Become a CWC blog contributor in 2013
Earlier this year we welcomed 13 wonderfully talented women to co-author this blog and present engaging and uplifting original content for us all to enjoy. I'm sure you'll agree there have been some fantastic insights and tips shared by these ladies, and I thank them all very much for their commitment to the task!
Next year, some of our contributors are moving on the persue new businesses, career changes and family additions (hooray for them!), and so we're looking for a few fresh voices to join our blogging team. Are you interested?
Who we are looking for:
Any creative woman, with any professional or hobbyist writing/blogging background, from any creative industry, whether you are currently working or not. You don’t necessarily have to be from Melbourne, but read on for more specific location details.
Skills required:
Basically, you should enjoy coming up with ideas for interesting blog post content, writing posts, and taking/sourcing photos.
More specifically, you should:
- have some basic knowledge of how a blog works and what makes an interesting blog post.
- know how to appropriately credit image sources and link to relevant online information in a blog post.
- have enough time to research & write a blog-post once a month and submit the post by the deadline date.
- have a strong grasp of the English language, spelling and grammar.
The commitment: One post per every 5-6 weeks for the year (if successful you'll be sent a comprehensive schedule to help with planning and posting). Your first post will be on the blog in February/March 2013.
Blog posts can vary in length from 200-1000 words and might include taking/sourcing photos or graphics – but this will depend on the nature of your column.
The benefits of becoming a CWC blog columnist: The benefits of becoming a CWC blog contributor boil down to your name, business, work, creations and personality reaching a large audience of people (over 22,000 visitors this year!) who may want to engage with you, promote you, hire you, or buy your stuff.
Other benefits include meeting people and learning things about yourself and others in the course of writing and preparing your posts; and writing, sharing your skills and knowledge - being seen as an ‘expert’ in your field.
If I have learned anything running the CWC and other blogs, it’s that the art of self-promotion and ‘getting one’s name out there’ is all about engaging with the online world, and then marvelling at how that translates to projects, work, collaborations and friendships in the offline world. Our contributors this year have used their position to enhance their CV, approach creatives they admire to learn more about their work, network, share their expertise, hone their writing skills and break out of their day-to-day work mindframe and challenge themselves.
(As you can see, there is no direct monetary benefit, but the opportunities for self-promotion and networking are priceless.)
Here are the columns that are looking for authors in 2013:
Bricks and mortar (see past examples of this column here) Every month, you visit an actual bricks-and-mortar establishment run by a creative lady, such as a retail shop, a cafe, a design studio etc, and document that business/workplace through photos and words (mostly photos).
Would suit: Someone who likes getting out and about, meeting people in person and enjoys taking photos. Arranging the visit with the person/place you have chosen beforehand would be essential – this is not a covert operation-style blog post.
Location: Melbourne preferred, but if you travel interstate regularly or if you are from interstate then you could author or co-author this column.
Women in the world (see past examples of this column here) Every month, you tell our readers about the work, or plight, of creative women in another part of the world. Perhaps they are creating beautiful products and supporting themselves and their families/communities. Perhaps they have social or lifestyle issues that would be unheard of in Australia, and CWC readers can do something creative to assist them in some way.
Would suit: Someone who is socially conscious and enjoys researching and promoting not-for-profit causes and alerting others to the living and working conditions, or creative pursuits, of women around the world.
Location: You could be based anywhere to author this column.
Women in art (see past examples of this column here) Every month, you alert us to upcoming exhibitions, installations or performances that are by women. You could choose to focus on one major event, or a round-up of several local events (even categorised by state/city if so desired!).
Location: Melbourne preferred.
Organise me! (see past examples of this column here) Every month, you'll give us ideas, tips, tricks or advice about how to stay organised when running a solo business. You might focus on record keeping, stockist management, or material organisation. You might seek out and ask other organised creatives for their top tips or advice that makes them feel ‘on top of it’. Bonus points for profiling mums who manage creative work & kid-wrangling.
Would suit: An organised person who loves creating new systems and processes to help their life and creative work run smoothly.
Location: You could be based anywhere to author this column.
Book reviews (see past examples of this column here) Do you regularly read creative/business-related books or biographies? Perhaps you’d like to review or recommend a title to us once a month.
Location: You could be based anywhere to author this column.
Social media news, tips & tricks (see past examples of this column here) The social media world moves quickly... each month, you would tell us about a new/existing social media tool, website platform or app, or offer your tips for using them effectively for marketing, promotion or business organisation.
Would suit: An ‘early adopter’ or frequent user of internet tools, apps and social platforms, who can easily see the benefit to creatives, small business owners and the like.
Location: You could be based anywhere to author this column.
Member interviews (see past examples of this column here) Find out more about our members by interviewing them about their passions, workspace, skills, strengths and career story.
Would suit: Anyone with a burning desire to ask those they admire how they do what they do!
Location: You could be based anywhere to author this column.
How to apply:
Applications are now closed. Thanks for your interest! x
The Stella Prize - A New Way To Honour Women Who Write
By Sandra Todorov This edition of Women Who Write is dedicated to The Stella Prize, a new initiative designed to celebrate the work of Australian women writers. This is the first major literary prize for women’s writing in Australia and it will be awarded for the first time in April 2013!
With entries closing at 5.00pm on Thursday 15 November 2012, you can bet some nervous people are polishing up their entries and hoping for the best.
According to the website: “[The Stella Prize] will raise the profile of women’s writing, and will reward one writer with a $50,000 prize. The shortlisted and winning books will be widely publicised and marketed in order to bring readers to the work of Australian women writers. In short, the Stella Prize will celebrate and recognise Australian women’s writing, encourage a future generation of women writers, and significantly increase the readership for books by women.”
The prize came into being after a group of women in the publishing industry noted that women were being neglected in shortlists for the prestigious Miles Franklin Award. After no woman was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin for two years within a three year stretch, the women decided enough was enough. Education philanthropist Ellen Koshland provided much of the initial funding for the Stella Prize, with two female restaurateurs (Patricia O'Donnell and Michelle Garnaut) among the other major donors.
''There was always going to be men on the panel - but not a majority - because we want men to read women's books'' says Stella Prize chairwoman and Scribe Publications associate publisher Aviva Tuffield. ''It's very much about celebrating Australian women's literature and supporting books and writers in an industry that is struggling.”
The board member list reads like a who’s who of Australian publishing, with former Meanjin editor Sophie Cunningham, Wheeler Centre Associate Director Jenny Niven, feminist author Monica Dux (profiled in a previous edition of Women Who Write) and Sleepers Publishing editorial director Louise Swinn among the members.
Here's what some people of note have to say about the award:
The Stella Prize is an important evolution in the recognition and celebration of women writers in Australia. Ms “Miles” Franklin would be proud.
- Tara Moss
The Stella Prize recognizes that women are central to Australia's literary endeavour and gives encouragement to future generations of writers.
- Adam Bandt
I am living proof that a women-only prize can be career-changing.
- Kate Grenville
I, like make other Australian women writers, am waiting with bated breath for the announcement of the award next year! Anyone hoping to enter had better get a move on, as the deadline is less than two weeks away.
Sandra Todorov’s writing has appeared in The Seminal, The Lowy Institute ‘Interpreter’, Kill Your Darlings and Miranda Literary Magazine. She runs a consultancy from Melbourne CBD and her first novel will be out in 2013.
You're invited to our next Melbourne event!
Hello CWCers, Today I'm pleased to invite you to our next exciting Melbourne CWC event!
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Date: Sunday 11 November, 2012
Time: 10am-Noon (9.45am for 10am start)
Location: Frankie & Swiss, Ground floor, 199 Toorak Road South Yarra (enter via Claremont St laneway). Please note, there are paid parking options around South Yarra, however weekend traffic can be difficult along Toorak Road & Chapel Streets. We recommend public transport as there are a number of train & tram stops right near the studio.
Cost: $11.00 CWC Full Members / $16.50 Subscribers & Non-members
A portion of all ticket sales will go to support the Victorian AIDS Council.
Our speaker at this event is Chrissie Feagins. Chrissie is an advertising agency Creative Director. During her long career she's worked in both Australia and the UK at global agencies such as OBM Advertising and J. Walter Thomson, raised two children, and forged relationships with many organisations she cares passionately about. She is currently on the Board of the Victorian AIDS Council, and with two eco-minded business partners Chrissie runs Hookturn Industries, famous for their BYO Coffee Cup.
At this CWC, Chrissie will share with us the details of her long and rewarding career in advertising, an industry often viewed as male-dominated and fiercely competitive. With her breadth of experience in advertising, working with not for profits, and in product design and development, her presentation will surely appeal to a wide audience. You might even go home with a BYO Coffee Cup of your own, as Chrissie has generously donated a door prize for this event!
After the talk, join us for morning tea.
Please note, seating is limited so be sure to book your tickets early. Hope to see you there!
Our first Sydney CWC: tickets on sale now!
Today is a very special day, because I can finally announce the details of our very first CWC event in Sydney!
..................................................................................................................... Date: Saturday 27 October, 2012 Time: 2-4pm (1.45pm for 2pm start) Location: 107 Projects, 107 Redfern St, Redfern, Sydney NSW We encourage the use of public transport to our events - catch the bus 305/308/309/310 or the train to Redfern Station. Cost: $11.00 CWC Full Members / $16.50 Subscribers & Non-members Tickets available here A portion of all ticket sales will go to support the Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife, for which Julie has just become an ambassador. .....................................................................................................................
Our guest speaker at this event is Julie Paterson of Cloth.
Julie is a painter, printmaker, designer and owner of cloth, a small & friendly fabric company she set up 17 years ago. Julie designs, and with the help of a small team, produces textiles locally by hand for the home and boutique commercial interiors. Her distinct design style (inspired by the Australian landscape) has seen her develop a large range of interior products, and collaborate with Designer Rugs and Porters Paints.
Cloth have recently opened a new shop and showroom in Surry Hills (we highly recommend a visit!) and the Cloth range now includes bed linen, art, upholstered furniture, clay pieces and much more.
At this first Sydney CWC, Julie will share with us the story of cloth - from its humble beginnings, through to working with a team to grow her vision and business, and insights into her collaborations, love of sustainable materials and practices, marketing and social media use.
After Julie's presentation, join us for afternoon tea.
Seating is limited so be sure to book your tickets early... and Melbourne folk, you are of course invited to come along. I'm sure it will be well worth the trip! :)
You're invited to our next event!
Spring has sprung and I'm pleased to announce our next CWC speaker event!
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sunday 23 September 2012 Time: 10am-Noon Location: Frankie & Swiss, Ground floor, 199 Toorak Road South Yarra (enter via Claremont St laneway).
Dagmar Rousset is a dual concept store that sells clothing by day and offers French classes at night. Julia studied French and translation in both Melbourne and Paris and taught French for 10 years at the Alliance Francaise and Monash University. In 2009, she decided to throw herself into the merciless world of fashion retail with no experience whatsoever! She sees herself as a new, gentler kind of retailer: not in it for the money but rather to make the world a bit brighter and her customers a bit braver in their sartorial choices.
Julia will share with us her experience as a 'curating' creative - one who doesn't make the products she sells, but rather uses her keen eye and sense of style to bring together a host of local and interational artisans who do. She will discuss the various collaborations she has instigated via Dagmar Rousset (including those with ALL Knitwear and Rowena Martinich), detail her unique shop/school business model and what she has learned about both along the way.
After Julia's presentation, join us for morning tea.
Please note seating is limited so be sure to book your tickets early.
Hope to see you there!
Sydney CWC: Save the date!
It's true! The CWC is coming to Sydney, for the first speaker event outside of Melbourne.
So mark your calendar for Saturday 27 October, 2012, 2-4pm and keep an eye on the blog for speaker, venue & ticket details to be announced in early October. And tell your Sydney-based friends!
CWC event podcasts now online!
Good news! Recordings of a few of our past events are now available over at the Podcast page. Most are available to Full Members only (it's a benefit of joining!), but non-members can listen to our September 2011 event with Shelley Panton for free!