Writers Sauce - WWC - MWS 24-February-2022
Welcome to Writers Sauce. We have three new topics for you to check out and it’s all about writing and winning prize money. See CONTENTS below.
Here’s what Christopher Kong said about World Writers Collective:
“Hi Mat - I came across your World Writers Collective site, including your post covering ‘editing tips’.
I’m writing this note to say a big THANKS. I think your site is a wonderful resource, and I really resonated with your comment on the benefit of giving/receiving feedback via writers groups. Despite your evident experience, I appreciate how your sharing comes across as very humble and accessible.
I’ve been working on a piece of creative non-fiction. Look forward to connecting and exchanging more ideas (and writing?) with each other!”
Luanne and Natalia are our newest subscribers. We now have 351 subscribers. You’ve joined a great group of writers :)
If anyone would like to invite friends to join us, forward this email to anyone anywhere in the world.
Become a paying member and you’ll get your own author profile page on WWC as well as the ability to promote yourself and your books via our main page. It’s only $20 a year, which helps to cover the costs of the website. Everyone who works on this website does so for free.
www.worldwriterscollective.com/wwc
If you want to add to this email with your own words of wisdom, let us know. Get in touch with us to let us know anything you think writers would like to know. We can also/otherwise add info to our NEWS section on the WWC website.
It’s all done for free and it’s off our own backs’. Please get involved if you have the time.
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 competitions - Might be the last one *NEW*
3. Promote your blog
4. Getting Into The Game - Part 1 *NEW*
5. The Story Mint
6. Breakout Writers Festival success!
7. Writer volunteer Jobs
8. Melbourne Writers Social Group events *NEW*
9. All Write! upcoming events
10. We want to hear from you
11. Join us and we’ll promote you
12. Essential Information for Writers
13. 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 2022 please review any book or script or poetry you like (yes, you can submit a review done on your story if you like).
Here’s a review by Magz Morgan of Cecile Ravell’s story: https://ravellc.wixsite.com/ravell-the-writer
‘Coming, Frankwen’. The voice of the three-year-old child calling to her brother and hero, opens Child Magical. Cecile Ravell’s story is a memoir of a childhood in transit, from Brooklyn, New York, to Malta then Melbourne, Australia.
In a series of poignant and funny cameos, seen through the eyes of a little girl, Ravell brings to life an intimate immigrant tale. The vignettes follow this feisty little girl from moments of triumph, to moments of indignation, as she becomes aware of her position as an outsider in a society that values fair-haired children, and as a girl who plays second fiddle to a family culture that reveres boys.
Child Magical provides valuable insights into the reality of what it feels and looks like, for a girl, growing up; in particular, an immigrant girl.
Read it slowly, savour it in your favourite armchair, or read it quickly on public transport. Either way, Ravell’s story is a good read, piquant and thought-provoking.’
Magz Morgan, author, ‘Motherlands’.
2. Competitions
Current and upcoming competitions:
Short story competitions - World Writers Collective
A. The big one - WWC Golden Pen Award - Win $250 First Prize
Second prize is $100 to spend in a Red Bubble store and one-year membership of Creative Writers Collective. The third prize will be a FREE entry to any one of the competitions for a year and one-year membership of Creative Writers Collective.
All winners will be published in the anthology.
We may need to halt competitions after this latest big prize due to not having a competitions manager. If you would like to become the manager, please let Mat Clarke know.
Coming up (TBA):
The Quick Creative - limited words and limited time. Join us and win cash!
Need help with writing short stories? Go to our competitions tab page 1. We have added hints and tips to help you write the best short story ever. There is a video by Ray Stone, which is a great resource. Our writing competition winners have given their tips and Mat Clarke has added his thoughts. You can also check out our editing tips page.
www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
www.worldwriterscollective.com/editing-tips
www.worldwriterscollective.com
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/join
If you are one of the top winners of the competition, you will be included in the 2022 anthology. That's just one of the great reasons to get involved with the anthology!
We also want to promote you and your writing. All you have to do is say the word. When you are a member, it’s free!
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.
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 a few from Magz Morgan and the positive comment she received:
THANK you both, and the writers’ collective for all the moral support. When I get a message like this, I feel like crying. Maggie
“I just read both of these pieces and found them to be exceptional. You really have developed your talent. When I read the article on writing, I felt that I had a tutor sitting next to me sharing her secrets, while the short story was a delicious gossipy tale that I friend might share. I think that the first article gave me an insight into how hard you have worked to hone your skills. I am impressed with the quality of your writing. Don't stop.”
Linda Douglas
Here’s another by Cecile Ravell
www.artsish.org/artists/cecile
4. Getting Into The Game - Part 1
A short piece about my experiences of trying to get published, and about the world publishing market of which Australia forms a part. I welcome feedback! particularly if you have been forced to turn to overseas publishers.
By Thérèse Quinlan
Contact: zukeyenterprises@gmail.com
It’s not easy for an author to get into the publishing game, as many will know. Everyone’s experience will be different, of course, depending on the genre, the person’s connections and personality, and countless other factors. Also, different writers have different aspirations: some are content to have put the words down on paper; others are happy to have self-published a few copies of their magnum opus to give to friends and family. Others, like me, have a drive within them that demands recognition by the wider world. This entails full-scale publication and promotion by one of the “trades”, and a commitment to the life of an author, a public figure, in spite of one’s natural introspection.
However, persuading a publishing house to take one on is not as easy as it sounds. Some authors make it sound natural, even inevitable, but this may be because their uncle is a publisher, and the family has taken it for granted that one day they would become a writer. For me as for most of us, the situation is very different! Our relatives have zero connection with publishing, and they are appalled by our desire to be an author. We have to become our own mentors, to create our own self-belief.
At the same time, Australia is a small market, and although there are quite a few independent local publishers, they tend to specialise in a particular area such as academic publishing or cookbooks. Nothing wrong with that, but it limits the opportunities of writers whose genre doesn’t fit their business model. (And yes, business models are a thing, and writers need to see themselves as small business-people.)
The big publishers are mostly branch offices of international houses headquartered in New York or London. The “big five” control the industry world-wide, and if Penguin Random House (which has 25% of the world market) gets its way, it will soon take over Simon and Schuster, leaving only four dominant companies, and further centralising power in few hands.
This doesn’t necessarily mean fewer opportunities for Australian writers, since the dominant big five have numerous imprints which cater to particular market sectors. In addition, there are numerous niche publishers catering to smaller sections of the market, even quite outré ones.
Read Writers Sauce next month for the second part to Getting Into The Game.
5. The Story Mint
Join Part 2 of our "From STEM to STEAM" series to explore how we can successfully put the Arts into STEM and involve those skills we learn through the Arts (particularly writing!) to achieve great results. webinar: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/create-lesson-plans-with-the-arts-writing-in-mind-tickets-194124861687
Join Our Lockdown Writing Competition for Students!
Why are we doing this?
We know lockdown can get a bit much with the same routine day in, day out, staying indoors, unable to meet with friends. Students are feeling it, parents are feeling it, teachers are feeling it.
We wondered how best to add some fun into the day-to-day reality of lockdown while still keeping everyone safe. So…let’s write!
Link to more information: www.worldwriterscollective.com/the-story-mint
How do I enter?
The competition is free to enter for all school (including home-schooled) students Y4-13 in Australia and New Zealand, and gives you full access to the Stylefit software so you get instant visual feedback as you write!
All you need to do is flick an e-mail to anna@stylefit.org saying you’d like to participate. Let us know if you’re a teacher wishing to enter your students or if you’re a student entering individually*. We’ll get your free writing account set up so that you can have direct access to the software and its feedback throughout the whole competition.
What do I write about?
We’ve got a few visual prompts set up in each category (Year 4-6, Year 7-8, Year 9-10 and Year 11-13). You can find these here[link to updates site page]. Inspire your imagination with the image OR pick a topic of your own choosing. As long as you stick to the word count, we’ll eagerly read your work!
What are you waiting for?
Send an e-mail to anna@stylefit.org and get writing! There are prizes to be won!
6. Breakout Writers Festival success!
by Mat Clarke
An amazing Writer Event streamed to you online.
We had contributors from all over the world and different writer groups involved, including World Writers Collective, The Story Mint and Melbourne Writers Social Group.
The great news is you can enjoy the entire event or sections of the event you believe you will find interesting right now. All you have to do is visit our webpage: www.worldwritercollective.com/breakout-writer-conference
7. Writer volunteer jobs
We would love you to join our network of writers as a creative leader and help you further everyone's knowledge of writing. No doubt, you'll learn more about yourself and your writing as well. Have a read below and see what fits your personal skills and lifestyle. Commit to what you can and we'll see you in the trenches. Most of all, have fun!
Opportunities:
Manager of writing competitions
Website manager
Information officer
Assistant to managers and officers
Writing Competition Judges
Event host - multiple required (Melbourne only)
Further details: www.worldwriterscollective.com/job-vacancies
These are all volunteer positions.
Your position includes free membership, a discount for any events you attend, free access to catering (if supplied) and an allowance for the manager positions (see position details).
Commit for 12 months or longer.
8. Melbourne Writers Social events
Recently we discussed how to win writing competitions and what judges look for. If you would like to learn more, check out our website: www.worldwriterscollective.com/writing-competitions
The previous month we talked about our favourite books to read and linking to each other via Goodreads. We would like to start linking to each other so we can recommend books to each other and promote the few authors in our group. Post up your Goodreads link via comments below, if you are reading this on our blog, or post it via our Facebook groups:
www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529
www.facebook.com/groups/169777419779168
Mat Clarke - link to me and find others: www.goodreads.com/author/show/6898385.Mat_Clarke
Our main flagship event runs at the Wharf Hotel on the third Tuesday of the month. Please join us - all are welcome, even if you are only thinking of starting out in a creative field.
Click here to RSVP, check time and place of events: www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
We meet online every Monday from 6.30pm and show each other our work and chat about everything creative.
South Bank Write Now: Second Saturday of the month. The venue is generally quiet, opens early, free wifi, good coffee, food as well as 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.
Melbourne Central: One Sunday a month. We are nestled in the back corner of the upstairs food court near the windows, past the colourful piano, behind the big clock. We meet to write mostly, but you are free to chat with others who would like to do so.
Not currently running: Eastern suburbs meet. Laura, Stephanie and Mat are exploring a cafe in Croydon to meet at, which will be run on certain Sundays. We will get back to you soon on how it will be run and what the format will be. Likely it will involve the return of our writing games event with prompts to get you writing and enjoy yourself.
Not currently running: Writers of the South, let’s write: This is for southern Melbourne, down as far as the Clayton and Mentone area. Anyone can attend and join in and write your heart out (and have ice cream).
Not currently running: Writers Workshop: If you want to work through a piece, then come along to the Eltham Library and let us help you create your best work.
Not currently running: Treehouse Writing: Join us in Olinda for a sanctuary in the hills where we write and relax.
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 in as well. Go to them all and see what you like . . . but then come back to MWS and bring more great people with you. Haha ;)
www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
More links below
9. All Write! upcoming events
A place where you can write in Melbourne Central. 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.
www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
More links below
10. 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.
11. Join us and we’ll promote you
You're Not Alone
Come take the journey with us
Become a member for $20 per year. We would also like to stress that if you can not afford the $20, we would like you as a member anyway. You can pay WWC when you have the money available.
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 the website and member writers platforms
12. 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.
READ MORE HERE: www.worldwriterscollective.com/writers-sauce
13. Important Links
Post news about your writing, book launch, events, or event just a link to your latest blog/post/tweet: www.facebook.com/groups/1629658520414716
Important information about writing in general, and the Melbourne Writers Group: www.facebook.com/MelbWriters
Discuss anything you like that’s creative: www.facebook.com/groups/169777419779168
For people who want to discuss writing on a forum that is for everyone around the world: www.facebook.com/groups/570847673015529
Information on writing, writing competitions, professional editing, getting published, and more. Become a member for discounts: www.worldwriterscollective.com
Near Melbourne? Come to our group and meet other writers and chat. Everyone is welcome: www.meetup.com/Melbourne-Writers
Previous email-outs with great information.www.worldwriterscollective.com/writers-sauce
The Story Mint newsletter for even more information. Subscribe here: www.thestorymint.com
Writers Sauce - WWC
World Writers Collective
