The John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers 2010 is now open for entries.

$5500 total prize money and publication in Voiceworks and on the Express Media website.

Two age categories:
- under 18
- 18-24

Two submission categories:
- poetry
- short story or first chapter of a novel.

Entries close 5pm Friday 20th August 2010.

Download the entry form and guidelines below.

Proudly presented by Express Media and John Marsden.

The aim of Electioneering is to cover the 2010 Federal Election the way young voters need it to be – free from political jargon and with a focus on the way the big issues affect young people. Funded by The Myer Foundation, Express Media sought young writers who now contribute to the content of Electioneering. See what they have to say by clicking on the link below.

link:
www.electioneering2010.wordpress.com/

... but were too afraid to ask. A free workshop for 13-20 year olds with current Voiceworks editor Johannes Jakob at Signal.

Learn everything about writing, submitting and getting published in Voiceworks Magazine.

Wednesday 8 September 2010 from 5-7pm.

Signal is in the heart of the city behind Flinders Street Station. See map below.

Free, but bookings required at artisticdirector (@) expressmedia (dot) org (dot) au

  
SignalMap.jpg (image/jpeg)

Writing for Young Adults

The Big Splash is a day-long mini festival consisting of a keynote speech, two workshops and a panel discussion. The Big Splash returns on Saturday September 18 with everything you ever wanted to know about writing for the young adult market. $45. Limited numbers. The Big Splash is aimed at writers between 15 and 30 although no upper age limit is enforced.

10.30am
Keynote Speech by Steph Bowe: Writing YA - More Than Just A Teenage Protagonist.

11am
Workshop 1: Throwing Rocks: Structure and Story with Lili Wilkinson.
or
Workshop 2: First Person: Voice Through Character with Penni Russon.

1 – 1.30pm
Lunch

1.30pm
Workshop 1: Throwing Rocks: Structure and Story with Lili Wilkinson.
or
Workshop 2: First Person: Voice Through Character with Penni Russon.

3.30pm
Break

4-5pm - Panel Session: The Great Divide – adult vs young adult novels. Discussion points will include: what is a crossover book? What is a ‘young adult’? How are they marketed differently? With Steph Bowe, Lili Wilkinson and Penni Russon.

Steph Bowe is a 16-year-old YA author. Her debut novel, Girl Saves Boy, will be published by Text Publishing in September. She writes a blog at heyteenager.blogspot.com.

Penni Russon is the author of eight novels, including the luminous Undine trilogy, and most recently Dear Swoosie, written in collaboration with Kate Constable.

Lili Wilkinson is a reader and writer of Young Adult literature. First published in Voiceworks when she was eleven, Lili now manages Inside a Dog (insideadog.com.au), a website for teenagers about reading at the State Library of Victoria. Her books include Scatterheart, Angel Fish and Pink.

link:
Book here

The full Signal program is below. Download for workshops and panel sessions for young writers and media makers (13-20).

Workshop - How To Write a Poem

Seriously, it just sounds like angst! Find inspiration, ideas and ways to make your poem stand out.
With Sean M Whelan
Wednesday 14 July 2010 from 5-7pm at... >> read more

The Big Splash – The Novel with John Marsden, Steven Amsterdam and Jessica Au.

Saturday July 10 10am-5.30pm at Express Media, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

The Big Splash is a day-long... >> read more

Express Media is launching Voiceworks #81 Birthmark at the Bella Union Bar in Melbourne, 6pm-8.30pm on Friday, July 2nd.

Come and celebrate the latest instalment of Australia's premier... >> read more

Wednesday June 30 4 – 6pm at Express Media, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

What’s the difference between a curly question and a boring one? Which is more important: research or rapport?... >> read more

Wednesday June 30 2-4pm at Express Media, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Ever wanted to get published in a website or newspaper? Experienced freelancer Ben Eltham takes you through the... >> read more

Tuesday June 29 2-4pm at Express Media, 176 Little Lonsdale St. Melbourne.

After you’ve written it, edited it, polished and polished it again, what do you do? Find out which magazines, journals,... >> read more

Monday June 28 2-4pm at Express Media, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Most famous cartoonists and graphic novelists cut their teeth in mini-comics. In this workshop we'll take you... >> read more

Monday June 28 11-1pm at Express Media, 176 Little Lonsdale St, Melbourne.

$20

Ever thought that you'd like to be the next Neil Gaiman or Alan Moore? In this workshop we'll take you through... >> read more

Free workshop for writers between 13-20 at Signal.

Wednesday 9 June, 5-7pm.

with Liam Pieper.

Which magazines can you send your work to? Who can you approach for support? Come and get some... >> read more

Workshop and panel session for 13-20 year olds.

Learn the bits and pieces of writing articles and opinion pieces for the media. You will also find out where you can send them, once... >> read more