Each year, Writing NSW partners with Words on the Waves to present ‘Inside Publishing’, a discussion that explores the workings of publishing that most of us never see. Join a writer (Shannon Molloy), a commissioning editor (Emma Rafferty), and an agent (Nerrilee Weir) as they share their experiences navigating the publishing world, and give tips on how writers can pursue publication. Gain valuable advice on what to do (and what to avoid!) from the unique perspectives of these industry professionals.

Hosted by Sophie Groom from Writing NSW

10:00am – 11:00am

Presented by Writing NSW

In the first lines of a novel, the writer shapes not just the world, but the eyes through which the reader will experience it. Will they be strapped into a speeding car or kept at arm’s length? In this workshop, we will be considering the basic elements of the novel and reveal how each of them function in the microcosm of the first page with author Gretchen Shirm.

Please note: due to unforeseen circumstances Vivian Pham can no longer lead this workshop, and has been replaced by Gretchen Shirm.

11:30am – 1:30pm

Join award-winning author Laura Elvery for an engaging session devoted to the difficult but rewarding task of writing short fiction. This two-hour workshop will be practical and packed with new approaches. You will leave with advice on how to generate ideas, how to lay out the bones of a captivating new short story, and some tips to refine your work at the sentence level.

2:00pm – 4:00pm

Have you finished a draft of your novel, but know it still needs work? This masterclass with Eleanor Limprecht will give you tricks and tools to revise and rewrite your prose and hone your self-editing skills. From the big-picture of structure, plot, pacing, character arcs and world-building – to the detail of sentence, paragraph, word choice and dialogue – we will look at the most effective ways to approach rewriting and revision.

4:30pm – 6:30pm

In this workshop learn a brief history of YA and just how important and revolutionary it is to have a space carved out for teens, when so little in the world is for them. Learn some of the fundamentals of writing for this age-group from an award-winning author, literary agent, and RMIT Creative Writing lecturer – Danielle Binks. Find voice, understand the difference between readership VS. genre, learn industry “rules”, and why readers are more willing than ever before to break them …

9:00am – 11:00am

How do you write an unputdownable thriller or suspense novel? You need compelling characters, plot twists, cliff-hangers and perfect pacing. In this two-hour course with best-selling thriller author, Petronella McGovern, you’ll learn techniques to heighten tension and suspense in your story.

11:30am – 1:30pm

Are you ready to unlock your creativity and start writing captivating, bite-sized stories?
Join prize-winning author and co-host of the Not Quite Write Podcast, Amanda Scotland, for a welcoming and inspiring introduction to the world of flash fiction.

In this session, you’ll:

• discover what makes flash fiction unique compared to other types of storytelling;
• develop key skills to craft compelling flash-length stories; and
• get insider tips on what judges look for in flash fiction competitions.

And the best part? You’ll dive straight into writing your own flash fiction during the workshop! Leave with fresh ideas, a story-in-progress, and the confidence to keep creating and sharing your work.

2:00pm – 4:00pm