Words Out West - News

Media Writing Workshop at Forbes with Arts OutWest

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:22:00 +1000

Come along to a Media Writing Workshop at Forbes: When: Wednesday September 15, 12.30 - 5pm Where: Concourse, Forbes Town Hall FORBES Cost: $33pp Learn techniques and skills for writing for the media, including writing great media releases and marketing materials. Arts OutWest's Communications Officer Maryanne Jaques will also give an intro to working with regional media, doing live interviews and media risk management. With specific focus on promoting arts and culture, but open to anyone in the community. Bring along any examples you are working on at the moment. Supported by Forbes Shire Council Bookings: Arts OutWest 6338 4657 or email artsoutwest@csu.edu.au

Emerging Artist Grants Program Info Session at Bathurst

Tue, 07 Sep 2010 12:13:00 +1000

Australia Council for the Arts, in association with Arts OutWest, presents FERTILISER FOR BUDDING ARTISTS AND MORE BATHURST, NSW on Thursday 9 September 2010, 6-7pm, Bathurst Regional Art Gallery and City Library, 70-78 Keppel Street, Bathurst NSW 2795. If you are an emerging artist, performer, designer, musician or writer, then the Fertiliser for Budding Artists and More information session is for you. At this session you will have the opportunity to: " hear about Australia Council's ArtStart emerging artists grant programs " ask questions and find out what activities ArtStart and Art OutWest could fund " speak to ArtStart and Arts OutWest staff about which grant category suits you " find out other ways the Australia Council and Arts OutWest can support you and your art. And ArtStart Grants Next closing date: 5 October 2010 (applications available online from 23 August 2010. For more details, check out www.artstartgrant.com.au RSVP: Melissa Habjan, ArtStart Administration Officer, on 02 9215 9162 or at m.habjan@australiacouncil.gov.au

Asialink Arts Residencies 2011

Mon, 06 Sep 2010 18:39:00 +1000

Applications close 10 September for Asialink's Arts Residencies 2011. Each year, Asialink helps 40 writers, performing and visual artists and arts managers set themselves up in Asia to make art, write, perform, seek inspiration and find kindred spirits. It's all part of the grand plan for Asialink in the 'Asian century', according to new Director of Arts, Lesley Alway. "Over the past two decades, Asialink arts residencies have built a considerable alumni, nurtured numerous projects and initiated many ongoing relationships," says Ms Alway. Asialink connects each artist with a host organisation, giving them direct access to the local scene: they could find themselves attached to the Shanghai Writers' Program, at university in northern India, roving with an Indonesian biennale or seeking their own host organisation in any Asian country they choose. Applications for the 2011 Asialink Arts Residency Program close on 10 September. There are four streams: performing arts, writing, visual arts and arts management. Visit www.asialink.unimelb.edu.au/artsresidencies, email arts@asialink.unimelb.edu.au or call +613 8344 4800.

Author and Writing Events - Orange, Blayney, Mudgee

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 16:24:00 +1000

Get along to some of these great author events coming up: * Bestselling author Tony Park launches his last novel The Delta at Orange City Library on Monday 30 August at 12 noon for a 12.30pm start. Please book your place by calling 6393 8132. His visit to Orange is supported by Boomers Bookshop and ABC Centre. * Mark Beretta, yes Beretts - from Channel Seven's Sunrise, will be speaking about and signing copies of his new book The Riders - Australia's Motorbike Champs at the Hotel Canobolas front bar, Summer Street, Orange on Tuesday 31 August at 12 noon. It is a free event organised by Simon John events. * Peter FitzSimons is a journalist, entertaining speaker and author of twenty books and brings to you his latest book - a memoir of laughter, loss and billycarts called A Simpler Time. Peter describes a childhood of mischief, camaraderie, eccentric characters, drama - and constant love and generosity. Where: Orange City Library When: Wednesday 1 September Time: 5.30pm for 6pm start. Free Please RSVP to 6393 8132. The visit is supported by Angus & Robertson Bookstore. * Meet Pamela J McGlinn, author of A Distant Dream - A Pioneering Saga when she talks about writing her family history, pioneers of Spring Hill, and events that shaped a family's destiny. Pam is a direct descendant of the Warburton and Seaton families, well known faces from the past in the Blayney, Spring Hill and Orange communities. The event is part of History Week celebrations supported by the History Council of NSW and Central West Libraries. Meet author and family historian Pam McGlinn at: Blayney Library, Adelaide Street, Blayney on Thursday 9 September from 11.30am %u213 12.30pm RSVP 6368 2581 or Orange City Library, Byng Street, Orange on Thursday 9 September at 5.30pm for 6pm RSVP 6393 8132. * When it Rains by Maggie Mackellar - the heart-wrenching but triumphant story of rebuilding a life and a family Written by a brilliant new talent, When It Rains is a meditation on grief and the vagaries of the human condition, and a stunning memoir about piecing back together a life, and moving forward, one step at a time. Maggie MacKellar%u219s book launch is on Friday 10 September, 6.00pm at Cargo Wine Winery, Cargo Road, Orange. To be launched by Drusilla Modjeska. Please RSVP to Collins Books Orange before 8 September by calling 6369 1333. * Mudgee Readers' Festival program is now available and it all happens Friday 10, Saturday 11 September and Sunday 12 September. Go to: http://www.visitmudgeeregion.com.au/j/index.php/Mudgee-Readers-Festival.html

Cafe Poet Update By Diana Brooks

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:51:00 +1000

Here's the latest from Cafe Poet Diana Brooks: "I'm nearly through my first month at Café Latte. I've chosen the place I prefer to sit and having found the front of house the window looks onto the main street of Orange a bit full on, now I sit a little further down the back. Jasmine (from the Writers' Centre) has taken my photograph with Aaron, the proprietor, who says he is going to frame it. So! The sign's up, the fair trade coffee is hot and the whimsical works of art on the walls are tuning the atmosphere. A friendly arts reporter and photographer came for an interview and seemed keen to compare the Café Poet Program to Café Society and the Impressionist painters in the cafes of 19th Century France. Seemed like a good enough idea to me!! A few days later it has snowed all morning in the main street, the glass window framing the scene as cars nose their way through the huge soft flakes. As others have said, this café poet business is a work in progress. Thanks to the momentum provided by the publicity, I've had quite a number of informal chats, and arranged appointments with people and am waiting to see where this may lead. There is a sense of growing supportive relationships, not only with Aaron, but with to the city of Orange." The Cafe Poet program is supported by the Naitonal Poetry Centre, Central West Writer's Centre and Cafe Latte, 173 Summer Street, Orange. Diana is in residence at the cafe from 9am - 12 noon - Mon, Wed, Fri, so call in and meet a poet.

The CAL Scribe Fiction Prize for the over 35s

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:28:00 +1000

The CAL Scribe Fiction Prize is now open and is searching for the best unpublished manuscript by a writer aged 35 or over. Read all the requirements and Download an entry form from the Scribe website: www.scribepublications.com.au/prize. They are pleased to announce that the prize money in 2011 has been increased to $15,000. The winning novel will also be published by Scribe. Entries close on 15 September. Good Luck!

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.

Cafe poet resides at Cafe Latte, Orange

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 17:08:00 +1000

Congratulatons to local Poet Diana Brooks who has been accepted into the National Cafe Poet Program along with cafe hosts Aaron and Emma Wright of Cafe Latte located at 173 Summer Street, Orange. Aaron is pictured with Diana Brooks. Diana has taken up residence in the coffee shop as part of the Australian Poetry Centre's Café Poet Program. She will be a regular sight at Orange's Café Latte on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9am 12 noon. The National Café Poet Program aims to raise awareness of poetry and encourage people to try writing their own poetry, talk about poetry and read poetry. There will be a feedback box for people to leave their poetry for the café poet and to give their comments about the Café Poet Program. Stay tuned to this blog for updates.

Writing Children's Books Workshop with Paul Stafford

Tue, 27 Jul 2010 12:28:00 +1000

Here's a chance to learn from someone who knows the business of writing for children. Author Paul Stafford will host a second workshop, titled "Writing Children's Books",Saturday 31 July, 10am - 4pm at WPCC, Kurrajong Room, Community Arts Centre, in Dubbo. Paul's workshop covers all aspects of creating children's books, including brainstorming, developing ideas, collaboration, shortcuts, pathways to publication and overcoming obstacles to creativity. Paul is the author of 13 novels including the Pants On Fire series for Crawford Publishing and is also a literacy consultant with a focus on developing literacy in reluctant boy readers. This workshop will give direct access to a published author and allow participants to discuss and overcome any particular problems they are experiencing with their own work. New ideas generated in the previous workshop can be refined. This session will follow on from the first and look at works in progress. If you did not attend the first workshop, you will still find this one highly informative. Cost is $35 including lunch. Contact Peter Dargin on 02 6882 8880.

2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards - Shortlist

Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:39:00 +1000

Arts Minister Peter Garrett has announced 29 great Australian titles that have made it onto the 2010 Prime Minister's Literary Awards shortlists. Minister Garrett said being shortlisted for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards is a great achievement for authors that will bring further public recognition of their writing. For the first time, Young Adult Fiction and Children's Fiction categories have been added to the awards. Here is the Fiction shortlist: Summertime, J.M. Coetzee; The Book of Emmett, Deborah Forster; The Lakewoman, Alan Gould; Dog Boy, Eva Hornung; Ransom, David Malouf Lovesong, Alex Miller; and As the Earth turns Silver, Alison Wong. The Children's Fiction shortlist includes Harry and Hopper, Margaret Wild and illustrated by Freya Blackwood. Find out more about the shortlists at www.arts.gov.au/pmliteraryawards/shortlists

Words Out West Winter Newsletter Now Available

Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:01:00 +1000

The Central West Writers' Centre Winter Newsletter is now available with details about the upcoming Lachlan Macquarie Talks, Poetry Slam and the Mudgee Readers' Festival and of course literary mags to submit to and competitions to enter. To update your email or to subscribe to the newsletter, please enter your details on the Words Out West home page - it is all there for you: www.wordsoutwest.com.au You can also subscribe to this blog too (enter your email on this page, look on the right).

Yeoval Mulga Bill Festival July 24 & 25

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:54:00 +1000

The Yeoval Mulga Bill Festival, which incorporates a bicycle ride to celebrate the fact that Banjo Paterson spent his early childhood years living in Yeoval, is now in its 5th successive year. Enjoy a bike ride, bush food, poetry, art exhibition, music and much more. Check out www.mulgabillfestival.com.au for program details.

Australian Poetry Slam Heat in Orange Thurs 22 July

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:39:00 +1000

Imagine it's just you and your words for two minutes with a mic in the spotlight. Orange City Library is calling all poets, hip-hop artists and other outspoken wordsmiths to polish their rhymes and lyrics for the Australian Poetry Slam. On Thursday 22 July - at 6pm for poets to sign up and from 6.30pm to perform - Orange will host one of 8 slam heats planned across the state. Winners from the Orange heat will go on to perform at the regional final and a chance to perform in the State final. Host Tug Dumbly (pictured) is one of Australia's greatest spoken-word artists and he will host this electric live event. An initiative of the non-profit literary arts association, Word Travels and State Libraries, the Australian Poetry Slam is the nation's largest and richest poetry slam with cash and a gig at Ubud Writers & Readers Festival in Bali up for grabs. The Orange heat offers a $100 prize for the winner. And four heat finalists will go on to perform at the regional heat to be held in Bathurst on Saturday 7 August at 8pm as part of Cabaret Kite at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre. All contestants have just two minutes to impress the judges (selected at random at each heat) with their spoken word, poetry, hip hop, monologues and stories. We need people to get up and have a go and for others to be in the audience - so come along for a fun night out.

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/

Medical History Author Tours New Hospital Site

Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:32:00 +1000

Progress is well underway for a book on Orange's medical history. The Committee behind the book were pleased local author Lis Edwards was able to visit the current Orange Base Hospital construction site as part of her extensive research for the project. Hansen Yuncken Project Manager Wayne Harris showed Lis (pictured) through the main hospital building which is just one of the seven buildings to comprise the new hospital precinct. He said the work totalled $250 million worth of construction with more than 450 people working to complete the project in 2011. The new facility will include the hospital, acute mental health building, forensic mental health, administration and computer sections as well as Mental Health Clinical Services. Lis said it was a worthwhile tour to understand the evolution of medical practices in the city and the full complement of services the new hospital will provide as well as important background for one of the chapters in the medical history book. Lis has been compiling the history of the city's medical services for many months and aims to complete the project in time for the opening of the new hospital.