Program 2013

Join NEWC !
Click here to download a Membership Application Form.

For details of the New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing, click here.

Program 2013

February	14-28	Meet the Authors
		Many people don’t know that New England has such a rich store of published talent. The New England Writers’ Centre in collaboration with the Armidale Dumaresq Library invites you to meet the authors through a sample of their work on show at the Library, February 14–28. "There’s been a lot of enthusiasm for the project," said Pam Summers, Board Member and Newsletter Editor for NEWC. "We think it’s important to bring this work together in a collection at the library, to give the community a snapshot of many years of creative writing in this region." There will be books, articles, anthologies and audio-books from well-known authors such as Sophie Masson and John Heffernan and poet Michael Sharkey, to new young writers such as Teresa van der Kraan. "Having my work promoted is a very humbling experience, and always a great honour," said Teresa. "I love all the opportunities provided by the New England Writers' Centre, both for established and aspiring authors. And I am always keen to see the work of other local writers and artistes. "It is wonderful to be able to be part of the community in this way, and ‘a dream-come-true’ to have my work exposed to a wider audience."
		DATE: Thursday 14 February - Thursday 28 February. VENUE: Armidale Dumaresq Council War Memorial Library COST: Free.

February	22	Poems in Conversation? "Nigger's Leap" and "Five Bells"	Leigh Dale
		A talk by literary scholar, Leigh Dale, celebrating New England’s most famous poet, Judith Wright. Leigh Dale attended Mudgee High and the University of Western Australia, and has taught at the Universities of Southern Queensland, Queensland, and Wollongong. She is currently head of the School of English Literatures and Philosophy at the University of Wollongong, where she teaches English. She is the editor of the journal Australian Literary Studies, and author of The Enchantment of English (Sydney UP, 2013).
		DATE: Friday 22 February, 7:30 pm VENUE: Chaucer on Bridge Street Gallery, 42 Bridge St, Uralla. COST: Free entry. Refreshments provided.

February	23	Getting published.	Sophie Masson
		An ASA Seminar in conjunction with the New England Writers’ Centre.
		DATE: Saturday 23 February, 10:00 am—12:00 noon VENUE: Armidale Dumaresq Library, Faulkner Street, Armidale (upstairs). Refreshments provided. COST: $15. Bookings essential. Book online or call the ASA office on 1800 257 121 or (02) 9211 1004.

March	8	“Pounding along to Singapore”	Caroline Gaden
		... the story behind the story.
		DATE: Friday 8 March, 9:30 am. VENUE: UNE Lecture Theatre A3

April	7	Foundations of Fiction.	Bronwyn Parry
		This workshop will provide an overview of the foundations of novel writing for aspiring writers of commercial fiction.
		DATE: Sunday 7 April, 10:00 am—4:00 pm VENUE: NEWC COST: Members $50. Non-members $60.

May	24	Philosophies of Adventure: a non-fiction writer’s quest for experience.	Matthew Thompson
		A talk at Armidale Dumaresq Library by Matthew Thompson. Author and adventurer Matthew Thompson will discuss the importance of philosophy to being a writer, discussing how Friedrich Nietzsche’s concept of the free-spirit propelled him into all manner of situations around the world for his forthcoming book, Running with the Blood God: road-testing free-thinking from Tehran to Oregon. Dr Thompson will discuss how this new project grew out of the quest for authenticity that propelled his first book, My Colombian Death (Picador, 2008), that saw him immersed in Colombia’s volatile street life, mixing it with gangs and paramilitaries, and experiencing harrowing hallucinogenic ceremonies with a native shaman. Dr Thompson will read a selection from each book.
		DATE: Friday 24 May, 4:00 pm VENUE: Armidale Dumaresq Library, Faulkner Street(upstairs). COST: $5, no bookings, pay at the door.

May	25	Life into Art.	Matthew Thompson
		One-day workshop with Matthew Thompson.
		DATE: Saturday 25 May, 10:00 am—4:00 pm VENUE: NEWC COST: Members $65. Non-members $70.
		**(fees must be paid two weeks before the workshop)***.

May	25	*Special Event:* Walk on the Wild Side	Matthew Thompson Kay Saunders
		*Short talk and social gathering at the Chaucer on Bridge St Gallery, Uralla, by Matthew Thompson and Kay Saunders.*
		DATE: Saturday 25 May, 5:30 pm VENUE: Chaucer on Bridge St Gallery, 42 Bridge Street, Uralla. COST: Free. Light refreshments provided.

August	14-18	Booked-In! FESTIVAL Children’s and Young Adults’ Literature Festival	For PICTURES of the Festival click here
		Running from 14 to 18 August 2013 at venues around Armidale and Uralla, the Festival is offering a number of exciting workshops, talks and activities for children and adults and school visits. Guest author is Isobelle Carmody who has written many books for young adults. Guest illustrator is Anne Spudvilas who is also an established portrait painter and court room artist. Local authors and illustrators will also be presenting events at the Festival.
August	15	BOOKED IN! FESTIVAL: Artist Talk: Meet the Illustrator	Anne Spudvilas
		DATE: Thursday 15 August, 4:30 pm VENUE: Armidale Dumaresq Library COST: $5, no bookings required, pay at door.

August	17	BOOKED IN! FESTIVAL: Workshop: Creating a Picture Book	Anne Spudvilas
		This practical and entertaining workshop will explore how a picture book is made. First Anne will give a presentation of the process from beginning to end, featuring sketches, dummy books and the finished product. Then the class will create the beginnings of a picture book, creating a super simple text and individual charcoal drawings to go with it. Next step will be creation of a storyboard which will then be cut up and made into a concertina ‘dummy’ book. Materials—paper, pencils, charcoal—will be provided.
		DATE: Saturday 17 August, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm VENUE: Chaucer on Bridge Street Gallery/Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard, 42 Bridge Street, Uralla COST: NEWC Members $40, Non-Members $45. Must be booked in advance.

August	17	BOOKED IN! FESTIVAL: Author Talk: Meet the Author	Isobelle Carmody
		DATE: Saturday 17 August, 10:30 am VENUE: Armidale Dumaresq Library COST: $5, no bookings required, pay at door.

August	17	BOOKED IN! FESTIVAL: Pane Discussion: Writing for Children and Young Adults	Elizabeth Hale
		A stimulating panel discussion featuring four creators of works for young people: visiting author Isobelle Carmody, visiting illustrator Anne Spudvilas, local author Sophie Masson and local author/illustrator McDonald. Chaired by Elizabeth Hale from the Children's Literature stream in the School of Arts, UNE.
		DATE: Saturday 17 August, 1:30 – 2:30 pm VENUE: Chaucer on Bridge Street Gallery/Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard, 42 Bridge Street, Uralla ADMISSION: A Booked In! Festival ticket ($10 adults, $5 children, $25 per family of two adults, two children)

August	18	BOOKED IN! FESTIVAL: Workshop: Real Fantasy	Isobelle Carmody
		This stimulating workshop by one of Australia’s best-known authors of fantasy novels for young people, will enable you to explore a variety of ways to build reality into your fantasy. This will include exercises in exploring your senses, in building character from the inside and in making setting a character. Bring pencils, pens and paper.
		DATE: Sunday 18 August, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm VENUE: Chaucer on Bridge Street Gallery/Granny Fi’s Toy Cupboard, 42 Bridge Street, Uralla COST: NEWC Members $40, Non-Members $45. Must be booked in advance.

September October November		Skype Sessions 2013 Online Creative Writing–OVERVIEW: A series of 7 one-hour sessions that will be delivered to participants through Skype via a large screen at The Armidale School (TAS). Tutors will give a presentation and then invite questions and discussion. (For details of individual sessions, see below.) VENUE: McConville Centre at TAS, 87 Douglas St, Armidale DAY: Wednesdays TIME: 6:00–7:00 pm COST: $15 members, $20 non-members

September	11	Skype Session 1: Poetry & Creative Energy	Felicity Plunkett

September	18	Skype Session 2: Come to Your Senses	Linda Jaivin

September	28	Meet the Author: James Roy	James Roy
		Presented by NEWC and the New England and North-West sub-branch of the Children's Book Council of NSW in collaboration with the School of Arts, UNE.
		DATE: Saturday, 10:30 am—11:30 am VENUE: Armidale Dumaresq Library, Faulkner Street, Armidale COST: Free event. No bookings required.

October	9	Skype Session 3: Pitching Your Work to Agents & Publishers	Pippa Masson

October	16	Skype Session 4: Out of the Slush Pile, onto the Editor’s Desk	Emma Rafferty

October	23	Skype Session 5: Know Your Market: What’s different about children’s publishing?	Eva Mills

October	30	Skype Session 6: Identifying a Market for Your Non-Fiction Idea	Ingrid Ohlsson

November	6	Skype Session 7: Making Digital Publishing Pay	Angelo Loukakis

Inquiries
All workshops must be booked and paid for in advance. For information about the program or to book for events:
Phone (02) 6772 7210 or send an email message to admin@newc.org.au

NEWC membership entitles you to do the workshop at the reduced member rate.
Click here to download a Membership Application Form.

You can become a member when you book a workshop. Our annual membership fees are:

Adults:	$30.00 including GST
Students (tertiary):	$20.00 including GST
Students (under 18):	$15.00 including GST

Venue
Unless otherwise stated, all events will be held at the New England Writers' Centre (NEWC), in the Neighbourhood Centre, 129 Rusden Street, Armidale (between the Council Building and the Town Hall).

Access
During opening hours and workshops, access is through the Cinders Lane car park (first door on left, in the corridor).

Parking
There is a three-hour parking restriction in the Cinders Lane carpark.

top

The New England Writers' Centre is assisted by the NSW Government through Arts NSW.