The Society of Women Writers, Tasmania, Inc.

Incorporation No: IA 08090 ABN: 91 079 957 602

FEBRUARY, 2016

Stylus
THEME FOR FEBRUARY/MARCH, 2016
...Twins...
Deadline: 20th March 2016
(short poem, or prose up to 750 words)

Our Patron: Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency,

Professor the Honourable Kate Warner

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

INDEX:

1. President's Message
2. From the Desk
Committee & Magazine Editors
Letters to Editor / Credits
3. Dinner at Government House
4. Dinner at Government House
5. Writings based on our theme for December:
Please Dont Close the Door
6. SWW Tas News and Events
7. Competitions & Opportunities
8. Competitions & Opportunities
9. Festivals
10. Organisations/Useful Resources
11. Other opportunities

ANY NEWS?
If you have some exciting news to convey about
your writing success, a book release, perhaps a
competition win, please send the information to me
at pedla@hotkey.net.au
...Ed

Hello to all!!! February already!!! And I just got used to

writing 2016!
I hope the New Year continues to bring you new
goals, hopes and achievements.
Please also keep the past in mind, and from it learn
pearls of wisdom for the future. A New Year is a new
beginning; we all have the opportunity to rediscover
ourselves, and bring a new confidence forward, both
in our writing and publishing journey, and in our
personal lives. I am looking forward to working harder
with my writing this year. Perhaps this was my New
Year resolution?
In Tasmania, the State of Four Seasons in One Day,
January 2016 brought us bushfires, floods, hail and
heavy rainfall all within a few days! I spent most of
that month escaping from civilisation camping with
a large group of friends on a property in the north of
the State where there was no phone or Internet
access, no electricity, plumbing or buildings but we
had a great time cooking over open fires (and using
gas during times of total fire bans), swimming in the
river and looking after each other. It was also a time
for workshops including writing, poetry and art, and
late-night concerts, featuring original plays, songs and
music.
I hope each and every person reading this had time to
rest and recharge their creative selves, and are, like
me, looking forward to what the remainder of the year
will bring us.
th
Please mark your calendar for Saturday 6 August
when SWWT hosts the Alice Award in Launceston!
There will be a dinner, guest speakers, award
presentations and LOTS of fun and friendship! More
about this wonderful event will be published in the
next issue of Stylus so, until then, keep reading,
writing and publishing!
Best regards,
Yvonne Gluyas

FROM THE DESK...

COMMITTEE

Greetings Everyone, and Happy New Year,

Where did January go? As far as the Society of Women Writers goes, I feel
like a newby, despite having started the group originally somewhere
around 1989. And, this time round as Editor of the Societys newsletter is
certainly very different from back then. Hopefully, this issue of Stylus will
be third time lucky will come out on time, be emailed with the right
contents, and will be mailed on time. I can only thank you all for your
patience as I struggle to organise my time and update myself on my
computer so that I can emulate the excellent job of the previous Stylus
editor, Rose, whose help has been invaluable..
Please continue to send me articles, information, creative work, photos,
credits etc., and once again I would really appreciate if material could arrive
WRITING THEME FOR AUGUST-SEPTEMBER,
2015: ...eight... (see page 1 for details)
th
in my email inbox by the 20 of March. There is some leeway in this, but
not a lot! I aim to have the issue out by the end of the first week in
February.
Send to: pedla@hotkey.net.au or by snailmail: 721 West Tamar Highway,
Legana, 7277
I look forward to meeting you all over time, and getting to know some of
you at our monthly SWW Tas meetings in Launceston.
Regards,
Marilyn Arnold
P.S. Just a note: this year is the 20 year anniversary of the Society of
Women Writers National Conference which took place in Tasmania
(Launceston) in 1996. It was a fantastic amount of work for the small
dedicated Tasmanian Executive to achieve, and was a huge success.

RESPONSE TO A THEME
...eight...

President
Yvonne Gluyas
Telephone: 0413321834
Vice President (North):
Elizabeth Russell-Arnot
Telephone: 0409 962 529
Vice President (South):
Robyn Mathison
Telephone: 6234 4418
(afternoons only)
Treasurer & Public Officer:
Jane Waite
3 Hawley Street, Newstead, 7250
Telephone: 63342842
Minutes Secretary:
Ros Sydes
Competitions Secretary:
Wendy Laing

Magazine Co-ordinator

MAGAZINE EDITORS
Jane Waite
Coffee Break:
Robyn Mathison
Telephone: 6234 4418
(afternoons only)
Overflow:

MEMBERS NEWS AND CREDITS :

Ripples
Yvonne Saw

Kate Tongs has launched a poetry anthology called 'Falling

into birdsong' The launch was held at the Republic Bar in
Hobart in December. Well done, Kate! .

eWings (electronic
poetry magazine):
Rose Frankcombe

Marilyn Arnold is taking part in the Tamar Valley Writers

Festival between 18th and 20th March, as the Festival Poet in
Residence.
Leonie Dennison has had nine stories in Zoo-thology, a
book of stories edited by Sally Odgers, and sixteen poems in
another book, edited by Sally but not published as yet.
Helen Brumby has had a poem in the last issue of Stylus,
and Please Dont Close the Door in this issue.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------TAMAR VALLEY WRITERS FESTIVAL
2016 PROGRAMME LAUNCH
THURSDAY 11TH February 2016 at Petrarchs
Bookshop in Brisbane Street, Launceston
At 6.30 p.m. for 7 p.m.
2

CONTACT
Website Administrator:
Rose Frankcombe
http://www.swwtas.org

Stylus Editor
Marilyn Arnold
pedla@hotkey.net.au

Contact SWWT Email:

swwtas@gmail.com

DINNER AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE

By YVONNE GLUYAS
Following the appointment of the Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency, Professor the Honourable Kate
Warner, as Patron of SWWT, she invited the SWWT President Yvonne Gluyas and Vice President
South, Robyn Mathison, to have dinner with her at Government House, Hobart, on Tuesday 1st
December 2015.
I was absolutely thrilled to receive the phone call inviting Robyn and myself, and I must admit, at first I
thought it was someone playing a joke on me! It is not every day that Government House calls you!
The official written invitation, embossed with a gold crown, then landed in my mail box and the serious
task of seeking suitable formal wear soon became a priority. Thanks to SWWT member Ros, who
opened her wardrobe for me, some selective shopping and using items I already owned, I was soon
kitted out in silver, black and pearls, with a turquoise jacket for a dash of colour. Meeting up with Robyn
in the garden of Government House, we just had time for a quick photo together before being led inside
by the Governors Aide de Camp who, in typical This Is Tasmania style, was an old friend of Robyns!
Let me describe the house. I absolutely loved it! We didnt get to explore all of its 73 rooms, but what
we saw was so impressive! Built in 1857 from sandstone quarried on site, this palatial gothic revival
house stands within 37 acres of landscaped grounds on a hill in the Queens Domain, overlooking the
Royal Botanical Gardens. Slate on the roof was imported from Wales. Inside, cedar and teak features
were constructed with timber from an old ship, and its furniture included many items imported from
England in the 1850s.
The evening began with a glass of Champagne in the Drawing Room with the 16 other dinner guests,
including the guests of honour, the Ambassador of Portugal, His Excellency Mr Paulo Cunha-Alves, and
Mrs Filomena Cunha-Alves, who were visiting from the Portuguese Embassy Canberra. We admired the
old piano and larger-than-life sized portraits of Kings and Queens before being led into the Dining Room.
Here, candlelight gleamed off polished timber and silverware, the cutlery and glassware were engraved
with GH, reminding us again that we were at Government House, and the atmosphere was friendly and
inviting. I was seated between her Excellency the Governor and Robyn Mathison, and opposite Mr
Richard Warner. Other guests included Ms Jan Cameron, Mr Young Dawkins, Mrs Ruth Dawkins, Ms
Angela Bird, Mr John Kenny, Mr Javier Herbon, Mrs Alice Herbon, Mr Glynn Williams and Mrs Chantal
Williams.

Robyn Mathison and

Yvonne Gluyas
inside Government
House

Between the four courses I had long talks to The Governor, her husband and other guests about SWWT,
writing and other literary subjects, as well as gardening, travel, history and how wonderful Tasmania is.
And the food!! How can I not tell you about the onion soup served with Rosemary shortbread, the
Atlantic salmon, the port glazed quail and, to finish, a dessert plate featuring pistachios, chocolate cake
and poached pears! All with wines to match, of course.
Retiring to the drawing room for coffee and chocolate truffles, and more mingling with dinner guests, the
evening was soon over and Robyn and I bade our farewells. We had our photos taken in the entrance
hall before stepping out into the night air, and strolling off down the hill, before catching a passing taxi
home.
That, dear readers, was dinner at Government House. Robyn and I were deeply honoured to represent
the Society of Women Writers Tasmania, and thrilled that our Patron invited us there so she could
personally meet us. I hope
this is just a start of a long and friendly connection between SWWT and the Governor of Tasmania, Her
Excellency, Professor the Honourable Kate Warner.

The Hon.Kate Warner, at Government House

SWW Tas President,

Yvonne Gluyas, and
Vice-President
(South), Robyn
Mathison, all dressed
up for their dinner with
our Patron, the Hon.
Kate Warner, at
Government House

OUR WRITING CHALLENCE FOR THIS ISSUE: ( theme: please dont close the door)
PLEASE DONT CLOSE THE DOOR

Poem for Jason

Winnie the Pooh now safely down from the tree,

a sleepy Roo curled in a cosy pouch,
and small sleepy son tucked into bed,
a kiss still warm on his smooth cheek,
I got up to leave.
Please dont shut the door!
came an urgent whisper.
Remembering childhood fears,
the monsters that come in the dark,
I left the door ajar.

Please dont close the door.

Hes still here somewhere;
I hear his voice, drawling country-style
Please dont close the door.
I dont want to forget his naivety,
His clumsiness, his wanting to please
Please dont close the door.
My memorys poor, of his face, his smile,
And Ive no photograph.

I heard them coming up my stairs:

determined adult tread,
the reluctant shuffle of a child.
Good morning, cried the woman. Lovely day!
The little girl behind her
hid her unhappy face in her mothers skirt.
Ive come to tell you about God! said the woman,
waving her highly coloured brochure.
My face betrayed my feelings;
Please dont close the door!
she cried with urgency
No thank you, not today, was my reply,
as I shut the door with a firm and final click.

Please dont close the door,

Not entirely. Hes my friend,
And once the door is closed,
He cant come back again.

Marilyn Arnold

Helen Brumby

Meet Carole Wilkinson

at the Launceston Library, Civic Square,

March 21st
from 4 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Carole is best known for her award winning Dragonkeeper series. She will be speaking about her
latest book Atmospheric: The Burning Story of Climate Change. Atmospheric discusses the history as
well as current scientific information about climate change. The human face anecdotes from people
throughout history makes this book not just interesting reading but very personal. This is for
readers from the age of 10 to 100.
One lucky person will win a signed copy of Caroles latest book.
This session is sponsored by Friends of the Library.

TICKETED LITERARY FUNCTIONS TAMAR VALLEY WRITERS FESTIVAL

2016 Festival Cocktail Party, 18th March, mingle with the Festivals writers, from 7 p.m. at the
Pavilion, Windsor Park Precinct, Riverside. Cost $50 per ticket
Literary Lunch at Tamar Ridge Estate, Rosevears. 19th March, 12.30 p.m. Kerry OBrien in conversation
with Roisin McCann on his life in politics and journalism and on his book, Keating. Cost $95
Literary Lunch at Elmslie Tasmania Function Centre, Upper McEwans Road, Legana, 19th March, 12.30
p.m., Hilary Burden in conversation with Sally Wise on food, literacy and education. Cost $95 per ticket
2016 Festival Literary Dinner at Hotel Grand Chancellor, Launceston. 20th March, 7.30 p.m. Patrick
Lindsay in conversation with David Hill and Rohan Wilson. Special Guest to be announced. Cost $150
per ticket.
5

SWW NEWS:
ALICE AWARD
Alice Award Nominations Tasmanian entrant
Dont forget that the Society of Women Writers Tasmania will be hosting the Alice Award in Launceston
on 6 August 2016. Nominations for a Tasmanian entrant are requested. The Alice Award was
established to honour an Australian woman writer who, by her writing, has made a long term and
significant contribution to Australian literature and has advanced the cause of writing in Australia and/or
the world. You are invited to send in nominations. If you would like to nominate a particular writer,
please prepare a biography and a summary of their contribution to Australian Literature.
Please forward to Ros Sydes, home email rsy59995@bigpond.net.au or by post to: Secretary SWWT,
30 Myrtle Road, Youngtown, Tas. 7249 by closing date March 31, 2016.

Launceston SWW meeting for February:

was attended by about fifteen members,

with two new writers visiting who will, we hope, become members. We had no guest speaker this time;
about six members shared their homework writings - A Conversation Between 2 Voices in prose or
poetry, and one member shared her poem based on the Stylus writing challenge for this months issue
(Please Dont Close the Door). Some discussion took place on whether writers should always be paid
for their services. If you have any opinions on this, why not write a letter to the editor for the next issue
of Stylus? An amusing comment (and interesting advice) was made during another discussion, on how
to cure writers block when writing your romance novel, if you get stuck, shoot your characters. Also,
the winning poem of the Robyn Mathison Poetry Award was read, as well as judges comments.
Afterwards, most stayed for the committee meeting.

Launceston SWW meeting, March 7th Ida Burchill Room, 10 a.m.

The homework for the SWW Tas North meeting on March 7th will be: Write a piece of prose or poetry up
to 250 words using the word or theme Storm

Upcoming Writing Workshops

Writing workshops will be held this year as a fund-raiser for the Alice Award

For instance: Writing Romance, taken by Romance writer extraordinaire, Mary Hawkins. Dont miss
your chance to learn about the art of writing romance by an established romance writer at a minimal
cost.
These workshops will take place at Maggies Place in Paterson Street, between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Cost
is only $25.00, and $20 for SWW members !
Dates are not yet finalized.
Please contact SWW Secretary for details of dates, those taking workshops, etc., email
rsy59995@bigpond.net.au. With regard to payment, direct deposit would be appreciated. See
http://www.swwtas.org for direct deposit details.

RAFFLE :

Also as a fundraiser, a raffle is being organized by Joy Elizabeth. If you have anything
you can contribute towards prizes for this raffle please contact Joy on joybelles@maisonrond.com
And, if possible, send her a photo of the item online.

COMPETITIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

All care has been taken sourcing the following information but, please, always check the details for yourself.

Feb 14

Little Gems Romantic Short Story Competition

Enter a PG-rated short story up to 3000 wds in this Romance Writers of Australias
competition for your opportunity to have your work included in their next Little Gems anthology
which has a theme of SUNSTONE. You must be a member to enter. A sample score sheet is
available for you to see what the judges are wanting in your story. 1st $200 2nd $100 3rd $75.
Competition opens 24th January. Also holding The Little Gems Cover Contest opens 24th
January, closes 14th February. Free entry. Prize $75 plus published as cover of the anthology.
Go to www.romanceaustralia.com for all details. All enquiries to Lis Hoorweg
RWAlittlegems@gmail.com

Feb 14

First Kiss Competition

Also offered by Romance Writers of Australia, this competition gives you the opportunity
showcase that romantic tension in a 1500-wd scene involving your protagonists first kiss,
plus a half-page setup. Must be an unpublished RWA member, e/fee $22. Opens 29th
January Email entries only, max of 2. www.romanceaustralia.com to check this one out. All
enquiries to Deb Cox rwafirstkiss@gmail.com

Feb 29

The Norman McVicker Award

For those 22 years and younger. Short Stories 2000 wds Poetry 100 words 1st $800 2nd $200
3rd $100 HC & C E/fees $5. Go to https://mudgeevalleywriters.wordpress.com/competition/
for details.

February 3rd Tamar Valley Writer's Festival Short story competition. The Festival short story
competition celebrates creative writing across all age groups. The three categories for
entrants are adult, young writers eighteen and under and Tasmanian primary school
students. In addition, awards will be given for the best Indigenous entry and the best
multicultural entry. The entry fee for adult writers aged 18 and above is $10. Entry is free for
writers under 18 years of age. Prize money is $600 and the best ten stories will be
published in an anthology. Details on the
website http://www.tamarvalleywritersfestival.com.au/#!short-story-comp/c23ht
February 28 Vine Leaves Literary Journal and Press call for submissions: Vignette
Founded in 2011, Vine Leaves is an Australian online & print literary journal & small press which
specialises in vignettes, the forgotten literary form. As of September 1, 2015, they publish
biannually online and in print.
They are calling for submissions for their May Issue (2016),
submission period between September 1st 2015 February 28th 2016. (Vignette is a
word that originally meant something that may be written on a vine-leaf. Its a snapshot in
words. It differs from flash fiction or a short story in that its aim does not lie within the realms
of traditional structure or plot. The vignette focuses on one element, mood, character, setting
or object. Its descriptive, excellent for character or theme exploration and wordplay.
Through a vignette, you create an atmosphere. A vignette can be written in a variety of
forms: Prose / poetry / script
March 4 The Text Prize for Young Adult and Children's Writing open from 1 February. The $10,000
prize aims to discover incredible new books for young adults and children by Australian and
New Zealand writers. Awarded annually to the best manuscript written for young readers, the
prize has unearthed extraordinary, multi-award-winning books and launched international
publishing careers. Published and unpublished writers of all ages are eligible to enter with
works of fiction or non-fiction. To help writers prepare the best manuscript possible weve put

together a handy guide on our blog that answers some frequently asked questions about the
Text Prize: www.textpublishing.com.au/blog/your-guide-to-entering-the-10-000-text-prize. For
more information about the prize, and to download the entry form, you can
visit: www.textpublishing.com.au/text-prize
March 15
The Australian Poetry Journal is taking submissions. Poets, both Australian born or
international, are invited to submit, in one email, up to three poems. For more information on the
Journal, please visit: http://apj.australianpoetry.org/ Email submissions to
apjsubmissions@gmail.com. Each poem must be sent in both word.doc and pdf formats. Submissions
must be accompanied by a bio of up to 100 words and your contact details (phone, postal address,
email). Please specify if you are a subscriber to Australian Poetry. Poems are chosen by the editor on
merit and there is no advantage given to subscribers. Subscription however is strongly encouraged as it
makes our publications viable and vital. If you are not yet a subscriber, please go to:
http://www.australianpoetry.org/support/become-an-ap-subscriber/
Further information for 2016 publications:
Australian Poetry Journal 6.2: submission dates will be 15 July to 15 September, pub date 21 November.
Australian Poetry Anthology 2016 (eds. Tbc), open to current subscribers only: submission dates will be
15 July to 15 September, pub date 21 November.
March 25
ELEVATE is a new works initiative for Australian playwrights. Submissions are invited by
writers aged 18 and over of one act plays with a duration between 45 60 minutes. There are two
categories: young adult submission round for writers 18 25 (please note that writers must be 18 by 27
May 2016) and open submission round for writers 26+.
March 31 Tasmanian quarterly journal, Island is currently taking submissions for fiction, nonfiction and
poetry for issues throughout the year.
March 31

ETHEL WEBB POETRY COMPETITION SWW WA

Open theme. Prizes: First $500; Second $300; Third $150 Highly commended and
commended certificates will also be awarded
Entry Fees: $8 per entry; 2 Entries $15; 3 Entries $21 Maximum of three (3) poems per
competitor
See website: www.swwofwa.com
Conditions of Entry: 1. Poems must not exceed 100 lines. 2. original work of the author. 3.
Entries must not have won a prize or been previously published, must not be under
consideration elsewhere. 4. Entries must be printed on one side of A4 paper, pages numbered
and clearly typed in 12 font (Times New Roman or Courier preferred). 5. The authors name
must not appear on the manuscript, only on the entry form. 6. Use paper clips to fasten pages
or attach entry form and payment.
7. Cheques/money orders to be made payable to Society of Women Writers WA Inc. Or direct
deposit to: Westpac Account BSB 036-004 Account No. 147696, quoting EWB and your
surname.
Please enclose copy of the transaction with entry. Cash not accepted.
8. Judges decision is final. 9. Entries will not be returned.. 10. The Society of Women
Writers WA reserves the right to publish winning poems on website and newsletter. Selected
entries may be published in an anthology. 11. Copyright remains with author. 12. Signing of
entry form signifies acceptance of the above conditions. Enquiries: swwofwa@gmail.com or
0415 840 031

April 2

Anthology AFTER GALLIPOLI/ ANAKKALE

- This is a call for poems for a project
that will bring Turkish, Australian and New Zealand poets together to respond to the centenary
of the Gallipoli campaign of 1915.

The aim of the project is to encourage a conversation across cultures and languages that will
culminate in the publication of a bilingual collection of English-language and Turkish-language
poems loosely themed around the Gallipoli/ anakkale centenary commemorations.
Send poems (maximum 2) to all 3 the Australasian editors Kit
Kelen: KitKelen@gmail.com, Robyn Rowland: bysea@bigpond.com & Les
Wicks: leswicks@hotmail.com by April 2 . Turkish poets can contact them for details of
contributing to the Turkish component.
11 April - 2016 ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. The 2016 Jolley Prize is worth a total of
$12,500, with a first prize of $7,000 and supplementary prizes of $2,000 and $1,000. The
judges will also commend three additional stories, the authors of which will each receive
$850. SHORT STORY
Brittle Star accepts submissions of literary short fiction and poetry. For almost 15 years, Brittle Star has
been publishing scintillating poems and short stories from new and early-career writers, many
of whom have seen their work in print for the first time. They also run competitions from time to
time. Open now.
Triptych Tales publishes stories that take place in our here and now, or something very close to it. They
like mainstream, fantasy and science fiction, but don't want space operas or high fantasy.
Open now.
The Wrong Quarterly is a London-based title aiming to showcase prose from both British and
international writers. Fiction up to 6,000 words and non-fiction up to 5,000 words. Open now.
Transnational Literature, published by Flinders University in Adelaide, South Australia, publishes
creative and life writing as well as academic articles and book reviews. Open year-round.
Southerly is open for submissions. Southerly is published three times a year, both in print and digitally,
and is complemented by a free online section, the Long Paddock. Devoted to Australian
Literature. Open

FESTIVALS AND CONFERENCES

PERTH INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL 19th - 21st February 2016
https://perthfestival.com.au/ ph (08) 6488 2000 fax (08) 6488 8555
ADELAIDE FESTIVAL 26th February 16th March 2016
www.adelaidefestival.com.au email info@adelaidefestival.com.au ph (08) 8216 4444 fax (08) 8216 4455
TAMAR VALLEY WRITERS FESTIVAL - 18 - 20 March. www.tamarvalleywritersfestival.com.au. "So
far has received positive confirmation from 30 writers. There will be at least six ticketed functions, but all
other programme events will be free to the public. The children's and youth programs will be held on the
Friday in various venues in Beaconsfield while the adult and family sessions will be held in the
Beaconsfield Community Centre's Precinct on both Saturday and Sunday.
SYDNEY WRITERS FESTIVAL 16th 22nd May 2016
www.swf.org.au/ ph (02) 9252 7729 fax (02) 9252 7735
EMERGING WRITERS FESTIVAL 14th 24th June 2016
www.emergingwritersfestival.org.au/ email info@emergingwritersfestival.org.au

DARWIN FESTIVAL August 2016 for 18 days

www.darwinfestival.org.au ph (08) 8943 4200 email contact@darwinfestival.org.au
MELBOURNE WRITERS FESTIVAL 25th August 4th September 2016
www.mwf.com.au ph (03) 909407859 email admin@mwf.com.au
BRISBANE WRITERS FESTIVAL early September 2016
www.brisbanewritersfestival.com.au

ORGANISATIONS
BROAD UNIVERSE is an international organisation formed to celebrate and promote the work of
women writers of science fiction, fantasy and horror- and there are many! Go to www.broaduniverse.org
or email info@broaduniverse.org for further info.
The STATE LIBRARY OF TASMANIA (Launceston) has a very user-friendly family history centre in the
Reference section, and the librarians have correlated many useful information sheets, including listing
online resources for researching convicts. Here is an unlimited source of, and inspiration for stories, in
particular from the proceedings of the Old Bailey, London 1674 to 1913 www.oldbaileyonline.org the
British Convict transportation registers 1787 1887 www.slq.qld.gov.au/info/fh/convicts and the National
Archives of Ireland Transportation Records
www.nationalarchives.ie/topics/transportation/search01.html
POETRY PEDLARS Every third Monday evening at 7 p.m. till 9.30 p.m. Currently at the back of the
Albert Hall (the Pioneer Lobby). Open mic. Plus monthly Competition (in February this is a poem written
around the theme of the Tamar River) We need lots more participants and audience if we are to
maintain the venue! Only $5 entry fee. Ph.0417145537 for details.

USEFUL RESOURCES
ABC Tales is a website where you can explore and develop your creative writing skills, get support from
our editors, publish your short stories and poems online, get feedback and writing tips and meet fellow
writers, all for free. Go to www.abctales.com
DOOLLEE is the playwrights database of modern plays. Beginning with the production of Look Back in
Anger in 1956, you can tap into info on 53 249 playwrights and 179 321 plays. Go to www.doollee.com
JACKETFLAP profiles more than 200 000 authors, illustrators, publishers and other creators of books
for children and Young Adults. Free to join. Search over 900 000 childrens books at www.jacketflap.com
ONE WORD can help you overcome writers block. You will see one word at the top of a screen, and
have sixty seconds to write about it. It is free and your responses are posted. Go to www.oneword.com

Buzz Words is the twice monthly e-mag for writers and illustrators for children. Discover
Australian and international publishing markets, Opportunities, Competitions, Conferences and
festivals, Interviews with industry professionals, Articles on writing and books everything from
agents to websites. Buzz Words is only $48 p.a. for 24 issues. Contact Di at
dibates@outlook.com for your free sample of the current issue or for more payment options.

10

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES & NEWS

The Great Australian Story is a resource for those interested in Australia, its history and way of life, as
it builds a picture of who we are in our own words - by way of short stories. In brief the guidelines are:
1. Short stories written by an Australian about a real-life experience.
2. The story reflects a personal experience or perspective, and can be about anything (childhood
memories to school, races, sports, war, travelling and so on).
3. Up to 1800 words.
4. A photo is required with each storyI
http://www.greataustralianstory.com.au

An author can publish several stories

12 February, Book Launch: The White Room Poems By Anne Kellas

5.30pm start launched by Tim Thorne.
Anne Kellas shapes barely audible sounds of grief into bell-like clarity. This book would shake a
mountain to its core Ivy Alvarez (New Zealand, author of Mortal, and Disturbance).
At Volume 2 Bookshop, 93 St John Street, Launceston
UTAS are offering two creative writing units in Semester One, 2016. Anyone can enrol in either course
or both. Enrolment had to be before 17 January, so I cant guarantee this is still available.

Dont miss the 2016 Tamar Valley Writers Festival

18th 20th March !
About the Festival: The inaugural festival took place in 2014 as the Festival of Golden Words. It was
such a success that, with the support of a hardworking volunteer committee, funded by West Tamar
Council, the Tasmanian Government and corporate sponsers, it is happening again. There will be lots of
FREE sessions which take place in one of three large marquees in the heart of Beaconsfiled.
Here is some of whats happening (I have just picked out specific topics/events which might interest
members, but there are lots of other events to do with history and the environment). For a full copy of
the program, go to www.tamarvalleywritersfestival.com.au/ It is extensive!
Friday 18th March Schools Day Program
Saturday 19th March As well as Childrens & Young Adult Meet the Author sessions, there will be:
Marquee 1 Afternoon: Stop Blaming the Butler: Writing crime; What Publishers Want; Imagined Worlds; writing
fiction; For the Love of Old Books antiquarian bookselling;
Marquee 2 - When Words are Mirrors: the craft of poetry and songwriting; Guest Writer readings; Scriptwriting;
Writing Comedy; Doing it Yourself: self-publishing; Writing for Young Adults; Slamduggery Poetry Slam.
Marquee 3 Words and Cultural Voices; Award-winning Writing; Short Story Award winners announced; Lost
Voices: Recreating Historical characters; Public Solitude of the Writers Life; The Use and Abuse of Language.
Sunday 20th March Marquee 1 - Discussing film with Phillip Adams; Making New Worlds: speculative fiction; Jim Everett Poetry and
Dreamtime; Tomorrows Headlines: discussing the Australian Media; Within the Rules: writing Sport; A Room of
Ones Own: the craft of fiction
Marquee 2 The Voices in My Head: writing fiction; Our Island Home: issues in Tasmanian history; Who Am I?
Memoirs; Where are You Taking Me?: writing and travelling; Heart shaped Home Perspectives on Tasmania.
Marquee 3 - Guest Writer Readings; Audiobooks: just for kids? ; Diversity in Life and Literature.

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MEETINGS: WANT TO GET TOGETHER?

If you would like to meet up, to confirm the next meeting date please telephone one of the numbers
given below
HOBART:
In Hobart, there is an opportunity to meet a small group of writers, on the first Wednesday of each
month, (Feb - Dec) at Hobart Women's Health Centre, 25 Lefroy Street, North Hobart. For further
details, contact Robyn Mathison telephone 6234 4418 (after 1.00 p.m only)
LAUNCESTON:
Our usual meetings are held on the first Monday of each month (Feb Dec)
NB: we now meet in the Ida Burchill room, 34 - 36 Paterson Street, Launceston, at 10.00 a.m - 1.00
p.m.
Gold coin donation. Tea and coffee available
Always check our website for current news of meetings or guests:
http://www.swwtas.org

WRITING THEME FOR APRIL STYLUS: TWINS... (see page 1 for details)

The Society of Women Writers, Tasmania, Incorporated

SWWT encourages urban
and rural writers to be a
part of our statewide
roster of postal
magazines that circulate
throughout the year. A
critique with positive
advice for improvements
is given to your submitted
work.

Do you write verse?

Short stories? Articles?
Other?

Incorporation No: IA 08090 ABN: 91 079 957 602

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Membership application forms can also be downloaded
from our web page: swwt.org.au

Treasurer, SWWT, Inc.,

3 Hawley Street,
NEWSTEAD, 7250

Please note that member resubscription

always falls due annually, on June 30

Membership: $20.00
(under 16 years $15.00)

NAME:

ADDRESS:

Tell us when you send

in your membership
application form with
payment to:

POSTCODE:

EMAIL:

TELEPHONE:

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN JOINING A WRITING MAGAZINE, WHERE YOUR WORK CAN BE CRITIQUED, INCLUDE THE
FOLLOWING DETAILS:
Please forward a small sample of your writing (500 words or less) for allocation to a magazine when you submit your application, by email if possible.

DATE:

SIGNATURE:

For further information, contacts: or downloads view: http://www.swwt.org.au

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