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What is a genre?
From the mind of Mat Clarke.
What is Genre Writing?
Is 'email writing' a particular genre? If so, then that could mean blogging would be too, right?
Do you find that you often question what genre it is you’re writing and if you can classify yourself as a particular genre writer?
Do you think you’re keeping to the required norms of writing.
Do you mix your writing so it’s part comedy, part romance, part nonfiction and part suspense?
I promise this next question coming up is going to be the last stressy thing about genres. I just hope I haven’t made you want to put these thoughts into the too-hard-basket.
Don’t give up and throw your pen and paper in to the bin and smash your laptop with a hammer. I’m going to help you through this and I promise there’s a rainbow at the end.
Will readers stop reading your stories if you don't stick to one particular genre while keeping within the standard conventions of that particular genre so your readers know what they are buying each time they pick up your book?
The short answer to that last question is, no, not anymore. This was the convention in the past, but you can now freely write more than one genre as well as mix genres and dabble in sub genres.
If you decide you want to traditionally publish, you’ll need to read the instructions from the agent’s or publisher’s website before you submit. There are many hoops you’ll need to jump through and much information they will want from you. This includes writing a synopsis, classifying your work into a genre, mentioning what authors and titles are close to yours in style or plot or other, and you’ll need to write up general information about you as a writer.
When I first started writing, I did so for fun. I was ten years old and all I wanted to do was write what was entertaining to me.
Is fun a genre?
I didn't need anyone to read my stories. Instead I enjoyed creating new worlds where I could insert people and creatures into them to explore, create, conflict and interact.
Then came the idea of one day being published. Don’t get me wrong, it was lots of fun writing and not needing to edit. I still enjoy sitting down not knowing how a story will play out. It was just that in 2010 I decided I wanted other people to read my work and for them to actually enjoy it. To do this I needed not only to amuse myself, but to work out what my readers liked too. I also needed to learn how to edit properly. (With both of these, you never stop learning.)
After writing over 70,000 words of my first novel, I decided I needed to explore what genre my story might fit into. I did this by comparing my story to other stories already available from other known authors. I made notes on how my story matched a proposed genre before knowing it was definitely that. I wrote a synopsis and a blurb and compared mine to other published authors to help cement my work and what it was similar to.
I initially thought my writing was general fiction. I shouldn't have been so boring. I later thought adventure, due to the journey aspect that my main characters often would take. However, I still wasn’t sure. I kept digging and was about to settle on crime (because I often include murder/crime that would be investigated by police), but then I discovered the thriller genre.
Thrillers are often fast paced, have a character that is either pursuing or being pursued and has police investigations, although as a secondary aspect.This fit my general story writing style. Huzzah! I could now call myself a thriller writer.
Enter sub-genres from stage left.
You don't have to constrain yourself to a particular genre. There are mixed genres and subgenres that allow you to write whatever you like. Yes, your story needs to have a plot, have interesting characters and be edited well, but as for genre, you’re allowed to call yourself a thriller-adventure writer. A romance-comedy writer. A psychological thriller writer. Create your own and be proud to be a comedy-crime writer.
I write blogs and email.
Yes, you can write blogs or emails in a certain specified way, and that could then make it a particular genre. Maybe your job has conformity when writing emails. This is a genre. You write your blog in a comedic way. Guess what, genre writing!
So what does the word genre mean? A class or category having particular form, technique or content.
This is the dictionary definition and really sums it up well. I don’t think we need to dwell on that any further.
I write many different genres. Or I want to try other genres.
Yes, yes, yes! You should.
In years past publishers wanted to be able to classify you as a particular genre writer so they could market you in a certain way.
Then, if you wanted to stray from your specified genre, you would need to have a serious talk with your publisher and maybe even search for a new publisher.
Marketing you is as essential as marketing your book. It’s just that now the marketing angle has changed slightly so it doesn't have to be all about what genre you write. It can instead be about the interesting stories you bring into the world. It was a subtle change that the readers themselves brought about, and it’s an important one.
As for me, I recently wrote a crime novel even though I am a thriller writer. And that’s ok. I’m trying to offload it onto a publisher as we speak. I’ve also written children's stories, young adult and adventure.
Now you should go and explore all the genres out there and have fun! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t write what you want to write (just keep in mind that when a story can be classified more easily into a particular genre, publishers are more interested in publishing your work - new authors only. Established and already published authors have much more freedom).
​
Creating Real Characters Via Research
​
You've likely looked up how to create believable characters and discovered the research you need to do to get under a character's skin and see what their motivations are, what makes them afraid, their influences, their life-story and what they eat, etc. However, what if the character you need in your story is so alien to you or anyone you know, there is no way you could get inside of their head. How do military types talk to each other. What do astronauts think about when they stare into the sky? How does an elite athlete sleep at night with muscles so sore they want to cry themselves to sleep?
Some characters require more extensive research.
A main area I was interested in was the police. This was due to writing thrillers and often needing to accurately represent my characters as being in the job for a number of years. Much of this I was able to understand from books, movies and TV shows, but it did not fully put me in the mind of an actual police officer.
I attended Thrillerfest in New York in 2015 and researched a seminar that was going to talk about police, which was the number one session I wanted to see. It entailed the basics of an author and cop talking about the realities of police life (wife and husband team). There were some great points made, such as calling your career, the job. Reason: there is no other 'real' job in many police officer's minds', so it is called, the job. However, I still did not understand the true mind of a cop. I decided I would go for a ride-along with a cop to better hear the way they talk and interact with civilians. This never came about due to time constraints in the US, but in the end it didn't matter, because I eventually joined the Police in my home state. It wasn't just to learn about the way police talk etc., it was actually because as an author, I needed a job/money and this seemed to tick many boxes. I actually work as a Protective Services Officer, which suits me and my age and my preference to not to stay in the police forever. It's a great job, but without me needing to be in my twenties and start at the bottom and work five million hours a week.
Okay, so what's the answer for you when you need to get into the mind of a person who works in a career that is totally alien to you?
Research!
I often spend time on blogs to work out how people talk and interact with each other. On one occasion I needed the personality of a 18 year old living in Cleveland to fit one of my characters. I searched online until I found a blog that was open and honest and allowed me to create a character based from this personality, although I also used many others I came across on other blogs too.
Maybe you need to understand a homeless person to realise why they say and do what they do? I wish I could remember the writer who mentioned to me that he had gone and sat with them and chatted with them to understand them. To take it further, you could dress like someone you want to get to know about and sit with them and see how people react to you.
To finish up, here's physician and best-selling medical thriller novelist Richard Mabry's take regarding medical doctor research:
-What Type of Medical Scenario Do You Want?
-What do you want to accomplish.
-Compile a list of important dates associated with milestone medical advances so you can write realistically about an accident or illness in a given time period.
-You can submit a question to one of the medical professionals whose blogs supply great answers, which is also listed on this information site.
-And lastly, watch out for sites that have something to sell, whether a procedure, a hospital or physician’s particular expertise, or even a surgical approach.
Website for more insites: https://www.livewritethrive.com/2015/03/09/infusing-medical-details-into-your-fiction/
Notes:
-Get under their skin, afraid, happy, influences, life-story, death.
(Some characters require more extensive research)
-Books, movies, TV shows ... show us a lot, but some may not show us what is real.
-Is it real cop talk and the realities they go through?
-Research online. Blogs are best. Mixture of world stats and local crime reports too.
-Create a well rounded character.
-Homeless person or other dress-up. Sit talk with them. Dress the way they do to see how people react to you.
By
Mat Clarke
www.worldwriterscollective.com/mat-clarke
​
Review of Authorpreneurship
​
Becoming an Authorpreneur
Review of Authorpreneurship: The business of creativity by Hazel Edwards 2012
Keesing Press Australian Society of Authors.
Hazel Edwards has published 200 titles of children's books in Australia. This book tells us that as authors we have to be both a creative writer and an entrepreneur small business person, marketing and selling our book. These days, this applies to both commercially published authors and self published authors.
She strongly recommends using the Australian Society of Authors (ASA), Australia's professional authors' organization. It has superb advice on its website and through its advisers, who are successful professionals themselves.
ASA publishes professional speaking rates for authors. So if you approach a school principal for example, you can say 'I charge the ASA rate of...' for your talk. That has professional gravitas.
She also provides superb tips for your speaking and book talks. A Question and Answer session is essential. It's often the most popular section of the talk. People also love to hear about the stages of writing your book. As well, they also love a bit of humour.
She advises having a 'killer' question or two pre-prepared in case the audience is shy. For example I'm publishing my professional standard spiritual self help book early next year with Ingram Spark. I'll have a 'killer' pre-prepared question along these lines. “ My book is called Finding Spiritual Strength. Stories from the front-line of life. Loving values and practices from across the humanitarian and spiritual traditions. I often get asked, 'what do you define as spiritual, Jim?' My answer is, for me, spiritual is simply love. If I meet someone I experience as more loving than me, I see them as more spiritually developed than I am. That's regardless of their beliefs, whether atheist, agnostic, spiritual or religious.'”
I highly recommend her book. I read it along with 6 other book business advice books and they transformed my understanding of the industry. I'll review some more at other meetings.
By
Jim Pletch
~From this point down we have included the entire Writers Sauce information~
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 3-October-2020
Welcome to Writers Sauce. We have three new topics to read. See CONTENTS below.
Helen and Melinda are our newest subscribers. We now have 303 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere in the world.
We need more members. You get your own author profile page and special promotions.
​
Thank you,
Mat Clarke
Contents:
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
*2. Writing competition - Deadline extended *NEW*
3. Promote your blog
4. Writing basics
*5. What is a genre? *NEW*
*6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events *NEW*
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
​
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on the WWC website
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of July please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
​
2. Current Writing Competition (FREE) *NEW*
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
Top five to six winners are published in our anthology:
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
​
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme A WORLD OF RUSH or anything about rushing - Write 5000 words with this theme in mind.
Become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers and allows you to collect prizes if you win.
​
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
​
www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
​
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2021 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
3. Promote your blog
We want to promote your blog. Email us a link of one of your blogs and an explanation of why WWC people would enjoy reading it.
Here’s one from Mat Clarke:
matclarke.blogspot.com/2019/12/roadside-thriller-story.html
It’s an interesting short thriller story written and performed as a podcast by Mat Clarke and directed and produced by Noel Anderson.
​
4. Writing basics
​
If you have only just begun writing or if you have been writing since you could talk, then you are still in that interesting space that is called LEARNING. It’s something we will never stop doing in every part of our life, not just writing. Continual learning is a necessary part of your writing hobby/career that you need to improve upon. So how do you do this?
​
The best idea is to attend writing groups and chat about writing, have your work critiqued by other writers as well as readers, read more, write more, enter writing competitions and read books on writing – there are lots out there. You can even borrow them from the library so you don’t have to spend lots of money learning.
​
I began writing from the age of ten, although I mainly wrote for myself and a few other people who were lucky enough to read over my shoulder. I enjoyed making up stories and creating worlds where characters had to exist either in peril or in collaborative union to find a solution. After decades of writing for fun I decided to write to publish. It’s then I realised I did not know what I was doing. This is where I had to learn to listen to other writers, write with other writers, be edited by editors and other writers and learn as much as I could about the need to take on all the “rules” of writing so that I could eventually one day use what I needed and create my own writing style.
​
If you think you can write the way you like because it is art and your art should not be constrained, but you also want it to be published commercially, then you are wrong. Not a great pill to swallow, but it is the same for everyone (there have been times when first time authors have been able to ignore all rules, but this happens less times than a highway patrol copper lets you off from a speeding fine).
​
Learn the rules, get better within the rules and constraints set by publishers and editors. This will make you a better writer because you will learn to write in varied ways and venture outside of your comfort zone. If you ever want to be commercially published you will need these skills. Ignore this at your own peril.
​
See you at the next meet if you're living in Melbourne, Australia.
​
​
5. Genre Writing
From the mind of Mat Clarke.
What is Genre Writing?
Is 'email writing' a particular genre? If so, then that could mean blogging would be too, right?
Do you find that you often question what genre it is you’re writing and if you can classify yourself as a particular genre writer?
Do you think you’re keeping to the required norms of writing.
Do you mix your writing so it’s part comedy, part romance, part nonfiction and part suspense?
I promise this next question coming up is going to be the last stressy thing about genres. I just hope I haven’t made you want to put these thoughts into the too-hard-basket.
Don’t give up and throw your pen and paper in to the bin and smash your laptop with a hammer. I’m going to help you through this and I promise there’s a rainbow at the end.
Will readers stop reading your stories if you don't stick to one particular genre while keeping within the standard conventions of that particular genre so your readers know what they are buying each time they pick up your book?
The short answer to that last question is, no, not anymore. This was the convention in the past, but you can now freely write more than one genre as well as mix genres and dabble in sub genres.
If you decide you want to traditionally publish, you’ll need to read the instructions from the agent’s or publisher’s website before you submit. There are many hoops you’ll need to jump through and much information they will want from you. This includes writing a synopsis, classifying your work into a genre, mentioning what authors and titles are close to yours in style or plot or other, and you’ll need to write up general information about you as a writer.
When I first started writing, I did so for fun. I was ten years old and all I wanted to do was write what was entertaining to me.
Is fun a genre?
I didn't need anyone to read my stories. Instead I enjoyed creating new worlds where I could insert people and creatures into them to explore, create, conflict and interact.
Then came the idea of one day being published. Don’t get me wrong, it was lots of fun writing and not needing to edit. I still enjoy sitting down not knowing how a story will play out. It was just that in 2010 I decided I wanted other people to read my work and for them to actually enjoy it. To do this I needed not only to amuse myself, but to work out what my readers liked too. I also needed to learn how to edit properly. (With both of these, you never stop learning.)
After writing over 70,000 words of my first novel, I decided I needed to explore what genre my story might fit into. I did this by comparing my story to other stories already available from other known authors. I made notes on how my story matched a proposed genre before knowing it was definitely that. I wrote a synopsis and a blurb and compared mine to other published authors to help cement my work and what it was similar to.
I initially thought my writing was general fiction. I shouldn't have been so boring. I later thought adventure, due to the journey aspect that my main characters often would take. However, I still wasn’t sure. I kept digging and was about to settle on crime (because I often include murder/crime that would be investigated by police), but then I discovered the thriller genre.
Thrillers are often fast paced, have a character that is either pursuing or being pursued and has police investigations, although as a secondary aspect.This fit my general story writing style. Huzzah! I could now call myself a thriller writer.
Enter sub-genres from stage left.
You don't have to constrain yourself to a particular genre. There are mixed genres and subgenres that allow you to write whatever you like. Yes, your story needs to have a plot, have interesting characters and be edited well, but as for genre, you’re allowed to call yourself a thriller-adventure writer. A romance-comedy writer. A psychological thriller writer. Create your own and be proud to be a comedy-crime writer.
I write blogs and email.
Yes, you can write blogs or emails in a certain specified way, and that could then make it a particular genre. Maybe your job has conformity when writing emails. This is a genre. You write your blog in a comedic way. Guess what, genre writing!
So what does the word genre mean? A class or category having particular form, technique or content.
This is the dictionary definition and really sums it up well. I don’t think we need to dwell on that any further.
I write many different genres. Or I want to try other genres.
Yes, yes, yes! You should.
In years past publishers wanted to be able to classify you as a particular genre writer so they could market you in a certain way.
Then, if you wanted to stray from your specified genre, you would need to have a serious talk with your publisher and maybe even search for a new publisher.
Marketing you is as essential as marketing your book. It’s just that now the marketing angle has changed slightly so it doesn't have to be all about what genre you write. It can instead be about the interesting stories you bring into the world. It was a subtle change that the readers themselves brought about, and it’s an important one.
As for me, I recently wrote a crime novel even though I am a thriller writer. And that’s ok. I’m trying to offload it onto a publisher as we speak. I’ve also written children's stories, young adult and adventure.
Now you should go and explore all the genres out there and have fun! Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t write what you want to write (just keep in mind that when a story can be classified more easily into a particular genre, publishers are more interested in publishing your work - new authors only. Established and already published authors have much more freedom).
​
6. Melbourne Writers Social upcoming events
Due to the virus outbreak we have suspended some of our events. Yes, we can meet online and show each other our work and chat about everything creative. Our first event began Monday 6 April 5pm: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers/
Events start at 6.30and finish 8pm every Monday. Details on the Meetup.com site.
Some events are on hold due to COVID.
​
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
7. All Write! upcoming events
All events are currently on hold.
A place where you can write in Melbourne Central. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
8. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
9. Join us and we'll promote you
You're Not Alone
Come Take the Journey With Us
Become a Member for $20 per year
This is a collaborative group created so that in greater numbers we will be heard rather than forgotten
JOIN
Your $20 helps to pay for this website and member writers' platforms
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 7-August-2020
Welcome to Writers Sauce. We have three new topics to read. See CONTENTS below.
Liz is our newest subscriber. We now have 303 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere in the world.
We need more members. You get your own author profile page and special promotions.
​
Thank you,
Mat Clarke
Contents:
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
*2. Writing competition - Deadline extended *NEW*
3. Promote your blog
4. Writing basics
*5. Editing tips *NEW*
*6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events *NEW*
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
​
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on the WWC website
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of July please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
​
2. Current Writing Competition (FREE) *NEW*
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
Top five to six winners are published in our anthology:
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
​
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP.
The word limit is 3,000 and the cost is free to enter.
Become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers and allows you to collect prizes if you win.
​
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
​
www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
​
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2021 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
3. Promote your blog
We want to promote your blog. Email us a link of one of your blogs and an explanation of why WWC people would enjoy reading it.
Here’s one from Mat Clarke:
matclarke.blogspot.com/2019/12/roadside-thriller-story.html
It’s an interesting short thriller story written and performed as a podcast by Mat Clarke and directed and produced by Noel Anderson.
​
4. Writing basics
​
If you have only just begun writing or if you have been writing since you could talk, then you are still in that interesting space that is called LEARNING. It’s something we will never stop doing in every part of our life, not just writing. Continual learning is a necessary part of your writing hobby/career that you need to improve upon. So how do you do this?
​
The best idea is to attend writing groups and chat about writing, have your work critiqued by other writers as well as readers, read more, write more, enter writing competitions and read books on writing – there are lots out there. You can even borrow them from the library so you don’t have to spend lots of money learning.
​
I began writing from the age of ten, although I mainly wrote for myself and a few other people who were lucky enough to read over my shoulder. I enjoyed making up stories and creating worlds where characters had to exist either in peril or in collaborative union to find a solution. After decades of writing for fun I decided to write to publish. It’s then I realised I did not know what I was doing. This is where I had to learn to listen to other writers, write with other writers, be edited by editors and other writers and learn as much as I could about the need to take on all the “rules” of writing so that I could eventually one day use what I needed and create my own writing style.
​
If you think you can write the way you like because it is art and your art should not be constrained, but you also want it to be published commercially, then you are wrong. Not a great pill to swallow, but it is the same for everyone (there have been times when first time authors have been able to ignore all rules, but this happens less times than a highway patrol copper lets you off from a speeding fine).
​
Learn the rules, get better within the rules and constraints set by publishers and editors. This will make you a better writer because you will learn to write in varied ways and venture outside of your comfort zone. If you ever want to be commercially published you will need these skills. Ignore this at your own peril.
​
See you at the next meet if you're living in Melbourne, Australia.
​
​
5. Editing tips
From the mind of Mat Clarke.
Your piece should be perfect before you even think about sending your manuscript to a paid editor. Edit you work multiple times and in multiple different ways before sending it to an editor. The same goes for sending it to other writers and asking for feedback. Or attending a critique group. Initially, only send the person your first chapter. No doubt there will be many alterations required after the different advice you receive from varying people. After you have digested all of the advice and made the alterations, you will have a much better idea on how you can fix the remaining chapters of your manuscript. However, that’s not the end, it is only the beginning.
​
Editing your manuscript yourself:
​
-
Edit your first daft so that all the weird tangents and unnecessary ramblings are under control. Get rid of weird subplots. Remove your soapbox hollerings you thought you needed to voice because they are political or religious beliefs or just issues you wish got more more of an audience. These do not belong in your manuscript UNLESS that is your actual topic for the story. Just don’t make it a sermon.
-
The next edit is to make the story more readable. There should be a certain flow to the story that makes people want to keep reading. Remove unnecessary paragraphs if you wrote a similar thing to the previous paragraph. Merge them into one if you prefer. Delete the ramberling explanation of the moon or a blue skirt or career you researched exhaustively, regardless of how much time you spent investigating it. Research is great, but only absolutely necessary areas of your research should be used in your story. Your reader will skip over it anyway. Or worse, they’ll put it down and not pick it up again. Make sure there is a middle, start and end. Make sure each part makes sense and is as good as you can get it.
-
Is your plot as good as you can make it? Solely concentrate on this and the subplots. Work through each and ensure they are interesting and not jumping from topic to topic. Read your manuscript and write down the plots and subplots. Then read over what you wrote and make sure you’re happy with it. Will your readers be happy with it too? Is it exciting enough? Do you need to exaggerate areas just to add more spark?
-
Characters are a big thing and require a separate edit. Edit each of the main characters separately. Give them clear characteristics different from the next person. Names should be very different too. You don’t want your reader getting confused between characters. You can give characters a limp or scar or different coloured hair. It’s ok, people expect that in stories. Readers want characters to be lovable individuals that do their own thing and are nothing like the others they hang around with (unless they are supposed to be the same, such as geeks. Although all geeks are different from each other too).
-
Make sure your refined characters are there to enhance your exceptional plot. Are the required characters doing what they should be and are not doubled up? If there are two characters doing a very similar thing in your story, then merge them together to make one character. For example, a cop duo where the other cop tags along with the main one or is a sounding board for the main one. This is where you need to remove the other cop. There should not be any characters that do not help advance the plot.
-
Flow and ease of reading. This is important to go over again and fix so that people won’t put your book down and not pick it up again. Make sure that every sentence and paragraph is clear. Read it out loud or delete the sentence and start over. It’s ok, you can kill your darling words and sentences.
-
Chapter flow. Read each chapter and make sure it reads well. Make sure each chapter links well to the one before and after. Is that chapter moving the story forward? Was it interesting? Don’t be one of those Netflix series where there are only three out of ten episodes that are actually any good. You want every chapter to be amazing and have its own interesting story arc.
-
After all this send to professional editor. Here is our preferred editor: ​www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
Edit it again using all of the editor’s comments once you get it back. You should run 1-7 above again to check everything. You likely haven’t seen your manuscript for the last month, so it’s a good chance for you to read it with new eyes.
​
Read it out loud from start to end and make sure the flow of each sentence clicks.
​
6. Melbourne Writers Social upcoming events
Due to the virus outbreak we have suspended all our events except one. Yes, we can still meet online and show each other our work and chat about everything creative. Our first event began Monday 6 April 5pm: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers/
Events now start at 6.30and finish 8pm every Monday. Details on the Meetup.com site.
All other events are on hold.
​
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
7. All Write! upcoming events
All events are currently on hold.
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
8. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
9. Join us and we'll promote you
You're Not Alone
Come Take the Journey With Us
Become a Member for $20 per year
This is a collaborative group created so that in greater numbers we will be heard rather than forgotten
JOIN
Your $20 helps to pay for this website and member writers' platforms
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 5-April-2020
​
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
We have 302 subscribers. You’ve a part of a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
We need more members. You get your own author profile page and freebies.
​
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
Thank you,
Mat Clarke
Contents:
(Look for the *NEW* stamp below for content you haven’t read yet)
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
2. Writing competition - FREE- last days!
*3. Promote your blog *NEW*
4. Writing basics
5. *Editing tips *NEW*
*6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events *NEW*
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
*9. Join us and we’ll promote you *NEW*
​
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on the WWC website
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of July please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
2. Current Writing Competition (FREE)
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
Top five winners are published in our anthology.
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme MY FAMILY. The word limit is 2,000 and the cost is free to enter.
Become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers and allows you to collect prizes if you win.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2021 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
3. Promote your blog
We want to promote your blog. Email us a link of one of your blogs and an explanation of why WWC people would enjoy reading it.
Here’s one from Mat Clarke:
matclarke.blogspot.com/2019/12/roadside-thriller-story.html
It’s an interesting short thriller story written and performed as a podcast by Mat Clarke and directed and produced by Noel Anderson.
4. Writing basics
​
Whether you have only just begun writing or have been writing since you could talk, you are still in that interesting phase called LEARNING. Everyone needs to embrace this phase until their end of days even if they are a best seller. It is what we do if we want to grow as a person in every aspect of our lives, not just with writing. Continual learning (mostly from other people - yes we have to crawl out from our writing dugout occasionally) is the annoying but necessary part of our writing hobby/career so that we can improve from the last time we wrote, to the next time we plan to write.
The best way to do this is to attend writing groups and chat about writing, have your work critiqued by other writers as well as readers, read more, write more, enter writing competitions and read books on writing – there are lots out there. You can even borrow books on writing from the library so you don’t have to spend lots of money learning.
I began writing from the age of ten, although at that stage I was writing for myself and anyone lucky enough to read the story over my shoulder while I wrote it. I enjoyed making up stories and creating worlds where characters had to exist either in peril or in collaborative union to find a solution and take them on an adventure. After decades of writing with only fun in mind, I decided I wanted to try and get published. It’s then I realised I did not know what I was doing. This is where I had to learn to listen to other writers, write with other writers, be edited by editors and other writers and to learn as much as I could about the need to take on all the “rules” of writing so that I could eventually one day use what I needed and create my own publicly acceptable writing style.
If you believe you are allowed to write the way you want to write and should not have to change because it is your art and your art should not be constrained, BUT you also want it to be published commercially, then you are wrong. Not a nice pill to swallow, but it is the case and the same for everyone (there have been times when first time authors have been able to ignore all the rules. However, these instances have happened less often than a highway patrol cop letting you off from a speeding fine).
Learn the rules, get better within the rules and constraints set by publishers and editors. This will make you a better writer because you will then have the training to step outside of your comfort zone. If you ever want to be commercially published you will need these skills. Ignore this at your own peril.
See you at the next writing group.
​
​
5. Editing tips
The first thing you need to do is learn the rules of writing. The best way to do this is to read all the books you can on writing and editing. It will often take years of reading, writing, editing your own work, then other people's work, and discussing these things with other writers to truly become great at editing. And just when you thought you knew it all, along will come someone that knows more than you and you will realise how much you do not know. So, keep reading, keep writing, and keep editing.
Here is a typical form to follow when assessing yours or someone else’s story.
World Writers Collective
Melbourne Writers Social Group
Feedback Form
READINESS FOR PUBLICATION.
PLEASE GIVE COMMENTS WHEREVER POSSIBLE.
It may help you give feedback if you score as below:
5 = ready for publication;
4 = only minor adjustments needed;
3 = needs moderate revision;
2 = needs significant revision;
1 = major problem.
PART 1 – INTEREST
Is the story of interest to you and the general public?
Does the story have a good story arc and ending?
What are the particular strengths of this entry? What did you particularly like about this story and what worked well?
What didn’t work so well and how could it be improved?
PART 2 – SPELLING, GRAMMAR & PUNCTUATION
Remember you are looking for readiness for publication, not perfection – a few errors can still be ready for submission. Do not mark based on personal preferences. Allow for tone and voice if applicable, especially in dialogue. Either US or Australian spelling is acceptable so long as it is consistent.
Is the entry free of spelling errors?
Are the basics of grammar followed?
Are the basics of punctuation followed?
PART 3 – CHARACTER, SETTING AND DIALOGUE
Are the characters believable (well developed)?
Is the dialogue convincing and true to the setting? Does it carry the story along?
Can you visualise the setting where the story takes place?
PART4 – QUALITY
Did the story draw you in right away?
Is the story well-paced?
​
6. Melbourne Writers Social upcoming events
Due to the virus outbreak we have suspended all our events except one. Yes, we can still meet online and show each other our work and chat about everything creative. Our first event begins this Monday 6 April 5pm: www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
7. All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
8. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
9. Join us and we'll promote you
You're Not Alone
Come Take the Journey With Us
Become a Member for $20 per year
This is a collaborative group created so that in greater numbers we will be heard rather than forgotten
JOIN
Your $20 helps to pay for this website and member writers' platforms
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 9-February-2020
​
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Joe, Chris, Marie, Ryan, Bill, Danielle, Liz, Michelle, Michael, Annie and Alison are our newest subscribers. We now have 302 subscribers.
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
We need more members. You get your own author profile page and freebies.
​
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
Thank you,
Mat Clarke
Contents:
(Look for the *NEW* stamp below for content you haven’t read yet)
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
2. Writing competition - FREE- we need you!
3. Flash Fiction
4. Writing basics *NEW*
5. Book launch for OUR anthology success
6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
9. Editing your writing
10. Essential Information for Writers
11. Important links
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on the WWC website
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of July please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
2. Current Writing Competition (FREE)
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
Top five winners are published in our anthology.
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme MY FAMILY. The word limit is 2,000 and the cost is free to enter.
Become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers and allows you to collect prizes if you win.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2021 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
3. Flash Fiction (FREE)
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch. Even at 100 words a story can zing. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure: action, background/ inciting action, development/rising actions, climax, ending (the characters should be significantly different).
First prize is the inclusion within our anthology if you are a member.
See our previous entries on WWC. If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year.
​
Flash Fiction submission
Topic : IF ONLY IT WAS ME
Spacing: 1.5 Helvetica or Times Roman
Font: 12 Helvetica or Times New Roman
Deadline: 16 February 2020
Please forward all stories to: melbournewriters@gmail.com
With the subject: Flash Fiction
Include these details within the email:
The title of your story and your name.
Include the word count of your story.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/flash-fiction
4. Writing basics
​
Whether you have only just begun writing or have been writing since you could talk, you are still in that interesting phase called LEARNING. Everyone needs to embrace this phase until their end of days even if they are a best seller. It is what we do if we want to grow as a person in every aspect of our lives, not just with writing. Continual learning (mostly from other people - yes we have to crawl out from our writing dugout occasionally) is the annoying but necessary part of our writing hobby/career so that we can improve from the last time we wrote, to the next time we plan to write.
The best way to do this is to attend writing groups and chat about writing, have your work critiqued by other writers as well as readers, read more, write more, enter writing competitions and read books on writing – there are lots out there. You can even borrow books on writing from the library so you don’t have to spend lots of money learning.
I began writing from the age of ten, although at that stage I was writing for myself and anyone lucky enough to read the story over my shoulder while I wrote it. I enjoyed making up stories and creating worlds where characters had to exist either in peril or in collaborative union to find a solution and take them on an adventure. After decades of writing with only fun in mind, I decided I wanted to try and get published. It’s then I realised I did not know what I was doing. This is where I had to learn to listen to other writers, write with other writers, be edited by editors and other writers and to learn as much as I could about the need to take on all the “rules” of writing so that I could eventually one day use what I needed and create my own publicly acceptable writing style.
If you believe you are allowed to write the way you want to write and should not have to change because it is your art and your art should not be constrained, BUT you also want it to be published commercially, then you are wrong. Not a nice pill to swallow, but it is the case and the same for everyone (there have been times when first time authors have been able to ignore all the rules. However, these instances have happened less often than a highway patrol cop letting you off from a speeding fine).
Learn the rules, get better within the rules and constraints set by publishers and editors. This will make you a better writer because you will then have the training to step outside of your comfort zone. If you ever want to be commercially published you will need these skills. Ignore this at your own peril.
See you at the next writing group.
​
​
5. Book launch for OUR anthology success
At this momentous occasion we had our first prize winners reading their stories, a raffle to win great prizes and some other fun extras along the way.
This was everyone’s opportunity to not only listen to an amazing story being read, but also to learn how the story was created and their creative process.
Saturday 12 October 2019, Belgian Beer Café, Southbank at 2.50pm.
​
6. Melbourne Writers Social upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
7. All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
8. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
9. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
10. Essential Information
Sites Authors Should Know
This is an unofficial list I have created as a useful writer’s tool. I receive no royalties, or kickbacks from any sites below. Use as advice only.
-(Dean MacAllister)
SELFPUBLISHINGADVICE.ORG- Before submitting to a publisher or self-publishing I highly recommend you check out the ‘Writers Beware’ section of this site! It has lists of scams to look out for and lists the less-than-reputable companies that have ripped writers off globally. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Smashwords- Creates and publishes E-books in all formats for free.
Takes some getting used to and has to be done properly. For a small fee people on site will convert your file through the “meat-grinder” converter for you.
Kindlepreneur- Writer who joined most author sites to compare.
Links to the best author friendly tools. Marketing advice included. Free website with free manuals. (Highly recommended!)
Goodreads- Author/Reader site. Many discussion forums. Very popular. Good place to find fans, create an author profile and source reviews.
Librarything- Poor-man’s version of Goodreads, but much less commercial.
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 4-January-2020
​
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Tiffany, Gwen, Lucy, Christiana, David, Fiona and Nandy are our newest subscribers. We now have 287 subscribers.
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
We need more members. You get your own author profile page and freebies.
​
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
Thank you,
Mat Clarke
Contents:
(Look for the *NEW* stamp below for content you haven’t read yet)
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
*2. Writing competition - FREE- we need you! *NEW*
*3. Flash Fiction *NEW*
*4. Do you need an illustrator? *NEW*
5. Book launch for OUR anthology success
*6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events *NEW*
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
9. Editing your writing
10. Essential Information for Writers
11. Important links
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on the WWC website
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of July please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
2. Current Writing Competition (FREE)
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
Top five winners are published in our anthology.
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme MY FAMILY. The word limit is 2,000 and the cost is free to enter.
Become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers and allows you to collect prizes if you win.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2021 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
3. Flash Fiction (FREE)
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch. Even at 100 words a story can zing. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure: action, background/ inciting action, development/rising actions, climax, ending (the characters should be significantly different).
First prize is the inclusion within our anthology if you are a member.
See our previous entries on WWC. If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year.
​
Flash Fiction submission
Topic : IF ONLY IT WAS ME
Spacing: 1.5 Helvetica or Times Roman
Font: 12 Helvetica or Times New Roman
Deadline: 16 February 2020
Please forward all stories to: melbournewriters@gmail.com
With the subject: Flash Fiction
Include these details within the email:
The title of your story and your name.
Include the word count of your story.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/flash-fiction
4. Do you need an illustrator?
My name's Tessie, and I've been illustrating with pencil, pen and ink since I was a child. I work mostly with watercolour ink and pen. I really enjoy capturing quirky characters with bright colours so I can spark joy and wonder in audiences.
​
I have a natural ability to capture people and animals from the real world in cartoon style portraits, which I am often working on. My style would be described as 'children's picture book' which is why I have now written my own children's book. As it is my first ever piece of writing I am very keen to get tips and feedback on getting the manuscript ready to publish.
My Instagram is @Tessiesdoodles if you would like to take a peep.
​
About me:
It’s interesting that my creative struggles were centered around doubting my own abilities and talents. I used to think I was only an illustrator and couldn't write, so I was always waiting for someone else to write stories for me. Then one day I woke up and my first children's story popped out of me in one afternoon. I’ve cleared my limitations around this and now I am full steam ahead!
​
​
5. Book launch for OUR anthology success
At this momentous occasion we had our first prize winners reading their stories, a raffle to win great prizes and some other fun extras along the way.
This was everyone’s opportunity to not only listen to an amazing story being read, but also to learn how the story was created and their creative process.
Saturday 12 October 2019, Belgian Beer Café, Southbank at 2.50pm.
​
6. Melbourne Writers Social upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
7. All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
8. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
9. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
10. Essential Information
Sites Authors Should Know
This is an unofficial list I have created as a useful writer’s tool. I receive no royalties, or kickbacks from any sites below. Use as advice only.
-(Dean MacAllister)
SELFPUBLISHINGADVICE.ORG- Before submitting to a publisher or self-publishing I highly recommend you check out the ‘Writers Beware’ section of this site! It has lists of scams to look out for and lists the less-than-reputable companies that have ripped writers off globally. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Smashwords- Creates and publishes E-books in all formats for free.
Takes some getting used to and has to be done properly. For a small fee people on site will convert your file through the “meat-grinder” converter for you.
Kindlepreneur- Writer who joined most author sites to compare.
Links to the best author friendly tools. Marketing advice included. Free website with free manuals. (Highly recommended!)
Goodreads- Author/Reader site. Many discussion forums. Very popular. Good place to find fans, create an author profile and source reviews.
Librarything- Poor-man’s version of Goodreads, but much less commercial.
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 28-October-2019
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Zubin, Adarsh, Amy and Deb are our newest subscribers. We now have 278 subscribers You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
We need more members. You get your own author profile page and freebies.
​
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
Thank you,
Mat Clarke
Contents:
(Look for the *NEW* stamp below for content you haven’t read yet)
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
2. Writing competition - FREE- we need you!
*3. Flash Fiction *NEW*
*4. What is involved in printing a book (novel) *NEW*
*5. Book launch for OUR anthology success *NEW*
6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
9. Editing your writing
10. Essential Information for Writers
11. Important links
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on the WWC website
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of July please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
2. Current Writing Competition (FREE)
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
Top five winners are published in our anthology.
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme THE SADDEST STORY. The word limit is 2,500 and the cost is free to enter.Become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers and allows you to collect prizes if you win.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2021 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
3. Flash Fiction (FREE)
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch. Even at 100 words a story can zing. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure: action, background/ inciting action, development/rising actions, climax, ending (the characters should be significantly different).
First prize is the inclusion within our anthology if you are a member.
See our previous entries on WWC. If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year.
Flash Fiction submission - August 2019 - 50 words
Topic : Tracked Down - in second person, poetry OR prose
Spacing: 1.5 Helvetica or Times Roman
Font: 12 Helvetica or Times New Roman
Deadline: 31 August
Please forward all stories to: melbournewriters@gmail.com
With the subject: Flash Fiction
Include these details within the email:
The title of your story and your name.
Include the word count of your story.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/flash-fiction
4. What is involved in printing a book (novel)
The following is for anyone who is thinking about printing their own book, either as a novel, self-help or non-fiction book. I used IngramSpark, but before deciding to use their process, I sourced other local printers as well to see how much they would charge.
I was in the printing industry for almost 20 years, so I understand the process quite well. Hopefully you can learn from my expertise and mistakes.
What is covered:
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How much I spent
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Why I chose IngramSpark
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How they deliver
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The steep learning curve
The first thing I need to mention is that I use Indesign, not MS Word. If I am publishing digitally to Smashwords then I will use MS WORD because that is the application they prefer. And it works very well - but that's another story. If you do use MS WORD, and I am pretty sure you will, bear in mind that there is no support by IngramSpark if you do.
How much did I spend?
I decided to go with a regular sized book. B Format, which is 129x198 mm.
100gsm
132 pages of black text - no pictures
4 page 4 colour cover with spine.
50 books
Delivered
Cost: $280
Why did I choose IngramSpark?
Simple, it was the cost. I went to approximately five other printers and there was only a couple that came close, although still $200 off. They are the cheapest by far!
Their delivery method is fine if you want to send them one place and in bulk. It's easy and quick. But you want to send out a book or two to a few different people, then it means changing the primary address each time and paying a hefty about for each delivery. I sent one to an author who could not be at the launch and it cost around $16.
The steep learning curve is everything below
The RGB issue with IngramSpark:
- The printing process does not support RGB, instead your regular black type needs to be true black which is the approved CMYK format as 100 black only. MS WORD uses RGB. There are a few ways to fix this. One way is within the PDF. You can do a pre-flight check (see advanced) select PrePRess and select CMYK Sheet fed. Click analyse and fix. It should convert all your black text to 100 black and save it as a new file. There are other ways to do this and can be found online. You can search IngramSpark and see if they do it automatically (we used to when I was in the pre-press and printing industry about 10 years ago, so maybe IngramSpark does it as well?) I looked online but could not find any information on them doing this though.
Photos you use in your book that are RGB matter a lot less. Generally the system they us will convert the pics from RGB to CMYK. Although you will have no control over how these pictures may look after conversion.
Next, you will need to learn how to embed your fonts into your PDF document and which fonts you are allowed to use. Check their specifications carefully on this. Also, I have heard that Microsoft Word has trouble creating a PDF using Open Type Fonts. So keep this in mind.
Also here is a note I found online. The full like is below so you can check yourself:
Although all Type 1 fonts can be embedded in PDF files, some TrueType font manufacturers place embedding restrictions on their fonts. Acrobat Distiller honors these restrictions and does not allow you to embed certain TrueType fonts in PDF documents. To determine whether a TrueType font can be embedded, see the following instructions.
https://www.eduhk.hk/ocio/content/faq-why-some-fonts-cannot-be-embedded-my-pdf-file
If you want a hassle free print, then use fonts that are already on your computer. The majority of them will be able to be embedded.
IngramSpark has a file creation guide PDF that you will need to read to find all this out. It's a steep learning curve. There are quite a few tutorials online, so you may need to watch a few YouTube videos as well.
Once you have sorted all this out it is finally time to create a separate document for text and a separate document for your cover. I advise using the template they supply for setting up the cover. The one I used was Indesign (if you are using MS WORD, you likely will not be able to do this).
If you have seen a book before, which I am sure you have, you will need to make sure you set your book up in a similar way to how everyone else does it. Specifications for white borders around your text is stated by IngramSpark. You'll want to stick to these.
Make sure you space out your text similar to how other books are created. Do a couple of prints on your home printer and check it to a book you think looks well presented.
You can only upload a file to a certain MB to IngramSpark. If your text is just b/w, then you'll have no issues because it will be a small file size.
Your cover needs to be within the file size limit MB as well, but also needs to be a high enough resolution to be print worthy - which is approximately 300DPI - although if you enlarge the file within your word processing document, then the resolution actually decreases. So ensure your cover photo is cropped to the correct size and is 300 DPI without any enlargement.
You need to learn about bleed - bleed is allowed so that a book can be trimmed without worrying too much about accuracy. If your cover background is a picture or colour then it needs to bleed three millimetres off the page so that when the trimmer trims the paper he or she has a little leeway so he or she doesn't have to be dead on accurate. Same goes for any photos that sit on the edge of your page - these need to bleed 3mm off the page. (Something to think about also is that a picture should be no more than 310 total ink in the dark areas or otherwise it will take longer to dry - or the ink won't stick properly - just something to consider. This can even happen if it is printed digital with powder).
Are you doing a saddle stitch book or a book with a spine? Generally you will do a book with a spine. If you don't, then you may need to apply creep so you don't have issues with your text being closer to the edge of your trim area in different parts of the book. I won't get into his any further because mostly you will have a spine because it will be a book that is of good length (over 100 pages) so a spine is essential.
Spine width - this is calculated for you, so don't worry too much. This is why with IngramSpark you do the cover last and the text first. IngramSpark needs to calculate the thickness of your book so it can decide on how wide your spine is.
Your bar code. If you publish with Smashwords they will give you a free ISBN barcode. Yay. So I advise doing that so you have it ready to use.
IngramSpark wants a separate barcode for their digital book as well as their print book. I just didn't do a digital book and instead have my digital book on Smashwords, which is a better place to put it anyway. And it's free. Commission only based. No setup costs.
So now you have a finished-PDF that you hope is correct for your text. You upload it to IngramSpark. You also select if you want white or cream paper. Cream is easier on the eyes (usually for text only books). It's what most novels are as well. Thickness of paper choice and many other choices. It's up to you, but 100 thickness is fairly standard.
IngramSpark crunches through your uploaded file and comes back with errors. You will need to fix these before you can proceed further.
You upload again and this time it says your file is good. However, now a real person will check it over. If there are any further problems of if you find a mistake you want to fix, it is about $30 to upload a new file each time.
You now have your spine thickness generated for you by IngramSpark. You can decide on gloss or matt. I went with gloss. Again I advise using their prepared template. You need a complete file including back cover, spine and front cover to place on the template provided. The back cover is on the left. The spine in the middle and the front cover on the right.
Due to Smashwords now getting involved with audio books, and because you may want to have one created, I decided to write a little on that as well.
Smashwords now gives you the option to create an audio book. To this you will need to choose from their selection of narrators. This function is run through Findaway Voices. There is an audition process once you find the narrator you want and no cost up to this point. Once you choose a narrator then you will pay approximately $2,500 to $3,000. It could be more or less than this depending on how many words. This is for about 75,000 words. You still control all the rights. Findaway will post it up on their networks as well as Smashwords.
Yes, you can create your own audio. However, there is a special skill to it, so do your research. You can then upload it to Smashwords.
Audiobooks are growing. Sales have gone up 20% for 2017. And considering Smashwords began their involvement with audio books in 2018, there is a likelihood it will grow a lot further.
​
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5. Book launch for OUR anthology success
At this momentous occasion we had our first prize winners reading their stories, a raffle to win great prizes and some other fun extras along the way.
This was everyone’s opportunity to not only listen to an amazing story being read, but also to learn how the story was created and their creative process.
Saturday 12 October 2019, Belgian Beer Café, Southbank at 2.50pm.
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6. Melbourne Writers Social upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
7. All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
8. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
9. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
10. Essential Information
Sites Authors Should Know
This is an unofficial list I have created as a useful writer’s tool. I receive no royalties, or kickbacks from any sites below. Use as advice only.
-(Dean MacAllister)
SELFPUBLISHINGADVICE.ORG- Before submitting to a publisher or self-publishing I highly recommend you check out the ‘Writers Beware’ section of this site! It has lists of scams to look out for and lists the less-than-reputable companies that have ripped writers off globally. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Smashwords- Creates and publishes E-books in all formats for free.
Takes some getting used to and has to be done properly. For a small fee people on site will convert your file through the “meat-grinder” converter for you.
Kindlepreneur- Writer who joined most author sites to compare.
Links to the best author friendly tools. Marketing advice included. Free website with free manuals. (Highly recommended!)
Goodreads- Author/Reader site. Many discussion forums. Very popular. Good place to find fans, create an author profile and source reviews.
Librarything- Poor-man’s version of Goodreads, but much less commercial.
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 25-September-2019
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Mariam, Athene, Jo-Anne, Ivan Pamela and Annelise are our newest subscribers. We now have 277 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
We need more members. You get your own author profile page and freebies: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/wwc
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Thank you,
Mat Clarke
www.worldwriterscollective.com/mat-carke
Contents:
(Look for the *NEW* stamp below for content you haven’t read yet)
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
2. Writing competition - FREE- we need you!
*3. Flash Fiction *NEW*
*4. Interactive Fiction *NEW*
*5. Book launch for OUR anthology 12 October 2.50pm *NEW*
6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
9. Editing your writing
10. Essential Information for Writers
11. Important links
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on the WWC website
READ MORE HERE: www.worldwriterscollective.com/writers-sauce
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of July please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
2. Current Writing Competition (FREE)
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
Top five winners are published in our anthology.
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme THE SADDEST STORY. The word limit is 2,500 and the cost is free to enter.Become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers and allows you to collect prizes if you win.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2021 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out. https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
3.Flash Fiction (FREE)
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch. Even at 100 words a story can zing. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure: action, background/ inciting action, development/rising actions, climax, ending (the characters should be significantly different).
First prize is the inclusion within our anthology if you are a member.
See our previous entries on WWC. If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year.
Flash Fiction submission - August 2019 - 50 words
Topic : Tracked Down - in second person, poetry OR prose
Spacing: 1.5 Helvetica or Times Roman
Font: 12 Helvetica or Times New Roman
Deadline: 31 August
Please forward all stories to: melbournewriters@gmail.com
With the subject: Flash Fiction
Include these details within the email:
The title of your story and your name.
Include the word count of your story.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/flash-fiction
4. Interactive Fiction
What is interactive fiction?
It’s a work of text-based fiction that you, the reader/player, can interact with. I use the term “work” because interactive fiction sits in the purgatory between a “regular” literary narrative and a video game, and terms like “book” and “game” don’t quite apply to it.
The two main types of interactive fiction are parser and choice-based interactive fiction.
What is parser interactive fiction?
Parser IF is the oldest type of IF. Works of parser IF are digital text adventures through which you progress by inputting (typing in) commands. A passage in a work of parser IF might look like Example 1.
Example 1: A made-up example of a passage in a work of parser IF.
South of Manor
Through the twisted bars of an iron gate to the north, you behold a manor, its towers carving trails through the clouds. Against the gate’s right-side post leans a broken carriage wheel, and behind you, boring south through a forest, there’s a road.
>_
In Example 1, the “>_” is a text prompt indicating where you can type a command. You might type “open gate” or “go south,” and the work will hopefully recognise your command and forward you to the appropriate passage. Part of the challenge of parser IF is learning the commands.
I’ll be using the term “passage” a fair bit. In the context of IF, I like to think of a passage as a body of text — be it a single word, a paragraph, or multiple paragraphs — which is separated from other bodies of text by at least one command or link.
What is choice-based interactive fiction?
I create digital works of choice-based IF, so they will be the focus of this post.
You progress through digital works of choice-based IF by selecting (clicking on) a hyperlink-styled word or group of words, or just a “link.” Many works of choice-based IF have links below a passage, often in a list. If the work of parser IF in Example 1 was a work of choice-based IF instead, it might look like Example 2.
Example 2: A made-up example of a passage in a work of choice-based IF.
Through the twisted bars of an iron gate to the north, you behold a manor, its towers carving trails through the clouds. Against the gate’s right-side post leans a broken carriage wheel, and behind you, boring south through a forest, there’s a road.
I’ll try to open the gate.
I’ll take the forest road south.
Though a link can also be inside a passage, like in Example 3.
Example 3: A made-up example of a passage in a work of choice-based IF (with hypertext).
Through the twisted bars of an iron gate to the north, you behold a manor, its towers carving trails through the clouds. Against the gate’s right-side post leans a broken carriage wheel, and behind you, boring south through a forest, there’s a road.
I’ll try to open the gate.
I’ll take the forest road south.
In Example 3, selecting “manor” might forward you to a passage in which you inspect the manor through the iron bars. There would then, in the passage in which you inspect the manor, be a link to return to the “South of the Manor” passage.
When a link is inside a passage, rather than below it, it’s called “hypertext.” Technically, I could make a work of choice-based IF with or without hypertext or entirely with hypertext. As there is so much hypertext in Fein’s Deluge — one of my own works of IF, which I’ll discuss later — I refer to it as a work of “hypertext IF” or a work of “hypertext-based IF.”
Printed works of choice-based IF are different from digital works. You progress in a printed work of choice-based IF by following the instructions at the bottom of a passage, like in Example 4.
Example 4: A made-up example of a passage in a printed work of choice-based IF.
Through the twisted bars of an iron gate to the north, you behold a manor, its towers carving trails through the clouds. Against the gate’s right-side post leans a broken carriage wheel, and behind you, boring south through a forest, there’s a road.
To try to open the gate, go to page 5.
To take the forest road south, go to page 10.
Page 3
Fun fact — people often refer to printed works of choice-based IF as “Choose Your Own Adventure” books, though that phrase “Choose Your Own Adventure” is actually the title of a trademarked series of IF.
Choice-based interactive fiction — structure
Many works of choice-based IF have a branching structure and are sometimes referred to as “branching narratives.” In branching narratives, the choices you make split or branch the narrative, and you continue to make choices until you’re forwarded an ending, often one of many.
Here’s the original blog if you want to learn more: https://nickpetrouauthor.com/2019/09/18/i-gave-a-talk-on-interactive-fiction-to-the-melbourne-writers-group/
5. Book launch for our anthology
Come along for a fun and interesting book launch.
Saturday 12 October 2019, Belgian Beer Café, Southbank at 2.50pm.
At this momentous occasion we’ll have our first prize winners reading their stories, a raffle to win great prizes and some other fun extras along the way.
This will be your opportunity to not only listen to an amazing story being read, but also to learn how the story was created and their creative process.
See you all there.
Details: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers/events/264953215/
6. Melbourne Writers Social upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
7. All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
8. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
9. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
10. Essential Information
Sites Authors Should Know
This is an unofficial list I have created as a useful writer’s tool. I receive no royalties, or kickbacks from any sites below. Use as advice only.
-(Dean MacAllister)
SELFPUBLISHINGADVICE.ORG- Before submitting to a publisher or self-publishing I highly recommend you check out the ‘Writers Beware’ section of this site! It has lists of scams to look out for and lists the less-than-reputable companies that have ripped writers off globally. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Smashwords- Creates and publishes E-books in all formats for free.
Takes some getting used to and has to be done properly. For a small fee people on site will convert your file through the “meat-grinder” converter for you.
Kindlepreneur- Writer who joined most author sites to compare.
Links to the best author friendly tools. Marketing advice included. Free website with free manuals. (Highly recommended!)
Goodreads- Author/Reader site. Many discussion forums. Very popular. Good place to find fans, create an author profile and source reviews.
Librarything- Poor-man’s version of Goodreads, but much less commercial.
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 30-August-2019
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Anji, Sue, Dave, Devina, Yolunda, Nick, Stacey, Peter, Ken, Megan and Jay are our newest subscribers. We now have 272 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
You can also become a member and have your own page on the website: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/wwc
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Thank you,
Mat Clarke
www.worldwriterscollective.com/mat-carke
Contents:
(Look for the *NEW* stamp below for content you haven’t read yet)
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
2. Writing competition – we need you!
*3. Flash Fiction *NEW*
*4. Writer Retreat in Olinda BnB 2019 REVIEW *NEW*
*5. Book launch for OUR anthology *NEW*
6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
9. Editing your writing
10. Essential Information for Writers
11. Important links
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on the WWC website
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of July please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
2. Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme THE SADDEST STORY. The word limit is 2,500 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2021 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help.
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
3.Flash Fiction
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch. Even at 100 words a story can zing. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure: action, background/ inciting action, development/rising actions, climax, ending (the characters should be significantly different).
See our previous entries on WWC. If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year.
Flash Fiction submission - August 2019 - 50 words
Topic : Tracked Down - in second person, poetry OR prose
Spacing: 1.5 Helvetica or Times Roman
Font: 12 Helvetica or Times New Roman
Deadline: 31 August
Please forward all stories to: melbournewriters@gmail.com
With the subject: Flash Fiction
Include these details within the email:
The title of your story and your name.
Include the word count of your story.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/flash-fiction
4. Writer Retreat in Olinda BnB
It was a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle. Lots of trees and a magical house better than the Far Away Tree.
There was writing and discussions by the large open fireplace. Helpful feedback and support from all attendees.
David Collis, owner of the Treehouse was kind enough to offer up his BnB to a great group of writers so they could spend their time writing and discovering this home away from home.
Mat Clarke hosted the activities and discussions giving everyone a good schedule to follow so that there was very little procrastination, but still time to admire the amazing view and chat to everyone in attendance.
Here is what some of the attendees said:
Janelle Sheen
I really enjoyed it!
The environment was wonderful. The writing opportunity fantastic. Sharing writing was insightful. I loved the opportunity to be away from my normal desk so I could focus on my writing in such a beautiful and nourishing environment, not to mention the welcoming, encouraging and supportive company. I really enjoyed the writing games and listening to others’ writing. It was very inspiring to hear the different styles and approaches. The only not so wonderful thing was the distance I had to travel, but it just added to the pleasure of the weekend. Putting effort in brings more rewards. I will definitely travel the distance again for another such opportunity. I am already looking forward to the next event.
janellesheen.wordpress.com/
linkedin.com/in/janelle-sheen-033215b3/
Yolunda Walker
I came to the retreat not knowing what to expect and I would like to say a big thank you.
I enjoyed meeting such talented people and listening to their projects along with their informative information and most of all support. As Mat knew, I was nervous when reading out some of my work but I was overwhelmed with the positive feedback. It was so appreciated and has confirmed that I need to continue my dream of writing my book so no more procrastinating - and that I can do this! Even though I only came for the day it was so worth the trip.
linkedin.com/in/yolunda-walker-71806417
Anji Bignell
The retreat was really helpful for me to feel relaxed and get some writing done.
I enjoyed the LinkedIn session we had with Sue, so I think that for future retreats, it would be nice to have one part of a day set aside for a little 'marketing' session or brain-storm sharing and using each other’s knowledge in the group. And possibly a word game or creative writing prompt per day (but not too many of course, as some people just want to get writing). So pretty much what you did anyway! I love Dave's house too. That was a very special part of the whole experience. Look forward to the next one.
linkedin.com/in/anjibignell/
anjibignell.com/
Sue Ellson
The Writer’s Retreat at The Treehouse in Olinda was a great opportunity to focus on the structure and format of my fifth book and to continue writing without the distractions of everyday life. It was wonderful to feel a part of a community of writers and have a few prompts for discussion and feedback. I managed to compile all of my existing content and complete 20 poems! I also had a great time on the Saturday evening when we went out for dinner at a local pub and enjoyed hearing some great stories - after all, every writer is usually a very good storyteller! I would like to personally thank Mat Clarke for his excellent facilitation and coordination skills and David Collis for his superb hospitality and welcoming skills. The fresh air and country vibe were very calming on the mind and allowed me to explore various aspects of my creativity. A very worthwhile experience.
sueellson.com/
​
5. Book launch for our anthology
Our top five writers from the last four writing competitions have brought their winning stories together to entertain you. How nice are they, right!
We have the book launch coming up in October 2019. Stay tuned for the upcoming launch date to take place in Melbourne.
At this momentous occasion we’ll have our first prize winners reading their stories, a raffle to win great prizes and some other fun extras along the way.
There will also be writers reading a story out at our other events leading up to the launch. This will be your opportunity to not only listen to an amazing story being read, but also to learn how the story was created and their creative process.
See you all there.
6. Melbourne Writers Social upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
7. All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
8. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
9. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out via the services tab above.
10. Essential Information
​​
Sites Authors Should Know
This is an unofficial list I have created as a useful writer’s tool. I receive no royalties, or kickbacks from any sites below. Use as advice only.
-(Dean MacAllister)
SELFPUBLISHINGADVICE.ORG- Before submitting to a publisher or self-publishing I highly recommend you check out the ‘Writers Beware’ section of this site! It has lists of scams to look out for and lists the less-than-reputable companies that have ripped writers off globally. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Smashwords- Creates and publishes E-books in all formats for free.
Takes some getting used to and has to be done properly. For a small fee people on site will convert your file through the “meat-grinder” converter for you.
Kindlepreneur- Writer who joined most author sites to compare.
Links to the best author friendly tools. Marketing advice included. Free website with free manuals. (Highly recommended!)
Goodreads- Author/Reader site. Many discussion forums. Very popular. Good place to find fans, create an author profile and source reviews.
Librarything- Poor-man’s version of Goodreads, but much less commercial.
Createspace- Free online creator of .mobi and e-pub files. POD available. Format prior to use.
Publishxpress- Free online conversion of e-books to .epub and .mobi formats.
Calibre- Free e-book reader for your computer.
Jutoh- Ebook editor. Free version leaves “Jutoh Created” imprinted on pages.
Writers Cafe- Online writer’s site with tools. Can upload works. Mixed reviews on this site.
Scrivener- Author writing tool. Better than Word, but involved.
Bibisco- Freeware writing program that helps with writing novels, developing scenes and characters.
Awesomebook promotion- Book marketer. Not usually cheap.
Book Buzz- See above.
Wordpress- For creating personal Author website. One of the cheaper ones.
Bluehost- For creating personal Author website. Similar prices as Wordpress depending on package.
DIY Book Covers (Creativindie)- $50 course on book covers by author from the field, with free templates to create professional-look designs. Marketing advice included.
Get response- Automatic email service. For attaching to website for auto-response and subscribing readers.
Mail Poet- Cheaper Automatic email service.
Mail Chimp- Automatic email service for your fans. Free up to 2k readers. Then maybe shop around or use Mail Poet.
Fiverr- Very helpful tech assistance site. Find tech-heads that can help you with file conversions and formatting for very reasonable prices and quick turn-arounds.
Ingramspark- Pay on Demand self-publisher for both e-book and soft/hard-cover works. Reasonably priced and available for worldwide distribution. Reasonable postage costs (best I found). Will need to provide own ISBN and bar-codes. ABN may be required.
Draft2Digital- Ebook creators. (Print discontinued). Recommended, cheap and simple. 10% commission only.
Jovie- Text-to-speech program that reads out anything that you save to clipboard. Great to listen to your work out loud and correct it.
Aurealis- Sci-fi/Horror Australian online magazine. $20 a year subscription. Accepts submissions.
Weirdbook- Printed, twisted US magazine. Good for submissions.
World Writers Collective- Indie Author platform with writing events, editing services and short story competitions.
The Story Mint- Writers community with coaching services.
Up & Up Media- Indie Melbourne publisher that creates “Mix Tape” anthologies of indie authors. Also offers editing, proof-reading and formatting.
Launchpad- Melbourne school incursion program to teach writing and create new authors.
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 24-June-2019
Melissa, Tracey, Jasmine, Calista, Geoff and Tim are our newest subscribers. We now have 256 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
​
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
You can also become a member and have your own page on the website: www.worldwriterscollective.com/wwc
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
​
Contents:
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
2. Writing competition for October 2019 *NEW*
3. Flash Fiction *NEW*
4. Writer Retreat in Olinda B&B 2019 TBA (limited places available)
5. Writing and publishing children’s books *NEW*
6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
9. Editing your writing
10. Essential Information for Writers
11. Important links
​
​
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on WWC website
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of April please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
​
​
2. Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme THE SADDEST STORY. The word limit is 2,500 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2021 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out www.worldwriterscollective.com
​
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
​
​
3. Flash Fiction
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch. Even at 100 words a story can zing. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure: action, background/ inciting action, development/rising actions, climax, ending (the characters should be significantly different).
See our previous entries on WWC. If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year.
Current submission:
Topic: A fleeting moment - written in 2nd person
WORDS: 50
Spacing: 1.5
Font: 12 Helvetica or Times New Roman
Deadline: 30 June
​
Please forward all stories to: melbournewriters@gmail.com
With the subject: Flash Fiction​
Include these details within the email:
The title of your story and your name.
Include the word count of your story.
​
Your email should look something like this:
-Flash Fiction Stories
-Name: Jane Doe
-Title: The Tale of Hendrick
-Word Count: 198 words
Please visit the site before submitting for full details:
​
​
4. Writer Retreat in Olinda B&B (limited places available)
​
TBA 2019
Want to get away from everything and write in the hills?
A sanctuary away from everything, lots of trees and a magical house even better than the Far Away Tree (never heard of the Far Away Tree books? So, so good!).
To talk writing by the large open fireplace?
Yes!
Mat Clarke will be in attendance at various times to assist over the weekend, and David Collis is your host.
There will be activities to assist you as well as set times to catch-up and review what we have done and reevaluate what we want to accomplish.
​
Information and booking: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writer-retreat-2019
Expressions of interest are now being sought.
​
Only 3 rooms available. However, you may only wish to attend for the day, and then it is only $25. Or $45 for 2 days.
One to two night stay available:
Queen bed with ensuite $155 for one night or $295 for two nights
Double bed with nearby bathroom $130 for one night or $250 for two nights
Single bed sofa style $85 for one night or $160 for two nights
If you are a couple or want to share a bed with a good friend, there is a discount of $35 per person per night.
5. Writing and publishing children’s books
​
Looking to write a children's book? Maybe you've already written one and you're now looking for an illustrator. Well guess what, there's other parts to this little story that are just as important as writing the story, and in some publisher's eyes they are even more important than the actual book.
One of the first things a publisher will ask you is:
1) Do you have a qualification in working with children?
2) Do you have an education background with children and/or teaching children?
3) Do you have children of your own?
They would prefer that you have all three of these. Or at the very least number 3, which is still not assured to get you a publishing deal. Why do they want the above three points to be a big resounding yes? Because it means you are connected to children. You have likely read stories to them. You understand that books these days can be for fun, but many books have an underlying educational side as well.
If you are wondering about getting your own illustrator to illustrate your books or if you are wondering if you need to learn how to illustrate so your book is completely your vision, you need to be aware that many publishers already have illustrators tthat they prefer to use. Often you wil be going 50/50 with the illustrator even though it's your story and your idea. The reason for this is that it is often the illustrator that sells the book. It's their drawings on the cover and it's their drawings that children may be used to seeing in other books by the same publisher.
Lastly is the road of self publishing. No matter the book, it's a hard and long road that will often cost you money rather than gain you money. This doesn't mean it's impossible, but the chances of succeeding from a self-published book is as difficult as trying to get a traditional publisher to look at your book. The only benefit of self-publishing is that your book gets out there.
Still interested in writing your children's book? Yes? Good, because persitenace no matter the odds is what will get you through. Don't let anyone tell you it can't be done and don't let the up hill battle disuade you. You'll get there, it judt takes time and patience. Good luck.
Mat Clarke
Writer of thrillers, children, YA, health books and assorted genres
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/mat-carke
​
Before I put pen and illustrations to paper, it would have been helpful to have a few pointers on the logistics of children’s writing.
Given I am formally trained with a BA in Professional Writing, I assumed I was equipped to write 32 pages of short sentences using one to two syllable words. Sure, my degree taught me how to write for my audience. What I didn’t learn was the significance of ensuring that the illustrator releases the copyright of illustrations after payment. Or, that the book size, page thickness and colour choices not only comfortably fit into the small hands of my audience but also stand well and stand out on a shelf.
I didn’t know about these fundamental elements of children’s writing but they snuck up on me just as I was coordination the creation of the books and suffering from what I call the author ouch - a headache that lasts from the day the book is written to the time it is published. This too is something that I was unaware of at the time, that regardless of the way children’s books are published, the author must coordinate either the book itself or the marketing of the book.
I have been published traditionally by the Christian division of Wombat books, by an award from he Victoria Independent Education Union, by sponsorship from School Crossing Vic and various Victorian councils and I have also self published. So I speak from experience when I say that there isn’t a publishing method that allows the author to stop working after they have written the book.
In a nutshell, children’s writing IS deliriously rewarding but it is NOT child’s play.
Louise Crossley, MEd
​
There are as many ways to create a book as there are books out there… but I would say there are three essential elements to consider when it comes to children’s books:
1. Audience: Children at different ages will respond to and be interested in totally different stories so you need to make sure that you know which age group you are writing for and adapt the language you use, the length of your story, the size of your physical book, the style of your illustrations, etc. to your chosen audience.
2. Illustrations: Another key element are the illustrations themselves. This is especially true for younger children whose eyes will be drawn to the images and who might not be able to read yet. So, if you decide to self-publish, finding an illustrator that can deliver on your vision is a must. With that in mind, even if you can’t draw (like me!), I still recommend sketching a draft of what you envision. It will help both you and the illustrator to be on the same page.
3. Message: Last but not least, the message. My favourite children’s books are the ones that take a vast, important, and somewhat challenging message and make it accessible to little ones. Take my book Where Are You From? for example. It is about multiculturalism and world citizenship. Why? Because as a child, I never quite felt as though I belonged where I was and so I wanted to write a story that made children realise that it’s ok not to be sure where you’re from.
Once you’ve written your story, had it edited by a professional, and got illustrations done, it is time for a graphic designer to format your book (also called typesetting) and then have a proof copy printed for review before ordering and selling your first batch of books!
Solène Anglaret
Published author of Where to Next and Where Are You From?
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/solene-anglaret
​
6. Melbourne Writers Social upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
​
7. All Write! upcoming events
​
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
​
8. We want to hear from you!
​
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
​
9. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
​
10. Essential Information
​
Sites Authors Should Know
This is an unofficial list I have created as a useful writer’s tool. I receive no royalties, or kickbacks from any sites below. Use as advice only.
-(Dean MacAllister)
SELFPUBLISHINGADVICE.ORG- Before submitting to a publisher or self-publishing I highly recommend you check out the ‘Writers Beware’ section of this site! It has lists of scams to look out for and lists the less-than-reputable companies that have ripped writers off globally. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Smashwords- Creates and publishes E-books in all formats for free.
Takes some getting used to and has to be done properly. For a small fee people on site will convert your file through the “meat-grinder” converter for you.
Kindlepreneur- Writer who joined most author sites to compare.
Links to the best author friendly tools. Marketing advice included. Free website with free manuals. (Highly recommended!)
Goodreads- Author/Reader site. Many discussion forums. Very popular. Good place to find fans, create an author profile and source reviews.
Librarything- Poor-man’s version of Goodreads, but much less commercial.
Createspace- Free online creator of .mobi and e-pub files. POD available. Format prior to use.
Publishxpress- Free online conversion of e-books to .epub and .mobi formats.
Calibre- Free e-book reader for your computer.
Jutoh- Ebook editor. Free version leaves “Jutoh Created” imprinted on pages.
Writers Cafe- Online writer’s site with tools. Can upload works. Mixed reviews on this site.
Scrivener- Author writing tool. Better than Word, but involved.
Bibisco- Freeware writing program that helps with writing novels, developing scenes and characters.
Awesomebook promotion- Book marketer. Not usually cheap.
Book Buzz- See above.
Wordpress- For creating personal Author website. One of the cheaper ones.
Bluehost- For creating personal Author website. Similar prices as Wordpress depending on package.
DIY Book Covers (Creativindie)- $50 course on book covers by author from the field, with free templates to create professional-look designs. Marketing advice included.
Get response- Automatic email service. For attaching to website for auto-response and subscribing readers.
Mail Poet- Cheaper Automatic email service.
Mail Chimp- Automatic email service for your fans. Free up to 2k readers. Then maybe shop around or use Mail Poet.
Fiverr- Very helpful tech assistance site. Find tech-heads that can help you with file conversions and formatting for very reasonable prices and quick turn-arounds.
Ingramspark- Pay on Demand self-publisher for both e-book and soft/hard-cover works. Reasonably priced and available for worldwide distribution. Reasonable postage costs (best I found). Will need to provide own ISBN and bar-codes. ABN may be required.
Draft2Digital- Ebook creators. (Print discontinued). Recommended, cheap and simple. 10% commission only.
Jovie- Text-to-speech program that reads out anything that you save to clipboard. Great to listen to your work out loud and correct it.
Aurealis- Sci-fi/Horror Australian online magazine. $20 a year subscription. Accepts submissions.
Weirdbook- Printed, twisted US magazine. Good for submissions.
World Writers Collective- Indie Author platform with writing events, editing services and short story competitions.
The Story Mint- Writers community with coaching services.
Up & Up Media- Indie Melbourne publisher that creates “Mix Tape” anthologies of indie authors. Also offers editing, proof-reading and formatting.
Launchpad- Melbourne school incursion program to teach writing and create new authors.
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 3-June-2019
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Slava, Joel Iian and Eirene are our newest subscribers. We now have 254 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
You can also become a member and have your own page on the website: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/wwc
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
​
Contents:
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
2. Writing competition for 2019 - closing soon
3. Flash Fiction *NEW*
4. Writer Retreat in Olinda B&B June 28-30 2019 (limited places available) *NEW*
5. Your elevator pitch *NEW*
6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
7. All Write! upcoming events
8. We want to hear from you
9. Editing your writing
10. Essential Information for Writers
​
​
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on WWC website
Are you someone who likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of April please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
​
​
2. Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme TOO HOT TO HANDLE. The word limit is 3,000 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2020 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out www.worldwriterscollective.com
​
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
​
​
3. Flash Fiction
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel, but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch. Even at 100 words a story can zing. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure: action, background/ inciting action, development/rising actions, climax, ending (the characters should be significantly different). See our previous entries BELOW.
​
If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year.
That’s less than $2 a month. Or, if you can't afford to become a member, you can still write Flash Fiction and post it up on the Facebook World Writers Collective group.
​
Current submission:
WORDS: 50
Spacing: 1.5
Font: 12 Helvetica or Times New Roman
Deadline: 30 June
​
Please forward all stories to: melbournewriters@gmail.com
With the subject: Flash Fiction​
Include these details within the email:
The title of your story and your name.
Include the word count of your story.
​
Your email should look something like this:
-Flash Fiction Stories
-Name: Jane Doe
-Title: The Tale of Hendrick
-Word Count: 198 words
Please visit the site before submitting for full details:
​
​
4. Writer Retreat in Olinda B&B (limited places available)
​
June 28-30 2019
Want to get away from everything and write in the hills?
A sanctuary away from everything, lots of trees and a magical house even better than the Far Away Tree (never heard of the Far Away Tree books? So, so good!).
To talk writing by the large open fireplace?
Yes!
Mat Clarke will be in attendance at various times to assist over the weekend, and David Collis is your host.
There will be activities to assist you as well as set times to catch-up and review what we have done and reevaluate what we want to accomplish.
​
Information and booking: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writer-retreat-2019
Expressions of interest are now being sought.
​
Only 3 rooms available. However, you may only wish to attend for the day, and then it is only $25. Or $45 for 2 days.
One to two night stay available:
Queen bed with ensuite $155 for one night or $295 for two nights
Double bed with nearby bathroom $130 for one night or $250 for two nights
Single bed sofa style $85 for one night or $160 for two nights
If you are a couple or want to share a bed with a good friend, there is a discount of $35 per person per night.
5. Your elevator pitch
​
If you've thought about writing a book or have written a book, you've also likely been asked what your book is about. This is when your elevator pitch comes into play.
The concept was originally created when a writer met someone (in this case a publisher) in the elevator and had less than 30 seconds to give a pitch and make it so the publisher wanted to read what had been written.
At our last Tuesday event in the city we talked about our elevator pitch. I think everyone would agree the James Pletch was the most prepared and rehearsed with his detailed pitch of his book. It was succinct, it was delivered well and it told the reader exactly what the book was about. We also had pitches from other attendees. Some were funny, some informative and others were books where we just wanted to know more. It's up to you what you write, but here are some tips on content and delivery that may be helpful below:
1) Keep it short. There's no sense in telling the entire story when all you want is for the person to be hooked from a small taste.
2) Describe the main plot of the story. Include the name of the main character if you can. Or maybe a place. Anything so that we can put ourselves there in the scene.
3) Make it snappy and sharp, but make sure you keep the essence of your story true.
4) When pitching, keep the emotion high, the passion strong and the words clear. You need to reherse, but still sounding genuine.
6. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWSG and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
​
7. All Write! upcoming events
​
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
​
8. We want to hear from you!
​
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
​
9. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
​
10. Essential Information
​
Sites Authors Should Know
This is an unofficial list I have created as a useful writer’s tool. I receive no royalties, or kickbacks from any sites below. Use as advice only.
-(Dean MacAllister)
SELFPUBLISHINGADVICE.ORG- Before submitting to a publisher or self-publishing I highly recommend you check out the ‘Writers Beware’ section of this site! It has lists of scams to look out for and lists the less-than-reputable companies that have ripped writers off globally. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Smashwords- Creates and publishes E-books in all formats for free.
Takes some getting used to and has to be done properly. For a small fee people on site will convert your file through the “meat-grinder” converter for you.
Kindlepreneur- Writer who joined most author sites to compare.
Links to the best author friendly tools. Marketing advice included. Free website with free manuals. (Highly recommended!)
Goodreads- Author/Reader site. Many discussion forums. Very popular. Good place to find fans, create an author profile and source reviews.
Librarything- Poor-man’s version of Goodreads, but much less commercial.
Createspace- Free online creator of .mobi and e-pub files. POD available. Format prior to use.
Publishxpress- Free online conversion of e-books to .epub and .mobi formats.
Calibre- Free e-book reader for your computer.
Jutoh- Ebook editor. Free version leaves “Jutoh Created” imprinted on pages.
Writers Cafe- Online writer’s site with tools. Can upload works. Mixed reviews on this site.
Scrivener- Author writing tool. Better than Word, but involved.
Bibisco- Freeware writing program that helps with writing novels, developing scenes and characters.
Awesomebook promotion- Book marketer. Not usually cheap.
Book Buzz- See above.
Wordpress- For creating personal Author website. One of the cheaper ones.
Bluehost- For creating personal Author website. Similar prices as Wordpress depending on package.
DIY Book Covers (Creativindie)- $50 course on book covers by author from the field, with free templates to create professional-look designs. Marketing advice included.
Get response- Automatic email service. For attaching to website for auto-response and subscribing readers.
Mail Poet- Cheaper Automatic email service.
Mail Chimp- Automatic email service for your fans. Free up to 2k readers. Then maybe shop around or use Mail Poet.
Fiverr- Very helpful tech assistance site. Find tech-heads that can help you with file conversions and formatting for very reasonable prices and quick turn-arounds.
Ingramspark- Pay on Demand self-publisher for both e-book and soft/hard-cover works. Reasonably priced and available for worldwide distribution. Reasonable postage costs (best I found). Will need to provide own ISBN and bar-codes. ABN may be required.
Draft2Digital- Ebook creators. (Print discontinued). Recommended, cheap and simple. 10% commission only.
Jovie- Text-to-speech program that reads out anything that you save to clipboard. Great to listen to your work out loud and correct it.
Aurealis- Sci-fi/Horror Australian online magazine. $20 a year subscription. Accepts submissions.
Weirdbook- Printed, twisted US magazine. Good for submissions.
World Writers Collective- Indie Author platform with writing events, editing services and short story competitions.
The Story Mint- Writers community with coaching services.
Up & Up Media- Indie Melbourne publisher that creates “Mix Tape” anthologies of indie authors. Also offers editing, proof-reading and formatting.
Launchpad- Melbourne school incursion program to teach writing and create new authors.
Busy Bird Publishing- Hybrid Melbourne publisher that helps with mentoring, publishing and self-publishing. Also open for short story submissions.
Also Recommended for authors prior to publishing:
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram profiles all linked to an author website.
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 17-April-2019
​
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Rob, Tamsin, Daniel, Jabine, Annie, Sophie, Ashita, Jesse, Josh, Joel, Slava and Chris are our newest subscribers. We now have 253 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
​
Contents:
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted) *NEW*
2. Writing competition for 2019
3. Flash Fiction
4. Writer Retreat in Olinda B&B (limited spots available)
5. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
6. All Write! upcoming events
7. We want to hear from you
8. Editing your writing
9. Essential Information for Writers *NEW*
10. Important links
​
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on WWC website
Love on a Faultline
By
Cecile Ravell
Reviewed by Meredith Fuller Psychologist & Author
This book, by a member of AusAPT (Australian Association of Psychological Type) certainly contributes to our search for triumphant healing, and a retrospective understanding for those destructive relationships that can entrap us. In 80 pages, this is an accessible read as she explores why people stay in abusive relationships in connection with an examination of the archetypes that Caroline Myss outlines in her book, ‘Sacred Contracts’ (2001)
​
As a psychologist, I have noticed how often a woman will connect with a partner who unconsciously reminds them of either a good or bad parent (the emotional qualities of their mother or father) and this is complicated by the archetypal roles that we may inherit. Our inner blueprints of how we relate to each other are derived from many sources – such as parents, teachers, and the media – but we do tap into the universal unconscious sources that remain in our psyches as ancestral traits.
​
In addition to our individuality, a woman may also enact internal ‘ancient’ archetypal roles and family-of-origin relatedness to others; these may alter over time and circumstance. We may occupy many, some, or remain locked in one particular unconscious role.
We may enact the ‘orphan’, ‘performer’, ‘martyr’ or ‘amazon’. If our archetypal roles, and our unconscious methods of communicating in a partnership are derived from our family of origin, we can begin to see how problematic this may be when they don’t assist us in our everyday here-and-now experiences.
​
Cecile seeks to understand the unconscious ties that may bind us in harmful relationships and explains why so many women are rendered incapable of leaving. There may something more primeval looming beneath our frozen, ‘Pollyanna’, or paralysed responses to relationships that don’t serve us well.
This is a beautifully constructed gift for so many women; those who have been entrapped, those who struggle to understand how these pairings could occur, and those who professionally accompany anyone who has endured. Thank goodness for intelligence in the little girl who was destined to survive and thrive.
​
Such an important book – this work is clever, profound, moving, and will help so many people. As such, I was delighted to provide the Foreword.
​
Cecile’s writing keeps the reader intrigued and empathic as she explores the unconscious elements that assist us to comprehend the classic ‘bad boy’ material in this tale of tainted love.
​
Cecile’s parallel process with the bullterrier makes it easy for the reader to quickly connect and appreciate how intelligent, high functioning women can be seduced by a harmful man. Her writing is strong and real; a cautionary tale with a satisfying ending.
​
2019 pub indiemosh.com.au ebooks and POD.
​
NB: AusAPT Melbourne Conference will be held 21 – 24 NOVEMBER
further details available on Australian Association of Psychological Type facebook page
​
Are you someone that likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of April please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
​
​
2. Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme TOO HOT TO HANDLE. The word limit is 3,000 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2020 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out www.worldwriterscollective.com
​
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
​
​
3. Flash Fiction
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel, but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch. Even at 100 words a story can zing. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure: action, background/ inciting action, development/rising actions, climax, ending (the characters should be significantly different). See our previous entries BELOW.
​
If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year.
That’s less than $2 a month. Or, if you can't afford to become a member, you can still write Flash Fiction and post it up on the Facebook World Writers Collective group.
​
Current submission:
WORDS: 100
Spacing: 1.5
Font: 12 Helvetica or Times New Roman
Deadline: 30 April
​
Please forward all stories to: melbournewriters@gmail.com
​
Include these details within the email:
The title of your story and your name.
Include the word count of your story.
​
Your email should look something like this:
-Flash Fiction Stories
-Name: Jane Doe
-Title: The Tale of Hendrick
-Word Count: 198 words
​
​
​
4. Writer Retreat in Olinda B&B (limited spots available)
​
May 17-19 2019
Want to get away from everything and write in the hills?
Meals prepared for you?
A sanctuary away from everything, lots of trees and a magical house even better than the Far Away Tree (never heard of the Far Away Tree books? So, so good!).
To talk writing by the large open fireplace?
Yes!
Well, this will be a retreat for you. With two experienced guests appearing for an hour session each to assist you with your writing and editing (details will be confirmed within the next week) it will allow you to write the book you’ve always wanted to finish (or start).
Mat Clarke will be in attendance to assist for the entire weekend, and David Collis is your host.
There will be activities to assist you as well as set times to catch-up and review what we have done and reevaluate what we want to accomplish.
​
Expressions of interest are now being sought.
Only 3 rooms available.
Cost will cover:
Accommodation for Friday and Saturday night.
2x Dinner
2x Lunch
2x Breakfast
Editing workshop.
Character development workshop.
Pitching workshop.
Additional to come (although most of your time is to write and then write lots more again)
​
All inclusive two night stay and meals:
Queen bed with ensuite $840
Double bed with nearby bathroom $810
Single bed sofa style $720
If you are a couple or want to share a bed with a good friend, there is a discount of $170 per person.
5. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWSG and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
​
6. All Write! upcoming events
​
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
​
7. We want to hear from you!
​
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
​
8. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
​
9. Essential Information
Sites Authors Should Know
This is an unofficial list I have created as a useful writer’s tool. I receive no royalties, or kickbacks from any sites below. Use as advice only.
-(Dean MacAllister)
SELFPUBLISHINGADVICE.ORG- Before submitting to a publisher or self-publishing I highly recommend you check out the ‘Writers Beware’ section of this site! It has lists of scams to look out for and lists the less-than-reputable companies that have ripped writers off globally. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Smashwords- Creates and publishes E-books in all formats for free.
Takes some getting used to and has to be done properly. For a small fee people on site will convert your file through the “meat-grinder” converter for you.
Kindlepreneur- Writer who joined most author sites to compare.
Links to the best author friendly tools. Marketing advice included. Free website with free manuals. (Highly recommended!)
Goodreads- Author/Reader site. Many discussion forums. Very popular. Good place to find fans, create an author profile and source reviews.
Librarything- Poor-man’s version of Goodreads, but much less commercial.
Createspace- Free online creator of .mobi and e-pub files. POD available. Format prior to use.
Publishxpress- Free online conversion of e-books to .epub and .mobi formats.
Calibre- Free e-book reader for your computer.
Jutoh- Ebook editor. Free version leaves “Jutoh Created” imprinted on pages.
Writers Cafe- Online writer’s site with tools. Can upload works. Mixed reviews on this site.
Scrivener- Author writing tool. Better than Word, but involved.
Bibisco- Freeware writing program that helps with writing novels, developing scenes and characters.
Awesomebook promotion- Book marketer. Not usually cheap.
Book Buzz- See above.
Wordpress- For creating personal Author website. One of the cheaper ones.
Bluehost- For creating personal Author website. Similar prices as Wordpress depending on package.
DIY Book Covers (Creativindie)- $50 course on book covers by author from the field, with free templates to create professional-look designs. Marketing advice included.
Get response- Automatic email service. For attaching to website for auto-response and subscribing readers.
Mail Poet- Cheaper Automatic email service.
Mail Chimp- Automatic email service for your fans. Free up to 2k readers. Then maybe shop around or use Mail Poet.
Fiverr- Very helpful tech assistance site. Find tech-heads that can help you with file conversions and formatting for very reasonable prices and quick turn-arounds.
Ingramspark- Pay on Demand self-publisher for both e-book and soft/hard-cover works. Reasonably priced and available for worldwide distribution. Reasonable postage costs (best I found). Will need to provide own ISBN and bar-codes. ABN may be required.
Draft2Digital- Ebook creators. (Print discontinued). Recommended, cheap and simple. 10% commission only.
Jovie- Text-to-speech program that reads out anything that you save to clipboard. Great to listen to your work out loud and correct it.
Aurealis- Sci-fi/Horror Australian online magazine. $20 a year subscription. Accepts submissions.
Weirdbook- Printed, twisted US magazine. Good for submissions.
World Writers Collective- Indie Author platform with writing events, editing services and short story competitions.
The Story Mint- Writers community with coaching services.
Up & Up Media- Indie Melbourne publisher that creates “Mix Tape” anthologies of indie authors. Also offers editing, proof-reading and formatting.
Launchpad- Melbourne school incursion program to teach writing and create new authors.
Busy Bird Publishing- Hybrid Melbourne publisher that helps with mentoring, publishing and self-publishing. Also open for short story submissions.
Also Recommended for authors prior to publishing:
Twitter, Facebook, Instagram profiles all linked to an author website.
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 14-Mar-2019
​
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Sofia, Rob, Tamsin and Barkha are our newest subscribers. We now have 218 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
I know Zhairah wants to learn more about Children's writing from Louise and Solene.
Anyone else?
Contents:
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
2. Writing competition for 2019
3. Flash Fiction
4. Writer Retreat in Olinda B&B (limited spots available)
5. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
6. All Write! upcoming events
7. We want to hear from you
8. Editing your writing
9. Writing a Great Antagonist
10. Important links
​
1. Review a book title - It will be posted on WWC website
​
On the Wagon
By
Lennox Nicholson
Reviewed by ROSS FITZGERALD
When I was drinking alcoholically I thought that I was a writer. But in those years I couldn’t even write a note to the milkman! However, since I became alcohol and drug free in Alcoholics Anonymous 47 years ago, I have written 39 books. They may not be “War and Peace” but they exist.
As it happens, I was introduced to AA in Cleveland, Ohio. This is close to Akron, Ohio where the hugely successful lay movement of recovering alcoholics began in 1935 and where the author of ‘On the Wagon’ visited – while following in the footsteps of Jack Kerouac’s fictional characters, Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty. But there is a crucial caveat, “Lennox Nicholson” (a non de plume) travelled throughout America attempting to stay stone-cold sober, with nothing in his blood but blood.
When Nicholson (a young would-be writer from Melbourne) turned to ‘On the Road’ for inspiration, he eventually came to see more signs of wreckage and destruction than any meaningful realisation of freedom and enlightenment. Moreover, instead of booze, benzodiazepines and stolen cars, on his epic journey of adventure and discovery throughout America he relied, as the blurb of this engaging book usefully puts it, “on the generosity of strangers he meets in the rooms of Alcoholics Anonymous”.
Along the way, while talking about sobriety and the meaning of life, and sharing at depth his experiences of excess and self-sabotage with those quite diverse AA members he often encounters, Nicholson unveils for the general reader the exhilarating yet often arduous reality of what it is like being clean and sober, one day at a time.
Yet he is also acutely aware of being vulnerable to the possibility of relapse. In doing so he learns that, in order to stay sober, he needs to “keep coming back” to AA meetings. He also learns that, for an alcoholic person, it is the first drink (not the third or the tenth drink) that does the damage.
Conversely, as he was rightly told, “If you don’t pick up the first drink, you can’t get drunk.” Indeed, for most alcoholic men and women, picking up that first drink is likely to again lead to the spiralling desperation of uncontrolled alcoholism and the possibility of death and destruction.
In ‘On the Wagon’, Nicholson takes us inside Alcoholics Anonymous – in Australia and in the United States. As he explains, in a typical AA meeting the room is full of people who wouldn’t normally mix: “Men, women, old, young, bums, suits.” At one of his first meetings, in Melbourne, before he achieved sobriety in his early thirties, Nicholson sat down one Wednesday night and listened to a woman talk about how she hadn’t had a drink for six years. “Six years!” he thought. “Why was she still coming?”
A little later on, Nicholson came to realise that, in order to avoid the first drink, most alcoholics no matter how long they are free of alcohol need to deeply remember from whence they have come. This is most effectively achieved by listening, at AA meetings, to members, including themselves, speak about what they used to be like, what happened and what they are like now.
At his second AA meeting, a member in Melbourne said, “Listen mate, no one can tell you you’re an alcoholic or not, it’s something you need to decide for yourself.” Although this is true, in this case the bloke looked Nicholson up and down and said, “But I think you are.” As the author writes, “It was a kind of funny moment and as I took the card he held out to me, I thought to myself, get f-cked.” But, ironically, when Nicholson decided to stop drinking and to stay stopped, this was the person he rang to ask for help. As is usually the case in AA, assistance was freely given.
Given the title of the life-saving fellowship to which he belongs and still regularly attends, in this book – his first – Nicholson has chosen to use an assumed name and not his own. This is because, for understandable reasons, he desires to remain anonymous and, in the process, also wants to protect the anonymity of other members.
At first, Nicholson thought AA was just about stopping drinking. But he slowly realised “that it’s mostly about devoting yourself to living life without needing to start again”.
By regularly attending meetings, he began to examine his life clearly and honestly. As he puts it:
“It wasn’t pretty, but nor was it without hope. Minutes (free of alcohol) became days, became years and still I wasn’t drinking. I talked regularly at the meetings and people applauded; strangers talked and we applauded too. Reminding ourselves of that moment we realised we were beaten was a powerful thing: to not dwell on it in a sad-sack kind of way, but to never forget where we don’t want to return.”
It was only after he became stably sober and free of other drugs, including marijuana, which had also been a huge problem, that Nicholson decided to journey from Australia to follow Kerouac’s inspiration. This involved crossing America overland from New York to San Francisco. But instead of travelling alone, on his epic road trip a Melbourne photographer friend from AA, “Jimmy”, accompanied him. Much of this finely wrought and multilayered tale is devoted to their sometimes perilous and often massively funny enterprise, which sometimes involved riding vast distances by Greyhound bus. But so unlike Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty, Lennox and Jimmy’s journey would end at a massive international AA convention in Atlanta. This was what Nicholson describes as “the meeting to beat all meetings”.
Yet although it may be surprising to some readers, while comparing his own experiences of out of control indulgence to that celebrated by Kerouac, Nicholson discovers that, instead of being utterly chalk-and-cheese, the Beat writers, including the drug addict novelist William Burroughs, and contemporary members of AA may have much to learn from one another.
I will not spoil the book’s intriguing plotline by revealing how and in what ways. Suffice to say that Jimmy’s 14 coloured photographs, which document their journey, are a highlight of the book. Three standouts are a portrait of a road sign in Illinois of the historic Route 66; one of a line of Chevrolet grilles and pickups for sale in Akron which represents the dream of the road for some; and a photo of a homeless man in San Francisco holding a piece of cardboard on which is scrawled “JUST WANT A COLD F-CKIN BEER”. Like most photographers, Jimmy preferred to be behind the camera. As a caption to one of his portraits says, “there certainly is a freedom in anonymity”.
All in all, ‘On the Wagon’ is a highly satisfying read, which documents how important to Nicholson’s sobriety, and to that of most other AA members throughout the world, are the 12 Suggested Steps of recovery. In particular, this illuminating book demonstrates that, instead of being boring and commonplace, an alcohol and drug-free life can be not merely useful (a phrase rarely used to describe alcoholics while drinking!) but abundant, and passionate as well. Indeed, some AA members I know and admire can be labelled among those who, to quote ‘On the Road’, “burn, burn, burn like roman candles across the night”, but whose creativity lasts much longer.
There is much to praise in ‘On the Wagon’, which is well produced, and a pleasure to read. But for this reviewer two questions linger: will Nicholson stay sober and will he produce another equally beguiling book?
Especially as the latter depends on the former. I hope strongly that the answer to both questions is a resounding, and life-affirming, YES.
If I were still a punter, my money would be on “Lennox Nicholson” continuing to grow and develop and honour his talents. Also to try and help other new or old members who may be struggling in AA. Significantly, the final words of this fine work are “After all, it’s not all about me.”
Ross Fitzgerald is Emeritus Professor of History and Politics at Griffith University, and the author of 39 books, including a memoir ‘My Name is Ross: An Alcoholics Journey’ (NewSouth Books: Sydney) which is available as an e-Book and a Talking Book from Vision Australia.
The Sydney Institute Review of Books, August 30, 2017
-End.
​
Are you someone that likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
​
We will review some new books as well soon.
​
​
2. Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme TOO HOT TO HANDLE. The word limit is 3,000 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2020 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out www.worldwriterscollective.com
​
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
​
​
3. Flash Fiction
How about this? For April, try writing a Flash Fiction piece 50 – 100 words. We’ll go longer after this. Too many of these micro-shorts can addle the writer but they are great discipline.
The aim is to delight, to chip out a sculpture from a lump of stone.
Tips:
· Make the title sweat its short life.
· Jump right in. Names may not be necessary.
· The denouement should be in the middle. Leave the reader something to think about at the end.
Here are some examples:
http://www.100wordstory.org/category/stories/
https://letterpile.com/writing/Examples-of-flash-fiction Includes 50 - 100 word pieces
A final word: writing micro-fiction is for some, like holidaying in a caravan. Refreshing, stimulating for a change. But not for the rest of your life.
If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year. Less than $2 a month. Or, if you can't afford to become a member, you can still write Flash Fiction and post it up on the Facebook World Writers Collective group.
Come along to our next group meeting in Melbourne (if you live in Victoria) and read out your story. It’s a great way to obtain feedback and enhance your writing.
​
Ian Rankin, the author of the Rebus crime series puts it clearly: “This is the beauty of the short story: all you need is a single good idea. No convolutions or sub-plots. Well, not many. Not as many as a novel, certainly. Stories are also good ways of experimenting with the narrative voice, structure and method of economy. I’ve managed to whittle stories down to 200 - a struggle, but useful in that I can to learn how much it is possible to leave out.
There is no place for fat on a story: it has to be lean and fit. ‘Glimmer’ started life as a novella, until I realised I was indulging myself. Whittling away, I found the real story peering out at me. [….] a chance to create a mythology around one of my favourite Rolling Stone songs, [….] now it’s as lean as it is mean.” - Ian Rankin
So, why not start with 200 words? A story about a very ordinary routine event. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure, in this order?
- (ACTION-character is actually doing something)
- (BACKGROUND – inciting incident / set up the background rationale for what happened next)
- (DEVELOPMENT - row of rising actions for character/s to deal with)
- (CLIMAX – biggest rising action/ how things are different for characters in a significant way)
- (ENDING – how characters are now significantly different)
Here are some examples of super-short stories: www.100wordstory.org
Here are some ideas for a topic:
- anticipating ice-cream
- eating your favourite cereal
- a visit to the supermarket
- a visit to / sitting in the doctor or dentist’s waiting room
- meeting a child from school
- sitting in rush hour traffic
​​
“The best short stories distil all the potency of a novel into a small but heady draught. They are perfect reading material for the bus or train or for a lunchtime break. Everything extraneous has been strained off by the author. The best short stories pack the heft of any novel, yet resonate like poetry.” – Ian Rankin
Get your writing on a podcast.
Sheer delight... existentialist whimsy podcast: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/prx/everything-is-alive
Amongst other podcasts is also "This American Life. "
MM
​
​
4. Writer Retreat in Olinda B&B (limited spots available)
​
Want to get away from everything and write in the hills?
Meals prepared for you?
A sanctuary away from everything, lots of trees and a magical house even better than the Far Away Tree (never heard of the Far Away Tree books? So, so good!).
To talk writing by the large open fireplace?
Yes!
Well, this will be a retreat for you. With two experienced guests appearing for an hour session each to assist you with your writing and editing (details will be confirmed within the next week) it will allow you to write the book you’ve always wanted to finish (or start).
Mat Clarke will be in attendance to assist for the entire weekend, and David Collis is your host.
There will be activities to assist you as well as set times to catch-up and review what we have done and reevaluate what we want to accomplish.
Expressions of interest are now being sought.
Only 3 rooms available.
Cost will cover:
Accommodation for Friday and Saturday night.
2x Dinner
2x Lunch
2x Breakfast
Editing workshop.
Character development workshop.
Pitching workshop.
Additional to come (although most of your time is to write and then write lots more again)
Due to there being catering by external parties we are unsure of the final cost (approx $850 per person maximum, although the double and single room will be a little less).
-
Queen bed with ensuite
-
Double bed with nearby bathroom
-
Single bed sofa style
If you are a couple or want to share a bed with a good friend, there is a discount of $170 per person.
Possible weekends are first or third weekend of May.
Please reply to this email if you are interested.
5. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWSG and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
​
6. All Write! upcoming events
​
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
​
7. We want to hear from you!
​
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
​
8. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
​
9. Writing a Great Antagonist
Within any story the antagonist is a driver of the story. If you don’t have a good antagonist then your story will likely be as boring as a stone on the ground. But pick that stone up and break a window and suddenly your story gets a whole lot more interesting. This is what we talked about at our latest writer meet.
Most writing books don’t have a chapter dedicated to creating a believable antagonist, so often you need writing groups and other writers to spitball ideas and thoughts. You have the villain antagonist first of all. The one everyone hates where is motivation appears to just create chaos and fear. That works with certain stories, such as a serial killer that just likes killing for fun, or an angry drunk guy with a broken bottle, or boss that likes to treat his employees like shit. Then you have an everyday person. This might be your competitor within the 100 metre dash. He or she is not evil, just someone that you are trying to beat but seems unbeatable. A group of people or organisation, and then an internal issue within the protagonists own self.
Now to make them drive the story. Well, to do that you need them to be believable. They need to be as human as possible, they need a backstory, they need weaknesses and a driving force the same as the protagonist. And yes, there can definitely be more than one antagonist within your story.
Some other thoughts:
What could be fun is if you make the protagonist seem like the “bad” individual because their situation made them do something illegal or immoral.
Often the antagonist needs to believe they are the protagonist in their own story.
What does an antagonist look like? Should they be gaunt? Hulking? Thin? Fat?
Should their personality be sneaky? Cruel? Ruthless Bitter?
You’ll likely have fun creating this character. Go ahead and start now!
​
10. Essential Information
​
Sites Authors Should Know
This is an unofficial list I have created as a useful writer’s tool. I receive no royalties, or kickbacks from any sites below. Use as advice only.
-(Dean MacAllister)
SELFPUBLISHINGADVICE.ORG- Before submitting to a publisher or self-publishing I highly recommend you check out the ‘Writers Beware’ section of this site! It has lists of scams to look out for and lists the less-than-reputable companies that have ripped writers off globally. Learn from the mistakes of others.
Smashwords- Creates and publishes E-books in all formats for free.
Takes some getting used to and has to be done properly. For a small fee people on site will convert your file through the “meat-grinder” converter for you.
Kindlepreneur- Writer who joined most author sites to compare.
Links to the best author friendly tools. Marketing advice included. Free website with free manuals. (Highly recommended!)
Goodreads- Author/Reader site. Many discussion forums. Very popular. Good place to find fans, create an author profile and source reviews.
Librarything- Poor-man’s version of Goodreads, but much less commercial.
Createspace- Free online creator of .mobi and e-pub files. POD available. Format prior to use.
Publishxpress- Free online conversion of e-books to .epub and .mobi formats.
Calibre- Free e-book reader for your computer.
Jutoh- Ebook editor. Free version leaves “Jutoh Created” imprinted on pages.
Writers Cafe- Online writer’s site with tools. Can upload works. Mixed reviews on this site.
Scrivener- Author writing tool. Better than Word, but involved.
Bibisco- Freeware writing program that helps with writing novels, developing scenes and characters.
Awesomebook promotion- Book marketer. Not usually cheap.
Book Buzz- See above.
Wordpress- For creating personal Author website. One of the cheaper ones.
Bluehost- For creating personal Author website. Similar prices as Wordpress depending on package.
DIY Book Covers (Creativindie)- $50 course on book covers by author from the field, with free templates to create professional-look designs. Marketing advice included.
Get response- Automatic email service. For attaching to website for auto-response and subscribing readers.
Mail Poet- Cheaper Automatic email service.
Mail Chimp- Automatic email service for your fans. Free up to 2k readers. Then maybe shop around or use Mail Poet.
Fiverr- Very helpful tech assistance site. Find tech-heads that can help you with file conversions and formatting for very reasonable prices and quick turn-arounds.
Ingramspark- Pay on Demand self-publisher for both e-book and soft/hard-cover works. Reasonably priced and available for worldwide distribution. Reasonable postage costs (best I found). Will need to provide own ISBN and bar-codes. ABN may be required.
Draft2Digital- Ebook creators. (Print discontinued). Recommended, cheap and simple. 10% commission only.
Jovie- Text-to-speech program that reads out anything that you save to clipboard. Great to listen to your work out loud and correct it.
Aurealis- Sci-fi/Horror Australian online magazine. $20 a year subscription. Accepts submissions.
Weirdbook- Printed, twisted US magazine. Good for submissions.
World Writers Collective- Indie Author platform with writing events, editing services and short story competitions.
The Story Mint- Writers community with coaching services.
Up & Up Media- Indie Melbourne publisher that creates “Mix Tape” anthologies of indie authors. Also offers editing, proof-reading and formatting.
Launchpad- Melbourne school incursion program to teach writing and create new authors.
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 13-Feb-2019
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Jack, Janelle, Peter, Helen, Pam, Jacinta, Michael, Judie, Keeley, Linda, Therese, Lynn, Kelvin, Mario, Julia, Helen, Lily, Kerry, Justin, Kelly, Georgie, Chun, Davina, Andy, Jeremy, Ken, Sinead, Alex, Kartal, Louis, Peter, Yolunda, Danny, Victor, Janaina, Adrienne, William, Jonathon, Peter, Jamie, Zhairah, Stephen, Nural and Liam are our newest subscribers. We now have 218 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
I know Zhairah wants to learn more about Children's writing from Louise and Solene.
Anyone else?
Contents:
1. Book Review (more reviews on books wanted)
2. Writing competition for 2019
3. Flash Fiction
4. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
5. All Write! upcoming events
6. We want to hear from you
7. Editing your writing
8. Travel writing
8. Important links
1. Review a book title - You will be posted on WWC website
​
On the Wagon
By
Lennox Nicholson
Review by S.C. Farrow
Without doubt, there is a certain romanticism around the archetypal author who drinks in order to numb some great internal pain or unbearable sense of self-loathing. And while gallons of alcohol might mask that pain, it’s a temporary solution. The pain and self-loathing never really goes away.
​
Author Lennox Nicholson admits his alcoholism stemmed from underlying sense of ‘restlessness, irritability, and a general feeling of discontent’, a sentiment mirrored by the characters Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty in Jack Kerouac’s classic American novel On the Road. In Kerouac’s narrative, Sal and Dean go on a six-year, cross-country, drug and alcohol-fuelled odyssey in search of a solution to their malaise which they believe takes the form of ‘true freedom’.
On the Wagon is a memoir and memoirs are not only expected to be honest in their testimony, they are also required to be entertaining. Nicholson (taking the part of Sal) was sober by the time he and his friend Jimmy (taking the part of Dean) hit the road on a six-week re-creation of Sal and Dean’s journey across the US in search of the meaning of true freedom. Now, squeezing a six-year journey into a six-week expedition is ambitious; some would say ridiculous. And yes, concessions had to be made. Places and experiences that were pivotal to Sal and Dean’s journey were understandably sidelined or detoured. However, relying on their belief in the kindness of strangers (fellow AA members) Nicholson and Jimmy touched down at JFK airport and hit the road.
​
Along the way, Nicholson met a cast of colourful characters, each one of whom was dutifully probed for their take on the meaning of true freedom. Each one happily and generously obliged with their view. There is nothing complicated or overwhelming about this narrative; it’s an easy-to-read, straight-shooting text and Nicholson’s easy turn-of-phrase and subtle humour serves to lighten moments that easily could have slipped into melodrama or overwhelmingly depressing confession.
​
The most interesting aspect of this tale is the way Nicholson’s own story of addiction is interwoven with Sal’s. While the two stories are not exactly parallel, Sal’s story serves as a counterpoint to Nicholson’s. As a narrative device it works well; however, in all honesty, I was much more interested in Nicholson’s story without the ongoing connection to Sal. It was in those moments where Nicholson truly revealed himself, where he gave honest testimony to his addiction and recovery, that I found myself truly engaged with the account. As I read, I got the feeling that Nicholson was holding back, that there were parts of his story that, for whatever reason, were omitted. Not telling everything is, of course, the author’s prerogative, but I found myself wanting to know more about the courage it took for this man to overcome his demons. Then again, I could be wrong and what’s in the book as it stands could be all there is to tell. Only the author knows the truth. Only the author has the true freedom to tell us.
​
Published by Affirm Press in Melbourne, On the Wagon is Nicholson’s entree to the literary scene. I’m looking forward to his follow up offering.
-End.
​
Are you someone that likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of February please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
March you can review anything you like.
April, the review is on Stephen King's Misery.
We will review some new books as well soon.
​
2. Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme TOO HOT TO HANDLE. The word limit is 3,000 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2020 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out. https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
​
3. Flash Fiction
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel, but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch.
​
If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year. Less than $2 a month. Or, if you can't afford to become a member, you can still write Flash Fiction and post it up on the Facebook World Writers Collective group.
​
Come along to our next group meeting in Melbourne (if you live in Victoria) and read out your story. It’s a great way to obtain feedback and enhance your writing.
​
Ian Rankin, the author of the Rebus crime series puts it clearly: “This is the beauty of the short story: all you need is a single good idea. No convolutions or sub-plots. Well, not many. Not as many as a novel, certainly. Stories are also good ways of experimenting with the narrative voice, structure and method of economy. I’ve managed to whittle stories down to 200 - a struggle, but useful in that I can to learn how much it is possible to leave out.
There is no place for fat on a story: it has to be lean and fit. ‘Glimmer’ started life as a novella, until I realised I was indulging myself. Whittling away, I found the real story peering out at me. [….] a chance to create a mythology around one of my favourite Rolling Stone songs, [….] now it’s as lean as it is mean.” - Ian Rankin
So, why not start with 200 words? A story about a very ordinary routine event. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure, in this order?
​
l (ACTION-character is actually doing something)
l (BACKGROUND – inciting incident / set up the background rationale for what happened next)
l (DEVELOPMENT - row of rising actions for character/s to deal with)
l (CLIMAX – biggest rising action/ how things are different for characters in a significant way)
l (ENDING – how characters are now significantly different)
Here are some examples of super-short stories: www.100wordstory.org
Here are some ideas for a topic:
l anticipating ice-cream
l eating your favourite cereal
l a visit to the supermarket
l a visit to / sitting in the doctor or dentist’s waiting room
l meeting a child from school
l sitting in rush hour traffic
​​
“The best short stories distil all the potency of a novel into a small but heady draught. They are perfect reading material for the bus or train or for a lunchtime break. Everything extraneous has been strained off by the author. The best short stories pack the heft of any novel, yet resonate like poetry.” – Ian Rankin
4. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWSG and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
5. All Write! upcoming events
​
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
6. We want to hear from you!
​
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
7. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
8. Travel writing
On Tuesday 15 January we had a guest speaker in to talk about Travel Writing. If you did not make it or you wanted more information, read on and learn as we all did that night.
Travel writing
By
Peter Foot
3 years ago I started a website called adventure cycling victoria. The core of the site is a series of ride guides that give information on different long distance bike rides that you can do in Victoria. It’s like an online guide book. It also has a number of posts on related subjects like bikes and gear.
​
It started off very small, and now it gets around 2000 unique visitors per month with a total of around 4000 pageviews. During the last year I’ve started to try and monetise that audience, and I currently make around $170 per month. I’ll go into the details of that later.
​
My site is definitely a work in progress, and I feel that I’m still early on in that journey. I have no formal training in any IT related subject. Everything I’ve done I’ve basically learnt as I’ve gone along. What I want to do tonight is share what I’ve learned on the journey so far. I want to talk about blogging as a way for writers to make a living, or as a way to complement a more traditional writing career, and what kind of things you need to know if you want to do it yourself.
I’ll cover three main topics: finding a niche, building an audience, and then monetisation.
​
Finding a niche
The first thing you want to do is figure out what your website is going to be about. How do you do this?
Obviously you want a subject that you will be interested in.
Next, you want something for which there is an audience of some size—and it doesn’t have to be huge.
And third, you want it to be a field for which there is not already a lot of competition.
Now I don’t have any data on this but my instinct tells me that you would be very lucky to find something that is all of these three things. You’ll probably have to compromise somewhere, but my suggestion would be to not compromise on the first one. Why?
If you’re passoinate and knowledgable about something, that is what is ultimately going to make people want to tune in. People have a way of smelling out value on the internet. By the same token, if your blog is a cynical attempt to make money in a field you don’t really care about, people will sense that from a mile off as well.
So you know what you’re interested in, but how do you know what size the audience is or how much competition there is?
Keyword research
I figured that stuff out in a fairly intuitive way which I can go into at the end if you want. But a good way for anyone to do it is by something called keyword research.
Most traffic online is directed by search engines, and the biggest one of those by far is google. There are online tools, including google itself, that allow you to see what terms are being searched, by how many people, and what results are turning up for those terms. They will also tell you how much competition there is for a particular search term, and suggest related search terms that might be getting high traffic.
What is the importance of finding a niche?
Let’s backpedal a bit. Why do you want to find a niche? Why would you want to limit yourself to a particular group of people as your audience?
-
It makes it easier to rank highly in searches for particular search terms. If you write about a wide variety of stuff, the algorithms get confused. If it’s about a particular subject, they know where to send people for those searches.
-
You can make more money per visitor for a niche blog, because you have a highly targeted audience rather than a general audience. Advertisers can reach the kind of people they want to reach rather than use a scattergun approach. Best summed up in advertising revenue: CPM. $2 VS $25. You don’t necessarily need a massive audience.
Do you need to be an IT geek to do it?
Making you way online can be quite intimidating for people who are not technically inclined, and I include myself in that, although I’m reasonable at picking up new skills and that helps a lot. It’s a steep learning curve and can be very frustrating at times, but if I apply myself I can find a way around most things.
Building an audience
One of the most important thing to know about when building an audience online is what’s called search engine optimisation or SEO.
​
Search engine optimisation (SEO)
SEO is the practice of making your site or a particular web page as visible as possible to search engines, namely google. SEO is a whole field of expertise in itself, and people who are good at it get paid a lot of money, so I won’t be able to cover this whole field in this short presentation.
However it’s not hard to learn some of the basics, and you will need to know at least some of them if you want to build an audience. There are plenty of online resources regarding this, so do some research.
Other media
One of the ways that I have built my audience is by writing feature articles for magazines. At the time that I started my website I also happened to be writing for a well known cycling magazine in Australia, and some of my articles had a link to my website at the bottom of them. So that drove some people to the site to begin with, but numbers were small because there wasn’t much content on the site yet.
About a year ago I had an article published in a leading national outdoor magazine, also with a link, and there was a pretty big spike in audience size after that. I think that also might have increased my visibility to google, as googe could now see that more people were visiting the site, so it ranked it higher, which meant more people visited the site, and it sort of snowballed from there.
I don’t have any official social media linked to the site, but I have posted a few things about my site on a facebook group bikepacking australia, and that has driven a bit of traffic as well. As far as broader social media stuff, don’t ask me because I don’t really know.
Another thing I will try soon is to appear on podcasts. Drop business cards into various bike shops. You can get quite creative with this.
Monetisation
There are a few different ways that you can monetise a website.
​
Selling ad space
There are a couple of ways you can do this. Through google adwords, which generally doesen’t yeild much for niche blogs, but it’s pretty low maintenance. Or you can contact companies directly. I have done this. I’m currently running ads for an Australian bike brand, an Australian outdoor apparel brand and a Melbourne bike store.
You have to do admin stuff with this approach, like send invoices, and report on the performance of their ads, but it yields a lot more. I’m currently making $160 per month through selling these three ad spaces.
​
Affiliate marketing
Affiliate marketing is basically where you spruik or review particular products, with link to a third party web store where those products are sold. When someone clicks on that link and then buys a product, you get a cut of that profit. It’s relatively easy to set up and can be done all online. So far I’ve made about $60 from one blog post about camping gear with affiliate links.
​
Sponsored posts
I haven’t done this yet but it’s basically when a company pays you to feature them in a post of some sort, like the advertising features in a newspaper.
​
Some sort of subscription thing
This is where you convince a certain number of your audience to pay a monthly or yearly fee, and usually in return they will get some sort of premium access or features, like an ad-free version of the site, or a t-shirt or something like that. This can be done with a payment processor solely on your site, or through a third party like patreon.
​
Selling ebooks
You can do this solely through your website where you’ll be able to keep all of the profit, or you can direct your audience to Amazon or whatever where you’ll be selling your book. Having an audience already can kickstart your sales on amazon—then amazon might start trying to sell it for you via that ‘recommended’ function.
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 14-Jan-2019
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Megan, Aashish, Anita and Eddie, are our newest subscribers. We now have 193 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Contents:
1. Reviews on books wanted
2. New writing competition for 2019
3. Flash Fiction
4. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
5. All Write! upcoming events
6. We want to hear from you
7. Editing your writing
8. Important links
​
1. Review a book title - You will be posted on WWC website
Are you someone that likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of January, please review anything you like and submit it to us. February is to be a review on the book Brave Heart. What? You haven't read it? That's ok, you can instead do a review on the book Fight Club. If it has been a while since you read either, then please go over the books again so that the story is in your memory when you write your review. Or, start reading now.
March you can review anything you like.
April, the review is on Stephen King's Misery.
We will review some new books as well soon.
2. Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme TOO HOT TO HANDLE. The word limit is 3,000 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2020 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out. https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
3. Flash Fiction
Are you ready for the challenge? It’s true we all love to linger over a favourite novel, but if it’s 50, 100, 200, 300 or up to 1000 words, a well-crafted story can pack a mighty punch.
​
If you want to get involved with Magz and the members of WWC, join our group for a small cost of $20 a year. Less than $2 a month. Or, if you can't afford to become a member, you can still write Flash Fiction and post it up on the Facebook World Writers Collective group.
Come along to our next group meeting in Melbourne (if you live in Victoria) and read out your story. It’s a great way to obtain feedback and enhance your writing.
​
Ian Rankin, the author of the Rebus crime series puts it clearly: “This is the beauty of the short story: all you need is a single good idea. No convolutions or sub-plots. Well, not many. Not as many as a novel, certainly. Stories are also good ways of experimenting with the narrative voice, structure and method of economy. I’ve managed to whittle stories down to 200 - a struggle, but useful in that I can to learn how much it is possible to leave out.
There is no place for fat on a story: it has to be lean and fit. ‘Glimmer’ started life as a novella, until I realised I was indulging myself. Whittling away, I found the real story peering out at me. [….] a chance to create a mythology around one of my favourite Rolling Stone songs, [….] now it’s as lean as it is mean.” - Ian Rankin
So, why not start with 200 words? A story about a very ordinary routine event. It’s all in the showing (and telling), using the ABDCE structure, in this order?
l (ACTION-character is actually doing something)
l (BACKGROUND – inciting incident / set up the background rationale for what happened next)
l (DEVELOPMENT - row of rising actions for character/s to deal with)
l (CLIMAX – biggest rising action/ how things are different for characters in a significant way)
l (ENDING – how characters are now significantly different)
Here are some examples of super-short stories: www.100wordstory.org
Here are some ideas for a topic:
l anticipating ice-cream
l eating your favourite cereal
l a visit to the supermarket
l a visit to / sitting in the doctor or dentist’s waiting room
l meeting a child from school
l sitting in rush hour traffic
​​
“The best short stories distil all the potency of a novel into a small but heady draught. They are perfect reading material for the bus or train or for a lunchtime break. Everything extraneous has been strained off by the author. The best short stories pack the heft of any novel, yet resonate like poetry.” – Ian Rankin
4. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWSG and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
​
5. All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
​
6. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
​
7. Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 17-Dec-2018
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Jessie and DVR Rao are our newest subscribers. We now have 189 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Contents:
1. Reviews on books wanted
2. Current writing competition - ends soon for 2018
3. What to write and how to start
4. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
5. All Write! upcoming events
6. We want to hear from you
7. Editing your writing
8. Important links
Review a book title - You will be posted on WWC website
Are you someone that likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was just really good reading? Submit your review via this email.
For the end of December, please review anything you like and submit it to us. January is to be a review on the book Brave Heart. What? You haven't read it? That's ok, you can instead do a review on the book Fight Club. If it has been a while since you read either, then please go over the books again so that the story is in your memory when you write your review. Or, start reading now.
February you can review anything you like.
March, the review is on Stephen King's Misery.
We will review some new books as well soon.
​
Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme STRANGER. The word limit is 2,500 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2019 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out. www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
​
What to write and how to start
At our most recent event we talked of many topics. Strangely it went into world wars and Hitler. And although that was absolutely interesting hearing everyone's point of view, we also talked about Life of Pi by Yann Martel and what to write if you haven't written a lot previously
The common saying is, write what you know. And although it is an old saying, it is still relevant. However, you never stop learning, so research is still important. If you are an engineer, then you may have a protagonist that is an engineer. If your hobby is cooking, your story may be set in a restaurant. If you are a serial killer . . . well you know better than me what you will be writing about and where.
The important thing is to write. And when you are not writing, then read. And when you have done lots of the above, then edit. And lastly, go to writing groups and listen to others, contribute, and give feedback. Everyone learns from each other. Even once you know everything (will never happen . . . unless you are one of those immortal beings that have an eidetic memory) please continue to go to writing groups. You may be learning from others, but also they need to learn from you as well. It's likely you will find editing buddies where you can help each other out too.
​
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred on enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Social Chat Q&A: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, come along. If you want to read out your work and have it critiqued, please bring a few copies so we can read along with you.
South Bank Write Now: Select Saturdays where the venue is quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food, and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne that you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWSG and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
​
All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
​
We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 12-Nov-2018
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Stacey, Angelique, Nandita are our newest subscribers. We now have 186 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Contents:
1. Reviews on books wanted
2. Current writing competition
3. Children's stories discussion
4. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
5. All Write! upcoming events
6. We want to hear from you
7. Editing your writing
8. Important links
​
Review a book title
Are you someone that likes to review books (poems, short stories, movie scripts, blogs, non-fiction, etc.) and give honest feedback on content, interest, characters, structure, or if you think it was good reading? Then submit your review.
For December, please review anything you like and submit it to us. January is to be a review on the book Brave Heart. What? You haven't read it? That's ok, you can instead do a review on the book Fight Club. If it ihas been a while since you read either, then please go over the books again so that the story is in your memory again. Or, start reading now.
Feburary you can review anything you like.
March, the review is on Stephen King's Misery.
Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme STRANGER. The word limit is 2,500 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2019 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out. www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
Children's stories discussion
At our most recent event we chatted about getting a children's book published. There are many subjects to consider.
Generally a publisher prefers you have had experience with children. Either working with children ort a degree in a field that works with children. At the very least, have children of your own.
If you don't have any of the above, consider volunteering in groups that care for children. Fairs and fetes. Face painting if you are an artist. Read stories to children at libraries.
Your own illustrations. This is a tricky one. Often the publisher will have their own illustrator on hand that they know can sell the book. Would you agree it is often the cover or the first few pages of illustrations that will sell a book for a child? Whether it is the parent who chooses, or the child, the publishers often like using their own publisher that has already helped with the selling of the book.
Therefore, your book may be a 50-50 split of profits with the illustrator.
If you are an illustrator as well, then it would be in your best interests to sell yourself as an illustrator so that the publisher can see you already have a following. There are many online areas you can use to post up or sell your illustrations.
​
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred around enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Getting published, eastern suburbs: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, then come along.
South Bank Write Now: Select Saturdays where the venue is quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food, and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWSG and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in North Melbourne. That's it. All you do is turn up and write with others. You can chat to other writers as well if you like and grab a bite or a cuppa.
Most of all enjoy yourself.
We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
​
Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 18-Oct-2018
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Stacey, Angelique, Nandita are our newest subscribers. We now have 186 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Contents:
1. Writers Symposium successes
2. Current writing competition
3. Your book promotion
4. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
5. We want to hear from you
6. Editing your writing
7. Important links
Writing Symposium successes
Breaking the Code: Writers Symposium.
An international forum focusing on writers becoming financially secure.
Pitching to publishers was a big plus. It’s not often this takes place in Australia, so it was great we had a good turn out of publishers ready to hear pitches and give feedback. There were also a number of publishers that were interested in seeing manuscripts after hearing their pitch. So that is an even greater success.
Thank you to:
Busybird Publishing
Grattan Street Press
Niche Press
Odyssey Books
The Story Mint
Feedback:
More hands on activities and workshops would be highly regarded. This is quite different to most conferences that are currently run in many cities. Thrillerfest in NYC, Writers Digest in NYV, Melbourne Writers Festival in Melbourne. Emerging Writers Festival in Melbourne. These are all generally based around presenters talking about their specialties.
We tried something new by bringing in a few workshops, and it seems this is what people want.
With so many interesting and inspiring presenters and many great people attending hungry for information, as well as our compare and production manager, we were part of a very informative event. The managers of the Belgium Beer Cafe were also excellent hosts.
Thank you for attending.
​
Current Writing Competition
Short story competition - World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme STRANGER. The word limit is 2,500 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers.
Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host the website each year.
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2019 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out. www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to our NEWS section? Then send some info through.
Your BOOK / STORY / POEM / SCRIPT promotion
Do you have a book or collection of short stories / poetry you want to promote?
Reply to this email and we will create a list of links for you so we can spread the word on our next Writers Sauce email.
If you want it on the website as well, then it only costs $20 per year to join and we can promote you on the website.
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred around enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Getting published, eastern suburbs: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, then come along.
South Bank Write Now: Select Saturdays where the venue is quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food, and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
There are many other Writing groups in Melbourne you may be interested as well. Go to them all and see what interests you . . . but then come back to MWSG and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 8-Oct-2018
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Jack is our newest subscriber. We now have 182 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Contents:
-
Pitching to literary agents and publishers
-
Current writing competition
-
Is writing the loneliest possible thing?
-
Your BLOG promotion - takes 5 minutes
-
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
-
Ticket to your writing career
-
Editing your writing
-
Important links
Pitching to literary agents and publishers
We have some workshops from Mat Clarke, Clare Dae, Solene Anglaret, at the coming writers' symposium and publishers that are going to help you pitch your manuscript. Here's a few things from Mat Clarke.
It is important to not have a manuscript that is too different from what is already in circulation. This also goes for your pitch. Don’t add pictures to your pitch letter or email, or say: This is the next newest thing that everyone will want to read (it’s been done before, it’s tired).
You’re not a name-selling author yet, so reinventing the wheel when you write your novel is not the best idea. Stick to formulas that have worked for other authors.
Yes, you’re right, you need to be a little different, but agents and publishers want to sell your book alongside something that is similar. And they will actually ask you what your book is similar to, so they can market it. If they can’t market your book, they won’t want it.
New short story competition with the World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme STRANGER. The word limit is 2,000 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers. Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host website each year.
We want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out. www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to our NEWS? Then send some info through.
Is writing the loneliest possible thing?
Before I started writing my first book, I thought writers were loners who enjoyed their own company above all else. As a very sociable and outgoing person, that was one of my biggest fears. Who was I kidding? I thought to myself every single day. However, the burning desire to share my story was greater than my impostor syndrome and so my writing journey began.
After a few months, I realised that my preconception wasn't exactly true. There are many stages to the process of writing and publishing a book and with each of them comes the opportunity to involve people as contributors, mentors or advisers. Here are some of the other professionals you might be working with along the way depending on the path and approach you choose: editor, graphic designer, typesetter, web developer, publicist, etc.
From my experience, the more people you involve, the more input you get, the better your book will become. For example, I asked 13 family members and friends to give me feedback on the first version of my memoir Where to Next? Based on their comments, I changed 20 to 25% of my manuscript... even the end! One thing to remember though is that you are the one in the driver's seat. This is your book, your story, your legacy so make sure to voice your opinions throughout the process. It is absolutely crucial that the work you are about to publish aligns with your vision and core values. Otherwise you won't believe in it and thus will struggle to promote it.
So where can you find these people? Writers meetups are a great place to start! So far, the most wonderful people I have had the chance to work with have been recommended by fellow writers and creatives. For example, meetup goer and director extraordinaire Noel is the one who introduced me to the illustrator who brought my children's book Where Are You From? to life.
See... Writing doesn't have to be lonely! On that note, I shall hope to see you at the next event in the city ;-)
Solène Anglaret
Author of travel memoir Where to Next? and children's book Where Are You From?
World traveler and storyteller passionate about the topics of home, identity and diversity.
@bebeyondborders
Your BLOG promotion - takes 5 minutes
It's that time again to help your fellow writers out and make it so they can be noticed by readers around the world. The way we do this is by making one small comment on a writer's blog or website or Facebook or other online platform.
How?
Reply to this email with a link to your recent blog post, Facebook post, Twitter post, website post, Instagram post, etc.
Then on the next Writers Sauce all the links you mentioned will be included in the email. All everyone does next is click on as many links as you can for 5 minutes (click on just one link for each author), read their post, and make a comment.
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred around enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Getting published, eastern suburbs: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, then come along.
South Bank Write Now: Select Saturdays where the venue is quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food, and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
An international forum focusing on writers becoming financially secure at the Writers Symposium
We recently launched the Writers Symposium with us as hosts: World Writers Collective, and: The Story Mint. It’s going to be amazing!
So many exciting sessions to attend over the two days at the Wheeler Centre. Includes free membership with World Writers Collective as well as The Story Mint.
Lots of free stuff to give away as well.
Tickets: www.worldwriterscollective.com/symposium Follow the link to Eventbrite.
We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 08-Aug-2018
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
May is our newest subscriber. We now have 170 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join, just forward on this email to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Contents:
-
What makes writing gooder
-
Current writing competition
-
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
-
An international forum focusing on writers becoming financially secure
-
Editing your writing
-
Important links
What makes writing gooder:
I would have liked to say education.
Charisma could have been another notable ingredient.
After that, if I was of good stock, I would say breeding, study, money, degrees, and sticking to the rules, but it’s all not true. None of that bullshit will get you to the top. It’s not about being related to a writer, publisher, or agent that will help you create good stories (although it doesn’t hurt.) You need a free mind so that you can write whatever comes to you with no barriers. Education could hinder your fiction writing. Don’t think about the rules of writing, instead float above what is expected . . . at least to begin with.
Creativity is your number one, so be sure not to suppress it with thoughts on how each sentence should be perfect as you write it. To be a fiction writer of works that people want to read, then you will need passion, persistence, endless sleepless nights, drama, mayhem, outside-of-the-box thinking, creativity, and support from other writers (and editors, publishers, agents, family, friends, the public). It is impossible to teach creativity once you get older, so embrace it when ever it comes to you. If you write non fiction then you will also be aided by creative writing in all of your works.
It’s a long and brutal road, so don’t think you’ll magically make it as a published author the first, second or third time. Be prepared to be exhausted and for it to be the fiftieth time you edit and send off a query. Your writing must be a passion. It’s why you need support. It’s why you need to enjoy what you do. Ten or twenty years may pass before you are even recognised as a writer. And although this is not the way we want it to be, it is up to you to rise above the difficulties and write the best you can (also get your work edited by professionals - seriously, this is really important. You may have created a masterpiece in creative writing, but you need to edit the hell out of it, and then have it edited by a professional. This is what will make it truly great).
New short story competition with the World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme STRANGER. The word limit is 2,000 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers. Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host website each year.
We want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out. www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to our NEWS? Then send some info through.
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred around enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Getting published, eastern suburbs: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, then come along.
South Bank Write Now: Select Saturdays where the venue is quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food, and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
An international forum focusing on writers becoming financially secure at the Writers Symposium
We recently launched the Writers Symposium with us as hosts: World Writers Collective, and: The Story Mint. It’s going to be amazing!
So many exciting sessions to attend over the two days at the Wheeler Centre. Includes free membership with World Writers Collective as well as The Story Mint.
Lots of free stuff to give away as well.
Tickets: www.worldwriterscollective.com/symposium Follow the link to Eventbrite.
We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 16-July-2018
Welcome everyone to our Writers Sauce. We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
​
Other possible stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Do you have something interesting you want to add for the next email-out? Get in touch and we will add it in.
Want to help write the next one? Let us know.
​
Contents:
-
Getting your writing and profile noticed on social media and publishing
-
New writing competition
-
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
-
An international forum focusing on writers becoming financially secure
-
Editing your writing
-
Important links
​
Getting your writing and profile noticed on social media - advertising & publishing
One view is that you should start before your work is even finished. Start by posting up information about yourself on Facebook. More importantly, use photos of your work on Instagram. Book cover, titles, illustrations. Add hashtags and encourage people to share.
​
You don’t want to annoy your audience, so ensure you don’t flood your followers with the same thing over and over. Make sure what you are showing people is something they actually want to see.
​
This preparing to be published can be bad for the creative side of your brain. If you think too much about publishing and editing and writing for a particular audience, you’ll never write anything. If you find yourself worrying too much about the above, then wait until you have your first draft written before you worry about advertising and logistics. Also, it could be many years before someone says: yes I want to publish you. So really, time is not your biggest enemy.
​
As for publishing, we spoke again about Amazon and that they want you to exclusively sell through them. They do this by taking a larger commission from sales if you do not exclusively sell with them. It makes it look like your choice, but they are in control.
​
When sending to a traditional publisher they will often want to see a query letter and a small sample of your writing within the body of the actual email. You can send as many of these out as you like. However, once they say they want to see the first 3 chapters of your manuscript or more, they often don’t want you to send it to anyone else. This can be annoying, but you should follow their rules or risk getting a black mark against your name. Read the full rules on their submit page.
​
New short story competition with the World Writers Collective
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme STRANGER. The word limit is 2,500 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers. Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host website each year.
​
We want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
​
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated each day. . . hopefully with your help. So check it out.
www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to it? Then send some info through.
​
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred around enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
​
Getting published, eastern suburbs: The second Sunday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, then come along.
​
South Bank Write Now: Select Saturdays where the venue is quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food, and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
​
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
​
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
​
An international forum focusing on writers becoming financially secure at the Writers Symposium
We recently launched the Writers Symposium with us as hosts: World Writers Collective, and: The Story Mint. It’s going to be amazing!
So many exciting sessions to attend over the two days at the Wheeler Centre. Includes free membership with World Writers Collective as well as The Story Mint.
Lots of free stuff to give away as well.
​
Tickets: www.worldwriterscollective.com/symposium Follow the link to Eventbrite.
​
Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 22-June-2018
Welcome again to our Writers Sauce.
In this email we are going to touch on self-publishing again in areas we didn’t last time, and then give some small tips towards building a believable character. But first, as always, we go into so much more detail at our meets, so feel free to come along no matter your experience in writing.
​
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Do you have something interesting you want to add for the next email-out? Get in touch and we will add it in.
Want to help write the next one? Let us know.
​
Contents:
-
Writing and publishing
-
Get published today
-
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
-
An international forum focusing on writers becoming financially secure
-
Editing your writing
-
Important links
​
Writing and Publishing
In relation to self-publishing, which is something we touched on within the last email, there is also Draft2Digital for getting your writing online, and can be easier than some other online platforms. Also, for print books, you may want to use Ingram Spark. They’re cheaper than a local printer, although this will depend on the quantities ordered.
​
Something we chatted about at a recent meet was in regards to writing good characters. Some general things we touched upon was having motivations for the character, logic behind what they do, they need to grow continuously, have goals, and be relatable. This is mostly for your main characters, but can also be used for secondary characters to a smaller degree.
​
Get published today with the World Writers Collective
Want to join the World Writers Collective and help support everyone as a group of indie writers? Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members help spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host website each year.
​
If you are a writer and part of the World Writers Collective and would like to be the topic of our next discussion, then all you need to do is update your profile on the WWC website. This information will then be sent to our many subscribers so that they can read more about you.
​
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated each day. . . hopefully with your help. So check it out.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to it? Then send some info through.
​
Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: Sunday 1 July 12pm we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred around enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
​
Getting published, eastern suburbs: Tuesday 10 July 6pm we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writing you are in, then come along.
​
South Bank Write Now: Saturday 14 July 1pm. The venue is quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food, and drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
​
City Writer Group: Tuesday 17 July will be hosted by Jim and another helpful writer on Tuesday and will be our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work session - if you would like to read out your work, that is, no pressure. Also, Jim will talk about giving feedback on writing. This is important to learn so that when an editor or friend gives you feedback you know what is important and what needs further investigation.
​
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with running events. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
​
An international forum focusing on writers becoming financially secure at the Writers Symposium
We recently launched the Writers Symposium with us as hosts: World Writers Collective, and: The Story Mint. It’s going to be amazing!
So many exciting sessions to attend over the two days at the Wheeler Centre (food included) for one set price of $350, which includes one free year membership with World Writers Collective as well as The Story Mint. You will also go into the prize draw when you buy your ticket for a chance to win a dinner with the presenters on the last night to chill and chat about writing and publishing.
Tickets: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/symposium Follow the link to Eventbrite.
​
Editing Your Writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 2-June-2018
You know that saying, please don’t make me beg? Well this is the part where I do just that!
I chatted to a few writerly friends about getting more people involved with the World Writers Collective website and how to get people more involved in the writing competitions. There were a number of ideas, but the main one that stuck out was to wear your heart on your sleeve. This is not an easy thing to do when there has been past turmoil. Keeping hurt feelings, misgivings, and thoughts to myself seemed like the easier and also safer option. I guess I have always tried to play it safe. Always have a backup plan or a way to escape if everything became too much. The funny thing is, I keep putting myself out there because I really do enjoy writing and getting others writing as well. And the main goal is still to help everyone (including myself) get published.
Now the begging part, please, please, please get involved with WWC as much as you can.
It is $5 entry for the writing competition and is held once every 3 months or so. It is very cheap and obviously the bare minimum to allow for prizes for the winners and creating an anthology each year. It’s mostly my time, and only a little cash, so I’m willing to stretch myself. If you think you might be able to get more involved, then that would be an amazing thing.
I have extended the last competition for another month, and will keep extending it until we get close to 20 people in the writing competition. So have a go. Big chance you’ll be in the top three considering there are few entries. Also, there are two ways to enter and win: (1) Writing your story in first person, OR, (2) Writing your story in third person. Which means two people get first prizes.
Welcome again to our Writers Sauce. If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Have something interesting for the next email-out? Get in touch and we will add it in.
Want to write the next one or something similar? Get in touch.
If you’ve thought about self-publishing digitally then you have likely thought about going through Amazon. It is the largest single online store for writers and readers and is a one-stop-shop. They have made it almost essential that you use their platform if you want to be known.
Then there is Smashwords. It used to be that this was running alongside Amazon and doing very well, but Amazon, like many large companies, needs to rid themselves of the competition.
What did Amazon do to become number 1?
They included a free SIM for your kindle so you can download books anytime.
They created their own type of file that can only be viewed on their hardware or software (others did this as well).
And to discourage the writer from going with any other provider, they stated that if you offer your book anywhere else they will take 66% commission instead of 33%, and not give you other options others get such as offering up your book for free for selected times.
It’s manipulative, yes, but it’s just business.
The good news is that if you go with Smashwords you can still make money. I make more with Smashwords than I do with Amazon, so I’m staying with them. Others will have different experiences.
Why Smashwords then?
Because they have a library where you can make money when people hire your book (so does Amazon, but I’m yet to make money from it).
You can sell your book for free or for a cost. It’s up to you.
You can offer coupons with discounts on your website or blog etc.
You only pay 20% commission and you can sell the book anywhere else you like.
It converts Microsoft Word Doc for you easily into the format it needs, including creating a PDF for you if you want it to sell that way.
It puts your book on iTunes, Kobo, Barnes and Noble, and many others for free.
So how do you start?
Well, the great thing is that there is a free book you can download and read that will tell you everything you need to know. There is lots of information on their website to help you.
No matter which platform you decide to go with, you will need to format your writing to suit that platform, and so will take a lot of messing around and reformatting until you get it right.
Then you will need a book cover. You can have it done for you on Fiverr, or you can do it yourself. The easiest way is to copy what others have done, which is basically a background colour or picture, then the title of your story in large letters at the top, and then your name below it at about half to two thirds the size of the title (your name becomes bigger than the title once you are well known. That’s when people will buy the book because it is your name that sells the book, rather than the interesting sounding title and blurb).
Fiverr: www.fiverr.com
Smashwords how to: https://www.smashwords.com/about/how_to_publish_on_smashwords
Let’s have a look at one of our writers . . . It kind of feels like Play School and we’re looking through one of the different shaped windows. Youtube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PUtiIFOsrs) will show you what I mean. Miriam Smith writes comedy and is working on a collection of short stories that she knows will dazzle her readers. Have a look at two pieces of poetry on her page right now: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/miriam-smith
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every day. . . hopefully with your help. So check it out.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to it? Then send the info through.
​
​
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 14-May-2018
Welcome again to our Writers Sauce. If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we'll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out
We discussed many topics at our last two events. However, with the help of Lisa Habermann and Stu Mentha we found out more about scripts and screen writing.
But before we get too deep into that, there’s still time to enter the WWC writing competition.
Cash prizes. Two areas of entry (first and third person). Up to 3,000 words. Plus you are automatically entered into the 2018 anthology if you come first, second, or third in either of the two areas of POV. That's six winners!
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
Our most recent winner is, Dean MacAllister with the story, Not About You, within the theme, Betrayal. Have a read of this great story and the other top 5 winners which will be posted late tomorrow.
We recently launched the Writers Symposium with us: World Writers Collective, and: The Story Mint. Very nice.
So many exciting sessions to attend over the two days at the Wheeler Centre (food included) for one set price of $350, which includes one free year membership with World Writers Collective as well as The Story Mint. You also will go into the prize draw when you buy your ticket for a chance to win a dinner with the presenters on the last night to chill and chat about writing and publishing.
Tickets: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/symposium
Now for our last meet.
A few of the things that came up were:
When writing a script, one page generally means one minute of screen time. However, this can change depending on the script, of course.
Within a script there is approximately four lines of text that is written to set the scene regarding what is going on and what the characters can see around them.
Another point that I think many of you already know, is that when we write something and put our name to it, then it is covered by copyright law. This is how it is in most English speaking countries.
However, just beware of accidentally co-writing something. For example, if you give your work to another writer and they add material to your work and then you think, hey that's great they were helping me out, and there is evidence of this happening where they helped you with your script, stand up routine, etc., then that person may say that they co-wrote it with you and want a cut of the profits and a screen credit.
I think this is unlikely to happen with regular fiction writing, so don't worry too much.
However, interesting though, hey.
Also, we are looking at doing some script writing work in the near future and some writing competitions.
We have more competitions on the WWC website coming up, so please get involved with them so we can publish you in our anthology at the end of the year.
And as usual, get your writing competition entry checked before you enter it to improve your chances to win. It’s free. You can also put your bio, query letter, or other writing in there for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
Important Links:
Post news about your writing, book launch, events, or event just a link to your latest blog/post/tweet: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629658520414716
Important information about writing in general, and the Melbourne Writers Group: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters
Discuss anything you like that's creative: https://www.facebook.com/groups/169777419779168
For people that want to discuss writing on a forum that is for everyone around the world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529
Your work edited for free by other writers. Give feedback to other writers to gain more practice editing your own work: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
Information on writing, writing competitions, professional editing, getting published, and more. Become a member for discounts: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Near Melbourne? Come to our group and meet other writers and chat. Everyone is welcome: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
Writers Sauce - WWC
World Writers Collective
Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 23-4-2018
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Welcome again to our Writers Sauce. If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we'll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
We discussed many topics at our last two events. A few of them were:
How do I choose a title for my story?
How do I know if what I have written is interesting?
How do I make my writing interesting?
But before we get too deep into the above discussions, there’s still time to enter the WWC writing competition.
Cash prizes. Two areas of entry (first and third person). Up to 3,000 words. Plus you are automatically entered into the 2018 anthology if you come first, second, or third in either of the two areas of POV. That's six winners!
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
This script writing competition looks pretty amazing.
"Designed as a professional development opportunity to support screenwriters during the writing process, Script to Screen offers the chance for the winning scripts to be directed, rehearsed and then read by actors in front of an audience in the Mercury Cinema."
https://awg.com.au/view/event/script-to-screen-2018/
Get a writing competition entry checked before you enter to improve your chances to win. It’s free.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
Now onto our discussions. One topic was, how do you choose a title for a story?
This is something where there is no wrong or right answer. However, there are catchy titles and there are titles that fall flat.
Most authors mentioned it just came to them, while others would put thought into deciding on something that was abstract to entice a reader to discover more.
If you have an opinion, please post it up here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529
The next topic was, how do you know if what you have written is interesting?
And, How do you make your writing interesting?
This is a heady one. First of all, the more feedback you receive from others the better you will get at realising what works and what doesn’t with your writing.
A good technique is to study other author's writings. However, you need to keep writing the way you want to as well. To do this you need to get hold of ten novels. Any novels - preferably in your genre and POV, but not essential.
Also, have a novel nearby that is written by an author you admire and/or emulate.
Next read 5-10 pages of the novel/author you admire/emulate.
Then put it down and pick up one of the other random novels. Read 5-10 pages. It's better if you have never read anything this author has written in the past.
Then put it down and pick up the novel by the author you admire/emulate and read 5-10 pages.
Next put it down and pick up and read another 5-10 pages of a random novel from your pile.
Keep repeating this for at least an hour.
Go away and write a little or edit something you have already written.
Are you seeing things differently? Are you writing or editing differently than you usually do?
Now go back and do some more reading for an hour as above.
Repeat, repeat, repeat.
I found it improved my writing, editing, reading, voice, and learning how other authors write.
Symposium:
Breaking the Code: from published to best-selling author is a global symposium that will bring together writers, agents, publishers and reviewers for a two day programme focused on sharing insights into how to make the transition from published writer to financially successful author.
Speakers from Australia, New Zealand, India and the USA will present personally or via teleconference.
To get a large discount you will need to be a member of both the World Writers Collective and The Story Mint. A unique password will be sent to you upon request once tickets are available.
More details are coming soon.
Important Links:
Post news about your writing, book launch, events, or event just a link to your latest blog/post/tweet: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629658520414716
Important information about writing in general, and the Melbourne Writers Group: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters
Discuss anything you like that's creative: https://www.facebook.com/groups/169777419779168
For people that want to discuss writing on a forum that is for everyone around the world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529
Your work edited for free by other writers. Give feedback to other writers to gain more practice editing your own work: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
Information on writing, writing competitions, professional editing, getting published, and more. Become a member for discounts: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Near Melbourne? Come to our group and meet other writers and chat. Everyone is welcome: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
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Writers Sauce 1-4-2018
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In this writer info Writers Sauce, I would like to talk about getting published and the upcoming Writer Symposium at the Wheeler Centre being run by The Story Mint and The World Writers Collective on 6&7 October 2018. Limited tickets available and will be released this month.
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But first, a new writing competition open to everyone worldwide:
This one is 3,000 words.
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There have been a few changes for this competition since the last one, so take a quick look :)
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitons
Also, if you are looking to get a Fellowship in Victoria, you have a little under a month to forward your application: http://www.australianpoetry.org/competitions/applications-for-state-library-of-victorias-fellowship-program-open/
A poetry competition that recently opened: https://thewritersbloc.net/2018-acu-prize-poetry
Lastly, The Writers Digest Self-Publish competition is still open: http://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-book-awards?
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Symposium:
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Breaking the Code: from published to best-selling author is a global symposium that will bring together writers, agents, publishers and reviewers for a two day programme focused on sharing insights into how to make the transition from published writer to financially successful author.
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Speakers from Australia, New Zealand, India and the USA will present personally or via teleconference.
To get a large discount you will need to be a member of both the World Writers Collective and The Story Mint. A unique password will be sent to you upon request once tickets are available.
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More information here: https://mailchi.mp/9b67a9f6f163/the-story-mint-december-2107749?e=516d6b6a0a
Getting published
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It's a hard and long road and persistence is the only way you can succeed. Give up too early and you'll end up putting that manuscript or short story in the drawer and forgetting about it.
So what do you need to do? Well, here are a few points to help you along the way.
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1) Publishers and agents want to see your presence online. Create a LinkedIn profile for communicating with other writers and discussions online. Get involved with a social network online, such as a facebook group. And lastly, yes you will need to go to writer groups to gain knowledge, show off your work, and not be a complete hermit.
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2) Create a fan base. Now that you have the above and have been doing this for a while you can enter writing competitions, and post up a collection of your work on Smashwords. You'll also want to have a regular blog or post up information on LinkedIn, or tweet, or similar. Go and read other people's blogs or pages, then comment. Generally they will then check yours.
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3) After all the above is done you can begin getting even more involved. When ever something about writing/publishing/editing/pitching is going on, then you need to either be there, or be a part of a group that is there that will have your best interests in mind. And so you will have you listed on their group, webpage, etc. As long as that group or website is well know, then by segway, you will be too.
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To get one part of this sorted, go to this link and post up an interesting blog link, LinkedIn link, facebook post, book launch, anthology you are in, book you have online, or whatever, to the following Facebook Group. Then I would like everyone on this mail-out to go there within 3 days and comment on as many of the posts as you can. Spend an hour.
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So go there as soon as you have read this email and post up a link to something interesting about you and your writing. This is a good chance for you to get lots of comments on a blog you wrote, or similar: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629658520414716
Thanks, and don't be a stranger!
Important Links:
Post news about your writing, book launch, events, or event just a link to your latest blog/post/tweet: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629658520414716
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Important information about writing in general, and the Melbourne Writers Group: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters
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Discuss anything you like that's creative: https://www.facebook.com/groups/169777419779168
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For people that want to discuss writing on a forum that is for everyone around the world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529
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Links: Your work edited for free by other writers. Give feedback to other writers to gain more practice editing your own work: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
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Information on writing, writing competitions, professional editing, getting published, and more. Become a member for discounts: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
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Near Melbourne? You can come to our group and meet other writers and chat. Everyone is welcome: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
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Previous email-outs with great information. Click on the bottom blue link in bold on the following page: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/about-wwc
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Unsubscribe?
Reply and type in the heading: CANCEL EMAIL-OUT
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Writers Sauce 16-3-2018
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We had another great session on Tuesday night. Geez, did we talk a lot of writing! And now I would like to share it with you.
But first, a new writing competition open to everyone worldwide:
This one is 3,000 words.
There have been a few changes for this competition since the last one, so take a quick look :)
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitons
Also, if you are looking to get a Fellowship in Victoria, you have about a month to forward your application: http://www.australianpoetry.org/competitions/applications-for-state-library-of-victorias-fellowship-program-open/
Lastly, a poetry competition that has recently opened: https://thewritersbloc.net/2018-acu-prize-poetry
Writers discussing the below topics.
Some of the attendees were: Dean Macallister, Jeremy Picknell, Robyn Kindler, Mat Clarke, Stu Mentha, Victoria Knight.
Audio file wrap of the night:
Q. What is the best POV to write from? First or third? Advantages? Disadvantages?
A. First person is good for emotion. Third is good for action. However, you do not have to write this way when using either. We talked about how writing a short story in first person would be fine, especially if it involved a partial experience of the author (write what you know). Writing a full length novel may be more difficult. This is because you have to stay inside that person's head the whole time, so there is not much room for diversity. The main character can guess what another person is doing or feeling, but it will never be clear.
Third person can be from any main character's point of view, which solves all the above issues. You can get across emotion as well, so no real disadvantages there. There is also the opportunity to have a few of your main characters POV within the story and all having their own adventure, and then coming together in the story for the climax.
Horror was brought up as good first person because it will be what the character can see and feel etc., and only that.
Lastly, if it is first person, you better hope your readers like that character, because we are with them the whole journey.
Q. I pick up novels to study on best seller shelves and they are riddled with “Ly” adverbs, telling not showing, and other things we are told not do. What’s the go with that? How can I learn the right way when no one does it the right way so I can emulate them?
A. When talking about this we all agreed that you need to limit LY adverbs, and that breaking the regular writing rules is not good form. However, other authors seem to. Two authors that were mentioned to look at to study in regard to not breaking the rules were: Ernest Hemmingway and James Joyce. They many not be ones to emulate, but certainly ones to study.
Oh, and then for some crazy reason we began talking about scripts and screenplays. How much information is supplied to actors and directors. Which is very little actually. Generally the writer has to be ready for the director and actors to change the script quite a lot. You'll likely want to have some control at what stays in the script, but you are also going to have to let some things go as the director makes changes to suit the flow of the 'movie'.
Q. Should I send my manuscript to publishers first or to agents. Should I send to publishers and agents in Australia first? What about other countries, what are they looking for? What genre and what setting / location / story are they looking for?
A. Send to agents first. Publishers second. The reason is that an agent will always ask you if you have sent your manuscript to any agents. If you have, they will not want to know you because they will only be going along the same road you have been on.
It also depends on which country you are sending to. Australia has only a dozen or so publishers. Most are not taking new authors. Even fewer agents. Also, Australian publishers want Australian content, not an American thriller story, for example.
The UK is often interested in Australian authors, so that's another avenue.
America wants a good amount of American content, generally.
Q. Genre mixing and writing different genres, is that ok?
A. We discussed that it seems to be ok. Having a mash-up of genres is fairly normal now, so will be accepted.
If you write more than one genre now days, that's ok as well. However, in the beginning you want to market yourself to the publisher so they can market you and your work properly. If you change your genre for your second novel you will likely lose some of your audience. There are many authors that write pretty much the same story, but just change the setting and characters. Yo may not want to do this, so you need to think about what works for you, and how you want to be marketed.
Q. How much research should I do?
A. A lot, but maybe not initially. Just write for now so you can get it all out, otherwise you'll research for years but having nothing to show for it.
We discussed the importance of knowing other cultures, the way they talk and react to each other, foreigners, and different emotions. These are important. If you are delving into the LGBTQIC (I think there is another letter I missed?) then you need to be brave. There are a lot of things to learn and it is evolving very quickly. This also goes for minorities, and the colour of people's skin.
Thanks for reading. Do you have 30 seconds right now?
Please go to the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/169777419779168/
Type a short post to inspire other writers. Something small is fine, even if it is: I wrote 300 words this week. Or: Finishing a short story feels great.
Anything at all will be fine. If we can get a heap of little messages in there to other writers then maybe they will keep chugging away :)
Thanks, and don't be a stranger!
Important Links:
Your work edited for free by other writers. Give feedback to other writers to gain more practice editing your own work: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
Important information about writing in general, and the Melbourne Writers Group: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters
Discuss anything you like that's creative: https://www.facebook.com/groups/169777419779168
For people that want to discuss writing on a forum that is for everyone around the world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529
Post news about your writing, book launch, events, or your latest blog/post/tweet: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629658520414716
Information on writing, writing competitions, professional editing, getting published, and more. Become a member for discounts: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Near Melbourne? You can come to our group and meet other writers and chat. Everyone is welcome: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
WWC past emails. Click on the link, then on the bottom blue link in bold on the landing page: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/about-wwc
The Story Mint newsletter gives you even more writing information: http://www.thestorymint.com/content/february-2018-newsletter
Want to UNSUBSCRIBE? Reply and type in the heading: CANCEL EMAIL-OUT
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Writing info 24-2-2018:
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The writing world is full of pitfalls. It’s why we as writers like to come together and discuss writing so we can help each other avoid said pitfalls, and work though all the many other issues that plague us.
At a writers group recently we discussed a few topics and came up with a few good answers. See below - and if you have anything to add, please reply.
How do you make a plot interesting?
There are books you can buy on this topic. However, a good plot will often be a very subjective thing. Yes, you need a good plot to have a good story, but you also need good subplots, good characters, a good story arc, good paragraphs that lead into the next, and good structure. So when looking at your plot, ensure you are also concentrating on everything else just as much. A plot could be a as simple as a person trying to get to a certain country but has obstacles along the way which make it so this person arrives late and misses the “event”. That sounds a little simple, however. Therefore it is often the interesting events, characters, scenery, and tone of the story that makes it great.
Should I write a twist?
Twists can be fun, but no, not necessary.
How do you keep your reader’s interest in the story?
The hardest question ever. It’s very hard to know if we as writers will achieve this each time we write a story, poem, non-fiction, or even self help book. All you can do is write the best you can, and give the reader what they want. I know you may want to add extra words, phrases, sentences, or even pages that revolve around your soap-box beliefs, but you need to be there for the reader’s benefit, and generally not the other way around.
What are the signs I am writing “filler” rather than actual story?
When you get a friend to read your work, or you put it in our dropbox to have it read by other readers, their feedback is going to tell you a lot. Often if you are writing filler the story will not progress. And even though this is necessary sometimes to add description to the scenery or character, or just give the reader a rest from action, it still needs to be there for a reason. Don’t just add a scene because it was its own cool scene. It must instead have relevance to your overall story.
When publishers and agents ask for 3 chapters, do I send my best chapters?
Generally you’ll send them the first three chapters. Sending random chapters may get your email deleted without much more than a glance. Just bear in mind that when a publisher or agent reads your work, they may not sit through more than a paragraph, so you need to make the start of the story really really interesting.
What else is involved when submitting to a publisher/agent?
So much! Read as many literary agent websites as you can before submitting to your first one. Some have great tips and hints. You’ll likely need a cover letter to let the agent know who you are, what you have already written, and give them the synopsis of the story you are pitching.
What about the email itself, is there a certain way to write it?
Yes, and don’t be a sales person. The agents have now become bored of people starting off the email like this: “A story that will blow your mind. Imagine a character that has no sense of self... etc blah. Imagine this, and delve into my world of the galaxy pirates.”
Or whatever.
You’ll instead want to make your email short and sharp and to the point, while also being amazingly polite.
Again, see the agent’s website.
That’s it, all done.
Don’t forget to enter the new writing competition. 2,000 words. Get your story in ASAP.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitons
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Writers Sauce 14-2-2018:
Welcome to our writing source (in case you have not already been welcomed).
The information within these short email-outs is designed to help you stay informed about writing, editing, and publishing. As well as allow you to get help from other writers.
WWC has a Facebook Page, which I encourage you to join so that you and other writers can communicate with each other regarding the mechanics of writing, as well as talk about editing, plot, characters, etc.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529
This group is not just for Melbourne, but for everyone around the world. So it is a good source of information.
Join and begin posting up information to share with others. The only way we can gain knowledge is if everyone helps!
WWC also has a website which has had a few new offers added. Such as professional editing. Take a look and get in contact if this interests you. There are samples available if you need them.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
Explore the rest of the website as well and inform other writers about its existence (getting writers known and out there can only succeed as a joint effort).
There is also a dropbox if you would like to have your work edited for free by other writers.
You can view the dropbox via the link and read the READ ME file to find out more.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
This is especially helpful if you are entering a writing competition and actually want to win.
Which brings me to a writing competition.
Only $5 to enter, so won’t break the bank.
If you join the World Writers Collective website, then it is $15 for the year, and you get a free entry into each writing competition. So consider that if you like.
The top five winners are listed on the website from the previous competition. Why not have a read of their stories.
https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Now all you need to do is have a great week!
P.S. If you live (or are visiting) in and around Melbourne, you can come to our group and meet other writers and chat. All are welcome: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
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Writers Sauce - WWC - MWSG 16-Sep-2018
Welcome to Writers Sauce.
Holly, Sam, Annie and Jack are our newest subscribers. We now have over 180 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :) Welcome!
If anyone would like to invite friends to join, just forward this email on to anyone anywhere.
If there is anything you would like to know or learn more about, reply to this email and we’ll either discuss it at our next event, or provide some information within our next email-out.
Contents:
1. Pitching to literary agents and publishers
2. Current writing competition
3. Is writing the loneliest possible thing?
4. Your BLOG promotion - takes 5 minutes
5. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
6. Ticket to your writing career (or hobby)
7. Editing your writing
8. Important links
1. Pitching to literary agents and publishers
We have some workshops from Mat Clarke, Solene Anglaret, Aden MacAllister, Suraya Dewing, Lazaros Zigomanis, Nishant Kaushik, Shriram Iyer, Clare Dea, Jessica Anwyl and Tahnee Hopman designed to help you pitch your manuscript.
Here’s a few things from Mat Clarke:
It is important to not have a manuscript that is too different from what is already in circulation. This also goes for your pitch. Don’t add pictures to your pitch letter or email, or say: This is the next newest thing that everyone will want to read (it’s been done before, it’s tired).
You’re not a name-selling author yet, so reinventing the wheel when you write your novel is not the best idea. Stick to formulas that have worked for other authors.
Yes, you’re right, you need to be a little different, but agents and publishers want to sell your book alongside something that is similar. And they will actually ask you what your book is similar to, so they can market it. If they can’t market your book, they won’t want it.
2. Current writing competition
We want you on our website. Check out the next writing competition with the theme STRANGER. The word limit is 2,000 and the cost is $5 to enter. And FREE if you become a World Writers Collective member, which helps support everyone in the group as indie writers. Want to get published or publish your own works and have our members spread the word about your works, book launch, or other? It’s only $20 a year to join which helps pay the few hundred dollars it costs for the domain and host website each year.
We want to promote you. All you have to do is say the word.
There is a new NEWS section on WWC at the top that will be updated every few days. Hopefully with your help. So check it out. https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Want to add to our NEWS? Then send some info through.
3. Is writing the loneliest possible thing?
Before I started writing my first book, I thought writers were loners who enjoyed their own company above all else. As a very sociable and outgoing person, that was one of my biggest fears. Who was I kidding? I thought to myself every single day. However, the burning desire to share my story was greater than my imposter syndrome and so my writingjourney began.
After a few months, I realised that my preconception wasn’t exactly true. There are many stages to the process of writing and publishing a book and with each of them comes the opportunity to involve people as contributors, mentors or advisors. Here are some of the other professionals you might be working with along the way depending on the path and approach you choose: editor, graphic designer, typesetter, web developer, publicist, etc.
From my experience, the more people you involve, the more input you get, the better your book will become. For example, I asked 13 family members and friends to give me feedback on the first version of my memoir Where to Next? Based on their comments, I changed 20 to 25% of my manuscript... even the end! One thing to remember though is that you are the one in the driver’s seat. This is your book, your story, your legacy so make sure to voice your opinions throughout the process. It is absolutely crucial that the work you are about to publish aligns with your vision and core values. Otherwise you won’t believe in it and thus will struggle to promote it.
So where can you find these people? Writers meetups are a great place to start! So far, the most wonderful people I have had the chance to work with have been recommended by fellow writers and creatives. For example, meetup goer and director extraordinaire Noel is the one who introduced me to the illustrator who brought my children’s book Where Are You From? to life.
See... Writing doesn’t have to be lonely! On that note, I shall hope to see you at the next event in the city ;-)
Solène Anglaret
Author of travel memoir Where to Next? and children’s book Where Are You From?
World traveller and storyteller passionate about the topics of home, identity and diversity.
@bebeyondborders
4. Your BLOG promotion - takes 5 minutes
It’s that time again to help your fellow writers out and make it so they can be noticed by readers around the world. The way we do this is by making one small comment on a writer’s blog or website or Facebook or other online platform.
How?
Reply to this email with a link to your recent blog post, Facebook post, Twitter post, website post, Instagram post, etc.
Then on the next Writers Sauce all the links you mentioned will be included in the email. After that everyone will click on as many links as they can for 5 minutes (make sure you all click on just one link for each author), read their post, and then make a comment.
5. Melbourne Writers Social Group upcoming events
Eastern suburbs meetup: The first Sunday of the month we are running writing Games in Ferntree Gully. This event will be centred around enjoyment. If you enjoy writing, then you should come along. If you haven’t written for a while, then these writing games will help spark you back to life. No experience or skill necessary.
Getting published, eastern suburbs: The second Tuesday of the month we chat about getting published, what is involved, and our experiences. No matter what stage of writingyou are in, then come along.
South Bank, Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food, and then drinks if you need them for later ;) There is music, and it is a cafe-bar, so bear this in mind and wear head phones if you need them while you write.
City Writer Group: Third Tuesday of the month we have our general friendly chatting and reading out of our work sessions - but only if you would like to read out your work, there is no pressure. Also, we talk about giving feedback on writing, book launches, fun writing tips, and other entertainment industry interests.
As with all our events, please get in touch if you would like to help with helping us run things. Any help you can offer is appreciated. The best way to do this is to come to one of our events and chat to the current event hosts about what you would like to do. We prefer to have two event hosts at each event, so where there is an opening we are happy for you to get involved.
6. Ticket to your writing career (or hobby)
We recently launched the Writers Symposium with us as hosts: World Writers Collective, and: The Story Mint. It’s going to be amazing! However, we need you to buy a ticket so that there is a future for writing in Melbourne (there is no profit in this undertaking, just lots of hard work).
So many exciting sessions to attend over the two days. Includes free membership with World Writers Collective as well as The Story Mint.
Lots of free stuff to give away as well.
Tickets: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/symposium Follow the link to Eventbrite.
We want to hear from you!
Yes, we really do.
We want feedback in any way shape or form. Even if it is to tell us you love us.
Stuff you may wish to reply about for our next Writers Sauce:
1) A few sentences on what writing means to you.
2) A paragraph or two about how you became a writer (or want to).
3) A great skill you picked up regarding editing, writing, publishing, etc.
4) The best place to write.
5) How chatting to others about writing made you a better writer.
7. Editing your writing
Free: Put your bio, query letter, or other writing into the Dropbox for people to check over.
Read the Read Me file in the Dropbox for instructions to upload your story (you will need to join Dropbox and supply your email to Mat Clarke to enable upload). Link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
We also have professional editors on hand to help with editing and evaluation of your writing at very competitive (low) prices. Check them out here: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-services
8. Important links
Post news about your writing, book launch, events, or event just a link to your latest blog/post/tweet: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1629658520414716
Important information about writing in general, and the Melbourne Writers Group: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters
Discuss anything you like that’s creative: https://www.facebook.com/groups/169777419779168
For people that want to discuss writing on a forum that is for everyone around the world: https://www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529
Your work edited for free by other writers. Give feedback to other writers to gain more practice editing your own work: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mx9e9m43ljweh11/AAD3I7-VKOT5XSL8As6k1UOxa?dl=0
Information on writing, writing competitions, professional editing, getting published, and more. Become a member for discounts: https://www.worldwriterscollective.com
Near Melbourne? Come to our group and meet other writers and chat. Everyone is welcome: https://www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
Previous email-outs with great information. https://www.worldwriterscollective.com/writers-sauce
The Story Mint newsletter for even more information. Subscribe here: http://www.thestorymint.com