Words Out West - Inspiration

Can you write a story in 12 words or less?

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 14:32:00 +1000

Set yourself the challenge or if you suit the age group enter the competition at the website for people to tell a micro-story in 12 words or less: www.12wordscom.au Whether you are a published writer or have never written any fiction before, you can give this a go and enjoy it. If you are aged between 15 and 25, you can be in the running for a Random House writing mentorship and check out 12 words on twitter, facebook and youtube. Here's my story: He stared into flames wishing that he had not lit the match.

Walkley Foundation What's The Story Conference

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:04:00 +1000

The Walkley Foundation will be hosting a week long conference focussing on narrative called: "What's the story? Powerful narrative and other tales from the future". It will run from August 9 12 and they've booked some big international names to join a great line-up of Australian journalists, authors and other media creators. This is an important event, generating discussion and debate on the way our industry is changing. Prices start from $180 per day and there are many intensive training sessions including non-fiction narrative, video and photography. There are also panels and masterclasses on the future of journalism and the power of narrative. Speakers include David Marr, Malcolm Knox, Sophie Cunningham, Mark Dapin, Ben Naparstek, Malcolm Turnbull, David Leser plus many more. Read all about it online, by clicking here: http://www.walkleyconference.com.au/ For inquiries about the program call Clare Fletcher on (02) 9333 021 or email clare.fletcher@alliance.org.au.

Freya Blackwood wins UK Kate Greenwood Medal

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:49:00 +1000

Congratulations to our very own Freya Blackwood who has won The Kate Greenwood Medal, the UK's most prestigious children's illustration award. Her prize-winning illustrations are inspired by the memory of a beloved pet dog in Harry & Hopper. The Kate Greenaway Medal was established in 1955, for distinguished illustration in a book for children. It is named after the popular nineteenth century artist known for her fine children's illustrations and designs. The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal is awarded annually for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people. To read more http://www.booksellers.co.nz/book-news/trade-news/freya-blackwood-wins-2010-cilip-kate-greenaway-medal or http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/2010awards/

Australian/Vogel Literary Award Open for Under 35s

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 14:22:00 +1000

Do you dream of being a published writer? Enter Australia's most prestigious award for an unpublished manuscript. The Australian/Vogel Literary Award is one of Australia's richest and the most prestigious award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five. Offering publication by Allen & Unwin and prize money totalling $20,000, the Vogel Award has launched the careers of some of its most successful writers, including Tim Winton, Kate Grenville, Gillian Mears, Brian Castro, Mandy Sayer and Andrew McGahan. Vogel-winning authors have gone on to win or be shortlisted for other major awards, such as the Miles Franklin Award, the Commonwealth Writers Prize and the Booker Prize. Entry forms for the 2010 Australian/Vogel Literary Award are now available from the Allen and Unwin website: http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=442 This year is the 30th anniversary of The Australian/Vogel Literary Award and some exciting changes are afoot. After the judges make their final decision, the winner will be contacted by Allen & Unwin and work will begin on the winning manuscript. However, it won't be until May 2011, that the winner's name will be made public simultaneous with publication of their winning book

Sharyn Killens and Lindsay Lewis tell the story of The Inconvenient Child

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 19:04:00 +1000

Sharyn Killens is better known as Sharyn Crystal, a successful Australian singer and entertainer. But her life wasn't always glamorous and her childhood was at times a living hell. The Inconvenient Child is the true account of her extraordinary journey to success and her quest to discover her African-American heritage. Sharyn and Lindsay have been friends for twenty years and met during their time as entertainers. Their close relationship and music background makes for a lively yet emotional author talk, keeping their audience enthralled as they recount Sharyn's extraordinary story and her often difficult journey through life. This story is not all heartbreak - it's a story of triumph, faith, success and joy. Come along and hear the story of The Inconvenient Child at one of these locations: Orange City Library, Monday 7 June at 1pm Forbes Library Wednesday 9 June at 2pm Cowra Library Thursday 10 June at 10.30am Please RSVP by calling the Library you wish to attend.

Illustrator Freya Blackwood on Kate Greenaway Medal Shortlist

Tue, 01 Jun 2010 13:36:00 +1000

Dogs, cats, forest fauna, rabbits in top hats, graveyard ghosts, imaginary headgear, a bizarre crowning glory and a band of kids determined to get their own back on a horrible teacher parade across the pages of the eight books shortlisted for this year's the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals Kate Greenaway Medal, the UK's oldest and most prestigious award for children's book illustration. In their widely contrasting styles, the illustrations in these eight shortlisted titles encourage children of all ages to consider the world in new ways from the place between magic and reality (Leon and the Place Between); the sad death of a much-loved pet (Harry and Hopper illustrated by Freya Blackwood with text by Margaret Wild); the importance of looking after our environment (The Great Paper Caper); the power of the imagination (Millie's Marvellous Hat and Crazy Hair); life after death (The Graveyard Book); what teamwork can achieve (The Dunderheads), and the sheer playfulness of felines (There Are Cats in This Book). The Chair of this year's CILIP Kate Greenaway judging panel is Margaret Pemberton:"The 2010 shortlist proves that picture books are not just for pre-schoolers. Illustrations can enrich the reading experience of all age-groups, and the eight titles in contention for the 2010 CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal are outstanding examples of this". The 2010 winners will be announced at a ceremony at BAFTA in central London on Thursday 24th June. WooHoo! Congratultations on being shortlisted Freya. For more details go to: http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/greenaway/current_shortlist.php http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/2010awards/greenaway_illustrators.php

First Tuesday Book Club - What It Takes to be a Best Selling Author

Mon, 10 May 2010 16:47:00 +1000

Okay don't worry about the budget ( well not too much anyway). This sounds much better instead - check out the first Tuesday Book Club on ABC TV tomorrow night featuring Jennifer Byrne Presents: Blockbusters and Bestsellers 10pm ABC1 ... Jennifer Byrne is joined by the heavy artillery of the publishing world to discuss what it takes to be a bestselling author. She is joined by the man behind the enigmatic Jack Reacher Lee Child, author of Ice Station and The Five Greatest Warriors Matthew Reilly, author of 17 bestselling novels including The Silent Country , Di Morrissey as well as Australia's biggest selling author Bryce Courtenay. It is repeated on Sunday 16th May 6:30pm ABC2. And for more author interviews head to the website: www.abc.net.au/tv/firsttuesday/

What did you write today?

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:07:00 +1000

Okay ....good question? I've done emails, blogs, a grant application, drafted an award submission and an introduction for an author visit and lots of photo captions. That list needs to change to move the short stories and articles to the top - not the bottom. How are you going? What did you write today? And for a little inspiration: "Writing a novel is like driving a car at night. You can see only as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way." E.L. Doctorow

Scribe Short Stories Anthology Submissions

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 13:22:00 +1000

Scribe will be publishing another anthology of short stories, New Australian Stories 2.0, again edited by fiction acquisitions editor, Aviva Tuffield. New Australian Stories 2.0 will be published in February 2011. The anthology will feature established stars of the short-story firmament alongside new and emerging ones. Scribe are collaborating with two partners: Varuna, the Writers' House, will be running the Varuna/NAS national short story competition, with the winners (judged by Peter Bishop, Cate Kennedy and Aviva Tuffield) to be published in New Australian Stories 2.0, and/or to be awarded a week-long residency at Varuna to work with Cate Kennedy, one of Australia's finest writers of short stories. Submissions to the Varuna/NAS competition open on 1 June and close on 30 June. Visit the Varuna website for more details: www.varuna.com.au. And they are teaming up with the Ned Kelly Awards to publish the winner of the S.D. Harvey Short Story Award in New Australian Stories 2.0. This award was established in 2009 in honour of Sandra Harvey, a respected journalist who worked both for the Sydney Morning Herald and the ABC's Four Corners program, and was fearless in her pursuit of the truth. The prize money for the S.D. Harvey Short Story Award will be in excess of $1000. Applications for the S.D. Harvey Award close on 31 May. For more information about entering the award, go to: www.nedkellyawards.com

Cloudland Poetry Reading and Launch on Sunday

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 19:02:00 +1000

Come along to a poetry launch and reading from a group of talented poets who have produced their own collection called Cloudland. Poets include group facilitator Deb Westbury, from the Blue Mountains, and Di Brooks based in the Central West. The book will be for sale and you can meet and talk with the poets and enjoy hearing them read their works. The launch takes place from 2-4pm on Sunday 28 March at Orange City Library. Enjoy!!

Vale Leone Healy

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 12:10:00 +1000

It is with great sadness we inform you of the passing of Leone Healy, a former Orange City Councillor and author of UP! and most recently A Country Childhood. Her funeral will be held today (Thursday 25 March) at Neville Presbyterian Church, near Blayney, at 2pm. Following the funeral (and graveside) afternoon tea will be held at the Neville Hall. Read more in this item published in The Central Western Daily: ttp://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/news/local/news/general/death-of-former-councillor/1782660.aspx

Time to Write Workshop at Boorowa

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:52:00 +1000

Always wanted to write? Don¹t know how to get started? Or what to write about? Need a refresher? A change of direction? A day out with words? Whether you are an aspiring writer or an old hand take some Time to Write: a program of two workshops with exercises to get you thinking, remembering, imagining and writing; hints on developing work and other challenges; plus some discussion of future needs and projects. Time to Write will be facilitated by published writer Lizz Murphy on Thursday February 11 and Thursday February 25 at Boorowa Ex-Services Club on the Dining Room, Pudman Street, Boorowa, 10.00 am-3.30 pm. BYO lunch or lunch to share. Bookings essential. Please phone Lizz Murphy on 6227 4393. Cost is a total of $30 (or $20 unwaged, Boorowa Book Club and ACTWC members) for both workshops - payable on first day. Or book for one workshop only: $25 ($15 unwaged and Boorowa Book Club and ACTWC members). Lizz Murphy lives in Binalong and has published ten books including five poetry collections, and five anthologies or community publications. In 2006 and 2007 she travelled to Calcutta as part of an Australia-India Poetry Exchange. The Time to Write workshops are supported by the ACT Writers Centre, Boorowa Book Club and Boorowa Ex-Services Club.

4th Dungog Film Festival - Call for Script Entries

Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:26:00 +1000

The Dungog Film Festival is one of the most vibrant and unique film festivals in the country. Set in the tiny historic NSW town of Dungog, the four-day non-competitive annual event is now the biggest festival of Australian film content in the world. The Dungog Film Festival In The Raw live script read program is a key festival event, which has attracted an impressive list of writers including Fiona Seres (Love My Way) Dave Warner (Garage Days) and Julia Leigh (The Hunter). Leigh's 2008 In The Raw script Sleeping Beauty was recently financed by Screen Australia and is set for production in 2010. In the Raw is more than just reading the scripts aloud, it is an intimate workshop environment for writer-producer teams to put their projects to the test in front of leading industry professionals and public. This is an opportunity to see what's working, and what's not and have a real audience provide valuable feedback. The 4th Dungog Film Festival In The Raw program is calling for submissions of unproduced feature, miniseries and TV series scripts by Australian nationals. Selected scripts will receive $9,000 (approx.) in script development support to perform the script live for audiences at the 2010 Festival. To enter, simply visit http://www.dungogfilmfestival.org/film-entry/ and download an In The Raw entry form. Dungog Film Festival is on the NSW Master Events Calendar and is proudly supported by Events NSW and Screen NSW. For more information and entry guidelines visit: www.dungogfilmfestival.org or email: info@dungogfilmfestival.org. DEADLINE: Monday 1 March 2010

2009 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:43:00 +1000

Okay there is no time to rest as competitions are coming in thick and fast: 2009 Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize for New and Emerging Poets, sponsored by the Malcolm Robertson Foundation. The major prize is $3000, with two minor prizes of $500. Closing date is Monday 7 December 2009. It's an award specifically designed to encourage new poets and new poems. You can find out more information about how to enter on the Overland website and here is the link - http://web.overland.org.au/?page_id=1549

WritersLINK at Macquarie Regional Library 3 Dec

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:07:00 +1000

This day is aimed at the professional development of regionally-based writers, poets, critics, publishers, storytellers, songwriters performers, artists, family history groups, library staff, community groups and anyone interested in exploring their options for writing, publishing, marketing, performing and networking in regional areas and beyond. Join those with similar interests to discuss working across distance and isolation, storytelling, crossing the digital divide and writing for young people. The cost of the workshop is $25 including morning tea and lunch. Places are limited so please register before Tuesday 1 December. From 9.30am to 4.45pm on Thursday 3 December at Macquarie Regional Library, cnr Talbragar and Macquarie Sts, Dubbo. For further information please contact Kerry Ellen at Orana Arts: Phone 02 6817 8705, Email kellen@oranaarts.com