Dear writers,
Happy new year! We trust you have had an enjoyable break over the festive season and taken a little time to recharge. The new year is already brimming with opportunity for writers, as you can see below.
The Tom Collins Poetry Prize 2024
The Tom Collins Poetry Prize 2024 is now open until March 31. Winners will be announced early May. The prestigious prize was inaugurated by the Fellowship of Australian Writers WA in 1975 to honour the contribution to Australian literature of Joseph Furphy (1843 – 1912), who wrote the early Australian novel Such is Life under the nom de plume Tom Collins. Enter for your chance to stand among Australia’s most talented poets. For more information please click here
Travel writing with Will Yeoman at Tom Collins House
Are you planning a trip? Would you like to learn more about the art of travel writing? Writing WA’s Will Yeoman will teach three intensive workshops about travel writing at Tom Collins House on February 7, 13 and 20 from 10.30am to 12.30pm. In small group masterclasses Will introduces basic concepts and techniques such as notetaking, observation, description, atmosphere and place. Tickets are now available. To secure your seat at Tom’s Table in Tom Collins House please click here.
Save the date: Author-in-Conversation with John Kinsella April 18
The Fellowship is delighted to announce that our patron, internationally acclaimed and prize-winning poet, playwright and novelist John Kinsella (right) has agreed to be the star of our Author in Conversation evening on Thursday, April 18 from 6pm to 8pm at Mattie Furphy House. John will be interviewed by Writing WA CEO Will Yeoman. Save the date. Tickets will be available shortly.
John Kinsella: Spirals collection
The Author in Conversation evening swiftly follows the March release by UWA Press of John Kinsella’s Collected Poems Volume Three: Spirals (2014-2023). Spirals will be the third and final volume of the prolific Kinsella’s collected poems.
Save the date: Sunday Sessions Masterclasses April 21 – the short story
Would you like to write short stories? Or develop your short story writing craft? Two of Western Australia’s most acclaimed short story authors, Susan Midalia and Rashida Murphy, are coming to Mattie Furphy House on Sunday, April 21 to teach exclusive masterclasses in the art of writing the short story. Tickets available shortly.
TCH Writer’s studio now open
Do you need a quiet space to write? The new Writer's Studio at Tom Collins House is now open. Spend the day writing, reading, marking up your manuscript or just daydreaming as you listen to the birdsong. Tom Collins House is surrounded by bushland and walking trails at Allen Park in Swanbourne, and a short walk from the train, the beach, and the Kirkwood Deli. Cost $60 a day with a 30% discount for members. Email us for the members’ code. For bookings (eight hour minimum) please click here.
Perth Writers’ Weekend 2024, February 23 to 25
Do you have your tickets for the Perth Writers’ Weekend? A dynamic new partnership has been formed between Perth Festival and Writing WA to present the Perth Writers Weekend at the State Library, as part of the Perth Festival 2024. A special pre-weekend program will also see sessions for writers held at the City of Perth Library, Perth Town Hall and the Centre For Stories from Tuesday, February 20. For details please click here.
Classes in the city
The Society of Women Writers WA offers supports women writers throughout Western Australia. Wednesday Writing Classes in the City recommence on February 7 at Citiplace Community Centre in the Perth Railway Station Concourse. February sessions focus on how to build an online submissions profile, and March classes teach creative writing for beginners. Bookings are essential.
For details please email swwwabookingofficer@gmail.com
The Mulga Bill writing award
Goldfields Libraries and Eaglehawk Festivals are calling for entries from Australian writers. The theme “mystical waters” is to be taken as inspiration, and all poems (up to 25 lines) or a short stories (up to 2000 words) are welcome. Entries close February 23, 2024. For more information please click here.
Romance Writers of Australia – enter by January 15
The Romantic Book of the Year (RUBY) is a contest for published novels and novellas by Australian or New Zealand authors presented by Romance Writers of Australia. It includes sections for Contemporary, Historical, Suspense, Speculative Fiction, Romantic Elements and Novella. Romantic novels (40K+) and novellas (10K–40K) which were first published (in digital or print) between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023 can be entered. Limit of three entries per entrant. Closing date is Monday, 15 January 2024, 5pm (AEDT). For details please click here
Black&Write! Writing Fellowships 2024
Two Fellowships for unpublished manuscripts by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers currently living in Australia. Two winners will each receive:
· $15,000 prize money
· Editorial development with the black&write! Indigenous editors.
· A publication opportunity with Hachette Australia.
Closing date is 22 January 2024. For details please click here
Geelong Regional Libraries and Deakin University Local Word Writing Prize
Submissions of up to 3000 words are welcome from emerging and established writers in prose fiction and creative nonfiction. The winner receives $2000 and a one-hour mentoring session with a Deakin University writing practitioner, publication on GRLC’s website, and announcement in GRLC’s e-newsletter. Commended writers will also receive a cash prize and acknowledgement. Closing date is January 27, 2024. For details please click here
The Tasmanian Writers’ Prize 2024
Short stories of up to 3,000 words with an island, or island-resonant, theme can be entered. A selection of the best entries will be published in the Forty South Short Story Anthology 2024. Closing date is February 14, 2024. For details please click here.
Happy writing,
The Committee
The Fellowship of Australian Writers WA