Creative writing resources
Creative writing at the University of Adelaide
This page aims to support the Creative Writing Program, a series of postgraduate courses offered by the English Discipline at the University of Adelaide.
Creative Writing is under the mentorship of Professor Brian Castro , Dr Phillip Edmonds, Dr. Sue Hosking , Dr. Jan Harrow and Jill Jones.
There is a separate page with information on resources for the Graduate Certificate in Food Writing course.
Local sites
- Showcase
- Publishing, Presentations and Performance. This page will keep you up to date with the work of the Creative Program. It lists such things as anthologies and performance from students in the Program, recent books from our Creative Writing staff and affiliates, and recent presentations.
- Wet Ink
- A magazine that's dedicated to publishing new and exciting writing, produced in South Australia by an independent, non-profit organisation. Wet Ink will showcase modern, contemporary writers with an aim to promoting a generation of emerging writers who are largely uncatered for by existing publications.
The editorial team features several familiar names - current and past members of our Creative Writing courses.
- SA Writers' Centre
- 'The SA Writers' Centre acts as a resource centre for writers of all ages and experiences. We focus on writing activities and work with a wide range of organisations to promote and encourage writers and literature in society. We assist new and established writers on every aspect of writing, such as publishing, literary assessments, performing and presentation.'
- Friendly Street poets
- Formed in 1975, Friendly Street hosts one of Australia's longest running live poetry readings. Friendly Street aims to encourage the development of South Australian poetry by providing a supportive venue for the live performance of poetry and regularly publishing collections of South Australian poetry.
You can find their publications in our Library Catalogue if you do a Keyword (and,or,not," ") search under "friendly street" [make sure you include the double quotation marks].
- Adelaide PEN
- Adelaide PEN is part of International PEN, a worldwide association of writers working to promote literacy and advocate free speech. As a local group, Adelaide PEN is involved in fundraising, promotional and collegial activities and events such as the Adelaide Festival of Arts,
Writers' Week and the Festival Fringe.
Australian sites
- The Australian Script Centre
- 'The Australian Script Centre is a non-profit organisation which collects, catalogues, promotes and distributes unpublished Australian plays. With an archive of hundreds of scripts, we play a key role in maintaining and enhancing the vigour of Australian theatre.
Those using our services include playwrights, theatre companies, actors, students, teachers and academics from Australia and around the world.'
- The Australian Society of Authors
- 'The Australian Society of Authors promotes and protects the professional interests of Australian literary creators. Our pivotal position in the industry allows us to represent members in negotiations and disputes, and to provide advice on industry standards and practices'.
Their website includes a deal of useful information, such as a list of Australian Literary Agents and advice on Getting Published.
- The Australian Copyright Council
- An independent non-profit organisation which aims to assist creators and other copyright holders with their rights. A wide range of information sheets on various aspects of copyright is available from the website.
- All Write Magazine
- A literary journal which publishes the work of young Australian writers aged 25 and under. Each issue is jam-packed with stories and poems from young writers, plus regular features including author interviews, how-to information and careers within the writing industry.
You can subscribe to the magazine and submit work for publication through links on the website.
Sadly, the last time I tried to visit the website [December 2007] it gave a 'Not Found' error - All Write Magazine seems to have ceased on the midnight... I hope with not too much pain.
- The World of Writing
- Sara Douglass, the well-known author of The Tencendor series, is better-known at the University of Adelaide by her real name, Sara Warneke. Sara was a denizen of the Barr Smith Library for some years while she completed a BA and then a PhD in early modern English history. All Sara's manuscripts are available in our Special collections; they provide a fascinating insight into the creative process.
Sara has established this useful website to help budding authors. There are tips on the business and skills of writing and practical advice on topics such as contracts and the editorial process.
- Australian Writers Online: community for the literary scene
- The purpose of this group is to exchange and discuss writing, ideas, resources and information. The group lists over 600 links to various sites that are useful to Australian writers and also features a messageboard where members post announcements of book launches, fairs, festivals, workshops and other literary or art events, provide examples of their work, articles of interest, advertise their literary services and ask and answer questions.
Text
- The Journal of the Australian Association of Writing Programs. Text is an independent refereed journal which publishes a wide range of research, reviews and debates on creative and professional writing and the teaching of writing in academic and industry contexts.
To take out a free subscription to TEXT simply send your email address to text@griffith.edu.au.
- Australian author
- The Library has subscribed to the excellent journal, Australian author from the first issue in 1969. There are three issues a year, in April, August and December; recent issues can be found in the Barr Smith Library's Current journals area on level 3 North at call number 655.05 A937.
International sites
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Voice of the Shuttle
- Alan Liu's Voice of the Shuttle pages are excellent, and this one of Creative writing links is no exception. This is a great place to start your researches.
Also on this site is a page called Technology of writing with links to hypertext and hypermedia research and theory.
- Writers Resources: web directory
- A collection of links on creative writing compiled by Google (the search engine). A mixed bag of resources well worth exploring.
- Writers Write
- Information on markets for various writing types and genres (medical writing, poetry, e-publishing, technical writing, songwriting, screenwriting, fiction, greeting cards, business writing, research, journalism) as well as daily and archived news, author interviews, message boards, job listings, bestseller lists, writers groups, Webrings, organizations, contests, conferences, reference materials, books for sale, retreats and writing services etc. A comprehensive Writer's Market type resource. Browsable and searchable.
- Bookwire: the book industry resource
- R.R. Bowker's site, Bookwire, provides useful background information on literature marketing and book publication.
- Duotrope's digest
- A database of over 2,050 current markets for short fiction, poetry, and novels/collections.
- Wheatmark
- Self publishing services include complete book design, editing, distribution, returnability, print on demand (POD), and e-commerce. Essential tips and tools for publishing professionals. The site has lots of industry resources, a library of articles on publishing, and lists of services and suppliers.
- Poetry Magic
- A British site sponsored by a small electronic literary publisher, LitLangs. Choose from the Beginners or Advanced sections and learn about postmodernist poetry, finding a theme, word choice and publishing. Advanced topics include literary criticism and poetry movements.
The Poetry Online section contains audio files and there lots of links to poetry sites.
- Cyberjournalist.net
- Subtitled: Tips and talk for online writers and editors, as well as other journalists who use the Internet and technology in their jobs. This fresh and timely site offers great resources on online writing and editing, plus news and commentary on online journalism. The site highlights examples of online journalism with the aim of recognising those who do great work and helping those who don't.
- AWP: the Association of Writers and Writing Programs
- AWP supports writers and writing programs around the world: over 28,000 writers at over 400 member colleges and universities and 100 writers' conferences and centres.
- Writing.Com
- An online community for writers of all ages, interests and skill levels. Anyone may create a free portfolio and exchange feedback with other writers.
- Incwriters
- The International Network & Community of Writers Society (Incwriters) was founded in 2004, created initially as Inc. in 2002-2003, Incwriters has grown into the one stop website for Promoters, Agents, Publishers, Readers and Writers. We are committed to creation of networks, the protection of Literature and to this end Incwriters has several imprints and free downloads. We help promote individuals and organisations not involved in vanity publishing, visit venues and festivals to give talks on Publishing and Writing. You can join us by sending us your email and receive free updates about the website. Take time to read our constitution or just join the debate in our forum.
- International PEN
- International PEN, the worldwide association of writers, exists to promote friendship and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere, to fight for freedom of expression and represent the conscience of world literature. International PEN is a place where writers from all cultures meet to discuss, debate and communicate.
Websites for writers: an independent directory of online writing resources (UK)
Created by a graduate of Sheffield's MA Writing course. I'd be interested to hear from Creative Writing students on this one: do you find it helpful?
Reference works
There are quite a few printed works in the Library that are useful reference sources for creative writing students. Here I've listed the major ones and given you links to finding others in our collections.
- Writers' and artists' year-book
- The latest edition is shelved in the Reference collection at Call number: 808.02505 W956.
Earlier editions are kept in the Main collection.
We buy it every third year.
- The Australian writer's marketplace
- The complete guide to being published in Australia. The latest edition is shelved in the Reference collection at Call number: 820.5A A9382.
Earlier editions are kept in the Main collection.
- The writer's guide: a companion to writing for pleasure or publication
- Written by Irina Dunn, the second edition, published in New South Wales in 2002, is in the Reference collection at Call number 808.02 D923w.
- The Writer's Digest character naming sourcebook
- By Sherrilyn Kenyon, with naming strategies by Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet. Published in 1994, but still useful.
Kept in the Reference collection at Call number 808.3 K37w.
- Resource guide for food writers
- By Gary Allen, it includes useful chapters on research for and publishing of writing on food.
Kept in the Reference collection at Call number: 808.066641 A425r.
You can find more reference works if you search in the Catalogue by the Subject Heading Creative writing and in particular, the subheading --Handbooks, manuals, etc.
More reference works can be found listed under the Subject Heading Authorship, and subdivisions under that heading such as --Handbooks, manuals, etc. and --Marketing.
How to get an ISBN
- ISBN Agency
- When you have finished your magnum opus you'll need an ISBN, or International Standard Book Number. If it is being published by a commercial publisher they'll look after this for you. If you are self-publishing you'll need to apply to the ISBN Agency
The ISBN is a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally, allowing for more efficient marketing of products by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers and distributors.
Awards
- Australian literary awards & fellowships
- The latest edition of Australian literary awards & fellowships : with winners of Australian & overseas awards is kept in the Barr Smith Library Reference collection at Call number 820.9A S897a.
- The Australian/Vogel Award
- The Australian/Vogel Award is an annual prize of $A20,000 promoted by The Australian newspaper, sponsored by Vogel's Bread, and awarded to a writer under 35 years of age for an original unpublished manuscript of fiction or Australian history or biography.
Essay writing, referencing, bibliography and style guides
In addition to the resources I have listed on this page, you might like also to consult the Essay writing, referencing, bibliography and style guides page on my English resources website.
The end result
Published anthologies by students of Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide.
 | Iron lace: an anthology of writing by students from the 1997 Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing, the University of Adelaide.
Adelaide, University of Adelaide, English Discipline, 1998.
Available from the English Discipline for $14.00.
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 | Painted words, edited by Brenda Glover, et al
Kent Town, S. Aust., Wakefield Press, 1999.
ISBN: 1862545030
A collection by the second intake of Creative Writing students. The stories are based on an oil painting, 'The Sketch Club', 1942, by the Adelaide artist, Dorrit Black.
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 | Forked tongues: a delicious anthology of poetry and prose, edited by Rebekah Clarkson, et al
Kent Town, S. Aust., Wakefield Press, 2002.
ISBN: 1862545944
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 | Cracker! : a Christmas collection, edited by Heather Taylor Johnson, et al.
Kent Town, S. Aust., Wakefield Press, 2003.
ISBN: 862546274
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 | The Body: an anthology edited by Henry Ashley-Brown, Chelsea Avard, Amy T. Matthews and Stephanie Thomson
Kent Town, S. Aust., Wakefield Press, 2004.
ISBN: 1862546541
J.M.Coetzee's speech at the launch of the anthology is well worth reading. There is a copy in the Library's Special collections or you can read it online: Professor Coetzee has kindly given me permission to link to the text from this page:
Text of the speech [it will open in a new window]
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 | On Edge, edited by Christy Di Frances, Susan Errington, Rachel Hennessy and Emmett Stinson
Kent Town, S. Aust., Wakefield Press, 2005.
ISBN: 1862546916
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More publications by University of Adelaide Creative Writing students and staff are listed on their Showcase page. |
This page is maintained by Jennifer Osborn
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