Writers’ centres and other organisations
Australian Society of Authors: www.asauthors.org
Writing NSW: www.nswwriterscentre.org.au
Australian Writers’ Centre: www.writerscentre.com.au
Queensland Writers Centre: www.qwc.asn.au
Writers Victoria: http://vwc.org.au/
South Australian Writers’ Centre: www.sawriters.on.net
ACT Writers Centre: www.actwriters.org.au
Tasmanian Writers’ Centre: www.tasmanianwriters.org
Writing WA: http://www.writingwa.org
Northern Territory Writers’ Centre: www.ntwriters.com.au
Finding an editor
The Freelance Editors’ Network provides information about a range of Australian-based editors along with their contact details.
The Institute of Professional Editors (IPEd) has a national directory of editors, which is searchable by types of editing required (e.g. fiction, non-fiction, academic).
Manuscript development and mentor programs
Queensland Writers’ Centre and Hachette Australia offer the Hachette Manuscript Development Program for writers of fiction and non-fiction for adults (open to writers all around Australia). See www.qwc.asn.au or Hachette Australia for details.
Hachette has also established the South Australian Hachette Mentoring Program, limited to SA writers only. See SA Writers’ Centre Inc for more information.
Varuna, the Writers’ House (Katoomba, Blue Mountains NSW) offers its Publisher Introduction Program, which gives writers the chance to meet and work with editors from a range of publishing houses; as well as various residential creative fellowships.
Writing NSW’s Mentorship Program pairs member writers with experienced authors and/or editors.
The Australian Society of Authors offers annual Emerging Writers’ and Illustrators’ Mentorships, and also runs a paid mentorship program for its members.
Writing prizes
The Australian/Vogel Literary Award is for an unpublished manuscript by an Australian writer under 35. The winner is published by Allen & Unwin and receives $20,000 prize money.
The Text Publishing Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing is awarded annually to an unpublished manuscript of YA or children’s fiction or non-fiction. Published and unpublished writers of any age are eligible to enter. The winner is published by Text and receives $10,000 prize money.
The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers is a collaboration between Hachette Australia, the Guardian Australia, and the Emerging Writers’ Festival. It’s open to unpublished writers of adult fiction and adult narrative non-fiction, and the winner receives $10,000 in prize money and a year’s mentoring with one of Hachette Australia’s publishers.
Check websites of organisations like the Australian Society of Authors, the Australian Writers’ Centre and your state writers’ centre for latest information on writing competitions and prizes.
Books on writing
There are thousands of books on writing. These are some I’ve found useful as an editor, because they give practical advice on the craft of pulling a manuscript together.
Julia Bell & Paul Magrs (eds), The Creative Writing Course Book
Renni Browne & Dave King, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
Kate Grenville, The Writing Book: A Workbook for Fiction Writers
Kate Grenville, Writing From Start to Finish
Anne Lamott, Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life
Patti Miller, Writing Your Life
Mark Tredinnick, The Little Red Writing Book ; and The Little Green Grammar Book
Brenda Walker (ed), The Writer’s Reader: A Guide to Writing Fiction and Poetry
KM Weiland, Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story; and Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success