Cutwater is an upcoming literary anthology that will collect the best in Australian writing from new and emerging authors. With the assistance of an Australia Council Write In Your Face grant, Cutwater is currently seeking work from around the nation - fiction, literary non-fiction, poetry, zines, comics and anything in between - to be published in glorious book form in 2009. The theme of Cutwater's inaugural volume is 'Ratbags'. Writers are invited to send up to three submissions of 5,000 words or less, via post only by 30 November, to: Cutwater Literary Journal PO BOX 52 Toukley NSW 2263 For more details on submissions go to the blog at: http://www.cutwaterjournal.blogspot.com/ Let out the inner ratbag.

Writers Link is a series of workshops designed to help people put pen to paper and write - whether it be for their personal records or a new career. A special Writers Link Workshop will be held at Gilgandra Shire Library on Wednesday 3 December from 9.30am. Titled Retool and Remix, this workshop aims to give you the skills to compose books which include multimedia elements (audio, video, animation, interactivity) as well as words. Retool and Remix will enable participants to create works for podcasts, blogs or CD/DVD distribution. The workshop facilitator will be Dr David Reiter, an award-winning poet and writer of fiction, and Director of Interactive Publishing, a print and digital publisher based in Brisbane. Cost of the Workshop is $25 per person. This includes all refreshments. For more information call 02 6817 8704 (Orana Arts) or 02 6817 8877 (Gilgandra Library) Please RSVP by Monday 1 December.

You are invited to a special screening of the 2 minute trailer of locally made film Piet and the Wooden Statue on Friday 14th November, 4:45pm at the Australia Cinema, Lords Place, Orange. The film's director Luisa Machielse said it is very exciting to see all the images coming together so beautifully, and according to what she had envisaged. "Although most of the editing is complete, there is still the special effects to be done. This is going to require a lot more funding, and although we narrowly missed out on government funding, it's time to call in other resources. Hence the screening of the trailer. The producers and I would like to extend this invitation to providing an opportunity for members of the general public to be involved by making a donation to the cause, and getting your name, or business, up in the credits. Every little bit helps, so bring your family and friends and come along to have a first glimpse of this magical local movie, " she said. To find out more about the film and how you can help go to http://cherrypip.com.au/piet/.

Here is a spot to consider for a relaxing quiet break and sanctuary for writing. Discover the Lachlan Banks Holiday House – 3 bedroom brick house, sleeps 4, 1 queen bed, 2 single beds plus writer's room and art studio, situated on the banks of the Lachlan River, quiet location, lots of birdlife, river redgums, ideal retreat for artists and writers. BYO sheets and towels. For prices and booking call (02) 6857 1143 or email Lachlan_banks@y7mail.com

Did you know Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre (BMEC's) participates in Local Stages, a Performing Arts Development Program introduced by federal, state and local government to support the growth of regional theatre-making? It offers local performing artists creative advice, support, and development opportunities, and engages professional outside artists to help develop strengths within the community's local talent. From Local Stages has come Cabaret Kite, BMEC's regular cabaret, which showcases local talent, and plays to sold-out houses. It has been described as "the best night out, for the price, in the world"! Find out about Caberet Kite or come along to the next Soiree to be held on Wednesday 10 December at 7pm in the Wattle Foyer at BMEC. Try out an act, sing a song, recite a poem – get on stage. There is no entry fee. The Local Stages program, which continues to expand, is supported by Australia Council for the Arts, Arts NSW, and Bathurst Regional Council. To find out more about Cabaret Kite and Soirees contact Local Stages Creative Producer Kylie Shead on 6333 6144 and check out www.bmec.com.au

If you have signed up for National Novel Writing Month – how is it going? I'm at the pathetic total of 300 words which is really bad because the total by the end of today should be closer to 10,002! So I have some catching up to do. The aim is to get you writing quantity not quality and into that habit of writing. A good tip is keep a chart of your word totals each day alongside what you're aiming for, (which should be 1,667 words per day) then note the difference to see how you are faring. The goal is to write a 175 page novel (50,000 words) by midnight 30 November. This event encourages writers all over the world and of course a huge sense of satisfaction is yours for the taking if you make it. Writing is its own reward. NaNoWriMo has been going for 10 years and now attracts more than 100,000 participants. You can check it out at http://www.nanowrimo.org/ Bring on the coffee and chocolate and keep writing.

Hear author Banafsheh Serov talk about her memoir Under a Starless Sky about her family's escape from Iran on Wednesday 5 November at 5.30pm for a 6pm start at Orange City Library. At first her family was filled with hope as the Shah's rule collapsed and the Ayatollah Khomeini made his triumphant return. But they quickly came to realise that Iran had traded one dictator for another, more ruthless ruler. From the streets and bazaars of Tehran to the moonlit Turkish mountains, Under a Starless Sky is a detailed memoir about her family's extraordinary journey. The event is presented by Angus & Robertson, Central West Libraries and the Central West Writers' Centre and bookings are essential by calling the Library on 6393 8132. Everyone welcome.

Seriously fun that is. Poets on Wheels Mark O'Flynn, David Brooks and Marvis Sofield ham it up for the camera while they were in Orange after a marathon effort taking different sets of wheels - train, coach and hire car to arrive for the Public Poetry Reading and Wine Tasting with Rolling Wines event organised by the Poets Union, and supported by Arts NSW and the Central West Writers' Centre. Poetry workshop participants also learnt poetry has no rules and is more than words: it is music to the ears, about telling a story and visual like a painting. Congratulations to Dulcie Mclean who won the Poets Union award at the Public Poetry Reading and to all the performing poets who bravely read their works to an appreciative audience. Dulcie is pictured with poet Mark O'Flynn.

Friday is a great day not only because we are heading towards the weekend but it is also the day you can pitch your fiction work to a publisher. It is something to aim for if you are writing adult fiction......fiction publisher at Allen & Unwin's new Arena Imprint, Louise Thurtell, has made EVERY Friday her pitch day. Authors of adult popular fiction who are looking for publication can send Louise their FIRST chapter and a synopsis by email (preferably) or mail to reach her on a FRIDAY. Louise will read all submissions but will only get back to authors whose work she wants to take further. For more details about this opportunity go to the Allen & Unwin website. http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=462

Poets on Wheels climb aboard the train to tour regional NSW soon. When they arrive in Orange you can hear three accomplished poets David Brooks, Mark O'Flynn and Marvis Sofield read their own work, quiz the writers, read your own poem in the open section, with prizes awarded for the best local poems, while enjoying wine tasting with Rolling Wines and bring a gold coin donation. It all happens during a wine tasting and poetry reading to be held at Orange City Library on Tuesday 21 October at 6.30pm. The next day join in a poetry workshop for adults from 12pm to 3pm with the Poets on Wheels at the West Room, Orange Regional Gallery, Byng Street. It will be a lot of fun and inspiring to learn from published poets. Cost is $10 and bring along ten copies of one of your poems plus pen and paper. Please book your place by calling the Central West Writers' Centre on 6393 8125.