Welcome to the New England Writers' Centre!
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Your NEWC team are genuinely excited about the year we have lined up for you with a ton of writing and illustration workshops, competitions and festivals. Just scroll down for more info and links.
The results from previous year's competitions have been moved into archive as we prepare to publish this year's lineup. Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, or jump on over to the Membership page to sign up and enjoy discounts for all our events. See you soon! |
New to the NEWC's website? Look for the navigation icon: three horizontal lines. Click to open menu options.
WORKSHOPS & COMPETITIONS
March-April
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Inside Story Series - the mini series
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Online - Saturday 25 March, April 1, 8 & 15
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Click the image for details
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A series of workshops with industry professionals in the children's book publishing industry: writing, illustrating, designing, editing and publishing a children's book.
The workshops will be run on consecutive weekends, finishing with a panel of publishers. Join for one or all of the workshops and gain a unique insight into the industry. These workshops are designed for anyone who is looking for a direct insight into the workings of the children's/young readers publishing industry. |
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Writing Humour for Kids
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Armidale - Saturday 29 April 2023
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Click image to find out more.
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Coming to Armidale as the guest of honour for BookedIn! Children's Festival, is Oliver Phommavanh, popular children's author, teacher and stand-up comedian.
Oliver's books are packed with laughs, and authentic characters living in multicultural Australia. This is a fabulous opportunity to work with a writer who understands how to weave humour into children's literature in a way that is funny, and meaningful. Visit the Writing Humour for Kids page for further details and workshop scope or just click on the button below to grab your seat at Oliver's workshop. |
May - June
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Short Story to Film Script Course
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Armidale - May 13, 20, 27 and June 3 2023
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Click image to find out more
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Learn how to turn your fiction into a short film script with acclaimed independent filmmaker, writer, producer and director, Richard Jones.
Over four consecutive weekends in May and June,m 2023, Dr Jones will guide you through teh process of transforming your narrative into a visual story. This is a unique opportunity for locals to learn from a master of the craft. This is a small group course, and seats are limited. Visit the Story to Script page for further details or book now to secure your place. |
June
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Dive into World Building
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Online - Saturday 17 June 2023
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Click the image for more details
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The NEWC is thrilled to be able to offer a workshop with novelist, Juliette Wade. Juliette's Broken Trust science fiction novels are published by DAW.
Juliette is an American author, now living in Melbourne. She has also lived in Japan and France, and holds degrees in linguistics and anthropology. Click here for more details, and book your place. |
The Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing
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The New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing is one of Australia's premier short fiction awards for crime writing, with six categories of prizes.
Submissions for the 2023 Thunderbolt Prize will open on Friday 9 June and closed on Friday 29 September. Guidelines and entry form will be made available in June. |
July
The New England Illustration Prize
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The Illustration Prize for children's picture book publishing is a nationally recognised prize that attracts entries from all over Australia and garners a great deal of attention from publishers.
2023 marks the seventh year of this prize, and our theme this year is "Dreaming is a Super Power." The submission window opens on Friday 7th July, and is open to illustrators at all stages in their careers. Guidelines and entry form will be made available in July. |
August
Varuna-NEWC Fellowship
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The Varuna-NEWC Fellowship offers a week's inspirational writing residency in the beautiful surroundings of Varuna, in the Blue Mountains. The Fellowship includes full board and accommodation at Varuna, funds towards travel, a one-on-one consultation with a Varuna expert and more.
The Fellowship is open to all writers, at any stage of their career, either currently living in the New England region, or who have previously lived there for at least five years. The submission window for the 2023 Fellowship will be advised by Varuna in due course. |
November
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Poetry Walkabout
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Guyra - Sunday 12 November 2023
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Click here for details & bookmark the page
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A fun, inspirational, half-day workshop for poets of all ilk and experience. Each participant will have the opportunity to work closely with three contemporary poets in a small group setting.
The workshop will engage participants in close reading, discussions on techniques and stylistic choices, and prompts to write your own poetry, with the opportunity to share and read your work in an 'open mic' reading. Further details and ticketing coming soon! |
..and more
Available from your local bookstore or direct from the publishers
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An essential resource for anyone interested, or planning a career, in the children's publishing industry, with insights and advice from professional publishers, agents, editors, writers, illustrators and content creators from across Australia.
Proudly produced in the New England by the United Publishers of Armidale. I'll be happily recommending it to any new writers and illustrators. Shaun Tan
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Crime writers & readers, if you're looking for a tribe we have just the place for you. Visit Sisters in Crime (brothers are welcome!), for a host of amazing resources and competitions, including the Scarlet Stiletto and The Davitt Awards.
See our YouTube channel for our latest videos including the "By the Book" video playlist of tips and advice from local writers, and the Stories Connect series.
And don't forget to become a member or renew your membership to receive discounts on all workshop bookings!
See our YouTube channel for our latest videos including the "By the Book" video playlist of tips and advice from local writers, and the Stories Connect series.
And don't forget to become a member or renew your membership to receive discounts on all workshop bookings!
