Pure Poetry Ballarat was a resounding success last year with a standing room only crowd at the Art Gallery of Ballarat for the final performance. It’s on again this year and is expected to be even more popular, so get your poems in to see if you’ll be selected for Pure Poetry 2010.
Part I: Mentoring opportunity
Eight emerging poets living in the City of Ballarat or the Hepburn, Golden Plains or Moorabool Shire Councils will be selected to participate in a 3-week mentoring program with renowned Castlemaine poet Ross Donlon. Submissions …

Lisa Dempster is a writer, editor, blogger and the publisher at Vignette Press. She is also the director of the Emerging Writers’ Festival. Her titles include /The Melbourne Veg Food Guide/, /The Words We Found: the best writing from 21 years of Voiceworks/ and /Neon Pilgrim/. You can catch her online at www.lisadempster.com.au . Lisa will read from and talk about her new book Neon Pilgrim, a journey on foot along the 88 temples of the Henro Michi in Japan.
“A chatty, uplifting armchair travel narrative for readers of backpack-lit, …

JUMP is a national framework for developing and supporting mentoring relationships between young and emerging artists, and established professionals in the arts industry. Mentors can provide support for your artistic, professional and even personal development on a regular basis, provide practical insight into your chosen field early on in your career path, and widen your industry knowledge and contacts considerably.
In 2010, 36 mentorship places are available nationally. The number of mentorships available will increase in subsequent years of the JUMP program.
JUMP directly supports the career development of artists aged …

Nominations are now open for the 2010 Committee of Management. Nomination forms must be received by 5pm, Monday 25 January 2010.
The Australian Society of Authors is run by its Executive Director under the direction of a Chair and an elected Committee of Management of fourteen members. The Committee of Management is elected annually and is responsible for making major policy decisions and setting directions.
Committee members have responsibility for portfolios in their area of interest or expertise, including Indigenous issues, contracts and lending rights.
State representatives act as contact points for members …

Melbourne-based Affirm Press is looking to publish six single author story collections in 2010. Ambitious or what! Deadline is February 1.
Here for details

Come and celebrate a great year for writers in Ballarat and surrounds. We’ve had great fun and produced some great writing too. Bring along something to read and your good cheer.

In a victory for common sense, the Australian government has decided to retain territorial copyright, keeping Australia in line with other publishing nations and helping to ensure our vibrant and exciting publishing industry continues to thrive.
The Australian Society of Authors, along with publisher organisations, unions and most booksellers, conducted a strong campaign to retain territorial copyright.
“The ASA membership has once again demonstrated its quiet strength,” ASA Executive Director Dr Jeremy Fisher declared. “Our members have been constantly telephoning and writing to their parliamentary representatives pointing out …