What is Offset and what are its aims?

Dominika Greinert (Publicity Manager and Co-Editor): In its eighth year Offset, Victoria University's annual literary magazine, is an excellent platform for emerging writers and artists to get a break and see their fiction, nonfiction, poetry and artwork sold. Every year Offset finds a home on shelves at Readings and Victoria University bookshops. This time around we plan to offer it to other independent bookshops too.

How do writers become involved in Offset?

Kate Olsen (Managing Editor): In the past, writers came from the pool of talent across the various campuses of Victoria University. The editors advertise online, speak to classes, and promote the publication with various fundraising events. This year we cast a wider net, speaking to writing departments at other universities, the Victorian Writers Centre, and attendees at the Emerging Writers Festival and the Williamstown Literary Festival.  Writers submitted their work to offset@students.vu.edu.au, and the best pieces were selected for publication.

Tell us about some of the entries in this years publication.

Kate: In recent editions Offset has included a prominent author amongst lesser known writers. This year's edition features critically acclaimed Paddy O'Reilly, and a further episode of the characters from her 'Deep Water' novella in Love and Desire (2007).  Nyadol Nyoun's evocative piece reveals life in a refugee camp in Kakuma, Kenya. The family dynamic is explored in detail, with a warped brotherly love in Michael Crane's 'Lipstick', sibling rivalry in Sarah Billington's 'Parenting Etiquette', and the fallout of a suicide in 'His Sister's Blog' by Erin Farrow.  Poetry proves that it's still flourishing from the pen (if not publications), with Keren Heenan's melancholy 'Evening', an exploration of life's twilight years, and John Egan's eulogy to the wreckage of war and the HMAS Sydney.

What benefits and opportunities do university publications such as Offset offer for up-and-coming writers?

Lina Konstantinidis  (Submissions Coordinator and Co-Editor): Offset and other University publications alike offer a great chance for up-and-coming writers to get their work published and out there for everyone to see. They allow writers to gain experience in dealing with publishers and feedback on how to improve their work.

What are some of the success stories of past writers?

Dominika: Dennis McIntosh recently had his memoir Beaten by a Blow published by Penguin. Other writers previously published in Offset include Christos Tsiolkas (Dead Europe) and Euan Mitchell (Self-Publishing Made Simple: The Ultimate Australian Guide).

Any tips for up-and-coming writers?

Alexandra Arevelo (Designer and Co-Editor): Just write. Write for a few minutes every day. If your passion for writing is real, you'll find that you can't stop! Don't be afraid to submit your work. If you believe your work is great then send it to publishers.  There's no need to feel discouraged if your work is rejected. Perseverance is essential for writers if they want to succeed. All you have to do is believe in yourself and in your work and surely everything will fall into place.

Dominika: There are two types of people in the world: thinkers and doers. Doers are proactive and seek out opportunities for themselves instead of thinking that someone one day will hand them a career. Proactiveness is the product of genuine drive and self-belief, a basic trait of any writer.

Photo Courtesy of Offset Magazine