Twitter Workshop

Presenter: Hettie Ashwintwitter

Last Wednesday evening, award winning writer and internet whizz Hettie Ashwin introduced and illuminated the fast moving, and fast growing, world of Twitter.  It was an excellent session.  Among the aspects Hettie covered were what is Twitter; how to set up an account; customising your account; getting followers who matter; Twitter etiquette; and how to use Twitter to raise your web profile.

I had heard of Twitter, but did not really know anything about it, and by the session's end I felt able to dip my toe into the cyber-waters and get started.  The $10 workshop fee was absolutely worth the money, it included the e-mailing to me Hettie's power point presentation, and her availability for one-to-one assistance by e-mail afterwards.

Having attended other workshops that Hettie has run, I unreservedly recommend her future sessions, whenever, and wherever, she runs them.

Michael Fitzgerald-Clarke

a Short story comp with kudos

A,B.R. Elizabeth Jolley short story prize

P.O. Box 2320,

Richmond South, 3121

Victoria

31st May 2012 closing date.

3 copies each story (has to be snail mailed)

2/5000 words

Entry fee. $14 ABR subscribers, $18 non subscribers.

1st prize $5000

2nd prize $2000

3rd prize $1000

ABR reserve the right not to award a prize

Entry form and conditions on website: www.australianbookreview.com.au

The Big Issue short story comp

Here is the link

The 2012 edition will be co-edited by Melissa Cranenburgh and Chris Flynn. They’re looking for ” intriguing stories, humourous tales and lively and interesting writing”. You can choose to pick your own topic, or write to the official theme of “The End of the World”. Stories must be under 3000 words long.

Stories are due 31 May 2012. You need to make sure your name and details are on a removable coversheet, as stories are judged “blind”. To enter, you need to send two printed copies of your story to: Fiction Edition, The Big Issue, GPO Box 4911, Melbourne 3001.

Will you be entering this competition? Will you be following the theme or making up your own topic?

The Big Issue Fiction edition is one of the short form fiction highlights of the year. I’ve learned my lesson and I always buy my copy on the first day I know it’s out – it sells out so fast and everyone talks about it. Last year’s edition, Twelve Tales,sold a massive 34,000 copies across Australia.

The edition is a blend of stories selected from an open submission, and commissioned pieces from established and much-loved authors. Last year’s edition included stories by Frank Moorhouse, Peggy Frew, Nick Earls, Charlotte Wood and Chris Wormersley.

Sneak Peek from Member Hettie Ashwin

Here is the link for our member Hettie Ashwin's book Literary Licence. 
It is featured in Indies Unlimited a web page for independent authors.
Indies Unlimited have a submission page so you can be a guest post(er) like Hettie or promote your book.

Robert Benchley humour comp on again 2012

Here is the link to the lowdown on the annual competition for 500 word humour. 

The judge this year is Arte Johnson. 
You can look at past winners, then try your luck. the Comp ends on April 1st (seriously) so get your happy face on and start writing that winning entry.

racking up the visitors. Bring on the cup cakes

Wits blog only needs 368 more visits to crack the 10,000 mark. What does this prove? Well...only that the blog has good, informative content and is a great writers resource.
Spread the word, the links, the looouuuuuuvvve!
Happy Days.

Poetry workshop wrap up

POETRY FOR RECEPTIVE MINDS: Facilitator Michael Fitzgerald-Clarke

Last Sunday in conjunction with WITS, Michael presented a most informative & fulfilling workshop.
For those of you like me for whom all but the simplest forms of rhyming poetry is a mysterious art it
was a revelation. I have come away the proud possessor of a poem written in the sestina format.

Sestina is an intricate and beautiful form of poetry that originated in the twelfth century. Michael
skilfully and gently guided us through the process of creating our own poem. I came away richer for
the experience.

The boundaries of creative writing overlap and after exploring and expanding the technique of
evocative imagery I now have another useful tool to add to my writer’s toolbox.

Michael can be found Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the Aitkenvale library in his role as Poet in
Residence. Michael is available to answer any queries or you may simply want to chat with someone
knowledgeable in the craft, or spend some time with a fellow poet.

For those of you who missed Sunday’s workshop Michael will be facilitating another later in the year.
While nothing has been decided as yet the next workshop may be centred on rhyming verse.

The Humor Daily

here  is the link to a bit of light relief.

Our Wits member Hettie Ashwin has featured several times in this e-zine. It has a variety of 'stuff' to raise a titter or lol!

J.K Rowling new book

Here is the link to a great article about Rowling and her new adult fiction book.

Is it the writing that is selling or the potential of profits that drives the sales pitch. No doubt Rowlings can write, but imagine if we all had that mighty publicity machine behind our work. Call me a cynic...but.

the oddest book titles

Here is the link to an article in the Guardian newspaper.

Prize dredges up a vintage shortlist of the year's oddest book titles...Cooking with Poo by Saiyuud Diwong ("Poo" is the Thai chef's nickname) will satisfy those in search of the scatological, while the Diagram prize's talent for delighting in the esoteric is revealed in its final three contenders: Estonian Sock Patterns All Around the World,...