When Valerie Khoo wrote this piece on the Writing Bar, the Australian Writers' Centre blog, I knew that I had to include 'branded' publications in this (not very regular) series. The fact is that general, mass-media publications are on the decline - and with them go...
Speaking is an activity that many writers approach with caution, but the fact this that speaking opportunities can be a great way to connect with audiences - old and new. Over the past few years, through the release of my books, my work at The Australian Writers'...
It doesn't matter what sort of writer you are these days - features, fiction, non-fiction, corporate, web, whatever - you are going to be asked to sign a contract at some point. Probably several. I am old enough to remember a time when features writers just wrote for...
Authorpreneur is a great word, isn't it? It sort of rolls off the tongue in a highly satisfying way. But while it might look a bit funny, it's actually a very serious concept. Writing today - particularly books, whether they be fiction or non-fiction - is a very...
Welcome to the first in a new (semi-regular) series on the Business of Writing. While writing is one of those careers that sounds romantic - pyjamas, working from home, creative thoughts, etc - it has to be mired in common sense. You can't eat words, no matter how...
I'm sweating. Metaphoric sweat, but sweat none-the-less. It's beading on my forehead and running in little rivers down my sides. Wondering if I'll be able to finish this book. I have some changes to make on the manuscript for my novel. I have notes from my editor....
There's a lot of talk on the internet at present about the bind that debut authors find themselves in, trying to launch their first book when the usual things like launch parties, author talks, writers' festival and other literary fun are not available. And it's been...
Last week I found myself compiling a list of books about writing for a young writer I know. She's 15, enthusiastic, stymied by the parameters of writing for school assignments, hungry for information, encouragement and advice. I tried to give her book suggestions that...
Being presented with the teachers' notes for your novel is one of the great joys of being a children's author. Teachers' notes are a curriculum-linked resource for a novel, offering teachers background information, insight into everything from themes to setting, with...
