Writing NSW

Generative AI has been swiftly adopted across many industries, yet remains a fraught technology for writers. This seminar with cultural policy consultant and intellectual property lawyer Olivia Lanchester explains what you need to know about using generative AI in your own work and what to expect from your publisher about their use of generative AI.

You will learn the essentials on copyright and hear a summary of the worldwide efforts of authors to take action against AI developers which have scraped books, journals and articles to train their AI systems. You will gain insight into where the Australian Government has landed on copyright and AI policy, as well as steps you can take to protect yourself – and benefit – from the AI revolution.

Join Everything You Wanted to Know about Gen AI (but were too afraid to ask) with Olivia Lanchester, Tuesday 21 July 2026, 6:30-8.30pm, online: https://buff.ly/AW9s7kL

Congratulations to all of you! If you would like to share a writing achievement, please email us.

Please note, you must be a current member of Writing NSW and segments should not exceed 65 words. Member success listings are at our discretion and subject to editing.

Do you need expert insight to help your picture book, early reader, middle grade, or young adult manuscript reach its full potential? Meet one-on-one with author Lee Mavin for feedback and advice to take your writing to the next level.

From plot, characterisation, and writing techniques to dialogue, voice, and pacing, this one-on-one meeting is a chance to discuss issues and potential solutions, and to ask questions.

Book your spot in a Children's Book or Young Adult Manuscript Assessment with Lee Mavin, Saturday 25 July 2026, online: https://buff.ly/0aY7U0i

We spoke to Amy Hutton about the value of an author profile on social media and how to catch a publisher’s eye.

Read the full interview: https://buff.ly/89zJ5me

Enrol in Preparing for Publication: Tools for the Debut Author, Saturday 11 July 2026, 10am - 4pm: https://buff.ly/sHbbTEz

To find your voice as a writer – or one for your characters – you first need to know how to create it. Constructing a strong narrative voice begins with understanding the techniques that shape it: how the narrator’s voice reflects character, how language is pitched, and the stylistic choices you make.

This two-day workshop, running over two consecutive Saturdays, with author and teacher Anthony Macris, is designed for fiction and creative non-fiction writers. In the workshop you’ll fully explore how character influences voice and style, and how sentence structures – from simple to complex – affect rhythm, immersion and readability. You’ll also explore the use of rhetorical devices such as metaphor, simile and personification as tools for shaping a unique style, rather than simply as decorative effects.

Enrol in Creating Voice: Crafting Style in Fiction and Creative Non-Fiction, Saturday 20 & Saturday 27 June 2026, 10am-4pm at Writing NSW, Lilyfield: https://buff.ly/FZXRTYN

We've rounded up literary events available to writers in NSW this June to help you connect with your local writing community and inspire your craft.

Whether you're a poet, non-fiction writer, novelist, or an enthusiastic reader, there's something for everyone in June's line-up of events. Join literary cruises, book launches, in-conversation events, and more, to join like-minded literary enthusiasts in celebrating storytelling.

Check out our list of literary events for writers in NSW this June: https://buff.ly/65l37gz

Having a career as an author isn’t just about writing a good book. A modern author needs to be their own publicist, marketer, and social media manager. They must be able to plan events and create social media campaigns, build an author profile, and connect with their readers while also understanding the publishing landscape.

In this interactive course with award-winning author Amy Hutton, we’ll discuss where your book (or work in progress!) sits in the marketplace and how to utilise social media for promotion and community. From pitching to catching a publisher’s eye, and launching your book and planning events, find out how to prepare for publication.

Enrol in Preparing for Publication: Tools and Tricks for the Debut Author, Saturday 11 July 2026, 10am-4pm at Writing NSW, Lilyfield: https://buff.ly/Rmi9hPf

We spoke to Alicia Sometimes about the process of curating a poetry collection and finding a home for your poetry. We also discussed the pairing of sound, music, and words in recorded poetry and what inspires her as a writer and reader of poetry.

‘Better to have a poem you love knocked back than have one you sort of like accepted in a journal. This may sound obvious but sometimes, especially early on in your writing career, you might take any publishing opportunity as a win. I think it’s important to write for yourself, sit on your work for a while, edit and edit again and then send out in the world.’

Read the full interview: https://buff.ly/vFVAS8Q

Enrol in Online Feedback: Poetry with Alicia Sometimes, Monday 6 July to Friday 13 November 2026 (5 months), online: https://buff.ly/ch3VyCZ

Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a refresher, this practical course with award-winning playwright Hilary Bell will take you through the fundamentals of playwriting. Beginning with writing games and exercises through which we build characters, conflict, narrative and structure, participants will finish the weekend with the outline of a new play.

Gain an intimate knowledge of your characters as well as the world of your play, and life beyond the play’s beginning and end. While we can’t write a whole play over two days, write a central scene to see and hear how your characters behave. Join Hilary Bell to generate energy for the scenes that precede and follow your central scene, so that you can continue writing your play in your own time.

Enrol in A Play in Two Days, Saturday 27 & Sunday 28 June 2026, 10am-4pm at Writing NSW, Lilyfield: https://buff.ly/lD8xKDd

Writing competitions and prizes are a great way to get published, inspire your craft, and gain valuable feedback on your work.

Writing NSW maintains a directory of competitions and opportunities open to writers in NSW. The list is regularly updated to help you stay on top of upcoming prizes, so check in regularly for new updates.

Discover competitions and opportunities for writers in NSW: https://buff.ly/p3PUSt7