Letter Vox

An idea for the Letter Vox-ers ... record 2-5 minute audio reflections on ‘extreme reading’, ie, reading in dangerous places, books that get the adrenaline going, and reading very long, very short, or very hard books. 

Harper and Collin are sluicing through the slush 

Got a finished manuscript, or at least 10,000 words of one? Last week we told you about the highly competitive Varuna program where 5 manuscripts are selected to be developed by Harper Collins editors during a week's writing retreat in the Blue Mountains. This week we want to tell you about an amazing initiative, also to do with Harper Collins (this time the big wigs in the US) - the website www.authonomy.com/ has been launched by the publishing house in a bid to 'beat the slush.' The premise behind the website is unpublished writers upload at least 10,000 words of their manuscript, thus exposing it to peer review, literary agents and editors. Visitors to and users of the site will vote for their favourite manuscripts and the top 5 most voted for go straight to the desk of a Harper Collins editor each month.

Getting Girly

For the lady writers out there ... popular website www.girl.com.au  has just launched a short story corner. The top stories of the month are selected by the editor and published on the website. Check it out at www.girl.com.au/short-stories.htm

And remember, Cutwater Literary Journal is accepting submissions,  and the Young Writers Festival is happening this month - for further information, if you can't find the numerous columns we've harped on about these opportunities, please get in touch via email.

Of course, sharing is caring, so if you know of anything you think other Vibers would be interested in, please email the team create@vibewire.net