Annual Reports
Below you’ll find links to download the New England Writers’ Centre’s Annual Reports. Simply click on the year you’re interested in, and the report will open as a PDF in a new tab. From there, you can read it online or download it to your device.
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In 2024, the NEWC continued to champion regional creativity through the delivery of two nationally recognised competitions—the Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing and the New England Illustration Prize for Children’s Picture Book Publishing. Both prizes were judged by industry professionals and supported by generous local sponsors. While the Varuna-NEWC Fellowship was regrettably deferred due to funding constraints, NEWC remained active through a range of community and industry engagements. Highlights included partnering with Narrabri Shire Library to deliver "Write Time Write Place", a creative program for Indigenous and marginalised youth and managing the Sales Desk at the Australasian Association of Writing Programs (AAWP) conference.
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In 2023, the NEWC delivered a dynamic program of professional development, community engagement, and industry-recognised opportunities for regional creatives. We ran two multi-day courses and two creative workshops—one in person and one online—supporting writers and illustrators at all stages of their careers. Highlights included our presence at the “Book Week for All in the Armidale Mall” in August, where we also sponsored four creative workshops, and our Christmas stall promoting local authors, illustrators, and publishers. NEWC continued to deliver its signature national prizes—the Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing, the New England Illustration Prize, and the Varuna-NEWC Fellowship—all judged by industry professionals and supported by local sponsors. These initiatives strengthened our role in the regional creative ecosystem, building both awareness and membership.
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In 2022, the NEWC delivered a diverse program of workshops, prizes, and community initiatives supporting writers and illustrators across the region. We ran seven successful professional development and creative workshops—online and in person—covering everything from crime writing and indie publishing to illustration and multi-arts practice. NEWC also continued to deliver three flagship opportunities: the Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing, the New England Illustration Prize, and the Varuna-NEWC Fellowship, all judged by industry professionals and supported by local sponsors. We awarded two x $1,000 micro-grants to regional creators exploring the theme Community in a Time of Change, and partnered with Christmas Press and Little Pink Dog Books to launch Inside Story, a unique resource showcasing New England’s publishing talent. To finish the year, NEWC joined the High Country Writers' Festival in Glen Innes, once again celebrating and promoting regional creatives.
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In 2020 and 2021, the New England Writers’ Centre adapted to the challenges of the pandemic by moving most of our events online. While it was a steep learning curve, it paid off—broadening our audience beyond the region and inspiring an even more ambitious program for 2021. We saw record-breaking entries for the Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing, which accepted digital submissions only, and we were thrilled to welcome the University of New England’s support in funding three of its key categories. We also partnered with UNE’s Creative New England initiative and the Historical Novel Society of Australasia to help deliver the inaugural ARA Historical Novel Prize. By October 2021, with restrictions easing, we were able to deliver our postponed *Booked In* program with visiting author Ursula Dubosarsky, whose hybrid workshop at NERAM with publisher Margrete Lamond blended in-person and digital participation—a format we’re excited to explore further.
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