pages/frustrated-writers

Submissions for the Kids Book Review Unpublished Picture Book Award close Monday 17 June The winner will receive $300, a manuscript appraisal and the chance to have their work viewed by Sue Whiting, Publishing Manager at Walker Books! Two runners-up will win $100 each, and a short manuscript appraisal. We also reserve the right to nominate highly commended authors (no prize). A feedback sheet is provided to every entrant, upon completion of the competition.

Manuscript submissions are for picture books of 500 words or less, no illustrations required. For submissions details and to get your entry in, head to http://www.kids-bookreview.com/2013/04/kbrs-2013-unpublished-picture-book.html Submissions must be sent by email by Monday 17 June 2013 at 11.59pm.

Join in Poetry in the Caves for a truly unique and memorable afternoon of words and music in the beautiful Jenolan Caves on Sun 19 May.

Poet and novelist, David Brooks hosts this magical event inside Jenolan's magnificent Cathedral Chamber. Performers include one of Ireland's finest poets, Dermot Healy, in the company of renowned Australian poet Bronwyn Lea, acclaimed Indigenous poet, Lionel Fogarty, and award winning singer-songwriter and poet, Kate Fagan. The afternoon begins with music from Kate Fagan and includes a special guest appearance from American poet Devin Johnston. The performance will be followed by wine and refreshment in Caves House. Those travelling by bus will be entertained on the journey by local poets Philip Hammial and Sandy Holmes.

Dermot Healy, a giant of contemporary Irish poetry, brings to his work a vast sea of influences, ranging from Robert Louis Stephenson to Sylvia Plath. He has written five anthologies of poetry and his awards include the Hennessy Award (1974 and 1976); the Tom Gallon Award (1983); the Encore Award (1995). He was the winner of the 2002 America Ireland Literary Award, in recognition of his contribution to Irish letters.

Kate Fagan (photo to right), award winning songwriter, poet and lecturer in literature at UWS, will read from her newest volume of poetry First Light, and will begin the afternoon by playing for the audience as they enter the cavernous space. Bronwyn Lea is an award-winning author. Her books include Flight Animals, The Other Way Out, and The Deep North. Her poems have been widely anthologised, appearing most recently in Thirty Australian Poets, Australian Poetry Since 1788, Sixty Classic Australian Poems, and The Penguin Anthology of Australian Poetry. In 2011 she was appointed the inaugural editor of the Australian Poetry Journal.

Lionel Fogarty, a Murri Man from Cherbourg in Queensland is an unashamedly political poet, motivated both by personal experiences – his brother died in police custody – and general injustices suffered by Indigenous people. His innovative way of using Aboriginal English has led to his work being described as surrealist, but it remains undoubtedly challenging and dynamic.

Devin Johnston from the US, will make a guest appearance. Fellow poet Forrest Gander described Devin, "While his lexicon is rich and particular, Johnston's line is severe, unadorned and keenly cut to measure out the subtle counterpointed music which so strongly marks these poems."

When: Sunday 19 May 3:30-5:30pm Audience need to assemble at the Great Arch at 3:00pm to walk into the Cathedral Chamber. The performance runs from 3:30 -4:30pm. Drinks and book signing in Caves House from 5:00-5:30pm. Cost: $60 event only / $75 including coach transport from Katoomba station return – places limited (no concession). Bookings: through Jenolan Caves ph. 1300 763 311.

Full Program information and Booking details: www.varuna.com.au

Check out this new blog: The Orange Post. It is an experiment in community, or as the media powers-to-be call, citizen journalism. The goal of the Orange Post is to give those who have always wanted to have a say, somewhere public to say it. In the publishing world it's envisaged that the Orange Post will become something like the Good Weekend insert in the SMH. A mix of news articles, recipes, reviews gardening and everything else that suits. The two main question asked by budding writers are; 1. Will I get paid? The answer is no, not yet anyway. As the Orange Post grows they may get to the point where they can start taking advertising and paying their writers but at the moment all the writers, and the founder, do so for the love of it. 2. How often will I need to write? That really does depend on you. Some writers submit two or more articles a week, some submit one every two weeks or so. Not sure if you're good enough? There is really only one way to find out. To begin writing for the Orange Post all you have to do is go online and complete the form and they will contact you. It's amazingly simple. Go to: http://orangepost.com.au/

There is not long to go for the national creative writing compeition for Australian young people. Entries close on 17 May for your chance to win $500, or $5000 for your schoool or chance to be published or a book deals. The competition is open to school students aged 13 to 18 and each entry takes the form of an original short story between 800 to 1200 words that is as descriptive as a picture. This year the theme is Portraits at Home. The storyteller can be as expressive and creative as they like capturing perhaps an object, a person, a fictional character or whatever this theme may resonate for them. Their story can include any issue that is important to them; in doing so it will give them a voice during this often emotional and exciting time of their lives. For further information, please contact Shelly at info@formingcircles.com.au and join them on the Facebook Page where they look forward to sharing this year's journey of Written Portraits with you as it unfolds. FORMING CIRCLES is a unique Australian organisation that is committed to providing opportunities for Australian individuals and groups in areas of small business, education, arts, innovation, and charitable projects. Founded by Renata Cooper at the end of 2011 it was incorporated as an ethical and social investment company. Forming Circles provides a creative platform that through inspiration, education, collaborative partnerships and financial help can turn ideas into a reality. They admire those with a great idea and the passion and dedication to make it happen, and look for opportunities to support small businesses to achieve their dreams.

Forming Circles says its important to support our young talented writers who have a passion for writing. We feel it is paramount to support their willingness to express their inner worlds, imaginations, feelings, and insights.

The Trust Company, as Trustee, and the 2013 judging panel have announced an all-female shortlist for this year's Miles Franklin Literary Award. Regarded as Australia's oldest and most prestigious literary prize, the 2013 Miles Franklin Award shortlist, announced today at the State Library of New South Wales, features five of Australia's most talented female authors - including three first time novelists.The Miles Franklin Literary Award was established with proceeds from the estate of My Brilliant Career author, Stella Maria Sarah Miles Franklin, to support and encourage authors of Australian literature. The winner will be announced on Wednesday 19 June 2013 in Canberra at the National Library of Australia, and will receive $60,000 for the novel judged to be of the highest literary merit which "must present Australian life in any of its phases" in line with Miles Franklin's wishes.

Each of the five shortlisted authors will also receive $5,000 in prize money from the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund, a long term partner of the Miles Franklin Literary Award.

The 2013 Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlist is: •Romy Ash - Floundering • Annah Faulkner - The Beloved • Michelle de Kretser - Questions of Travel •Drusilla Modjeska - The Mountain • Carrie Tiffany - Mateship with Birds

Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, Richard Neville, Mitchell Librarian, State Library of New South Wales said:

"The five novels in the 2013 Miles Franklin Shortlist are at a surface level all about family – the searching for their comfort, the crises when they fail, escaping their pervasive grasp, or the despair when they do not seem possible – but more deeply these books write about the intersection of people's lives with national, indeed international, stories and ideas. Each approaches their subject from very different perspectives, but all deliver complex, engrossing narratives which persist long after the books are closed!" Congrats to all the authors and publishers!!!

Writers keen to participate in a project for the 2014 Banjo 150th Celebrations Writing Project are invited to help research stories relevant to the history of Narrambla Estate - a significant property in the history of Orange.

Narrambla was:

* the birthplace of one of Orange's favourite sons AB "Banjo" Paterson. * covered a huge area - originally 1920 acres * granted to Simeon Lord – ex convict, wealthy trader, influential public servant * site of Orange's first industrial activity – Templar's Mill, cheese factory, brewery, knackery * supplied horses for the Boer War * the site of Orange's first golf course And is now home to Botanic Gardens, recreation areas, industrial estate, and residential areas of Bletchinton and North Orange.

If you would like to research and write stories related to Narrambla and help the Rotary Club of Orange produce a booklet to coincide with the 150th Banjo celebrations next year, then please contact the Central West Writers' Centre on 6393 8125 or email us: writing@orange.nsw.gov.au

The Stella Prize is an annual literary award that celebrates Australian women's writing. Named after one of Australia's most beloved female authors, it rewards one writer with a prize of $50,000, while working to raise the profile of Australian women's writing and encourage young female writers. This year's winner was Carrie Tiffany, for her excellent work Mateship With Birds. Carrie graciously announced that she would give $10,000 of her prize to the other nominees to honour them and their work. Congratulations to Carrie and the shortlisted authors.

The book has also been longlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Awards.

This is it!! Friday 19th April is the last day to get your entries in for the Banjo Paterson Writing Awards. Entries postmarked today (19th April)will be accepted into the awards. These annual awards aim to honour Banjo Paterson, a great Australian writer and favourite son of Orange. There are four categories: Short Story, Open Poetry, Bush Poetry and the ABC Central West Radio Children's Writing Awards. Entries in the Short Story and Open Poetry sections do not have to be written in the same style as the work of Banjo Paterson. The only requirement is for Australian content.First prize is $1,000, 2nd $400 and 3rd $200 for Short Story and Open Poetry Section. Open Poetry Prize 1st Prize $500, 2nd $200 and 3rd $100. Entry is $10.Entry is $5 in the ABC Central West Radio Children's Awards. First prize $200, 2nd and 3rd $100 and there is the Yvonne Zola Encouragement Award. Entries must be the unaided work of the entrant up to and including age 16 years. Go to the Words Out West home page for the entry form and guidelines. Get writing and posting!

Guess who's coming to Orange? Bestselling author Rachael Treasure knows Orange well because she studied at CSU (then Orange Agricultural College). Rachael is about to release her seventh book The Farmer's Wife – a sequel to her first bestseller Jillaroo, which has become an iconic work of rural romance fiction. Rachael currently lives in southern rural Tasmania with her two young children, Rosie and Charlie. Rachael is passionate about encouraging non-readers to read, inspiring farmers to consider regenerative agricultural practices and animal handlers to better understand their dogs and livestock. Meet Rachael at Orange City Library, 147 Byng Street, Orange on Friday 19th April at 5.30pm. Please let us know you are coming along by calling the Library on 6393 8132. ?Treasure writes with true grit, wit and warmth? Australian Women?s Weekly. The event is supported by Collins Booksellers, Orange. See you there!