Express Media Newsletter

EXPRESS MEDIA MEMBERS’ NEWS – DECEMBER 2008

1. WORD FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

As 2008 rolls over, Express Media is trying to focus on the flipside – 2009 and then some. We would like to thank you for your support throughout the year and wish you the best during the holiday season and beyond.

This is the final newsletter for 2008 but we promise to keep rolling them out next year. Our thanks goes to electronic publications intern Tess Jaeger for writing and collating them each month. Her tireless scouring of internet sites, newsletters, media releases and random people has been wonderful.

Finally, all of us at Express Media would like to express our deepest sadness at the death of Dorothy Porter. Dorothy had been a past Express Media mentor (of current General Manager Emily Andersen), a Voiceworks guest, and a keen supporter of the organisation. Our deepest sympathies go to her loved ones and readers.

Take care,
Bel Schenk
Artistic Director

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2. COMING UP AT EXPRESS MEDIA

VOICEWORKS #76 – BUDGET

Voiceworks is seeking submissions for issue #76, BUDGET. The deadline is 11 January.

Email editor@expressmedia.org.au with any questions, pitches or brilliant ideas.

And check out the Regular non-fiction opportunities section on the Express Media Website for developments on how to contribute non-fiction to Voiceworks.

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3. FEATURE

Origins: 2008 John Marsden Prizewinners Owen Kirkby and Bryce Wolfgang Joiner reflect on the births of their respective creative entries

The announcement of this year’s John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers winners went down splendidly at Express Media’s long-awaited showcase, held earlier this month in Melbourne’s City Library. As with every year, the 2008 award ceremony offered the opportunity to reflect, not only upon what makes a great piece of writing, but also the personal and artistic origins of an author’s work. Express Media’s essential purpose is to recognise and encourage younger and emerging writers and text-based artists to keep creating and expressing themselves. The John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers is a most ambitious, and generous award. Each year voluminous entries are whittled down to short-lists containing just a fraction of its entrants. These lucky few are recognised as Prizewinners and Runners up. These lucky few are recognised as Prizewinners and Runners up.

But the spirit of competition can sometimes, inadvertently, overshadow other important aspects of creative writing as a process. Great writing does not originate with recognition. It is born with a writer’s confidence to romantically pick up a pen, or, realistically, sit down in front of a computer screen. It exists through the willingness of an individual to re-conceptualise what comes from experience, into imagination. Read more here.

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4. NEWS, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES – ALL STATES

HILL OF CONTENT BOOKSHOP 2008 HAL PORTER SHORT STORY COMPETITION

The Hill of Content Bookshop 2008 Hal Porter Short Story Competition is open for short stories, any style, up to 2,500 words. Prize is $1000. Entry fee is $5.50. Cheques made out to East Gippsland Art Gallery. No entry form required. Mail entries to Hal Porter Short Story Competition, East Gippsland Art Gallery, 2 Nicholson St, Bairnsdale, VIC, 3875. Email further enquiries to pedrom53@bigpond.net.au Submissions close 19 December.

THE LIFTED BROW

The Lifted Brow is seeking submissions for its fifth issue until 1 January 2009. The Lifted Brow is an independent journal. As well as ‘straight’ fiction, essays, interviews, poetry, art portfolios and comics, they are looking for scrappy, innovative stuff. For this issue they have a special interest in publishing a film script, a critical-type film essay, or a play script. Submissions will be read and responded to by 1 February. Send your submissions to editors@theliftedbrow.com

GOING DOWN SWINGING

Going Down Swinging is a Melbourne-based international literary journal publishing poetry, short fiction and non-fiction, flash, comic art, graphic art and a spoken word CD, twice a year. They are now calling for submissions for their 28th issue, due for release May 2009: new, unpublished poetry, short fiction and non-fiction, comic and graphic art and spoken word recordings. All GDS contributors are paid for inclusion in the magazine. Submissions close 1 January 2009. Click here to visit the Going Down Swinging website for further information.

MEDLEY MAG

Medley Mag is a new online magazine sharing the diverse cultural experiences of Australia's youth. It is a youth-driven celebration of cultural diversity, which bridges cultural, socio-economic and geographic boundaries to community involvement. Contributions for publication are required from young people, aged 12 to 25 years. Submit virtually anything related to the issues of culture, diversity, migration and human rights: artwork, poetry, short stories, reviews, essays, feature articles, etc. This is a unique opportunity for young people to produce a publication that showcases their talents, opinions, concerns, challenges and successes. For further information or contact the editor, Georgina, at info@medleymag.com.au. Click here to visit the Medley Mag website.

POTTER’S FIELD

Potter’s Field 3 is a print anthology of tales from the graveyard. Submissions of stories between 2000 to 8000 words that will scare readers, but not stories that will make them gag. Deadline is 31 December 2008. Click here to visit the website for further information and submission guidelines.

FILM BLOG

‘Culture Unplugged’ is a new online venue with weekly blog catering to film-makers, film-lovers and conscious creatives/citizens. Its organisers are now looking for writers who wish to blog and engage with a global audience. Compensation will be based on expertise, experience and efforts required. Click here to visit the ‘Culture Unplugged’ website for further details. Email your profile, interest and samples to apply@cultureunplugged.com

STOP DROP AND ROLL

Stop drop and roll is a new quarterly magazine based in Melbourne. The magazine is now open to submissions from established and emerging writers from Australia and around the globe. Email the editor sean@stopdropandroll.com.au or click here to visit the website for more information.

ARTS ANGELS SHORT STORIES 2009

Arts Angels in Canada is looking for stories and poems to be included in a book of fictional stories and poetry. The deadline is 31 December 2008. Each published author accepted will receive two free copies of the book on publication, plus successful writers will be able to buy the book at a reduced cost. For more information contact artsangels@shaw.ca, addressing attention to Margaret Hinchliffe in the subject line.

OZWORDS

Subscription to Ozwords, the newsletter of The Australian National Dictionary Centre is free. The write-up includes word competitions and articles on word history. Readers wishing to subscribe should send their snail mail address to Ozwords Subscription Manager, GPO Box 2784, Melbourne, VIC 3001.

INTERNATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION

The International Poetry Competition is open to young people under 30 years of age. There is no entry fee. Send only one unpublished poem, which has never been awarded a prize (maximum 50 lines). The general theme is ‘Roads’. Three winners will be awarded a prize of $500 each and publication. Special prizes for the best poems of people under 16! Submissions close 9 January. Click here for further information and submission guidelines.

LAURA LITERARY AWARDS

The Flinders News Prose Awards are now open for submissions. There are three sections under which applicants may enter: 1. Open: short story, max 1500 words, prize $200, 2. Young adult (13-18): max 1000 words, prize $50 and 3. Junior (under 13): max 500 words, prize $25. The C.J. Dennis Poetry Awards for poems up to 60 lines. Open prize: $200. Young adult (13-18) prize: $50. Junior (under 13) prize: $25. The fee for open sections is $10 per entry. All student entries are free! Submissions close 20 February. Click here for further guidelines and entry forms.

ALAN MARSHALL SHORT STORY AWARD 2009
Nillumbik Shire Council invites writers from across Australia to enter this annual short story competition held in memory of the great writer and former resident of Eltham, Alan Marshall. The competition is to be judged by Sophie Cunningham, editor of Meanjin. $2000 Open Section First Prize; $1000 Open Section Second Prize for stories up to 2,500 words; $1000 Local Writers’ Section Prize for stories up to 2,500 words by writers who live, work or study in the Shire of Nillumbik; $400 Young Writers’ Section Prize for stories up to 1,000 words for writers aged between 15 and 19 years. Click here to visit the Nillumbik Shire Council for further details and to download entry forms. Email artsinfo@nillumbik.vic.gov.au, or telephone (03) 9433 3359 for further information. The Alan Marshall Short Story Award is presented by Nillumbik Shire Council in partnership with the Yarra Plenty Regional Library Service. Entries close at 4pm Friday 20 February.

COTTONMOUTH

Cottonmouth is a Perth-based performance and publishing venture that held its first event in February 2008. Held monthly, the Cottonmouth performance project showcases spoken-word artists, poets, sound artists, playwrights, new media practitioners and other emerging and established performers in the field of narrative art. The venture also publishes a monthly zine, which is open for submissions from local, interstate and international writers. Click here for submission guidelines, event information and the word on Perth’s cultural beat.

CROSSOVER AUSTRALIA 2009

Calling all writers, theatre directors, filmmakers, digital media artists, web developers, composers, and choreographers! Applications are now open for Crossover Australia 2009. Crossover Australia is a residential laboratory where the primary goal is the development of conceptual prototypes for groundbreaking interactive project. This year Crossover Australia is stressing that ‘our definition of cross platform is not solely in the digital area and we are looking for ways to expand notions into crossovers into live performance, visual arts and writing’. Participation is free but places are limited so get in quick. Click here for more information.

If you want to spread the word on news, events or opportunities for writers in new media, mail Crossover Australia at
storyofthefuture@australiacouncil.gov.au.

WET INK

Wet Ink is currently seeking submissions! Wet Ink is a quarterly magazine that focuses on publishing fiction, poetry and non-fiction by new and emerging writers. It is distributed throughout Australia and in more than 40 countries. As well as poetry, non-fiction and literary-style fiction, Wet Ink is interested in high-quality work in all genres (e.g., crime, sci-fi, romance, horror, thriller, speculative etc) and those with light-hearted themes. There are no word count restrictions – extremely short pieces are welcomed and long work will be considered. All published work receives payment. Click here for further details and to view submission guidelines.

RIGHT NOW

Right Now is a student driven publication that stimulates inclusive discussion about domestic human rights law development and implementation in Australia. Right Now takes a unique and dynamic approach to presenting contemporary legal issues in an informal, non-academic way. Right Now publishes visual art that responds to human rights, and it’s now open for submissions. Please click here to check over past editions before submitting.

Right Now prefer articles to be between 600 and 800 words, but if this is too limiting, they can consider publishing an article of up to 1000 words as a feature. Right Now appeals to a wide audience so articles should be non-academic in tone. Right Now does not publish footnotes. Click here to submit articles via email in Word document format.

If you have any questions about the submission process, or are wondering what kind of topics the Right Now Ed team are interested in, please don’t hesitate to contact them at info@rightnow.org.au.

SKETCH

Sketch is a literary art and design journal currently seeking unsolicited submissions in the form of cartoons, digital art, fiction, graphic design, interviews, journalism, literary reviews, non-fiction, paintings, photography, poetry, sculpture and sketches. Click here for submission guidelines and further information.

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5. NT NEWS, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES

NT LIBRARY INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION

‘Re-building Afghanistan’
will run from 11 December to 16 January in partnership with the Canadian High Commission, Ausaid, Aust Dept Defence and DFAT. This exhibition of beautifully coloured photographs, depicting scenes from Afghanistan, aims to raise awareness and understanding of the work that the UN-sanctioned international taskforce, including Canadians and Australians, is undertaking in an effort to rebuild Afghanistan - one of the most fragile nations in the world. Click here to view a promotional flyer for the exhibition. Click here to view other upcoming special events at the Northern Territory Library.

CORRUGATED IRON YOUTH ARTS

If you are 18 and over, check out the 18>26 Theatre Ensemble, which includes ‘The Smelter’ - a fortnightly meet-up where participants discuss theatre, make theatre and take over the world! The program involves taking self-devised shows to festivals around Australia and includes guest talks from experts in the field, focusing on different aspects and styles of theatre, and hands-on tuition. Click here to find out more about the 18>26 Theatre Ensemble and ‘The Smelter’… Click here to check out other upcoming CIYA events and opportunities.

NT WRITERS’ CENTRE

The Northern Territory Writers’ Centre offers a range of opportunities for NT-based writers. Keep up to date by visiting their website. Click here to take a look at what’s on offer.

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6. SA NEWS, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES

SAWC PROMOTED EVENTS

MUTANT STEPCHILDREN

If you write fantasy, horror, magic realism, science fiction, speculative fiction or any of the many forms of fantastic fiction usually lumped together under ‘speculative fiction’, then you might want to join the new speculative fiction writers’ group the Mutant Stepchildren. Contact Jeff Harris by phone 8258 9162 or email jlharris@senet.com.au

NORTH EASTERN WRITERS CHRISTMAS PARTY

North Eastern Writers are having a Christmas Party with special guests Jude Aquilina and Louise Nicholas followed by a poetry slam. It will be held on Thursday 18 December from 7pm at the Tea Tree Gully RSL Hall. The cost of entry is $5. Drinks and nibbles provided. RSVP and enquiries should be sent to margaret@northeasternwriters.com

TUXEDO CAT READINGS

A midsummer’s dream heatwave reading! Open mic. To be held at The Tuxedo Cat, 17-19 Synagogue Place, on Friday 16 January, from 7pm til late. Contact Jules on 0466 672 877 with any further enquiries.

RADIO ADELAIDE POETRY

Radio Adelaide’s ‘For a Peace of the Action’ program is seeking poems with a theme of peace or social justice — humour is welcome. Contact Clayton at clayton.werner@gmail.com to express your interest!

SAWC OPPORTUNITIES FOR WRITERS WITH A DISABILITY

The SA Writers’ Centre was recently awarded funding through the ArtsSA Richard Llewellyn Arts and Disability Trust for a writer-in-residence to work with people who have a disability. SAWC pleased to announce that this position has been taken up by Malcolm Walker, author of The Stone Crown (Walker Books, 2008). The writer-in-residence position aims to encourage members with a disability to come in to the Centre to discuss their work on a one-to-one basis with Malcolm, or, if they’re unable to access the city, to telephone or email. For full details of meeting and submission guidelines contact the SAWC via telephone on (08) 8223 7662 or email sawriters@sawc.org.au Click here to visit Malcolm’s website.

ADELAIDE PLAINS POETS INC POETRY COMPETITION

The theme for the next Adelaide Plains Poets Inc Poetry Competition is ‘Tracks and Trails’. With a prize pool of over $500 and categories for adults, secondary school and primary school students, you won’t want to miss it! For information, contact Carolyn Cordon on (08) 85272 412 or 0418 806 490. Email holkschter@bigpond.com or write to 30 Germantown Road, Redbanks, SA, 5502. Submissions close 15 January.

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7. WA NEWS, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES

NUMBAT 2009

The 2009 edition of poetry journal, Numbat, is gearing up for submissions. Poets are asked to submit works that they feel best showcase their unique poetry. Please submit (3/4) of your chosen poems in MS-Word Format, or Text, or as a file attachment. Additionally, please provide a picture, and an up to date biography with your poetry submission. Email you work to editor, David Barnes at db@aceonline.com.au Phone (08) 9361 6058, or email David at the address listed above for further information. Click here to take a look at the Numbat website.

TOM COLLINS POETRY PRIZE

The FAWWA Tom Collins Poetry Prize is an annual competition. Maximum 60 lines per poem. Prizes include: First: $1000; Second: $400; and four Highly Commended places: $150. Entry Fee is $5 per poem. Contact phone (08) 9384 4771 or email admin@fawwa.org.au Entries close 31 December. Click here to view the FAWWA website for further details.

POETS CORNER AT PAGES CAFE

Poets Union runs a get together at Perth Cultural Centre from 2 to 4:30pm on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Each sitting there is a bevy of invited readers plus spontaneous open mic outbursts. It’s hosted by Frances Macaulay Forde, and entry is free! Contact Frances at admin@poetscornerwa.com for further information.

FAWWA

The Fellowship of Australian Writers, Western Australia, run various regular workshops and special events. Click here to peruse their website and check out what’s on offer this month.

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8. TAS NEWS, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES

MUDLARK WRITERS’ GROUP

Mudlark Theatre inc. are proud to be offering a new writers’ group. Mudlark encourages new writers wishing to develop skills, emerging writers who want to expand their skills and also the experienced writers to take advantage of this new enterprise. There are great benefits to be gained by being a part of a writers’ group, especially one linked to a theatre company; the most obvious is the opportunity to share ideas, problems and success’s with other writers and theatre practitioners. The opportunity to hear your work read by actors. To be exposed to visiting artists and dramaturges…and ultimately to see your script performed. Mudlark Theatre inc. extends a warm invitation to anyone wishing to write for the stage. For more information contact Stephanie Briarwood on stephanie@mudlarktheatre.com.au or P.O. Box 2120 Launceston, TAS 7250.

STOCK

Launched in December 2007 by Contemporary Art Services Tasmania, Stock was created to provide a forum for local artists, designers, writers, curators and others wanting to voice their ideas, opinions and questions about their field. It also aims to encourage quality arts writing and to support critical dialogue amongst the Tasmanian literary community. Stock welcomes new ideas for articles and may be the perfect site to launch a project or to try something experimental. Or you can contribute to one of the online discussion topics. Click here to visit the Stock website for more information.

THE TASMANIAN TIMES SEEKS POETRY

Tasmanian poets or those with a Tasmanian connection may send up to 5 poems not previously in print or electronic media and not under consideration elsewhere to peter.macrow@gmail.com There is no closing date for TTT, so you’ve got plenty of time to let the creative sparks kindle…

And… click here to see the Tasmanian Writers’ Centre website for more local opportunities.

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9. QLD NEWS, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES

LOVERS OF GOOD WRITING COMPETITION

Organised through the Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW) Queensland, this competition caters for poets and short story writers in alternate years. Check with the organiser for current year’s details. First prize $250, second prize $100, two Highly Commended prizes $50. Winners announced in 'Scope', April edition. All entries must be accompanied by an entry form, stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a $5 entry fee. Postal Address PO BOX 6338, UPPER MOUNT GRAVATT QLD 4122 Contact the FAW (QLD) Convenor at nancycoxmillner@optusnet.com.au for further details. Submissions close 31 January 2009.

THE JOSEPHINE ULRICK LITERATURE AND POETRY PRIZES 2009

Griffith University’s School of Arts on the Gold Coast administers the prizes on behalf of the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Foundation for the Arts. $40,000 in prize money in 2009! $10,000 First Prize, $5,000 Second Prize, 2 x $2,500 Commended for a 1000 - 3000 word short story and $10,000 First Prize, $5,000 Second Prize, 2 x $2,500 Commended for an up to 200 line poem or suite of poems. Entries close 30 January 2009. Click here for further guidelines and entry forms. All enquiries can be directed to Clare Keys (07) 5552 8093 email: c.keys@griffith.edu.au

QUEENSLAND WRITERS’ CENTRE

The Queensland Writers’ Centre advertises various workshop, event, and competition opportunities for Queensland-based writers. Click here to view their website.

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10. ACT NEWS, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES

ACT WRITERS’ CENTRE

Click here to view the ACT Writers’ Centre website for information on a range of upcoming writers’ groups, workshops and other literary opportunities. Be sure to check out their January school holiday program, offering various workshops for younger and emerging writers.

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11. NSW NEWS, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES

VIBEWIRE INC ANNOUNCES A GLOBAL YOUTH FUTURES SCHOLARSHIP FOR YOUNG FUTURE CHANGE-MAKERS

Vibewire is looking for young social entrepreneurs who are passionate about a social or environmental issue and want to increase awareness by reaching out to wider audiences and contributing to social change.

Thanks to the generous support of Global Youth Futures, Vibewire is offering two scholarships to an individual, group or organisation with an innovative approach to addressing, highlighting and advocating around issues in their community, drawing people in rather switching them off.

Global Youth Future's vision is to connect and collaborate to co-create new futures – the kind of futures we want to live in. Its mission is to support and provide opportunities for young entrepreneurs to share and develop their skills, to understand the future in its complexity and to explore innovative and sustainable solutions to social and environmental issues.

The scholarship aims to support a young individual or team over the course of at least 3 months by providing them with residency at Vibewire's Hub (sQuareOne) in Sydney/Ultimo. Recipients get mentorship and will have the opportunity to further develop their skills and expertise as well as to build new networks and partnerships through Global Youth Futures and Vibewire.

Scholarship recipients will be required to report back to Global Youth Futures on an ongoing basis or as required, take part in a review process after 3 months and prepare a final evaluation report of their project. They will also be expected to attend a ‘Futures Dreaming’ weekend planning workshops and assist with one of Global Youth Future's events in 2009.

To apply please fill in application form attached addressing the selection criteria and outlining your project plan, motivation, resources etc. Applications are viewed and selected on a rolling basis.

For further info please contact Annie at info@vibewire.net or call (02) 9660 6591. Click here to visit the Vibewire website.

ANNOUNCING THE 2010 NEXT WAVE FESTIVAL THEME!

Jeff Khan, Artistic Director, is delighted to announce the theme for the 2010 Next Wave Festival: ‘No Risk Too Great’

The 2010 Next Wave Festival will explore the role of risk in a risk-averse culture. Under pressure to conform, we have all become experts in micro-managing our own behaviour. But is this self-surveillance distracting us from the bigger risks, the more un-manageable ones which are increasingly – and radically – changing our world? Just what does “risk” actually mean in these volatile times? In a wider culture of risk management, how prepared are we to make decisions that are brave, courageous or transgressive? Where is the line between our own personal, moral and ethical worlds, and the codes and principles which circulate in the broader context of contemporary culture? What is our capacity to draw, hold or cross this line? What are the real risks of our time, what are the risks worth taking, and what is our role as individuals, and as artists, in relation to them? How can we act boldly and imaginatively, in art and in life?

That also means that the call for Kickstart applications is now open. Kickstart is Next Wave’s non-Festival year development program, providing amazing opportunities for artists to realise their most ambitious ideas, all in anticipation of the 2010 Next Wave Festival. Next Wave provide cash, a workshop program and comprehensive mentoring and support. If this sounds like it could be for you, click here to download an application pack from the Next Wave website.

QUEEN C

Sauna Productions inc. studios in association with B Sharp present Queen C, written by Laura Ruohonen and translated by David Hackston. A dazzling and poetic work by one of Finland's leading playwrights, Queen C is the story of the enigmatic 17th century Swedish monarch. Queen C is an adult fairytale where everything is both possible and permissible. A sensual, raucous, human portrayal of an uncompromising woman, that poses provocative questions about sexuality and the nature of identity. Ticket cost is $29. Performances will run from 27 November to 21 December, on
Wednesday to Saturday: 8:15pm, Tues 7pm, Sun 5:15pm. Belvoir St Downstairs Theatre, 25 Belvoir St, Surry Hills. For bookings, call (02) 9699 3444 or click here to visit the Belvoir Theatre website.

NIDA SUMMER PROGRAM

NIDA’s Summer Program offers short courses in dramatic writing for adults and young people. Work with industry professionals at NIDA as part of our famous summer program to develop or refresh your professional skills. 


Scriptwriting for Film TV (for ages 16 years and older)
will run from 12 to 16 January. 
The cost is $525. Focus on telling a story on screen. Practice your skills in scriptwriting to unfold drama on screen through dramatic structure, dialogue and character. Take into consideration industry requirements for formats and styles from feature films to television comedies or series.

Develop a Film Treatment (for ages 16 years and older)
will run from 19 to 23 January. The cost is $525. Under the guidance of an industry expert, turn your idea for a film into a professional standard treatment. Consider industry formats and develop ways of effectively depicting characters, their stories, and other relevant information.

Writing for young people: Dramatic Writing (for ages 12 to 15 years)
will run from 5 to 6 January. 
The cost is $195. Dramatic story-telling starts with the writer. From a central event create tension, characters, dialogue and plot. Stretch your imagination by creating short and original scripts.

Further information is available on (02) 9697 7626 or via email open@nida.edu.au A full Bookings can be made online by clicking here.

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12. VIC NEWS, EVENTS, OPPORTUNITIES

BOOK ABYSS WRITING COMPETITION

The Book Abyss Writing Competition is open topic. Applicants may submit entries up to 1,000 words. Relevant genres include: Auto/Biography, Children/Young Adult, Crime, General Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Short Stories, Speculative Fiction, History, Education/Reference, Indigenous and Travel. Include a cover letter with your name, address, word count, title and email address, along with your entry. First prize is $200, second prize is $90, and third prize is $50. An entry Fee of $10 applies. Submissions close 1 February. Contact Wayne Proudfoot on (03) 54485059, or email service@thebookabyss.com.au

The Book Abyss postal address is PO BOX 6046, WHITE HILLS VIC 3550. Click here to view the Book Abyss website for further details.

MUSE 4: BETTER SORRY THAN SAFE

The University of Melbourne Postgraduate Association is seeking creative contributions in all literary genres from all writers, Australian and international, graduate student or not. They especially want work that teeters on the brink of going too far. Think daring, rather than experimental. When choosing what to submit, keep in mind the golden rule: better sorry than safe. All submissions published will enter the Muse/UMPA Creative Writing Prize. Click here for further details.

That’s all for 2008… Happy holiday season! Stay tuned for the return of Express Media’s members’ newsletter in the New Year, with the publication of our January issue. In the mean time, keep up to date by visiting the Express Media Website

Eat your words

Interested in arts writing? Then it's time to EAT YOUR WORDS!

Supported by the Australia Council for the Arts, and managed by Artworkers Alliance - 'Eat Your Words' is a collaborative writing project that is designed to help foster the development of critical arts writing in Australia.

Through the project, 8 emerging writers will have the opportunity to attend an intensive writing workshop in Brisbane, and collaborate with academics, visual artists and leading Australian arts writers.

Selected writings from the collaboration will be published in the July 2009 issue of Artworkers magazine - 'Artworker'.

Emerging writers under the age of 30 are invited to submit a 600 word arts related article or visual arts review with their entry form.

Entries close 5pm Friday 30 January 2009 - so get cracking!

For entry forms, terms and conditions and more information on Eat Your Words visit www.artworkers.org

Eat Your Words has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its funding and advisory body.

Affirm PressPublisher

www.affirmpress.com.au

Broken Pencil news

Broken Pencil Newsletter - December 2008

Hello Everyone! A belated welcome to winter and our newest issue. Broken Pencil's latest issue -- #41, The Humour Issue -- is out now! Featured in this issue: Katie Crown and the new generation of comic wunderkinds get profiled. Erin Kobayashi interviews Blert author Jordan Scott. Plus we have an exclusive excerpt from Lovers Spit Zine, a stealth tell-all about Canada's indie darlings Broken Social Scene. If you're not already one of our loyal and beloved subscribers, order your copy now at: http://www.brokenpencil.com/store/

We're currently hard at work on issue #42, which will be available in January. We plan to ring in 2009 with an in depth look at tabloid newspapers and their zine origins, a profile of Conundrum Press, an examination of whether the creation of good art is directly related to the amount of funding available, and another 60 pages of excerpts, reviews, fiction, comics and much more.


Death Match:
North America's Most Dangerous Short Story Contest
The second annual Indie Writers Deathmatch is underway. Only one writer will be left standing! We are now accepting entries for the contest. Enter a short story and you could win cash prizes, publication in Broken Pencil, and literary bragging rights baby! The deadline for entry is end of December. Enter North America's boldest literary challenge right now at: http://www.brokenpencil.com/deathmatch/

New Fiction Online

Band Names by Tor Lukasik Foss appears in BP 41, on stands now, and has just been added to the website. This story is freakin' funny. Read it now here.

Heartbreak for Dummies by Ashley Little is part of our new ongoing online only short story series. Check it out here.

December Zine of the Month
Rocket Robin Hood
David Pietila 440 Mary St. N., Hamilton, ON L8L 4W9, $6
History, art and more from the classic Canadian cartoon. Thoughtful, well written and researched, this zine delivers memory-jarring flashbacks of the profoundly strange, even surreal, cartoon that marked both a nadir and a low point for Canadian toons. Read the full review here.

Indie Artist in Residence
Our newest Indie Artist in Residence is Montreal poet and sports enthusiast David McGimpsey, author of (most recently) Sitcom (Coach House Books) Check out what he has to say: http://www.brokenpencil.com/indieartist/

Indie Market Place
Are you a zine maker? A record label? A basement creator of wacky and wonderful things? Then the Broken Pencil Indie Marketplace was made for you. Hawk your wares! Promote your zine, blog, or book! Make yourself known and reach BP readers for super cheap! Latest advertisers include No Media Kings - website hosting for as low as $6.50 a month, and Get Bent Records, an independent music label focusing on the grassroots development of musicians that share a do-it-yourself attitude, ethical philosophy, and penchant for great sound. Check out these and all our great indie marketplace advertisers here: http://www.brokenpencil.com/indiemarketplace/
Contact Tara at ads@brokenpencil.com for rates and availability.

Canzine 2008
The annual festival of zines and independent arts fair took place October 2008 in Toronto and was a great success. It was an incredible day! Roughly 170 vendors showed up to sell their wares, and around 1000 people came to browse. The comedy show and readings were hilarious, and Faisal Qamar won the 1-2 Punch Authors Pitch Contest (authors get 2 minutes to pitch, and judges get a minute each to respond) with his pitch about immigrating to Canada and learning to survive on $10 an hour. Thank you to our sponsors, volunteers and to everyone who came to check out the event. See you next year! (The picture is from Open Book Toronto - click on the link to read their review and to see more pictures.)

Photos and related press:
http://www.openbooktoronto.com/articles/canzine_2008
http://torontoist.com/2008/10/funniest_canzine_ever.php
http://poetency.blogspot.com/2008/10/free-speech-breaks-out-at-canzine.html
http://www.nationalpost.com/arts/story.html?id=924253

Call for Submissions
We're looking for new contributors for the magazine. Send your ideas for articles on the subject of independent cultural production to us, or volunteer to review books, zines, comics, and more. Our editor Lindsay Gibb, editor@brokenpencil.com, is standing by. Also, if you have a zine, CD, video, book or ezine you would like reviewed please send them our way. Complete info about submitting your ideas or becoming a bp reviewer here: http://www.brokenpencil.com/about/submit.php

Upcoming Workshops and Events
Hey, there's something new on the BP blog almost everyday! Events, zine gatherings, general weirdness and more: http://www.brokenpencil.com

Contacting Us
Founded in 1995 and based in Toronto, Canada, Broken Pencil is a website and a print magazine published three times a year. It is one of the few magazines in the world devoted exclusively to underground culture and the independent arts. We are a great resource and a lively read! A cross between the Utne Reader, an underground Reader's Digest, and the now defunct Factsheet5, Broken Pencil reviews the best zines, books, websites, videos, and artworks from the underground and reprints the best articles from the alternative press. Also, ground breaking interviews, original fiction, and commentary on all aspects of the independent arts. From the hilarious to the perverse, Broken Pencil challenges conformity and demands attention.

Hey, want to say something about our magazine, let us know about an upcoming event, send in a zine or website or CD for review or maybe do a piece for the mag? Don't be shy! We want to hear from you. Send us an email at editor@brokenpencil.com, or a letter at PO Box 203, Station P, Toronto, On, M5S 2S7 Canada, or call us at 416-204-1700.

Tango 8 Launch

Dear friend of Cardigan Comics,

I would like to invite you to the launch of 'Tango8: Love and Food', the latest issue in the series of TANGO, the giant Australian romance comics anthology.

This issue boasts 70 brilliant stories by as many artists, including graphic novelists Nicki Greenberg ('The Great Gatsby') Bruce Mutard ('The Sacrifice', 'The Bunker') Mandy Ord ('Rooftops') and JM Schmidt ('Egg Story', 'Eating Steve'). Cartoonists from The Age - Andrew Weldon and Oslo Davis - are featured, as are 64 other talented comic book makers from Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania and New Zealand.

'Tango8: Love and Food' will be launched at a bar called

Mr Wilkinson

295 Lygon Street East Brunswick

(opposite the East Brunswick Hotel,
take the No. 1 or 8 tram to stop 123/Albert Street)

7pm start

7.30pm speech by Bernard then the official launch of the book by Dur-e Dara, Melbourne food legend

Then we celebrate the launch of this gorgeous book!

Cardigan Comics gratefully acnowledges the support of Arts Victoria in the publication of 'Tango8: Love and Food'.

If you can't make it on the night, you could always buy a copy from the Cardigan Comics website www.cardigancomics.com

We won't charge you for postage (how generous!), you'll get a package in the mail (always a good thing!) you'll read it and love it and THEN can give it to Uncle Boris for Christmas (he's always so hard to find a gift for!)

Young Media Creators

Hi all,

SBS’s Insight program wants to speak to a diverse group of people aged 10-25 who have experienced their parents separating.

They would like to give some of the young people an opportunity to screen a short film piece or video diary, either online or as part of the television show.

They will host an in-depth yet also light-hearted discussion featuring the views of the kids/teenagers/young adults themselves.

If this is you, let me know via reply email or call the number below really really soon.

Cheers,

Bel Schenk
Artistic Director
Find me in the office Monday - Thursday
Express Media
247 Flinders Lane, Melbourne VIC 3000
Ph: 9663 4155, Fax: 9663 4544, www.expressmedia.org.au

'Anyone Can...' be a Warrior Princess!

Issue 2 of 'Anyone can...' is out now and is all about being a Warrior Princess, including being a struggling warrior princess, a Camberwell market warrior princess and a subtitled warrior princess...

By the time you read this the zine should be available from Sticky and 696 in Brunswick, but you can also get a copy from us by emailing : anyonecanmakeazine@gmail.com

'Anyone can...' be a Warrior Princess costs a paltry $2.50 so snap them up!

'Anyone Can...' is produced by City Library Street Press, a regular collective that meets at City Library to explore all aspects of street press. City Library is on holdays now, but will be recommencing on Jan 14th 2009 on fortnightly Wednesdays where we will be commencing on issue three which will be a slicker production and a new run of workshops and seminars starting in March, watch this space!

citylibrarystreetpress.blogspot.com