Industry organisation
The New England Writers’ Centre is based in Armidale but serves the region by showcasing local authors, providing regular meetings, readings and events, and by bringing authors to the region. Situated in the Neighbourhood Centre (access via Cinders Lane carpark).
A group of professional editors and writers who offer authors objective advice and guidance on how to bring their work closer to a publishable standard. Contact members individually for fees and other details. Please contact via email before making any submissions. Please see website for code of practice and guidelines for membership.
The New Zealand Book Council is a dynamic organisation with a wide range of activities and programmes designed to promote books and reading by bringing readers, writers, publishers, editors and schools together.
The New Zealand Electronic Poetry Centre (NZEPC) sets up an electronic gateway to poetry resources in Aotearoa/New Zealand and the Pacific region. Aims to coordinate existing archival information, and present some full-text electronic publication of poetry and commentary in consultation with authors and their publishers. NZEPC also promotes live poetry events and is committed to extending and documenting locations for poetry in the digital environment and its real-world counterpart.
The New Zealand Society of Authors (NZSA) represents the professional interests of New Zealand writers. As a PEN organisation, the NZSA works to improve writers’ conditions and provide a voice. NZSA runs awards and fellowships for members as well as a mentoring and assessment scheme. NZSA produces a weekly email newsletter, a monthly e-zine, a bimonthly journal and a range of professional development materials for writers.
Nielsen BookData collects title data for English language books from authors, publishers and distributors. This data supplies a range of bibliographic services enabling booksellers and libraries throughout the world to identify and source books for their customers and patrons.
The objectives of the association are to promote the practice and methods of oral history, educate in the use of oral history methods, encourage discussion of all problems in oral history, foster the preservation of oral history records in Australia, and share information about oral history projects. Branch seminars and workshops are held regularly throughout the year while a national conference is held every two years. Alternative email: [email protected].
Papercuts is Australia’s only national poetry program for schools. Aimed at Years 9-10 students of all abilities, it fosters the skills to read and write poetry. Papercuts brings contemporary poets to classroom workshops, and provides teachers with flexible units of activities modeled on Red Room’s public projects. Papercuts is provided free to schools.
Lively group of poets who give writerly fellowship and feedback. Also involved in readings, exhibitions and publication. Meetings on second and fourth Mondays each month 1-3pm.
Public Lending Right (PLR) is an Australian Government cultural program administered by the Office for the Arts. PLR makes payments to eligible Australian creators and publishers on the basis that income is lost from the availability of their books in public lending libraries. PLR also supports the enrichment of Australian culture by encouraging the growth and development of Australian writing and publishing.
The Publishers Association of New Zealand (PANZ) comprises many organisations associated with publishing in New Zealand, including book importers, distributors, local and international publishers, academic presses, and publishing consultants. PANZ was incorporated in 1978 and is managed by a council of nine publisher members.
The Red Room Company creates, promotes, and distributes poetry inspired projects to the public. Using alternatives to traditional poetry productions such as community radio broadcasts and poem installations in public spaces, they offer professional opportunities to Australian poets, with a focus on new and emerging poets.
The Rocky River ‘Riters meet twice a month for book discussions and prose and poetry writing exercises. Offers lively conversations and encouragement. Meets on the second Friday of each month in the morning at Gladstone, and on the fourth Wednesday of the month in the evenings at Crystal Brook. Contact the secretary for more information.
Sisters in Crime (SINC) Australia grew out of a shared interest in women’s crime writing. Members are writers, publishers, students, academics and booksellers but most are enthusiastic readers and viewers of women’s crime on the page and screen. Discounts are offered at regular events as well as a 10% discount at selected bookshops. Its website features news, reviews, details of events and competitions and member-only sections for event reports and blogs.
The Society of Women Writers WA fosters creative and other writing and encourages members, women in particular, to be active and published writers. Monthly meetings include a guest speaker. The Society has one writers’ retreat per year, holds workshops, weekly creative writing classes and coordinates competitions. A monthly newsletter is circulated to members.
South Coast Writers’ Centre supports literary culture on the South Coast of New South Wales through professional development, audience development and community cultural development activities. The program includes workshops, masterclasses, literary events and one-off projects.
Dedicated to fostering the art of spoken word performance and, particularly, the telling of ancient, traditional and modern stories. Please note that email is the preferred means of contact.
Meets third Friday of each month at 4pm at The Sydney Mechanics School of Arts, 280 Pitt Street. Please contact via online form.
This diverse group of writers meets monthly on the third Saturday with the exception of December and January, when even scribblers take a break. Members range from dabblers to professionals and the only requirement for membership is a healthy respect for the written word and a good sense of humour.
Varuna, the National Writers House is a creative retreat and writers’ network for Australian stories and ideas. We support bringing rigour and commitment to the writing craft; building a respectful and inclusive community; valuing of heritage and place; and making writing and creativity matter. Since 1989 Varuna has inspired the creation of new Australian writing and provided support for a thriving writing community and growing alumni.
Vibewire is a non-profit organisation that supports emerging young writers. We publish poetry, fiction, opinion, reportage, photography, illustration or review under 1,000 words.
The National Library of Australia welcomes publishers producing works on physical media such as CD-ROMs to add their publications to the Library’s national collection of Australian heritage material. It is vitally important that these works are preserved for the benefit of future generations of Australians.
The Women’s Library focuses on writing by and about women. The library houses over 25,000 items. There is a comprehensive collection of lesbian literature and non-fiction focusing on issues and areas of interest to women. The library seeks to represent the diversity of Australian women’s writing. The Women’s Library hosts community meetings, groups and activities. Open Tuesday to Thursday 11am-3pm and Saturday and Sunday 12-4pm. There is also a $2 bookshop.
A non-profit group dedicated to the development of creative writing in all its forms and promoting local writers. Meetings are held monthly to critique work of members. Sometimes there is a guest speaker or workshop. Other writing-related events are held. Annual literary competitions are held and publication encouraged. Meetings held every fourth Saturday of the month, 1:30-4:30pm at Wyong Senior Citizens Centre in the grounds of Wyong Old Primary School.