It was a pleasure to judge this year's AWR contest. It's my second year representing Elwood Writers as a judge, and such an honour to read all the contributions. In two years, the quality of entries just keeps rising. Congratulations to editor sD Ferrara on a short-list full of surprises and containing something for everyone. … Continue reading Winner of 2026 American Writers Review Contest
Tag: Elwood Writers
Join the 2026 AWR Contest: ‘The Truth Will Set You Free’
Last year, on behalf of Elwood Writers, Barry Lee Thompson and I had the pleasure of judging submissions to the American Writers Review (AWR) annual literary contest. The editor of San Fedele Press, D Ferrara, themed the 2025 entries to both contest and anthology as ‘Buyers’ Remorse’. Writers these days are encouraged to be good literary citizens, … Continue reading Join the 2026 AWR Contest: ‘The Truth Will Set You Free’
Buy Now, Regret Later – a literary contest
We've all done it. Experienced buyer's remorse, that is. That pair of '70s bell bottoms you thought you looked so good in, but rarely fitted into. The gifts you've stored for years for which you've never found a suitable recipient. A life - maybe - you've bought into, but since wondered about. What about when … Continue reading Buy Now, Regret Later – a literary contest
The Inspirational ‘Write’ Spot
My writing group recently went on a retreat to rural Victoria. The three of us booked a house overlooking a forest and we took along our mascot, Ruby the dog, for added company. The dedicated time away felt to me like being on a big, peaceful sailing ship travelling through tranquil waters. All we had … Continue reading The Inspirational ‘Write’ Spot
Snatching Time to Write
Donna Talarico, editor and founder of Hippocampus Magazine, recently posted that despite her wishes to the contrary, her busyness didn’t ever seem to stop. I gave the post a laughing crying emoji. She’d been reading my mind. This busyness will be over soon and I'll be able to get back to writing. But the fact … Continue reading Snatching Time to Write
Elwood Writers on the Radio
It's been an honour to read stories on Tim McQueen's literary radio program 'Cover to Cover'. Members of my group Elwood Writers loved recording in the Vision Australia studio. Barry Lee Thompson's story 'Haunting in Bandung' captures the former glory of an Indonesian hotel where the visiting narrator encounters more guests than he'd bargained on. … Continue reading Elwood Writers on the Radio
Reading for Radio
At Elwood Writers we are preparing our stories for Cover to Cover, a literary program broadcast on Vision Australia Radio. On this occasion Helen, Barry and I are choosing a selection of our pieces, including past favourites. 'The Writers' Choice', as we've named it, has no set theme, although one does inevitably emerge. A hint: … Continue reading Reading for Radio
The Synchronicity of Submissions
I’ve sent off quite a few submissions in my time. At least it feels that way. If there was a low strike rate during lockdown, I blame it on the growing number of people with more writing time on their hands, and them doing so. My preference for submitting is to non-fiction magazines whose work … Continue reading The Synchronicity of Submissions
Our Stories in 20 Artists
Early in 2023 (remember that year?) the Elwood Writers were invited to submit stories and poems to 20 Artists, a Port Phillip based magazine. The first literary edition of the visual arts/lit mag was published and launched in December and is now available on the 20 Artists' website. Read about 'Handwritten Issue One' in the … Continue reading Our Stories in 20 Artists
A Literary Soiree
It's summer in Melbourne, but you might not know it. Rain poured down during our Elwood Writers' summer soiree this December. If you can imagine, it was a bit like inviting our guests to a literary Key Largo. No Lauren Bacall or Humphrey Bogart to hand, but we battened down the hatches nevertheless, and enjoyed … Continue reading A Literary Soiree
WRITINGS AND MUSINGS OF MARGARET MCCAFFREY 