Friday 8 February 2013

Stringybark Erotic Short Fiction Award 2013



Stringybark Stories is delighted to announce our second Erotic Fiction Award.  The first competition was such a great success and revealed so much new sexy erotic writing that we decided it is time to do another.  The last competition culminated in two paperbacks of award-winning writing and we hope that this competition will do also.  

You have 1800 words to produce a short story that will delight the judges. International entries welcome.

There is a total value of over $770 worth of prizes in cash and books available.  Stories must be sent via email.   Closing date for entries is 31 March  2013.  Winners will be notified by 15 June 2013. For more information click here.

Owing to popular demand, feedback is now available.  For further information click here.

2013 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize


2013 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize


Elizabeth-Jolley

The 2013 Australian Book Review Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize – one of Australia’s most lucrative prizes for an original short story – is now open. The 2013 Jolley Prize is worth $5000 (first prize), with supplementary prizes of $2000 and $1000. It will be judged by Tony Birch (academic and author of the 2012 novel Blood), Maria Takolander (poet, critic and a past winner) and Terri-ann White (Director of UWA Publishing).
ABR will publish the three shortlisted stories later this year in its special Fiction issue, and announce the winner at an award ceremony in Sydney that same month. Anyone is eligible to enter, as long as they are an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Entries close 31 May 2013ABRgratefully acknowledges Mr Ian Dickson’s generous support for the Jolley Prize.

Thursday 7 February 2013

Pitch your novel - opportunity for Melton writers


Pitch Your Novel
On Sunday May the 26th the Melton Library and Learning Hub will be officially launched. An integral part of the revelry will be a series of presentations in the Auditorium, the theme of which will be a multi-faceted celebration of contemporary literature in Melbourne’s West. For aspiring writers from our side of town, a golden opportunity exists to introduce, pitch and sell your story to a panel of industry professionals. This segment is called “Pitch your novel.” An audience will be in attendance but the primary focus is on the pitch from author to panel. The following formalities apply:

·        Participants must be an unpublished author.
·        Participants should be in some way connected to the Melbourne’s West, either through residence, employment or place of birth.
·       The pitch can be no longer than ninety seconds.
·       The pitch is purely verbal and visuals aids are not permitted unless graphics make up a substantial portion of the publication i.e. animation, non-fiction, and as such must be approved beforehand.
·      The aim of the pitch is to acquire feedback and advice. Any contractual arrangements subsequently entered into are not the responsibility of Melton City Council.

After participating in Pitch Back you will have had:
·       Immediate feedback on your story by industry professionals.
·       Tips on various ways to improve your story-line and the pitch.
·       The opportunity to network with professionals from the publishing industry.

There are fifteen places open for author participants. Please note it is important for all participants to fully prepare ahead of time. If this is your first attempt at pitching try writing out your entire monologue and reciting in front of friends or family who can give you useful feedback. Handheld flashcards are permitted but should only be used as a reference guide, not a word for word script. It may be that the work is not yet finished but if the writing project is sufficiently progressed so as to justify attendance, please feel free to book yourself in. Opinions and statements offered will be those of the panellists and Melton City Council cannot be responsible for any hurt feelings. No future contractual arrangements can be guaranteed by us with regard to your participation. If you would like to attend but are daunted by the prospect of pitching to a panel and an audience, refer to the SAS and remember, ‘Who dares, wins.’ Successful applicants will be advised forthwith.

PLEASE NOTE THE DATE OF THIS LAUNCH, MAY 26TH IS TENTATIVE AND SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE CHANGE. ANY CHANGE TO THIS DATE WOULD BE AFTER MAY 26, 2013, NOT EARLIER. ESTIMATED START TIME OF SEGMENT IS 315PM.

To register your interest in participating, please email to petera@melton.vic.gov.au, providing your name, the title and description of your novel in 25 words or less, and a contact phone number and email address.


Peter Abram M.ed
Senior Events Officer
Melton City Council
ph: (03) 9747 7187
mobile: 0411672187
fax: (03) 9743 9970

Friday 25 January 2013

Australian Poetry Journal Submissions


Australian Poetry Journal

AUSTRALIAN POETRY JOURNAL 
As our flagship publication, the Australian Poetry Journal is of the highest quality. Featuring only the best contemporary Australian poetry and criticism, the journal reflects current priorities and trends in the poetry industry. The journal also includes a range of incisive critical reviews and articles highlighting the most interesting debates and discussion in Australian poetry today.
APJ supports the profile of Australian poets and poetry both nationally and internationally and is a valuable resource for poets, students of poetry and poetry enthusiasts alike.
The theme of the journal is not prescriptive and emerges organically depending on the content of our submissions.
APJ strongly encourages online submissions, however hardcopy submissions will be accepted. Please download the submission form and include it with your postal submission. Submissions can be posted to:
Australian Poetry Journal Submissions
PO Box 21082
Little Lonsdale St
VIC 8011
Submissions to the APJ for 2013 are currently open. The closing date for submissions is TBA

Friday 18 January 2013

Changes in 2013

Changes in the leadership and membership of the Wordsmiths of Melton writing group has left this blog languishing for several months and the new year it as good a time as any to make a fresh start and take the blog from its limited focus to function as a shout-out and networking registry site for all writers and poets living or working within the Shire of Melton.

The blog name has been changed to Writers of Melton to reflect the broader scope and increased networking and other opportunities for these talented writers.

These pages can be used to as a page link to your own blog or web, to advertise your writing business or promote your latest  book or other publication.

As there are many award winning writers living in the Shire of Melton, I hope they will take the opportunity to use these pages as part of their own writing platform - to  let the world know of their talents and successes.






Thursday 15 November 2012

Publication or poisoned chalice


Publication or Poisoned Chalice  


Correspondence from a competition organiser advises you’re a place getter. Well not quite a place getter, first, second and third places have been awarded to other writers, but the judges have bestowed a commendation on your entry, which means your work is worthy of entry in their current anthology. It also means you won’t benefit monetarily from your labours, but that is of small consequence. Your work is about to be published. You have achieved your ultimate aim, congratulations!

No one knows but you, how many hours were spent in creating the story, the sweat and tears that went into the editing process, the emotions that drove every tap of the keyboard, and now all your efforts are to be rewarded.

Waiting seems forever but eventually your free contributor’s copy arrives in the post. Yep, that’s your name in the index. You are a published author. Although you know your own work thoroughly, you are compelled to read every single syllable of every word because you have never seen it like this before.

They got it right, no errors. Your story is in print. Wonderful. An advantage you get with an anthology is you get to read the stories that beat you. Curiosity compels you to fan the pages in search of the winning entry. The story starts off all right and you nod your head subconsciously. You can see how the judges were hooked from the start. Wait a minute, you’ve turned the page and it is clear something is wrong. The ending has no bearing at all on the rest of the story. The second place getter ends in similar fashion. The conclusion is neither satisfying nor satisfactory.

Somewhat disillusioned, you fan more pages till you come to the story that earned third place. After a careful and honest appraisal you agree it is in its rightful place but it is not as good as your story, In fact, word for word none of these stories measure up. How could the judges have got it so wrong? Did the entire panel have an off day?

We won’t go into a full analysis as to the elements that appealed to the judges most, suffice to say that at another time, another place your entry may have scored a gong, but that’s little consolation when lesser stories come in ahead of yours.

Not only have you missed out on the money, your chances of doing better in the future has taken a severe hit as published work is not generally acceptable for entry in competitions. Your market has just become a trifle restricted.

There is a good lesson all in this, which is to read submission guidelines thoroughly before sending in your masterpiece. Beware of clauses that say authors of commended works will be expected to take part in support activity, or help to promote the production.

Finally, if you’re a newbie and something like this has happened to you, don’t despair. Put it down to experience and get on with your writing, at least you can now claim to be a published author. 

Frank Ince

Wednesday 3 October 2012

CONGRATULATIONS LORRAINE

CONGRATULATIONS to Melton writer, Lorraine Jones, for her win in the Adult Short Story (18 years & over) - Up to 3,000 words section of the Brimbank Writers Awards. Follow the link at
http://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/Events_and_Activities/Brimbank_Writers_Festival/Brimbank_Writers_Awards to read her winning entry, Tom.



Lorraine is also a regular at the longitudinal workshops. Receiving recognition by winning this award is not only a validation of Lorraine's dedication to writing, it also serves as incentive to other novice writers to take that leap of faith and get their work out there.

Well done Lorraine