Networks

UTS graduate?

Register now to join UTS:Alumni.

Events

News

More News & Events...

Writers' Network Update April 2008

UTS ALUMNI WRITERS' NETWORK E-ZINE
April 2008

With a change of season, the nights are becoming longer and chillier. Autumn is the perfect time to observe, explore, imagine, create and write stories, poems, plays; or your book.

In this issue you'll find news of the latest competitions, opportunities and writers' events for poets, playwrights and authors of almost every genre. These can be very useful for setting goals. So make use of the longer nights to begin or finish a writing project and submit to a competition, publication or publisher.

If you live outside the metropolitan centres, take a look at the Varuna Longlines writing workshops and residencies on offer under the OPPORTUNITIES section.
Author Susanne Gervay's WRITERS ON WRITING article gives us another fascinating insight into writing and publication. We also have NEWS FROM OUR NETWORK from Prof Graeme Harper who is in the UK.

Dr Jeremy Fisher, Executive Director ASA, has generously agreed to be guest speaker at a Writers' Network lunch event on 6 September 2008 at The Hughenden. Please see below for further details, as well as details of alumni events, including the 20th Anniversary Cocktail Event.

While on the subject of UTS:Alumni events, I'd like to farewell Shayne Bale and wish her well in her new career. I'd also like to thank her for being available, approachable and helpful with our Writers' Network, the e-zine, the e-community and our first social event. Natasha Kovacic will be looking after things for a while and I'd like to welcome her to the Writers' Network.

Can you help with our monthly e-zine? Please send news of interest to writers: notices of competitions, opportunities, events, articles about writing and your own achievements, publications and new books. We would also welcome guest editors and volunteer proofreaders.

Let us know if you have a website, so we can list it in our WEBSITES OF WRITERS' NETWORK MEMBERS section.

We're always interested in hearing from you, our network members, about how we can improve the network to better cater for your needs and interests. You can fill out the survey posted in our Writers' Network E-community forum by clicking on 'reply' to the survey message. You can also join in the discussion going on in our discussion forum. A special thank you to all those who send in contributions and are active in our e-community forum.

There's a link in our e-community forum to the Copyright Agency Limited which can answer your questions about copyright, including advice about digital copyright. There are also links to information from Anita Heiss regarding writing about Indigenous Australians.

All this and more at our e-community, which we aim to make as positive and interactive an experience as possible, with a group atmosphere and plenty of interaction between members of our network. The discussions are moderated.

Please join us in the forum - go to http://www.alumni.uts.edu.au and log on; then click on 'Communities' and then 'Writers' Network'. To find the survey, click on 'Suggest a Topic' in the Writers' Network forum and then click on 'Survey for Writers' Network'. You can find back issues of our e-zine online at http://www.alumni.uts.edu.au/networks/writers/index.html

Please note that all contributions and comments by members published in our monthly e-zine are those of the individual author and that all responsibility for accuracy and liability for comments made in contributions lie with the author of the contribution.

Contributions remain the copyright of the individual author and no copy or reproduction should be made without prior consultation with the author.

Please send contributions for the UTS Writers' Network MAY 08 e-zine by 20 April 2008 if you want to be sure they are included. Email your copy to Sharon.P.Rundle@alumni.uts.edu.au

Sharon.

NEWS FROM OUR NETWORK
News from the UK from Prof Graeme Harper, a UTS DCA (Creative Writing) alumnus who has just released the following book: http://www.parlorpress.com/moondance.html
Other books by Graeme:
http://www.multilingual-matters.com/display.asp?K=9781847690197&sf_01=lcode&st_01=40793&since=90&sort=sort_multi/d&ds=New+Books:+Multilingual+Matters+Titles+Published+in+the+Last+3+Months&m=1&dc=23
And for fun: http://www.visitingjapan.info
Website: http://www.bangor.ac.uk/creative_industries/harper.php.en

I'm in contact with Stephen Muecke and John Dale at UTS, but if any UTS creative writers are in the UK and wish to visit the National Institute here at Bangor we would be pleased to welcome them.

All best wishes,
Prof Graeme Harper BA MLitt DCA PhD FRGS FRSA
Professor of Creative Writing
Director: National Institute for Excellence in the Creative Industries
Director of Research: College of Arts and Humanities
Bangor University
Bangor, UK, LL57 2DG
graeme.harper@bangor.ac.uk
http://www.nieci.org.uk

20TH ANNIVERSARY COCKTAIL EVENT
In 2008, UTS celebrates its 20th anniversary as a university. To mark the creation of UTS and to highlight plans for the next decade, the University is hosting a week-long series of events.

All alumni of UTS and its antecedent organisations are invited to a special cocktail event on Tuesday 27 May 2008. Join your fellow alumni to celebrate this milestone in UTS's history and hear about your University's exciting plans for the future.
The cocktail event will be hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ross Milbourne. Mingle with fellow alumni and enjoy cocktails to the sounds of a jazz quartet. We look forward to seeing you there.

Date: Tuesday 27 May 2008
Time: 6-8:30pm
Venue: UTS City campus, Chancellery, Level 4, Tower Building
Cost: Free. Event includes cocktails and a live jazz quartet
RSVP: Monday 19 May 2008 to alumni@uts.edu.au or call +61 2 9514 9861

UTS ALUMNI WRITERS' NETWORK LUNCH
Guest speaker: Dr Jeremy Fisher, author and executive director of the Australian Society of Authors. All network members welcome.

Date: Saturday 6 September 2008
Time: 11am-3pm
Venue: The Hughenden Hotel, Queen St, Woollhara
Cost: Free entry. Lunch and coffee/tea provided
RSVP: As soon as possible to assist catering by emailing: Sharon.P.Rundle@alumni.uts.edu.au or alumni@uts.edu.au or call +61 2 9514 9861

SAVE! DISCOUNTED TICKETS ON STATE LIBRARY WRITERS' TALKS
The State Library holds regular talks with renowned writers and they are offering $15 tickets for UTS alumni.
For more information, visit the UTS Alumni website.

UTS:ALUMNI WRITERS' NETWORK FACEBOOK GROUP PAGE
Joining this Facebook group is entirely optional and is designed as an added feature for our network to get to know one another better.

Group Info
Name: University of Technology, Sydney Alumni Writers' Network
Type: Entertainment & Arts - Books & Literature
Description: This group is a closed group for UTS alumni members who are interested in writing and publishing. The reason it is a closed group is to help protect privacy and copyright.
Group Type: This is a closed group. Members must be invited or approved by an admin.

To join go to: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=10057226734&ref=mf
After you send an application to join this Facebook group, it will be approved and then you become a member. If you apply to join and this doesn't happen, please email me and I'll try and rectify it.

WRITING CONVENTIONS, EVENTS & FESTIVALS
CREATIVITY AND UNCERTAINTY
Australian Association of Writing Programs
27-29 November 2008

CALL FOR PAPERS
An International Conference on Writing, Teaching and Creativity, at University of Technology, Sydney .
Abstract deadline: 30 June 2008

Writing is a kind of grappling with uncertainty. Writers write to find out what they do and don't think. Uncertainty is also inherent in the challenges thrown up by the world in which we write, the challenge of living in an increasingly complex, increasingly mediated society. Uncertainty is also the process of writing itself. The journey into the unknown. The shot in the dark. The way the work transforms itself in the process of writing.

This international conference, a creative collaboration between the Centre for New Writing, University of Technology, Sydney and the Australian Association of Writing Programs, seeks to investigate and explore the interconnectedness between creativity, uncertainty and writing in the context of the creative writing program. In particular, it will examine specific approaches to writing and the teaching of writing in the contemporary university, examining writing as discourses or conversations between students and teachers, assessing the role, function, and purposes of fiction in society, writing movements, styles and developments in new media in the academy.

Papers are sought from those engaged in the fields of creative writing, literature, media, cultural studies, teaching, creativity studies, philosophy and theory.

Possible topics may include but not limited to:

  • Creativity and Uncertainty
  • Creativity and Pedagogy
  • Creativity and Identity
  • Reading creatively
  • Originality and constructions of 'the new'
  • The semiotics of graphics and photographics
  • Metaphor and the metaphorical
  • Genre fiction and short fiction
  • Creativity and the writer/academic

Peer review and acceptances in principal: 31 July 2008
Full paper submitted for refereed acceptance: 3 October 2008
Please send abstracts to: Conference Convenor: Assoc Professor John Dale, UTS Centre for New Writing. newwriting@uts.edu.au

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL THEATRE METHODS 08
Between Tradition and Contemporaneity
7-13 July 2008
Malpils, Latvia

"TM" is the annual professional festival-fair bringing up the question of the Bridge between Tradition and Contemporaneity in performing arts. It is uniting performers from all over the world interested in the research of theatre methods between tradition and contemporaneity. Participants: actors, directors, dancers, choreographers, teachers, playwrights, stage designers, script writers, theatre critics, journalists, cultural managers.

At the moment the festival has been accepting applications for creative presentations in 2008!

  • Presentation format:
  • workshop/master class
  • work in progress
  • performance fragment (not requiring any special technical conditions)
  • reading/lecture
  • any other way of demonstration to the presenter's discretion.

More details: http://www.iugte.com/projects/TM08.php
Registration: http://www.iugte.com/projects/register.php

WRITERS ON WRITING

JUST CALL ME ALICE
By Susanne Gervay

Swollen eyelids shut tight. Head shaven bare. The woman strokes the baby's face. A seven year old girl holds onto the woman's skirt. A plastic tube feeds into the baby's nose and a drip is taped onto her arm. A catheter empties urine into a bag. Her arms are in splints. Her small body wrapped in gauze. Her hands are in mittens also tied to splints. She tries to open her eyes, searching through the swelling.

The nurse comes to check tubes and vital signs.

The woman brushes back her dark wispy hair and looks up at the nurse. "What is wrong with that baby? Where is her hair? ... Her face? ... Her body?"

"Remember the doctor spoke to you about it?" The nurse's voice gently persists… "Remember? Remember?"

"No. Spoke to me? No."

"About her body, her face." Pulling a chair close, the nurses sits next to her. "The baby will ... she will ... look a little different."

The woman stares confused at the nurse in her white uniform. "Where is Katherine? Where is my baby? My little girl?"

The nurse answers softly. "This is Katherine. You can see her."

"But I can't. I can't ... see her. I can't see her."

(Chapter 5, Butterflies, by Susanne Gervay. An extract from Katherine's story of meeting the challenge of burns in, ultimately, a celebration of life.)

Readers often ask if I had ever been burnt? No, I haven't physically been burnt, but to write Butterflies I became psychologically burnt. I live my writing, investing my emotions and values, intertwining feelings as a child, adolescent, mother, adult into story.

Writing is hard. I love it. I hate it. I do it because it's a compulsion, releasing endorphins like a jogger running for that high. I'm always looking for that hit. It's so sweet when the words flow and suddenly there's that special resonance. I've always wanted to be at the bottom of those desk calendars with a quote of the day. I wrote this line in my novel The Cave. It's one of those lines I savour.

War is not brave, but men can be brave in war and in life.
(The Cave, Chapter 13, page 141)

I'd like that to be a 'quote of the day'.

Emotionally, physically, intellectually writing sucks you in, exorcising demons, releasing angels. It's scary, exhilarating, frustrating. I often don't want to go there, but I trip and down I slide into the rabbit hole. Wonderland is startling and I've always sought to change sizes. So when I'm writing, just call me Alice.

Writing is different for every writer. However for me it came out of the trauma of growing up from a post war Hungarian refugee family fraught with conflict over resettlement, war, loss, religion, migration, yet filled with rebuilding family, community and driven by hope for the future. Writing nursed me through those dark times, laughed with me during those funny times, and held me when I was afraid.

The road to publication changes writing. It is only for the brave. Publication is when you are judged, rejected, battered, face road blocks, armies, get lost on detours, carry injuries. It's when your words are tested and you are forced to make them better, craft them, believe in your writing despite or because of the 'slings and arrows of outrageous fortune'.

I am grateful that I slid down the rabbit hole, faced the confusion of the Cheshire Cat and survived the Queen who wanted to chop off my head. Today I'm a published children's and young adult author, an adult short story writer and my words reach other people, maybe even change lives.

Susanne Gervay ©

Susanne's website:- http://www.sgervay.com
NORM GERAS' Writers from Around the Globe: -
http://normblog.typepad.com/normblog/2008/02/writers-choice.html
PAPER TIGERS - Pacific Rim Writers: -
http://www.papertigers.org/personalViews/archiveViews/SGervay.html
PERSPECIVE - ABC Radio Nation, The journey of migration:-
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/perspective/stories/2006/1634484.htm
PERSPECTIVE- ABC Radio National, Writing 'That's Why I Wrote This Song' by Susanne Gervay with music and lyrics by her daughter Tory Gervay
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/perspective/stories/2007/1976620.htm

COMPETITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
$ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $

To go to the websites, please double-click on the URLs. If that doesn't work try control+double-click on the link or cut and paste the URL into your web address bar or search engine. Please note that the UTS:Alumni Writers' Network presents information about competitions and opportunities in good faith but this should not be considered as an endorsement.

COMPETITIONS
THE VALERIE PARV AWARD
Closes: 4 April 2008

The Australian chapter of Romance Writers of America paid Valerie a great compliment when they established the Valerie Parv Award in her honour. Open to all writers unpublished in book-length romance fiction, this award was established in Valerie Parv's honour by RW America, and is now run by Romance Writers of Australia. Entrants submit the first three chapters OR a prologue and two chapters. PLUS a two-page single-space synopsis of a novel aimed at any accepted category of romance including single title.

The winner is mentored by Valerie Parv for the year of the award, and the entry is read by a senior romance editor.

Send SSAE to: RWA Contests, PO Box 437, Katoomba NSW 2780 Australia
Or go to http://www.valerieparv.com/award.html

WRITERS INC WRITERS-OF-THE-YEAR
PROSE & POETRY
Closes: 14 April 2008
http://www.writersinc-london.org.uk/competition.html

MSLEXIA 2008 WOMEN'S POETRY COMPETITION
Closes: 25 April 2008
Judge: Carol Ann Duffy
1st Prize GBP1000, 2nd prize GBP 500, 3rd prize GBP 250
22 other finalists will win GBP 25 each. All winning poems will be published in Mslexia
http://www.mslexia.co.uk

COMMONWEALTH SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Short stories by Commonwealth writers
Closes: 1 May 2008
http://www.cba.org.uk/awards_and_competitions/Short_Story/index.php

SLIPPERY WHEN WET 2008
Closes: Midnight, 9 May 2008
Entry open to all amateur writers across Australia and New Zealand
Open Theme, max 2000 words, special prize for the best story with a Road theme
Entry Fee $7.50 per story (includes GST)
Prizes
1st $550 2nd $250 3rd $150

  • Plus 10x Finalist places each receiving $50
  • Best Story with Road Theme: $100
  • Most Humorous Story: $100
  • Best Story by Student under 19-years age: $100

(It is possible for the same story to win multiple prizes)
Submission guidelines and Entry Form: http://activated.det.act.gov.au/actlearn/pdf/050805SlipperyWhenWetEntryForm2006.pdf

WOORILLA ANNUAL POETRY PRIZE 2008.
Closes: 30 May 2008
Judged by Judith Rodriguez
Fee: $5.00 ($3.00 youth) per poem ($20/$10 for five poems)
Open Section: Prize $1000, Youth Section: Prize $100
Poem by Yarra Ranges / Cardinia Shire residents: Prize stay in Melbourne
Prizes awarded 22 June 2008
Conditions of entry: poems must be typed and on A4 paper, one poem to a sheet; poems 50 lines or fewer -- neither published nor won a prize; coversheet attached with name, address, tel. no. and section entered; do not put name on poems; if contributing poem to both sections A & C, 2 copies of poems must be submitted; Judge's decision will be final; Copyright remains with author; Publication in Woorilla may be offered to the winners; The right is reserved not to award a prize; include a SSAE for notification.
Send entries and fee to: Woorilla Magazine, 255 Macclesfield Rd. Macclesfield, Vic 3782.

VIGNETTE PRESS SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2008
Closes: 30 May 2008.
Judged by short story writer Paddy O'Reilly.
The Vignette Press Short Story Competition is seeking your creative outputs.
First prize: $500 and your story will be published as a magazine in the Mini Shots series.
Second prize: $200 and a subscription to Mini Shots.
Details
Open theme to 3,000 words. Entry costs $5.50 email entries, $6.60 fax/snail mail entries. Entries must be accompanied by an entry form: http://www.vignettepress.com.au/?p=108

PRESSPRESS CHAPBOOK AWARD 2008
POETRY
Entries are open from 5 February 2008
Closes: 30 May 2008.
The PressPress Chapbook Award is for an unpublished chapbook length manuscript of poems. The winning manuscript will receive $300 and chapbook publication with PressPress. The Award will be announced in July 2008 on the site.

The manuscript should be an original poetry of chapbook length (ie 20 to 40 pages). It must be unpublished and not on offer to another publisher in Australia or elsewhere (except that individual poems can be already taken or on offer to journals, sites or anthologies where you keep the copyright). The Award will be made to the best overall chapbook received.

PressPress reserves the right not to make an award if the standard of submitted entries is insufficient or to split an Award. The Award will be judged by the PressPress Award panel. The Award, $300 and publication of the manuscript as a PressPress chapbook, will be announced on the PressPress site in July 2008. The final content of the winning chapbook will be negotiated with PressPress editors.

The conditions and entry form are on the PressPress site at: http://www.presspress.com.au/award.htm

Send your entry to: PressPress Chapbook Award 2008 PressPress PO Box 94 Berry NSW 2535 Australia.

AHWA FLASH & SHORT STORY COMPETITION
Open to submissions from 1 January 2008
Closes: 31 May 2008.
Horror stories, tales that frighten, yarns that unsettle us in our comfortable homes. All themes in this genre will be accepted, from the well-used (zombies, vampires, ghosts etc) to the highly original, so long as the story is professional and well written. No previously published entries will be accepted - all tales must be an original work by the author. Stories can be as violent or as bloody as the storyline dictates, but those containing gratuitous sex or violence will not be considered.
There are two categories for submission:
FLASH FICTION
Stories up to 1000 words in length. The winning author will receive paid publication and an engraved plaque.
SHORT STORY
Stories with 1001 to 8000 words. The winning author will receive paid publication and an engraved plaque.
Writers may submit to one or both categories, but entry is limited to 1 story per author per category. Any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Please edit your manuscripts before sending them.
Contact competitions@australianhorror.com if you have any further questions.
Entry details: http://www.australianhorror.com/index.php?view=57

2008 - THE YEAR OF THE SHORT STORY
Closes: Monday 30 June 2008
The National Jazz Writing Competition is a competition with a focus on jazz-related writing. For its first three years (2005-2007) the competition focused on reviews. In 2008, we focus on the short story. Entrants should submit a short story with a maximum of 2,000 words.
The story must be about, inspired by or responding to jazz or improvised music.
1st Prize of $750 and publication in extempore, Australia's journal of jazz-related writing and art
2nd and 3rd prizes of CD packs from Birdland Records and publication in extempore
Note: Where the reference to jazz is not explicit in the story you will also need to supply a brief (200 words maximum) explanation of the link. For example, if a story was inspired by the music at a gig or on a recording, name the musician(s) and give details of date and venue or CD.
The winning entry will be printed in extempore each year, and pieces by other entrants may also be published.
Further details and full submission guidelines: http://www.jazz-planet.com/njwc/

DOGWOOD PLAYWRIGHTS AUSTRALIA'S RICHEST RADIO PLAY WRITING COMPETITION
The competition opens on 1 September 2007
Closes: 30 June 2008
The 2007-08 Dogwood Playwrights Initiative's exciting, challenging and new, radio play format is being launched by the Miles Regional Arts Council Inc. in partnership with the Murilla Shire Council.
Prizes
First $3000
Second $1500
Third $800
Fourth $700
We reserve the right to perform, record and distribute the plays on CD through our Tourist Centre for 2 years.
For details, submission guidelines and entry form:
http://www.murilla.qld.gov.au/events/2007/dogwoodplaywrightsinitiative.shtml

BRIDPORT PRIZE
Short stories & poetry
Closes: 30 June 2008
http://www.bridportprize.org.uk
ASHAM AWARD - SHORT STORIES BY WOMEN
Closes: Summer 2008
http://www.ashamaward.com
FISH-KNIFE AWARD
http://www.fishpublishing.com
The crime-based short story competition run by Fish Publishing, in conjunction with the Crime Writers' Association at http://www.thecwa.co.uk/
The intention is to publish the very best in modern short-form fiction - with a focus on crime. 5,000 words on any kind of crime, from piracy to petty larceny, from murder to misdemeanour, from GBH to GTA. Anything goes, so long as it is well written, well conceived and, well ... CRIMINAL!
To enter go to: http://www.fishpublishing.com/fish-knife-award-2007.php
This website has other competitions as well, please see: http://www.fishpublishing.com/writing-contests.php

GENRE FICTION AWARD - A NOVEL IDEA
Announcing the New Holland and NSW Writers' Centre's inaugural Genre Fiction Award; The Genre Fiction Award is open to all writers of any age resident in Australia. Genre fiction categories include: crime, adventure, action/thriller, historical, family saga, chic lit, lad lit, romance, science fiction, fantasy, humour and others.
For conditions of entry and an entry form, contact the NSW Writers' Centre on (02) 9555 9757 or email: nswwc@nswwriterscentre.org.au

BUZZ WORDS
Each month the Australian online magazine features a free-entry writing contest - with prizes. If you wish to receive the latest free issue, please send an email to dibates@enterprisingwords.com with the subject heading BUZZ WORDS' OFFER.

FELLOWSHIP OF AUSTRALIAN WRITERS WEBPAGE OF AWARDS AND COMPETITIONS
http://www.writers.asn.au/index.php?page=awards

PROBLOGGER GROUP WRITING PROJECT
It's time for another ProBlogger Group Writing Project 10 prizes worth between US$2000 to US$2500! Please read all of the instructions on the website before submitting:
http://www.problogger.net/archives/2006/12/18/problogger-group-writing-project-reviews-and-predictions/

AUSTRALIAN WRITERS' MARKETPLACE ONLINE
It provides information on competitions, agents, publishers and mentorship programs
http://www.awmonline.com.au/Listings/top100-listings.aspx

AUSTRALIAN COMMUNITY WRITERS INC LITERARY AWARD AND OPPORTUNITIES
A long list of current writing competitions, etc.
http://www.australiancommunitywriters.org.au/Competitions/index.htm

GOLD COAST WRITERS ASSOCIATION
Lists competitions for stories and plays at:
http://www.goldcoastwriters.org.au/htm/htm/competitions_other.htm

UK WRITING CLUB WRITING COMPETITIONS
Monthly competitions, with the winners and the runners-up being announced on the first of each month. Each year, the winning entries and also other outstanding entries will be published and sold both on Amazon and in local retail outlets.
All nationalities are encouraged to enter. Their overriding aim is to encourage and display the diversity of English across the world. They do not expect writers to accord to a certain style or 'standard', but to be forthright, thought-provoking and unique.
More information at: http://www.writingcompetitions.org
ONLINE LINKS TO WRITING COMPETITIONS
http://www.britisharts.co.uk/literarycompetitions.htm
http://www.writingcompetitions.org

OPPORTUNITIES
LONGLINES: CREATING REAL PATHWAYS FOR WRITERS
All applications must be postmarked no later than 30 April.
All applications must be accompanied by an application form with a $25 application fee.

Writers of prose, poetry and drama living away from the metropolitan centres of Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne are warmly invited to send in applications for the Macquarie Group Foundation LongLines Varuna Workshops and Residencies. For each state and territory, one two-week LongLines Varuna residency is awarded. There are 5 places in the prose workshop, 4 in the poetry, and 3 in the drama. Plus there are 15 non-residential readings and consultations - your chance for a considered reading of your whole work plus an hour long conversation with one of Varuna's experienced team of writing consultants. 35 valuable places in all.

From 2008, the LongLines Poetry Workshop will be presented in partnership with the Australian Poetry Centre, with additional funding from the Myer Foundation, and the four poets selected will be the four poets to be published in the annual New Poets program, being selected for the LongLines Poetry Workshop means a publication.
The LongLines Drama Workshop will be presented in partnership with Playlab, with additional funding from Arts Queensland. In 2007 this was a wonderful week -three playwrights, three dramaturges, and one of the playwrights thrillingly redrafted her play four times and went on to a shortlisting in the Queensland Premier's Drama Awards. This is an astonishing opportunity for playwrights.

For prose writers there's the new annual Penguin/Varuna Scholarship. Penguin has generously provided a $5000 scholarship, plus 20 hours editorial guidance from Penguin, exclusively for a LongLines writer. Each year, Varuna's Creative Director Peter Bishop selects up to 15 vibrant and viable manuscripts to present to Penguin which means 15 LongLines manuscripts being read and considered by one of Australia's most distinguished publishing houses. Several of these manuscripts will have been developed through the LongLines Prose Workshop, through the non-residential readings and consultations, or through a LongLines Varuna residency. A LongLines application can make a lot of things happen!

For all information about LongLines go to www.varuna.com.au/longlinesprogram.html.

WATERMARK LITERARY SOCIETY RESIDENCY
WATERMARK Literary Society is offering a residency for an emerging Australian writer of natural history, nature and place.
The Fellowship includes accommodation at Camden Haven, on the Mid North Coast for six weeks during June and July 2008; assistance with travel; a living allowance and mentorship by Martin Harrison, a widely published poet and critic who directs the program in Writing and Cultural Studies at University of Technology, Sydney.
More information is available at http://www.watermarkliterarysociety.asn.au/Fellowship.htm. Email inquiries should be directed to fellowship@watermarkliterarysociety.asn.au

SOUTHERLY
Special Issue on the Short Story
The deadline for submissions is 31 May 2008
Since 1939 when Southerly was established, short fiction has formed a vital part of its content and reputation. Southerly has been the first point of publication for many of our leading fiction writers. In November 2008, Southerly will be publishing a special issue devoted to the short story.
Contributions are being sought for:
(a) Short Stories: fresh, innovative, crossover, risky and lively fiction is encouraged, including work from new and emerging writers. "When I'm in need of a hit of real writing, a good stiff drink of paradox and complexity, I'm likeliest to encounter it in short fiction" - Jonathan Franzen.
(b) Essays, Articles and Book Reviews on short fiction in Australian literary culture.
Suggested topics:

  • the historical/cultural context of the short story (such as the resurgence of the form in the 1970s)
  • the 'apprenticeship' of the form
  • short story cycles or collections; the discontinuous narrative
  • genre slippage or other formal questions (eg when is the short story not?)
  • critical essays on individual authors of the short story
  • short fiction theory
  • adaptation of short fiction to film
  • publishing and short stories
  • short fiction and gender
  • sex and the short story

Copy should be emailed in Word format (please include .doc in the name of your attachment) directly to both the editors, details below. Word length is flexible depending on the nature of the piece, and reviews of several books in one review are preferred. Contributions will be paid at a minimum rate of $200 for stories and articles, $175 for book reviews. A style guide will be circulated and every contributor will be required to conform to this guide (particularly in relation to referencing), to accept editorial amendments and/or corrections where necessary, and to proofread their own piece.
Please contact the editors directly with your submissions, or further enquiries:
Dr Debra Adelaide - dkadelaide@iprimus.com.au / Ph: (02) 9558 9408
Associate Professor John Dale - John.Dale@uts.edu.au / Ph: (02) 9514 1951

MAGAZINE OPPORTUNITY
North Queensland women's magazine is looking to buy entertaining, relationship-based lifestyle stories - eg. 'Talkin' Bout My Generation', 'My First Love', 'Age is No Barrier'. Happy to purchase second rights stories. If interested, please email editor@duomagazine.com.au

WET INK SEEKS SUBMISSIONS
Wet Ink is a quarterly magazine that focuses on publishing fiction, poetry and non-fiction by new and emerging writers. It is distributed throughout Australia and in more than 40 countries. As well as poetry, non-fiction and literary-style fiction, we are interested in high-quality work in all genres (eg, crime, sci-fi, romance, horror, thriller, speculative etc) and those with light-hearted themes. There are no word count restrictions - extremely short pieces are welcomed and long work will be considered. All published work receives payment. For more details, please view our submission guidelines at www.wetink.com.au

AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS AND WRITERS FOR THE WORLD: THE THYLAZINE FOUNDATION
Seeks submissions of prose (non-fiction or fiction) with the purpose of initiating positive personal and social change, so that together we are working towards a world where unnecessary suffering for all beings will be a thing of the past. This section is open to all Australian artists and writers who care about a world in crisis and who seek to empower themselves and others. Previously published work is acceptable with appropriate acknowledgments. Please include a piece of writing (500 - 1000 words) on what we can do to make the world a better place, a photo and a 300-500 word biography via email.
All enquiries/submissions for The Thylazine Foundation Australian Artists and Writers for the World are to be made to The Co-ordinator: Liz Hall-Downs: world@thylazine.org
http://www.thylazine.org/world/

POPULAR FICTION/COMIC STRIP MAGAZINE SEEKS WRITERS AND ILLUSTRATORS
Writers and illustrators are sought for the first edition of a magazine of popular fiction short stories up to 5000 words covering a wide range of genres: spy thriller, detective mystery, retro science fiction, western, Australian outback gothic, historical adventure etc - the list is endless, and the genre boundaries may be fluid. The general idea is that each story will be illustrated with line drawings, as per the old fiction mags of the long-ago past, and that the first edition would also contain one or two comic strip stories of between 8 and 12 pages.
More details are at www.rmsed.com.au

ALLEN & UNWIN - FRIDAY PITCH TO ARENA IMPRINT
With access to agents and publishers almost impossible for many first-time authors, Louise Thurtell - fiction publisher of Allen and Unwin's new Arena imprint - 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.
http://www.allenandunwin.com/default.aspx?page=462
Or go to http://www.allenandunwin.com and click on Submission Guidelines.

MACMILLAN NEW WRITING
is calling for unpublished novels
For more details of their fiction list and submission process go to: http://www.macmillannewwriting.com

POCKET BOOK SERIES
Stories wanted
Just a note to let you know that I am a Melbourne publisher looking for short stories for our new pocket book series, launched a few weeks ago.
The publisher invites writers to register and submit their stories. The stories should be no less than 9,000 words and not more than 30,000 words. The writers get paid for the stories selected and quarterly payments on sales from the online catalogue. This is not an e-book. It is a hard copy printed pocket book. We are not looking for famous writers or best-sellers, we are looking for great stories. And we need lots of them.
Marlene Meier
Publisher
http://www.pickapocketbook.com

THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MUSEUM: A COLLECTION OF BOOKS - MAKING TRACKS
The National Museum has become a children's publisher. In an innovative publishing venture, the Museum publisher selects an item from their collection. An established Australian children's author is invited to write a narrative which reveals the historical period of that archival item and includes it in the story. Authors include Jackie French, Hazel Edwards, Libby Gleeson, Wendy Orr, Christopher Cheng, Susanne Gervay and many others. Illustrators include David Cox and Donna Rawlings
For details visit: http://www.nma.gov.au/kidz/making_tracks/

THE BARCELONA REVIEW
No payment for fiction, but good critical reputation.
http://www.barcelonareview.com
http://www.barcelonareview.com/mis/subguide.htm

BUZZ WORDS
Compiler/editor Dianne (Di) Bates welcomes contributions of relevant material and letters to the editor. Payment is offered for interviews and articles.
If you wish to receive the latest free issue, please send an email to dibates@enterprisingwords.com with the subject heading BUZZ WORDS' OFFER.

AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPERS, MAGAZINES
and websites by and for writers:
http://directory.ausearchengine.com/entertainment_industry_publishing.html

INTERNATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS OF VARIOUS GENRES
http://www.britishcouncil.org/arts-literature-links-creative-writing.htm
Magazines which accept short stories are listed on the following website:
http://www.theshortstory.org.uk/magazines/index.php4

HYPERTEXTS, NEW MEDIA, E-ZINES AND ONLINE RESOURCES FOR WRITERS
For information about collaborative fiction:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collaborative_fiction
COLLABORATIVE HYPERTEXTS
Join in and add your stories:

THE COLOSSAL CAVE ADVENTURE
Try this interactive fiction website: http://www.rickadams.org/adventure

RELAYWRITE.COM
Is a story factory. Writers from all over the world assemble stories piece by piece until they are completed. Many people want to write a story or novel but never do. The hardest part is just starting. Once you do, you might be amazed at what comes out. Relaywrite.com gives you the chance to stop procrastinating and create something you can be proud of. You don't have to be the next Dickens or Shakespeare. Just have some fun. What are you waiting for? Get writing.
http://www.relaywrite.com

NOVEL TWISTS
The constantly evolving novel. The story is undecided, and you can influence the direction it takes!
http://www.noveltwists.com

ONE MILLION MONKEYS TYPING
is a community story-telling site. Choose a story from the grove. In this grove new snippets thrive or wither based on rank and offshoots. http://www.1000000monkeys.com

NEW WORLDS PROJECT
Science-fiction play-by-post role-playing game and creative writing project. New Worlds Project features an original setting that is used as a platform for creative pursuits. The war-torn setting is set 500 years in the future and offers limitless opportunities for writers, role-players, readers, and artists. http://rpgnewworlds.net/news.php

E-ZINES
ECLECTICISM
The Australian e-zine, Eclecticism (www.eclecticzine.com) aims to draw on a diverse range of creative minds, styles and genres seeks contributions from writers of prose and poetry, illustrators/artists, and beat-musicians. The first issue was released late July 2007. Each issue will have themed and open sections. Eclecticism is free - a non-profit e-zine that hopes to showcase current writers, expose emerging writers and artists and provide an avenue for those with one or two stories within them. It will be available to download (PDF format) from the website. Readers are encouraged to subscribe to the e-zine to build its fan base and be the first to receive notification of each issue's release. http://www.eclecticzine.com

CRIMEDOWNUNDER
Got a killer short story that you'd like to get out there? I am calling for submissions of crime short stories from Australian authors. It doesn't matter whether you write detective mysteries, thrillers, hardboiled, noir or cosy stories, I'm keen to publish your story on-line at the Australian Crime Fiction Database as part of a new on-line magazine. All details can be found at www.crimedownunder.com or email: mailto:pizerule@yahoo.com.au pizerule@yahoo.com

PULP.NET
Online monthly, pays £100 per story, their current 'call for work' is 'Holidays from hell' in under 4000 words. http://www.pulp.net/about/submission-forms/send-story.html

FLASHQUAKE
Flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry and artwork
http://www.flashquake.org

EAST OF THE WEB
is calling for submissions; they are interested in receiving works that exploit the creative possibilities of electronic media to communicate emotionally engaging narratives.
http://www.eastoftheweb.com/hyperfiction/index.html

A LONG STORY SHORT.NET
Publishes the best work of new and established writers.
http://www.alongstoryshort.net

THE CUD
An Australian e-zine calling for new contributors! Essays, articles, opinion pieces on a wide range of subjects and issues - take a look at the website for an overview at http://www.thecud.com.au Enquiries to: feedback@thecud.com.au

REAL TRAVEL ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE
(No payment for this one)
http://www.realtraveladventures.com/ContactUs/howtosubmit.htm

PAYING E-ZINE MARKETS
http://www.dowse.com/ezine-markets.html

GENRE FICTION MAGAZINES AND E-ZINES
http://www.ability.org.uk/genre_fiction_mag.html

USEFUL BOOKS ON THE CRAFT OF WRITING AND EDITING
CREATIVE WRITING STUDIES
Practice, Research and Pedagogy
Edited by: Graeme Harper & Jeri Kroll
ISBN: 1-84769-019-X Publication date: 15 Dec 2007
http://www.multilingual-matters.com/display.asp?K=9781847690197&sf_01=lcode&st_01=40793&since=90&sort=sort_multi/d&ds=New+Books:+Multilingual+Matters+Titles+Published+in+the+Last+3+Months&m=1&dc=23

ENGLISH A - Z THE ESSENTIAL HANDBOOK
A very useful book by UTS Alumni Writers' Network member, Lyndall Hough. Lyndall's book has an alphabetical list of terms used in the study of English, including traditional and new media terms. Words have a pronunciation guide beside them where needed and cross section has a number of sample texts which have notated examples of many of the alphabetically listed terms.
The text was reviewed in English in Australia No 137, the journal of the Australian Association for the Teaching of English. This particular edition was titled A Guide to Texts and Resources. The review was very favourable and summed up as "highly recommended". The book would be a useful text for anyone who writes, or studies English. Published Heinemann in 2002.

ROUND TABLE MAGIC
A workbook for writers and writers' groups. Available through the NSW Writers Centre website at http://www.nswwriterscentre.org.au
Or go to: http://www.roundtablewriting.com and click on Books.
For more helpful books on writing, please go to:
http://www.bookaholics.com.au
Dorothy Shorne is a Writers' Network member and is happy to promote your books. Please visit the website for more information.
http://www.booksonwriting.com
http://www.nswwriterscentre.org.au
Have you written books on writing that you would like to publicise? Or is there a book that you'd like to recommend? You're welcome to use this opportunity to promote your books. Please let us know the title, author and publisher and any other relevant information. You can add a brief review if you like.

WEBSITES OF WRITERS' NETWORK MEMBERS

Dianne (Di) Bates at http://www.enterprisingwords.com
Chris Broadribb at http://www.geocities.com/spiky_one/stories.html
Pamela Freeman has 2 websites, as she publishes for both children and adults, at
www.castingstrilogy.com (adults)
www.pamelafreemanbooks.com (kids)
Susanne Gervay at http://www.sgervay.com/
Prof Graeme Harper at http://www.bangor.ac.uk/creative_industries/harper.php.en
Lyndall Hough at http://www.thelearningcurve.net.au
Amy Huang at http://www.travelstring.com
Valerie Khoo at http://www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au
ONLINE PORTFOLIOS
Po Yi Leung (Natalie) at: http://www.poyileung.wordpress.com

WRITERS' GROUPS

NEW! WRITING GROUP IN PADDINGTON/WOOLLAHRA
Wanting to start writing group in Eastern Suburbs, have a venue around Paddington/Woollahra area. Any writing genre welcome. If interested, please contact Joanna at jodinn@theplanet.net.au

SYDNEY CHILDREN'S WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS NETWORK AT THE HUGHENDEN
is open to published children's writers and illustrators who meet to network, share publishing information and discuss the state of children's writing. The venue is the Hughenden Boutique Hotel (circa 1870s) and meetings are on the first Wednesday of every month from 10.30am-12.30pm.
The Hughenden has hosted this group for 10 years. Usually between 10 and 20 writers/illustrators meet and include authors such as Moya Simons, Jeni Mawter, Christopher Cheng, Deborah Abela, Felicity Pulman, Vashti Farrer, Susanne Gervay.
Enquiries can be made through The Hughenden: Attention Susanne Gervay
admin@hughendenhotel.com.au
http://www.sgervay.com
Please, published writers only. This is a professional group and is open to only authors.

PARTNERS IN CRIME
are crime writers who meet over complimentary Devonshire Tea every two months at The Hughenden Boutique Hotel. Full details of Partners in Crime are available on their website:
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/7255/
Writing groups also meet at the NSW Writers' Centre, for more information visit the website at: http://www.nswwriterscentre.org.au

BOOK CLUBS AND READING GROUPS
BOOK CLUB IN NORTH SYDNEY
As writers, we all love to read. And sometimes there is nothing better than getting lost in a great book. If you are looking for a book club, Café Conte will be holding one on Saturday mornings in North Sydney. For more information, check out all the details which have been posted on The Sydney Writers' Centre blog: http://www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au

WRITING COURSES, WRITING CENTRES & COMMUNITIES
UTS ALUMNI WRITERS' NETWORK E-COMMUNITY WEBPAGE
To have a look at our e-community webpage, please go to: http://www.alumni.uts.edu.au
Then log in (or register) and go to Communities and then Writers' Network.

E-ZINE
Back issues of our monthly Update are archived on our webpage for easy reference. You can find our e-zine online at http://www.alumni.uts.edu.au/networks/writers/index.html

UTS CENTRE FOR NEW WRITING
The UTS Centre for New Writing, established to showcase and explore new developments in Australian writing, offers short courses, seminars and lectures. 10% discount to all UTS Alumni on their Autumn 2007 courses.
For more information about the short courses or any activities run by the UTS Centre for New Writing, please contact Saskia Rotunno at newwriting@uts.edu.au or phone the Centre on (02) 9514 7905 or visit the website at: http://www.newwriting.uts.edu.au

SEASON OF INSPIRATION
October 6, 2008.
A nine-week Interactive Global Online Writing Course
Contact us at info@newmediawriting.com for more information or to register for the course. You can find more information about the course and comments from our Season of Inspiration writers on the website. http://www.newmediawriting.com

THE SYDNEY WRITERS' CENTRE
Milsons Point
to join the mailing list, please contact Valerie Khoo at: valerie@spindriftmedia.com.au
or phone: (02) 9929 9237. For a full list of courses available and other news from the Centre go to http://www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au

NSW WRITERS' CENTRE
http://www.nswwriterscentre.org.au
The NSW Writers' Centre has many courses and workshops on writing and publishing in various genres, as well as regular writing and publishing events.

INTERNATIONAL COURSE "PERFORMERS VILLAGE 08"
1-28 August, 2008
Malpils, Latvia
http://www.iugte.com/projects/Performance

VARUNA, THE WRITERS' HOUSE
Varuna has many programs for writers, including Readers' Reports; Residential Fellowships; Master classes and the Longlines Workshops and Residencies.
http://www.varuna.com.au

AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF AUTHORS
Have you joined the Australian Society of Authors yet? Visit their website and see the benefits of belonging to the ASA.
http://www.asauthors.org
98 Pitt Street, Redfern NSW 2016
Ph: (02) 9318 0877
Fax: (02) 9318 0530
http://australiansocietyofauthors.blogspot.com

THE COPYRIGHT AGENCY LIMITED
http://www.copyright.com.au can answer your questions about copyright.
For advice about digital copyright: http://www.copyright.com.au/news%20releases/29_04_02.htm

COPYLEFT
is a general method for making a program or other work free, and requiring all modified and extended versions of the program to be free as well.
http://www.gnu.org/copyleft

All contributions are passed on in good faith in our monthly e-zine but no responsibility is taken for accuracy. Some contributions may be edited due to space considerations.

Sharon Rundle
Editor
Co-ordinator,
UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY, SYDNEY ALUMNI WRITERS' NETWORK.
http://www.alumni.uts.edu.au
E-mail: Sharon.P.Rundle@alumni.uts.edu.au
Thanks to Adrian Sellaro, Database & Web Coordinator; Chrissa Favaloro, Communication Officer; and our volunteer contributors and proof-readers.