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The Writing Life

Information, inspiration and insights into the writing life

Start your freelance life out right

A portrait of Jackey Coyle

So, you want to start your freelance practice? When Jackey Coyle was starting out as a freelancer, she didn’t have information or resources available to her; she has essentially written her own freelancer handbook. You, on the other hand, can turn to established freelancers, like Jackey, and draw on their years of fine-tuning, growth, mistakes, systems and innovations. We chatted to Jackey ahead of her upcoming Writers on Wednesdays workshop, The Freelance Marketplace, where she will be...

Mastering the short story

PHoto of Laurie Steed

Just because they’re short, doesn’t mean short stories are easy to write. Award-winning short story author Laurie Steed is runs short story courses for those seeking to improve their mastery of the form.

Ahead of his upcoming online Intermediate Short Story clinic, Laurie shared some of the short story knowledge he has developed over the years with Sharona Lin.

Volunteering with Writers Victoria

Volunteer badge photo

The first time I donned my ‘Volunteer’ badge for a Writers Victoria workshop, I was so excited that I posted a photo on my social media. The people I met at Sally Rippin’s Writing for Children course that day, almost a year ago, have become not only my writing group, but also good friends and a fabulous support network for my writing journey. The lesson: You never know where volunteering for Writers Victoria will lead you.

What judges think when judging competitions

What judges think when judging competitions

There is so much to say about writing competitions. If you are an emerging writer, winning or being shortlisted for a competition means a great deal. It means recognition. It means validation. It means hope. And sometimes, it means a prize.

We all know the benefits. Entering competition gets you comfortable sharing your work. It gives you practice following submission guidelines (always important). And if nothing else, it represent publishing practice.

Pencilled In Bursaries and Commissions for Asian Australian Writers

Pencilled In logo

Thanks to a donation from Pencilled In journal, Writers Victoria is offering commissioned pieces in The Victorian Writer, and bursaries to attend writing workshops in our Season 2 program for Asian Australian writers.

Five Things I’ve Learned from Writing a Memoir

A portarit of Jo Case

So, you want to write a memoir. Why? Jo Case lets us in on five things she's learned from writing memoir ahead of her Digital Memoir Intensive, a five month intensive online course for memoir and life writers.

Season 2 Program

Our Looking Out, Looking In program continues in Season 2 with a special focus on place. 

Spotlight On… Enza Gandolfo

Clare Rankine speaks to Enza Gandolfo about Enza's new novel 'The Bridge'.

It’s one of those Melbourne days where it rains so hard the street floods and you feel like you’re swimming. A swirl of red and yellow autumn leaves stick to the ankle and it’s a relief to take down your umbrella, be inside and warm. It’s on this day that I meet writer Enza Gandolfo at The Moat, where we sit tucked cosily away in the back, to talk over a coffee.

Our Prize Winners for May 2018

Welcome to our monthly brag about our Writers Victoria community members who have won awards, been shortlisted or longlisted for writing prizes or received industry recognition.

Collective Celebrations

 

The longlist for the 2018 Miles Franklin Literary Award has been announced. Among the longlist are:

  • Lia Hills, tutor and member, for ‘The Crying Place’.
  • Wayne Macauley, tutor, for ‘Some Tests’.
  • Jane Rawson for ‘From the Wreck’.

 

On Patrick White

This is the new element in White’s achievement: to trace for the first time, to be among the earliest to express, in the English language, the migrant’s story.