Events & Writing Competitions & Diary Dates
Central West Writers' Centre Drop-In Days
Come along and meet other writers, talk about writing or share your writing in a friendly and encouraging atmosphere at the Central West Writers' Centre Drop-In Days, held at the Writers' Centre located upstairs at Orange City Library. Beginners to experienced writers are welcome to call in. The October meeting was a lot of fun with topics ranging from fantasy writing to movies, films, controversial art and we heard from a self-published author. Please bring a favourite piece you have read or written to talk about or join in the discussions or just sit back and listen - it is up to you. The Drop-in Days are held where possible on the last Friday of the month at the same time of 2.30pm to 4.30pm.
The upcoming 2010 Drop-in Days will be as follows:
30 July
27 August
24 September
29 October
26 November
10 December – ** please note new date **
Please call 6393 8125 for more information and we look forward to meeting you.
Writing Competitions
2010 Australian/Vogel Literary Award
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 Enter Australia's most prestigious award for an unpublished manuscript. The Australian/Vogel Literary Award is one of Australia's richest and the most prestigious award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five.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.
John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers
The John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers is now open. It is free for people under 18 years to enter. Young writers under the age of 25 are urged to enter to share in the $5500 prize moeny and the opportunity to be featrued in Voiceworks magazine. Express Media are supporting the awards. Go to the website for competiton guidlelines and more details www.expressmedia.org.au
AlburyCity Short Story Competition
Entries for the AlburyCity Short Story competition have opened!! Prize money for first prize for the Open section is $1,000.
For full details and a copy of the entry form go to http://www.writearoundthemurray.org.au/prefestival/20096306571.htm
The Nature Conservancy Australia Nature Writing Prize
The award seeks to promote and celebrate the art of nature writing in Australia as well as encourage a greater appreciation of Australia’s magnificent landscapes. Closing date for entries: 30 September 2010. No entry fee. All entries will be independently judged by literary journalist, Sally Blakeney and Australian renowned poet, Mark Tredinnick. The successful entry will receive a prize of $5000 and the work will be published in indigo journal in early 2011. The biennial prize will be offered again in 2012. For an entry form as well as terms and conditions please email Australia@tnc.org.2010
Perilous Adventures Short Story Competition Open
You may enter your short story, in any genre, up to 5000 words. They are looking for well-written, original stories that move, amaze, entertain and excite readers. Four winning authors will be invited to be part of a celebratory panel and announcement at the Brisbane Writers Festival on Friday, September 3, with short story mistress Cate Kennedy. The authors will have an opportunity to read from their work, and discuss the short story form. The winning authors will also have their stories published in a special issue of Perilous Adventures, and will each receive a three month mentorship (worth $1250.00): an opportunity to work closely with an experienced writer and mentor on developing your skills as a writer. Three runners-up will be offered enrolment in an Olvar Wood onLine (OWL) course of their choice.
Cost: $10 and entries close August 31.
Second National Republican Short Story Competition
Closes 31 August 2010, Entry fee $11.99
Length: 2000-4000 words
First Prize: $500
E: fiction@republic.org.au or for more information at http://republicanfiction.blogspot.com
(Cheque or postal order payable to Australian Republican Movement).
The theme is 'Life and Death in an Australian Republic'. Short stories will speculate on Australian republican futures through Australian stories with a republican backdrop. They don’t have to be political thrillers or constitutional whodunits as long as they are an exploration of our future, our republican future.
Send entries to:
Australian Republican Movement
PO Box 87
Geebung Q 4034
Adelaide Review Short Fiction Competition
The Adelaide Review in association with the Creative Writing Program at the University of Adelaide announces the second annual Short Fiction Competition with entries due on Judges for 2010 are Brian Castro and Gail Jones, along with Nobel Laureate J.M. Coetzee. Submissions are open from Monday 31 May to Friday 23 July 2010. Winner receives $1000, a selection of Black Inc books and a dozen bottles of wine! http://www.adelaidereview.com.au/writers_com.php
The Best Australian Essays, Stories & Poems 2010
Submissions are now open until 30 July for the Black Inc Best Australian... series. The publications will be edited by Robert Drewe (Essays), Cate Kennedy (Stories), and Robert Adamson (Poems). Full submission details at the http://www.bestaustralianwriting.com.au/
The Varuna/NAS National Short Story Competition
The Varuna/NAS National Short Story Competition is looking for short stories for possible inclusion in Scribe’s short story anthology, to be published in 2011. You have until 30 July to submit a story. New Australian Stories 2.0 will showcase a rich diversity of short stories by contemporary Australian writers. Short story writers, both established and new or emerging, are invited to submit their stories. Regional writers are encouraged to apply.
http://varuna.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&catid=48:what-we-offer-writers&id=122:scribe-nas-program-a-guidelines
Wet Ink Short Story Competition
Here is one with more time to enter and I plan to send off a story by the closing date 31 August 2010. First prize is $3000, 1 year’s subscription to Wet Ink, and publication in Wet Ink. Two highly commended entries each receive $100, a year’s subscription to Wet Ink, and publication in Wet Ink. http://www.wetink.com.au/prize.htm
Scarlett Stilletto Awards
The Scarlet Stiletto Awards, Australia’s only crime writing competition for women, is celebrating its 17th birthday and offering $4750 in prize money. The awards, organised by Sisters in Crime Australia, are Australia’s most lucrative crime-writing competition for either gender. Entries close on August 31, 2010. The entry fee is $10. Entry forms are available by writing to Scarlet Stiletto Awards, PO Box 121, Bittern 3918 or on its website: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~sincoz/
The Port Stephens Examiner Literature Awards
Short stories up to 2000 words on any topic. Entry fee $5. Standard competition conditions apply, no entry form needed. Separate cover sheet – story title and author’s contact details. Stpries to be typed and double spaced. Closing date 30 September. Ph Geoff Walker on (02) 4982 4095 or email tace@tilligerry.com for more details or postal address is: Literature Awards PO Box 105, Tanilba Bay NSW 2319.
2010 Rolf Boldrewood Literary Awards - Dubbo
2010 Rolf Boldrewood Literary Awards, honours the author of Robbery Under Arms, closing date 17 September 2010. Visit www.mrl.nsw.gov (Macquarie Regional Libraries) for details and entry form.
Fellowship of Australian Writers North Shore Short Story Competition
You have until Friday 17 September to enter this one. Category A is Super Short Story and Category B is Memoir - defined as a memory in the writer's life of an incident, or a number of incidents relating to a singly theme. For more information email fawnorthshore@gmail.com.
The Hill of Content Bookshop 2010 Hal Porter Short Story Competition
This is for Australian writers to enter a short story in any style for first prize of $1,000. They must not exceed 2.500 . For more details call Peter Millard after business hours on (03) 5152 6731 or via email pedrom53@bigpond.net.au Entries for this one close 17 December 2010.
Dates for your Diary
* 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.
*The Journeying Self – Travel and Life Writing with Beth Yahp
Coonamble Sat 31 July and Sun 1 August. Cost $80 Phone Lee O’Connor on (02) 68222517 for more details.
*Meet wine guru Matt Skinner when he launches Matt Skinner’s Wine Guide 2011 @ the Union Bank, Orange, Saturday 31 July at 12 noon. Cost $75. RSVP to Boomers Bookstore and ABC Centre on 6361 8399.
*Matthew Evans Real Food Companion Dinner at the Old Convent, Borenore, Thursday 5 August, 6.30pm $85 pp as part of Frost Fest ( http://www.tasteorange.com.au/frostfest.htm) celebrations. Bookings essential by calling Collins Booksellers, Orange (formerly Book City) on 6369 1333.
*Meet Luciana Sampogna at Lolli Redini Restaurant, Orange, Friday 6 August 12 noon. Cost $75 includes 3 courses and glass of wine per course. Bookings at Boomers Bookstore on 6361 8399.
*Cabaret Kite at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, Bathurst, includes Australian Poetry Slam Regional Heat, Saturday 7 August at 7pm.
*And just in case you would like to get away from these frosty mornings, head to the Byron Bay Writers Festival
2-8 August 2010 Details on the http://www.byronbaywritersfestival.com.au/v1/index.php
*Peter FitzSimons launches A Simpler Time at Orange City Library on Wednesday 1 September at 6pm supported by Angus & Robertson, bookings by calling Orange City Library on 6393 8132.
*Mudgee Readers' Festival program is now available and it all happens Friday 10, Saturday 11 September and Sunday 12 September.
Katharine Susannah Prichard Writer’s Centre Retreats
The positions for the Young Writer-in-Residence 2010 and the Established Writer-in-Residence at the Katharine Susannah Prichard Centre in WA 2011 are closing at the end of this month. And here is some more information about their retreats.
Writing Groups
If you are interested in meeting other people to talk about writing, words, books, authors and all things literary then contact the nearest group to you:
Mudgee
The Mudgee Valley Writers meet on the first Tuesday of the month from 12 to 3pm at Club Mudgee (formerly Mudgee Soldiers' Club). For more information contact Colleen on 6379 6902 or 0428 518 380. The group has a long history, with meeting held regularly for more than 20 years, and they welcome new members.
Oberon
Oberon Writers' Workshop meets on the third Wednesday of the month 10am - 12.30pm at Oberon Community Centre (next door to the library). They now take advantage of dropping in to the library, which is closed on Mondays, as well as attending their lively Writers' Workshop. Interested people are most welcome to attend, please call Anne on 6337 0363.
Bathurst
Bathurst Writing Group meets on the first Saturday of the month at Bathurst Library (at the back, in the childrens' section) from 2pm to 3pm. For more details about the group contact Jeff on 0427 603 822 or send an email to jefferyedoherty@gmail.com.
Orange
A writing group meets regularly on the last day of the month at the Central West Writers' Centre located upstairs in Orange City Library on the drop-in days from 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Interested people are welcome to attend. The relaxed and informal group discuss writing, read aloud from writing projects, talk about writing concerns as well as writing and creativity exercises. If you are interested in coming along please call the Writers' Centre on 6393 8125. All levels of experience welcome.
Dubbo
Saturday Readings are held on the first Saturday of each month at Macquarie Regional Library where members of Outback Writers give readings of their poetry and writing, discuss their work, share their interests in writing and receive encouragement. For more information about Outback Writers contact Peter Dargin on 6882 8880.
If you participate in a writing group that meets regularly and would like your group listed on this website and in the Central West Writers' Centre newsletter, please call 6393 8125 or email writing@orange.nsw.gov.au
Book Discussion Group Pageturners
Come along to Pageturners book discussion group at Orange City Library usually held on the second Wednesday of each month to talk about the latest "read" from 5.30pm to 7pm. You will enjoy this time to talk books with others in a social, relaxed atmosphere with refreshments served. There is a different book for discussion each month. Call Orange City Library on 6393 8132 for more details.
Litlink Manuscript Consultations with Peter Bishop
Thank you to everyone who attended the LitLink Manuscript Consultations in Bathurst and Orange at the end of 2007 and thank you to staff at Bathurst Regional Council for providing a centrally located venue. The consultations were almost fully booked out so it is great to know so many people are working on writing projects. And we also appreciate Peter Bishop, Director of Varuna – The Writers' House, for his time, support and encouragement. We will advise when the round of consultations will be held.
