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  New England Writers' Centre

Small, suprising things

8/10/2022

 
by Lydia Roberts
​A NICHE publisher making “small, surprising things” has just been launched by NEWC chair, Sophie Masson, and illustrator, Lorena Carrington.

Pardalote Press will publish unusual projects by the pair, who have set up a crowdfunding campaign to help establish their tiny press, which within the first two days of the campaign had already well overshot its original funding goal of $2,500.
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Creatives, creatures & community

7/15/2022

 
by Lydia Roberts
A LOVE LETTER to arachnids is how Armidale creative James O'Hanlon describes his forthcoming book, I Love Spiders.

James won the 2021 Varuna/New England Writers’ Centre Fellowship for his manuscript, which takes an endearing and scientific look at his great passion, arachnids.

"I spent a lot of time hanging around arachnologists and realising how overwhelmingly fascinating spiders were," James says.  ​"I thought the rest of the world ought to know about this, so the idea for a popular science book was born."
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James O'Hanlon, winner of the 2021 Varuna-NEWC Fellowship

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from Aspirational, to professional

7/12/2022

 
by Lydia Roberts
It was a rare scoop when university student Sharnee Rawson landed the role of co-editing Inside Story: the wonderful world of writing, illustrating and publishing children's books.

Published by United Publishers of Armidale (a collaboration between two New England-based boutique publishers, Christmas Press and Little Pink Dog Books), and the New England Writers’ Centre, Inside Story is a one-of-a-kind resource for anyone wanting to know more about the children's publishing industry.​
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Sharnee, at work on Inside Story
It is aimed at aspiring young creatives, such as Sharnee, who want to write, illustrate, or edit children’s books and is filled with tips, advice and anecdotes from professionals such as Sophie Masson, Kathy Creamer, Beatty Alvarez and Peter Creamer.

“I had always been eager for involvement in [NEWC], so I was ecstatic when I was hired as an editor for Inside Story,” Sharnee says.

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Big question leads to crime novel

7/11/2022

 
By Lydia Roberts
What's the worst that could happen?
It's a common enough question that led to award winning author JP (Josh) Pomare writing a "twisty thriller".

Josh and his partner, from Melbourne, were mulling the idea of letting their home to Airbnb guests.

They wondered what was the worst that could happen if they did so and decided it was worth the risk.

​The business has been a success, but the question, of what could possibly go wrong, led to Josh's latest novel, The Last Guests.
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Crime writer, JP Pomare "what's the worst that could happen?"

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Drawing out your inner child

4/29/2022

 
By Lydia Roberts
ILLUSTRATOR Sandy Flett wants to draw out our inner child.  ​
So she has designed a “kit bag” of drawing warm-ups, tips and advice to help potential illustrators and writers achieve their goal of drawing and writing for children.

Sandy will share her kit bag, as well as her experience as a children’s illustrator, at a workshop organised by the New England Writers’ Centre. 

“I would love the participants in this workshop to have their dreams of becoming an illustrator made more possible,” Sandy says.

“It would be awesome for people to come away feeling more confident in their ability to create and to learn to relax into illustration work.”

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Click the poster to find out more.
"Illustrating children’s books is a way of reconnecting with our own childhood."

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Turning the page on editing

11/18/2021

 
By Lydia Roberts
SUCCESSFUL SEGUE: Editor Anna Thomson is also a published writer.
​EVER get stuck into a good story, only to find your mind drifting after a few chapters because you can’t understand the characters?

Armidale editor Anna Thomson found she couldn’t “fall into” the story with some works she edited, even though the plot was well written and constructed.

Her solution was to write her own novel and, thanks to the inaugural Varuna-New England Writers' Centre fellowship, she spent a week working on Bloodwood.
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“Having an entire week to work uninterrupted on the manuscript was just what I, and it, needed,” Thomson said.
Anna Thompson was the winner of the 2019 Inaugural Varuna-NEWC Fellowship
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The Show goes on in Glen

11/9/2021

 
By Lydia Roberts
Author and Deepwater resident Michael Burge wants local talent to shine at this year's High Country Writers Festival.
"We're aiming to turn limitations into bonuses!"
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HIGH Country Writers Festival director Michael Burge wants to showcase local talent and emerging authors at this year’s event.

The festival, which starts on Saturday, December 11, is aimed at all authors and writers and will be held in Glen Innes. It is centred in The Makers Shed, in Grey Street. Burge will be joined by other authors, including Mary Garden, Jessica White and Gundula Rhoades who will share their experiences and ideas in workshops and discussions. The New England Writers’ Centre will have a stall at the festival.


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BRINGING THE PAST TO LIFE

9/29/2021

 
By Lydia Roberts
UNE lecturer in writing, Ariella Van Luyn, says readers want historical fiction to feel authentic
"This might be a bit creepy for some, but I also like walking in cemeteries to find out about how people lived and died."
​

"WHAT is tomorrow’s fish-and-chip wrappings could also be a best-selling novel." 

So says Ariella Van Luyn, a lecturer in writing at The University of New England. Dr Van Luyn will deliver an online workshop for the New England Writers’ Centre on November 13, where she will discuss researching and writing historical fiction.

She says Australian newspapers and magazines found in the National Library of Australia's “Trove” digital catalogue are a rich source of inspiration. That’s also the case with tomes of old newspapers found in local libraries.

“Usually, [the local history collection] is tucked away in a corner of the library and contains all kinds of fascinating books and pamphlets,” Dr Van Luyn says. 
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building a sustainable creative lifestyle

9/14/2021

 
by Lydia Roberts
Move out of pain into health & resilience
Eva Knörles takes a ‘whole body’ approach to address pains associated with repetitive movements experienced by creatives - writers, illustrators, musicians, makers ...
Aches and pains after long periods of focused creativity can often be prevented by making small changes over time.

​That’s the message from massage therapist and breathing educator Eva Knörles, who will be conducting a workshop, Your Creative Body, for the New England Writers’ Centre on Saturday, October 9.

“It’s common for creative people to experience aches and pains associated with repetitive tasks, particularly sitting at a desk and using a keyboard for long hours, or standing at an easel,” Eva says.

“At the workshop, I will take a ‘whole body’ approach to each individual to help address the issues unique to them and the way they like to work."
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Photo credit:  Laurence Nussbaumer

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Drawing Inspiration From A Prize-Winning Author

9/1/2021

 
by Lydia Roberts
Yumna Kassab's words of encouragement to budding authors
PictureYumna Kassab is a past-winner of the Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing (Poetry)
​IT COULD take just 15 minutes a day to turn your dreams into tomorrow's bestseller.
​
That's the advice from writer Yumna Kassab, a past-winner of the Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing (Poetry).

Kassab, from Western Sydney, wrote her Australiana stories while living and working in Tamworth.

Her first book of short stories, The House of Youssef, was listed for prizes including the NSW Premier's Literary Award and The Stella Prize, so Kassab understands the process behind writing.

"Write for 15 minutes a day," she says.

"Don’t throw the writing out. Don’t tear it up. The writing will add up and when you come back to it later, even if it seems average, you’ll start to notice a progression.


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We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which the New England Writers' Centre is situated and pay our respects to Aboriginal Elders past, present and emerging.
  • Home
  • Inside Story Workshop Series
  • Oliver Phommavanh
  • Story to Script Course
  • Dive into Worldbuilding
  • Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing
  • Illustration Prize for Children's Picture Book Publishing
  • Varuna-NEWC Fellowship
  • Poetry Walkabout
  • About
    • Our Board
    • Our Sponsors
  • Membership
  • Contact Us
  • 2022 Archive
    • 2022 Summer Micro Grants >
      • 2022 Summer micro grants_Mary McMillan >
        • 2022 Summer micro grants_Kerry Moran
    • 2022 Illustration Prize for children's picture book illustration
    • 2022 Thunderbolt winners >
      • 2022 Thunderbolt Prize winning submissions
      • 2022 Thunderbolt Prize Judges Reports
    • 2022 Varuna-NEWC Fellowship
  • 2021 Archive
    • 2021 Illustration Prize Winners
    • Varuna Fellowship 2021
    • Thunderbolt Prize 2021 >
      • Thunderbolt Prize 2021 Judges Reports
    • 2021 Summer Micro Grants >
      • 2021 Summer micro grants_Trish >
        • Beetle Hunt Stories
      • 2021 Summer micro grants_James
      • 2021 Summer Micro Grants_Fiona
  • 2020 Archive
    • Thunderbolt Prize 2020 >
      • Thunderbolt Prize 2020 Judges Reports
      • Thunderbolt Prize 2020_Winning submissions
    • Illustration Prize 2020 Winners
    • Varuna Fellowship 2020
    • 2020 Historical Novel Prize
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Inside Story Book
    • By The Book video series
    • Stories Connect