Here's a bunch of competitions closing at the end of June/July

Big thanks to TWPC for passing this on:   Big Issue Fiction Edition Entries are now open for the 2014 Big Issue fiction edition. All writers – of whatever age, whether established, emerging, or just keen to have a crack – are invited to send stories. This year’s theme is as simple as it is open-ended: Take Me Away… Stories must be no longer than 2500 words. Entries close 6 June. Click here for information about how to submit. Launceston, Tasmania Literary Award With prizes ranging from $500 to $2,500, the inaugural Launceston, Tasmania Literary Award is now open for entries! Short stories up to 1,500 words are due by midnight on Friday 13 June. For more information please visit their website. Newcastle Poetry Prize This prize is one of Australia's oldest and most distinguished literary awards, with a $20,000 prize pool presented by the University of Newcastle. Writers can submit a poem or suite of poems up to 200 lines. Entries close Friday 20 June at 5pm. Enter online here. The Young Writers' Innovation Prize The Young Writers' Innovation Prize is now calling for submissions! If you have an idea for innovation in the writing or publishing space, and you're under 30, you’re invited to submit an application. It's $5,000 for first prize, $1,000 for second and $500 for third. Submissions are due 13 June 2014. The 2014 Overland Story Wine Prize This competition aims to discover the finest in original short fiction up to 1000 words in length. The winning story will receive $3000 and will be published on the label of a Story Wines Shiraz as well as in Overland. Two runners-up will each receive $500. The competition closes midnight, Sunday 29 June. For more information please visit the Overland website. LiNQ submissions Due Literature in North Queensland (LiNQ), James Cook University's annual journal of creative and academic work, welcomes submissions of fiction, creative nonfiction, poems, and academic papers for peer review. Submissions close June 30 2014. Submissions can be up to 6000 words, with a brief abstract and biographical note. Book reviews of up to 1000 words are also welcome. To find the full submission guidelines, or to subscribe to LiNQ, click here.  Dorothea Mackellar Poetry Awards This is the oldest and largest poetry competition for school aged children in Australia. Students can enter up to three poems of 80 lines. There are many awards categories, with cash prizes, trophies and prize packs. A teacher or home school parent will need to register on the website before students can submit. Online submissions are preferred. Entries close Monday 30 June. Carclew Scholarships Want $12,500 to develop your creative skills? The Carclew Scholarship is open to artists under 26 in the fields of Creative Writing, Film and New Media, Performing Arts, and Visual Arts. So if you're currently pursuing your dreams and need a hand to take it on, apply before 15 July 2014. The 2014 SLQ Young Writers Award If you are aged 18 to 25, are a resident of Queensland and enjoy writing short stories then this competition is for you. Short stories up to 2,500 words are due by Friday 18 July at 5pm. For more information, and to read previous winning entries, check out the website.

Opportunites for Spec Fiction Writers

Holy Crap they do exist. I never thought I'd see the day. Of course now I have to do something about it, and advertising it here is just really creating extra competition for me.

So...

If you're a Speculative Fiction writer look away now. Do not read another word. Have you turned away? Excellent.

Check out these opportunities:

Blurring the line An anthology of horror stories that seeks to blur the line between what is fiction and non-fiction and is calling for tales that are serious and frightening, hard-hitting and imaginative. Monsters, vampires, zombies, werewolves and mummies welcome.
Pay rate is 8c word.
The anthology is being edited by former AHWA president Marty Young and published by Cohesion Press.
Subs: open August 1
Details: http://cohesionpress.com/submissions/anthologies/

Hear Me Roar
An anthology of kick-arse women in a speculative world - female superheroes, scientists, subversives and rulers. It is calling for strong character-driven stories between 2500 and 7500 words with strong female protagonists. Stories can be any variety of speculative fiction: science fiction, fantasy, horror, paranormal romance, urban fantasy or a mix.
Pay rate is 2c word plus two copies.
The anthology is being edited by Liz Grzyb and published by Ticonderoga Publications.
Subs: close November 21
Details: http://cohesionpress.com/submissions/anthologies/

Nice.


 

Heritage Day gone for another year

If your slack like me, you forgot all about Heritage Day and spent it doing nothing of any consequence.

If , however, you are like our esteemed President and more diligent members of our happy little group, you were there and participated in great day. Here's what Lori Hurst, the aforementioned esteemed president, had to say about it.

HERITAGE DAY.
The rain kept a few people away but as always there was lots to see. We had a great spot near the stage so entertainment as well as the opportunity to chat to heaps of people. There is a lot of interest in Townsville’s heritage.
Voices of the North shone through- WITS pride & joy. As well as being a magnificent historical record  of contemporary life in Nth Qld, it is proof positive of the benefits local writers can gain through association with a professional writing organisation. Thanks to all of our helpers & to TCC for their efforts. Next time guys can you organise better weather. Please! We’ll be there again next year.

And now I have guilt.

A few events to be had.

Townsville City Libraries are holding a few events in the coming days they some people may be keen on. the details are below. see the libraries for any other details.

 

On Saturday 15/2/14 there are 2 events of interest:

 

ABC Open – Writing and Photography Workshop

Location – Thuringowa City Library, 86 Thuringowa Drive.

Time – 9am to 3pm

Cost – Free – Bookings required through City Libraries 4773 8811

This monthly workshop invites you to write a short non-fiction story and get it published on the ABC.

The afternoon session covers photography.

 

Queensland Writers Centre Workshop – The Joy of Writing

Location – Aitkenvale City Library, 4 Petunia St, Aitkenvale.

Time – 9.30am to 3.30pm

Cost – QWC members free – Non members  $30.00.

Bookings required through Queensland Writers Centre www.qwc.asn.au or call city libraries on  4727 8310 (we may have to book as a group)

The Joy of Writing – Author Nike Sulway will help you discover or rediscover the pleasure of writing and connect with the reasons you love it.

 

 

February, 2014 – Digital Photography

Location – Thuringowa Library

Time – 9.30am to 11.30am

Cost – Free – Bookings required through City Libraries 4773 8811

Learn about digital photography for beginners and explore basic post-processing using free computer software and develop creativeness.

 

The Creative Compass: book recommendation

A book recommendation from one of WiTS more prolific writers.

She says,

 

 

"I find it practical and full of tips I have heard at various workshops. So, a concise resource for the serious writer."

 

What more do you need?

 

Poetry Anyone?

POETRY COMPETITION 2014

Close your door to the everyday and take a
peek through the window at a vibrant new
world. We want to see, hear and feel the
cadences and lyricism of your poems. Poems
to help us understand life and how we live it.

The judging panel will be looking for:
• Passion
• Beauty
• Understanding of life and its complexities,
whether in comedy or drama
• Inspiration and encouragement to think
outside our lives

FIRST PRIZE - $200
PLUS 2 ENCOURAGEMENT AWARDS OF $50

Closing date is March 31st 2014

To enter, mail your entry and completed entry form
(available from www.fawq.net) to:
FAWQ Poetry Competition Convenor
PO Box 6338
Up Mt Gravatt, 4122, QLD

Further details and conditions of entry are available on the
FAWQ website - www.fawq.net

Competitions, competitions, competitions.

The Stringybark Short Story Award 2013

Stringybark Stories is pleased to announce its latest short fiction award.  The Stringybark Short Story Award is our signature award and is run each year.  It has an open theme and is only limited by your imagination.  Our only proviso is that your story must have a link to Australia, no matter how tenuous.  Writers have 1500 words to produce a short story that will delight and entertain the judges. International entries welcome.

There is over $810 worth of prizes in cash and books available.  Closing date for entries is 19 January  2014.

Details at: http://www.stringybarkstories.net

Voices of the North is out in the World

That's right kids, it's out and available all over the Burdekin.

The launch went off well and with only one small problem... I forgot my wallet and had to buy a book later. 

Check out these pics below of the event.

Okay. 

Here's the scoop. If you want this?

You need to be here at 11:00 Saturday the 5th of October.

Don't be late.

4...3...2... Oh, to Hell with it...1!!!

Put your hands in the air. Up there. Up there. Yea.

That's right folks, read and believe. Read the magic words below and absorb them.

The time.

The date.

The place.

PROMOTIONAL EVENT: SATURDAY 5^TH OCTOBER 11am at STOCKLANDS

 Voices of the North 

will be on sale. Come along and meet some of the authors.

Ever wondered how the North Queensland Cowboys got their name, why Albert Abdul-Rahman doesn't eat flowers, what an old tree marked for execution thinks of  life in Townsville, or why it snows in the Burdekin every summer?

All these questions, and lots more, are answered in Voices Of The North, a collection of 90 short stories and poems published in a new book  commemorating the Writers In Townsville Society's 40th Anniversary. 

Voices of the North celebrates our unique North Queensland lifestyle.

Ben Hur wanted to be as big as this. Cecil B. Demille dreamed of producing something like this. But all it took was a group of plucky writers, a little idea and a hell of a lot of work to bring this to its fruition.

So come along on Saturday. Meet the authors. Buy the book and spend your long weekend in bed with a good read. 

Now when was the last time you did that?