Writers' Network Update June 2008
UTS ALUMNI WRITERS' NETWORK E-ZINE
JUNE 2008
This month UTS celebrated its 20th Anniversary with several events including a black tie dinner and a cocktail event. These events were very well attended, with the Chancellery filled to capacity for the cocktail event. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ross Milbourne gave a presentation of the 'new look UTS' which showed the new developments underway. Congratulations to all at the alumni office who organised the 20th Anniversary celebrations.
The Sydney Writers' Festival (SWF) provides a showcase for Australian and international writers with lots of events at various venues around Sydney and regional centres. Some of our members were guests of the 2008 SWF and many more attended. The Sydney Morning Herald published letters discussing the merits of free events and those that attract an entry fee. The letters included one from Jeremy Fisher which you can read by clicking here.
Dr Jeremy Fisher, Executive Director ASA, has generously agreed to be guest speaker at a Writers' Network lunch event on 6 September 2008 and Susanne Gervay has kindly offered The Hughenden as the venue. Please see below for further details. We've already had a few RSVPs, so please mark it in your diary and let us know that you can attend, please email Sharon.P.Rundle@alumni.uts.edu.au
The next festival for your diary is the NSW WRITERS' CENTRE FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE FOR KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS - 'New directions, new opportunities, new voices'. Festival Director is network member, Susanne Gervay.
In this June issue the AUSTRALIAN STORYTELLING GUILD (NSW) invites storytellers, enthusiasts, readers to 'READ YOUR STORIES ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON'. While a NOVEL OPPORTUNITY is offered by Overland magazine.
Lyndall Hough's WRITERS ON WRITING article reveals how she got into curriculum writing but hasn't forgotten about writing fiction. In recent issues, writers have generously shared their thoughts on writing and publishing. We'd love to keep this going. Please send in your contribution about any aspect of writing or being a writer that you feel would inspire, assist, inform, encourage or simply entertain your fellow writers.
A public lecture UTSPEAKS: HEARING, SEEING, KNOWING MORE explores the phenomenon of emergent media - blogs, Facebook, YouTube, podcasting, wikis and more. Find out more under WRITING CONVENTIONS, EVENTS & FESTIVALS.
Have you joined our Writers' Network Facebook page yet? This is an additional way for our network members to keep in touch with each other. If you already have a Facebook page you can join our page very easily. If you haven't joined Facebook, it's still a simple process. Details below.
Also in this issue, news of the Frankfurt Book Fair which has launched its new website. 'From the virtual Book Fair we travel back in time for a historical look at 60 years of the Frankfurt Book Fair'. And, of course, we bring you the latest competitions, opportunities, courses and writers' events for poets, playwrights and authors of almost every genre to inspire you during these long winter nights.
The month of July heralds the popular Melbourne Writers' Festival and Byron Bay Writers' Festival. Details and information about all these and more in our June e-zine.
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. As well, there are links to information from Anita Heiss regarding writing about Indigenous Australians. Our Writers On Writing contributions are also posted in our writers' network forum. 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 JULY 08 E-zine by 20 JUNE 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
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. Lunch and coffee/tea provided
Our event is sponsored by UTS Alumni & Development
RSVP: As soon as possible to assist catering by emailing: Sharon.P.Rundle@alumni.uts.edu.au or alumni@uts.edu.au or call (02) 9514 9861. Thanks to Susanne Gervay for providing the venue again: it proved very successful for our last event.
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: UTS: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
UTSPEAKS: HEARING, SEEING, KNOWING MORE
This public lecture explores the phenomenon of emergent media - blogs, Facebook, YouTube, podcasting, wikis and more - for their social consequences and the long-term change they may bring about for people, politics and public and private sectors. Speaker Dr Jim Macnamara is UTS Director of the Australian Centre for Public Communication and has had a distinguished 30-year career working in professional communication practice.
Date: Wednesday 11 June 2008 from 6pm
Venue: University Hall, Science Building, 745 Harris St, Ultimo
Free parking: Peter Johnson Building basement car park 702-730 Harris St, Ultimo
RSVP: Tuesday 10 June 2008 to robert.button@uts.edu.au or (02) 9514 1734
UTSPEAKS: is a free public lecture series presented by UTS experts discussing a range of important issues confronting contemporary Australia.
To subscribe to the UTSpeaks public lecture series, register at http://sendstudio.itd.uts.edu.au
AUSTRALIAN STORYTELLING GUILD (NSW)
Invites storytellers, enthusiasts, readers to
STORYTELLING: READ YOUR STORIES ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON: 2pm
Dates:
- Sunday 15 June
- Sunday 10 August
- Saturday 18 October
- Sunday 14 December
Cost is $12 and includes Devonshire Tea.
The long tradition of storytelling from the Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW) has been extended to weekends - open to all writers. "Adults like to tell and listen to stories," says Vivienne Ward, President of the Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW) Inc.
Everyone interested in either Telling a Story, or listening to stories is welcome. For the inaugural afternoon Storyteller Stephanie Parello, from New York, told stories about dreams, transformations and the determination of one's own destiny. Then the audience is invited to tell or read a story. Members of the Guild will be there to also tell some stories.
Where: The Hughenden Boutique Hotel, 14 Queen St, Woollahra
How to get there: Just take a bus along Oxford Street and get off at the bus stop past the Paddington Markets. The Hughenden is there. Or Park in Centennial Parklands across the road or on a first come first served basis in the Hughenden carpark. Contact Vivienne for more dates and further details: vivward@senet.com.au, President of the Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW) Inc.
NSW WRITERS' CENTRE FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE FOR KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS
New directions, new opportunities, new voices
Festival Director: Susanne Gervay
Sessions include:
- publishers from HarperCollins, Random House, Woolshed Press imprint of Random House and Walker Books and literary agents talking about new directions in publishing
- writing for kids TV
- how to write a kids book
- confronting literary fiction for young adults
- how good is your first page? Let the experts judge
- Hi-5, a huge international success with scriptwriter and editor Stephen Measday
Date: 21 June, 10am-4pm
Venue: NSW Writers' Centre
Cost: Members $40, Member's Concession $30, Non-Members $50
RSVP: Call us on (02) 9555 9757 or book online at www.nswwriterscentre.org.au
INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL THEATRE METHODS '08
Between Tradition and Contemporaneity
7 to 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
MELBOURNE WRITERS' FESTIVAL
Friday 18 July 2008: program released
Please mark Friday 18 July in your diaries as the date to get your copy of the 2008 Melbourne Writers' Festival Program in The Age or online at this website. Ticket bookings open on that day too through http://www.mwf.com.au
Teachers! Schools Program 2008
The 2008 Melbourne Writers' Festival Schools' Program will run from Monday 25 August to Wednesday 27 August. There will be 45 events across Federation Square - in the BMW Edge, ACMI, ArtPlay and at the National Gallery of Victoria. The program will be released online and posted to schools in early June. This program is also open to the general public.
The festival is also presenting a variety of authors and illustrators in WordPlay - a program of literary events, workshops and creative games for kids, running each weekend of the festival at ArtPlay. ArtPlay is located next door to Federation Square on the banks of the Yarra at Birrarung Marr. For more information about the Melbourne Writers' Festival events, visit www.mwf.com.au
BYRON BAY WRITERS' FESTIVAL
25 to 27 JULY 2008
Workshops from 21 July 2008
Byron Bay Writers' Festival 2008 early bird three-day passes and kids' passes are on sale!
The popular Byron Bay Writers' Festival is on with many events in an idyllic setting. In 2008, the Festival celebrates the diversity of Australian publishing by inviting many of the newest voices to centre stage. Within the program you will find first time writers rubbing shoulders with their well established peers; and a wealth of wonderful new books and writing awaits.
Take advantage of the discounted prices by purchasing online at http://byronbaywritersfestival.com.au or by calling Jetset Byron Bay on (02) 6685 6262. Full Program including Feature Events, Single-day Passes and Workshops on sale from 30 May 2008. More information at: http://byronbaywritersfestival.com.au
CREATIVITY AND UNCERTAINTY
Australian Association of Writing Programs
27 to 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
FRANKFURT BOOK FAIR
Our new website has been launched, offering a clearer and improved structure - have a look at www.book-fair.com. From the virtual Book Fair we travel back in time for a historical look at 60 years of the Frankfurt Book Fair: exhibitors who've been with us right from the start in 1949 report on everything from a paper shortage to wine and the Germans' hunger for new literature. This issue also covers the interest of Chinese publishers in writers and works on the web - nearly 20 per cent of all Chinese bestsellers have their origins in cyberspace.
Highlights
- 60 years of the Frankfurt Book Fair
- Relaunch of the Book Fair website
- Iceland to be Guest of Honour 2011
- Internet shakes up Chinese publishing
- International publishers meet in Korea
- Self-publishing: providers on the web
WRITERS ON WRITING
HOW I ACCIDENTALLY GOT INTO CURRICULUM WRITING AND STILL CARRY THE FICTION AROUND IN MY HEAD…
By Lyndall Hough
I write and publish text books. I have in my head a picture book and a kids' novel to write and some poems to send off to a competition in England. Not that I usually enter competitions - and the due date is 25 April and it's 21 April today.
So why is the fiction in the brain box yet the curriculum writing gets done? Because the curriculum stuff ends up in the money box? Nuh. The curriculum stuff has a deadline. Like today I got the email saying that my writing job for Abu Dhabi is about to start. Tight deadline, a few weeks to write 600 teaching hours' worth of teacher notes.
When I was about 12 I thought I'd write a novel. It was called 'To Live'. Don't know where that came from. No books in the house, I hardly read - I played a million hours of sport a week and ran wild in the bush across the road. My grandmother was illiterate and my mother hadn't gone past Primary School. Hated school - a complete waste of time dodging prefects wanting me to wear a hat (wish I had - four surgeries on my nose for skin cancers). Only thing I learned of any use was typing - good for computers now.
So I didn't write the novel, but I became an English teacher. Didn't want to be a secretary or a nurse and marriage wasn't on the agenda when I left school though a number of my friends were having 'shotgun' weddings. Didn't go to uni because I didn't know what it meant - and Dad said teaching was a good job for a girl. Airyago.
Anyway I was good at teaching. Loved making up new lessons, loved words, learned a lot myself about language and literature. Starting writing my own lessons, plans, people noticed the innovation and asked me to do demonstration lessons, a bloke inspector mentored me and as a result I became Chair of the School Certificate Reference Test Committee, writing the School Certificate paper, a member of the English Teachers' Association, then briefly editor of their mag. Wrote a couple of articles.
Put my hand up for an ad in the union paper - 'Writers Wanted'. Still in my head was this idea I was a writer … so I answered it. Study Guides. OK here's a template, we want 58 pages. I shat myself. How could I do that? I did it. They accepted it then I wrote three more for them. Then a man rang me - wanted to see me at school. Would I like to write a text book? Wot? How did he know about me? We watch teachers who can write, he said, we get recommendations. Wow. Gobsmacked. Thrilled. Over moon. Me!! Wrote the text book then three more. Loving it.
Got a job organising writers to write materials for the New HSC syllabus. Met two other women while we were writing the brief for the new HSC syllabus. All of us text book writers - tired of being ripped off by publishers. Why not publish ourselves - so now we do. Happily. The Learning Curve. No pressure, just ticks over.
I did the MA in writing at UTS. Run writing workshops. Run HSC workshops. Run training and development workshops. All good. Play golf. Yum. But the fiction sits - a delicious dessert to the main meal of curriculum writing. Waiting, tantalising, within reach…
UTS article © Lyndall Hough 2008
Please note: All the articles in this e-zine remain the copyright of the individual author and no copy or reproduction should be made without prior consultation with the author or their agent.
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.
The Conflux 5 Short Story Competition
Closes: Monday 30 June 2008
Writers of speculative fiction from all over the world are invited to enter the Conflux 5 Short Story Competition. The story must be on the theme of the convention: Dreaming.
Stories are a maximum of 2000 words. There must be a speculative element. Otherwise, the sky is the limit. Stories that fail in any of these elements will be judged ineligible.
Stories should be emailed to storycomp@conflux.org.au
The best three entries for the Conflux 5 writing competition will be published in the Conflux 5 souvenir booklet and will receive a supporting membership (if not already a member). Other prizes will be announced closer to the time. Stories will be judged by: Gillian Polack (chief judge), Trudi Canavan, Kaaron Warren, Russell Kirkpatrick.
Entry: $10 for non-members, free for members (if an entrant becomes a member, they will receive a $10 credit on their membership). Payment is due when the story is entered. Payment will be made via Paypal (to paypal@conflux.org.au) or cheque or money order to:
Conflux Incorporated
P.O. Box 903
Belconnen ACT 2616
Australia.
Submission guidlelines at www.conflux.org.au/2008/short_story_competition.shtml
Guidelines must be followed or the manuscript will be returned and will have to be re-submitted. If you have any questions, email Gillian at gillian@conflux.org.au.
2008 - THE YEAR OF THE SHORT STORY
Closes: Monday 30 June
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
Closes: June 30, 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 two years.
For details, submission guidelines and entry form:
www.murilla.qld.gov.au/events/2007/dogwoodplaywrightsinitiative.shtml
BRIDPORT PRIZE
Short stories & poetry
Closes: 30 June 2008
www.bridportprize.org.uk
THE 2008 ABR REVIEWING COMPETITION
It's on again and the first prize is now worth $1,000!
Closes: 30 June 2008
Reviews should be 800 words and of any book originally published since January 2006. All categories of books are eligible, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children's and YA books.
For full details in the entry form: http://home.vicnet.net.au/~abr/New%20Competition.htm
WINTER SURPRISE SHORT STORY COMPETITION 2008
Closes: 30 June 2008
First prize: $50 and a certificate
The best entries will be published in a booklet.
Find a white object, something cold, an animal and a person and write a short story of up to 500 words about them. Stories that have previously won prizes or certificates in Best of Times or Winter Surprise competitions are ineligible. No entry form required. Include a cover sheet with your name and address, title and word count. Post your story, an entry fee of $2 worth of unused stamps and an SSAE to Chris Broadribb, PO Box 116, Burwood NSW 1805.
You can enter as many times as you like. The winner will be determined by 30 July 2008. If you have any questions, email cabbook-ws2@yahoo.com.au or visit the competition website: www.geocities.com/spiky_one/ws2.html
THE AUSTRALIAN BOOK REVIEW CALIBRE PRIZE - WORTH $10,000
THE CALIBRE PRIZE FOR AN OUTSTANDING ESSAY
Closes: 31 August 2008
Australian Book Review (ABR) and Copyright Agency Limited (CAL) are delighted to seek entries for the third Calibre Prize for an Outstanding Essay. With a first prize of $10,000, this is one of the world's major essay competitions.
The Calibre Prize for an Outstanding Essay is designed as an inclusive competition. The Calibre Prize is intended to generate brilliant new essays and to foster new insights into culture, society and the human condition. We welcome essays from leading writers and commentators, but also from previously unpublished writers. All non-fiction subjects are eligible: from life writing and literary studies, to history and politics and environmental studies, to anthropology and popular science. Essayists must reside in Australia or be Australian citizens living overseas. ABR and CAL look forward to fostering and rewarding new insights into our literature, our culture and our society. ABR once again thanks CAL for funding the Calibre Prize.
The guidelines and application form are now available on the ABR website: www.australianbookreview.com.au. For further information, please contact: Rebecca Starford, ABR on phone (03) 9429 6700 or abr@vicnet.net.au
ASHAM AWARD - SHORT STORIES BY WOMEN
Closes: Summer 2008
www.ashamaward.com
DOROTHY SARGENT ROSENBERG POETRY PRIZES FOR 2008
Closes: Entries must be postmarked on or before 18 October 2008.
The Fund plans to disburse between $125,000 and $200,000 in "Dorothy Prizes" each year, reserving the right to adjust the size and number of awards to suit the quality and quantity of the submissions in any given year.
http://dorothysargentrosenbergmemorialfund.org/2007awards.htm#selected
http://dorothysargentrosenbergmemorialfund.org/checklist.htm
WRITING CONTESTS
More writing competitions for poets, playwrights, story writers at:
http://www.writers-editors.com/Writers/Contests/contests.htm
AUSTRALIAN WRITERS' MARKETPLACE ONLINE
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
OPPORTUNITIES
NOVEL OPPORTUNITY
In the 1950s, Overland served as the theoretical journal for the Australasian Book Society. At a time when new Australian writers struggled to interest a conservative publishing industry in their work, the ABS created an alternative literary infrastructure that, at one point, was publishing half of all novels produced in Australia in a particular year. How? The society sold its publications in normal bookshops, but it also distributed them to its members: the thousands of ordinary people who had signed up to support new progressive fiction.
Today, with literary writers facing a situation not unlike the fifties, Overland is trying something similar. We want an original full-length novel manuscript to publish as a special edition of the journal in 2009. The resulting book will be distributed in the conventional fashion to bookshops; it will also be sent directly to Overland's subscribers.
This is not an attempt to recreate the ABS in its entirety. Rather, we intend the project as a literary experiment, designed to highlight the difficulties facing Australian novelists and to focus attention on the possibility and desirability of alternative publishing models to foster the novel in a new century.
Just as importantly, we hope to bring the work of a new or neglected novelist to the attention of Overland readers and the broader public.
Submissions of appropriate novel manuscripts are invited now. A decision will be announced in the first edition of Overland for 2009 and, if a suitable manuscript is found, the novel will appear by the end of that year.
Download and complete a submission form at www.overlandexpress.org/novel%20form.pdf
Please only send the first 10,000 words of your completed novel, along with a synopsis and a CV outlining your publication and writing experience. If we want to read more, we will contact you to request the full manuscript. We are not, however, seeking full novel drafts initially - please do not send them.
This is not a competition and there is no deadline as such. We plan to read manuscripts throughout 2008. We will, however, accept an appropriate novel whenever we find it.
Do not send manuscripts under consideration elsewhere. Do not send the only copy of your manuscript as it will not be returned.
Please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope. We will endeavour to process submissions as quickly as possible but the process is necessarily time-consuming and we ask writers for patience.
Submissions are welcomed from both established and first-time novelists, in all genres and styles of adult literary fiction.
Address submissions to:
Overland novel
OVERLAND magazine
VU-Footscray Park
PO Box 14428
MELBOURNE VIC 8001 Australia
MENU 971
Stories of 971 words
http://www.971menu.com
PUBLISHING OLDER WOMEN WRITERS
http://www.chicorybluepress.com
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 UTS. More information is available at www.watermarkliterarysociety.asn.au/Fellowship.htm. Email inquiries should be directed to fellowship@watermarkliterarysociety.asn.au
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 http://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. Visit 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 eight 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. Go to 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: 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 bestsellers, we are looking for great stories. And we need lots of them.
Marlene Meier
Publisher
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
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. Visit www.relaywrite.com
NOVEL TWISTS
The constantly evolving novel. The story is undecided, and you can influence the direction it takes! Visit 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. Visit 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. Visit rpgnewworlds.net/news.php
E-ZINES
ECLECTICISM
The Australian e-zine, Eclecticism 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. 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: pizerule@yahoo.com.au
PULP.NET
Online monthly, pays £100 per story, their current 'call for work' is 'Holidays from hell' in under 4000 words. www.pulp.net/about/submission-forms/send-story.html
FLASHQUAKE
Flash fiction, non-fiction, poetry and artwork. 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. www.eastoftheweb.com/hyperfiction/index.html
A LONG STORY SHORT.NET
Publishes the best work of new and established writers. 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 www.thecud.com.au; enquiries to feedback@thecud.com.au
REAL TRAVEL ADVENTURES INTERNATIONAL MAGAZINE
(No payment for this one)
www.realtraveladventures.com/ContactUs/howtosubmit.htm
PAYING E-ZINE MARKETS
www.dowse.com/ezine-markets.html
GENRE FICTION MAGAZINES AND E-ZINES
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
http://www.multilingual-matters.com/
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 www.nswwriterscentre.org.au. Or go to www.roundtablewriting.com and click on Books. For more helpful books on writing, please go to: 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: www.booksonwriting.com
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 www.enterprisingwords.com
Chris Broadribb at 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 www.sgervay.com
Prof Graeme Harper at www.bangor.ac.uk/creative_industries/harper.php.en
Lyndall Hough at www.thelearningcurve.net.au
Amy Huang at www.travelstring.com
Valerie Khoo at www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au
ONLINE PORTFOLIOS
Po Yi Leung (Natalie) at www.poyileung.wordpress.com
WRITERS' GROUPS
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
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:
www.geocities.com/Athens/Styx/7255/
Writing groups also meet at the NSW Writers' Centre, for more information visit the website at: 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: 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: 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 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: 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. 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 www.sydneywriterscentre.com.au
NSW WRITERS' CENTRE
The NSW Writers' Centre has many courses and workshops on writing and publishing in various genres, as well as regular writing and publishing events.
www.nswwriterscentre.org.au
INTERNATIONAL COURSE "PERFORMERS VILLAGE 08"
1 to 28 August 2008
Malpils, Latvia
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.
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. 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
www.copyright.com.au can answer your questions about copyright.
For advice about digital copyright: 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. 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
UTS:ALUMNI WRITERS' NETWORK.
www.alumni.uts.edu.au
Sharon.P.Rundle@alumni.uts.edu.au
Thanks to Adrian Sellaro, Database & Web Coordinator; Chrissa Favaloro, Communication Officer; and our volunteer contributors and proofreaders.