Sometimes the best thing you can do as a writer is put down your pen and partake in a literary event, be it an author talk, book club or other writing adventure. Here are some excellent ideas to get you started.

In Melbourne, Paper Trail Tours have two events coming up soon. A literary walking tour of Melbourne on June 15, and a walking tour for literary singles on June 22. In Brisbane, Avid Reader has a constant stream of events for book lovers, including The Young and the Restless bookclub specifically for readers aged 18-35. We could all plan a weekend away at the Byron Bay Writers’ Festival in August. For everyone else, Australian Poetry Slam heats are about to start all over the country, you can sign up to compete or just head along to watch the magic by checking out details on their website. 

Opportunities and Events

Applications to the government’s Creative Young Stars Program are now open, with amounts up to $3,000 available for people 25 and under. These are distributed equally over the country, so get your entry in before June 21. More details here.

If you’re in Adelaide perhaps you would like to attend the In Place workshop on writing about place in both fiction and non-fiction. It takes place on June 22 at the Writers’ Centre. Incidentally, did you know the SA Writers’ Centre has a dedicated section of their website for young people, and has some excellent facilities and resources for emerging writers? There’s even a $15 membership for under 18s.

On the same day in Sydney, writers can attend Moments of Grace: A Poetry Workshop with Peter Skrzynecki. Further details on the NSW Writers’ Centre website.

If you’re in the ACT, head along to hear high school student Jessica Wood talk about how she scored a three book publishing deal. Details here.

In Tasmania on June 22 and 23 you can participate in Island magazine’s Longest Write weekend with a writing retreat, workshops and facilitators on hand to get your creative work moving. More details on the Tasmanian Writers’ Centre website.

Today’s quote is a confirmation that sometimes we just have to keep chipping away.

When asked, “How do you write?” I invariably answer, “One word at a time,” and the answer is invariably dismissed. But that is all it is. It sounds too simple to be true, but consider the Great Wall of China, if you will: one stone at a time, man. That’s all. One stone at a time. But I’ve read you can see that motherfucker from space without a telescope – Stephen King

How do you go about tracking how you’re doing as a writer?

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