Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. I want to write. What should I do?
If you would like to write but are unsure how to get started by yourself, consider joining a writing group or attending a writing workshop. There are regular writing groups across the metropolitan area and in regional areas. For more information, see Q. 2, below. One-off or series-based workshops are run by a number or organisations and writers' centres and a good way to get information about these is to check the "What's On?" listings on this site, which are updated regularly.

Q2. I want to join a writing group. Where do I find these groups?
A: Most of the writers' organisations in Perth host writing groups. Here are their contacts:

Fellowship of Australian Writers WA
Tom Collins House, corner Wood and Kirkwood streets, Swanbourne, WA 6010
Telephone: (08) 9384 4771
Facsimile: (08) 9384 4854
Email: fawwa@iinet.net.au
Web: www.fawwa.org.au

Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre
11 Old York Road, Greenmount, WA 6056
Telephone/Facsimile: (08) 9294 1872
Email: kspf@iinet.net.au
Web: www.kspf.iinet.net.au/

Peter Cowan Writers Centre
Joondalup Campus, Edith Cowan University
Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, WA 6027
Telephone: (08) 9301 2282
Email: mcowan05@bigpond.com
Web: www.pcwc.org.au

Australian Writers Guild
196 Oxford Street, Leederville, WA 6007
Telephone: (08) 9201 1172
Facsimile: (08) 9201 1173
Email: wa@awg.com.au
Web: http://www.awg.com.au/

Society of Women Writers WA
PO Box 434, Northbridge, WA 6865
Telephone: 041 584 0031
Email: swwofwa@gmail.com

Fremantle Children's Literature Centre
Old Prison Hospital
Cnr Hampton Road and Knutsford Street, Fremantle, WA 6160.
Telephone: (08) 9430 6869
Email: freoclc@iinet.net.au

Children's Book Council of Australia - WA Branch (Inc.)
PO Box 473
West Perth WA 6872
Telephone: 9271 3063 (President)
Email: wa@cbca.org.au
Website: http://wa.cbca.org.au

If you are looking for assistance with editing or proofreading a manuscript, then contact:

Society of Editors (WA)
PO Box 99
Subiaco WA 6904
Telephone: 9287 1494
email: secretary@editorswa.comwebsite: www.editorswa.com

If you're interested in romance writing, contact this group:
Romance Writers of Australia Inc.
PO Box 1236
Neutral Bay NSW 2089
Telephone: 0429 233 764
Email: secretary@romanceaustralia.com
Web: http://www.romanceaustralia.com

If you're interested in poetry, contact:
WA Poets Inc
PO Box 684
Inglewood 6932
Telephone/fax: 94711084
Email: wapoets@gmail.com
Web: http://www.wapoets.net.au/

Writers groups also meet throughout Perth and Western Australia. Some of them are listed below. Once we obtain permission from other groups, we will post contact details for you. In the meantime, if you want to find out if there are any informal writing groups in your area, you could try putting up a notice at your local library or supermarket and seeing if anyone contact you. Or you could start your own. If you belong to a writing group and would like the contact details listed, please send us an email.

Bunbury: Tuesday Writers (Meets 9.30 - 11.30am)
Telephone: (08) 9721 8944
Email: admin@milligan.org.au Web: www.milligan.org.au

Fremantle: Writing at the Centre.
Poetry classes with Shane McCauley, Prose classes with Helen Hagemann, on alternate Fridays 10am–12 noon, Room 9, Fremantle Arts Centre.

Masterclasses with Dr Bruce Russell for longer works of fiction.
For information contact: Helen Hagemann on 9343 0072 hagemann.helen@gmail.com or Dr Bruce Russell 9339 2131 brucer@iinet.net.au

Fremantle: OOTA - Out of the Asylum Writers' Group.
Meets every Friday at 12 noon after the Writing at the Centre class at Fremantle Arts Centre, 1 Finnerty Street, Fremantle. Writing Time is also available every Wednesday 9.30am - 12.30pm at various venues.
Contact: Josephine Clarke
Telephone: 9339 0847 Email: ootawriters@gmail.com
Website: http://ootawriters.blogspot.com

Geraldton: Writers of Geraldton
Meets 2nd Sunday of the month at 2pm, The Residency, Marine Terrace, Geraldton, WA 6530.
Telephone: Stan: 9965 2873
Email: stan8@wn.com.au

Gosnells: Pen-Arias Writing Group, meets fortnightly on Thursday mornings in Thornlie. Limited membership numbers.
Telephone: 9524 1971 or 0429 116 395
Email: linpress@tpg.com.au

Kununurra: Kununurra Writers' Group
Telephone: (08) 9169 1227
Email: librarian@thelastfrontier.com.au

Mandurah: 'Scribblers': Mandurah-Murray Writers Group Inc
PO Box 580, Mandurah, WA 6210
Telephone: 9582 1966
Email: scribblersmm@gmail.com
Web: http://scribblerswa.org/

Mandurah: Coastal Writers
Meet: Meet: Each Wednesday 2-4pm
Welcomes writers of all ages, levels and styles. We offer up-to-date information on markets, marketing, competitions and trends in publishing. Published authors in the group are always happy to share their expertise to help new writers improve their skills, and we actively encourage everyone to keep writing and look towards publishing their work.
Fees: $1 per week plus membership of PBSC (currently $25pa)
Contact: Dave or Rose
Telephone: (08) 9535 5470
Email: db.books@internode.on.net

Manjimup: Warren Literary Society
Telephone: (08) 9776 7104
Email: claudettemountjoy@hotmail.com

Melville: Melville Writers
Meet: Each Tuesday afternoon in Booragoon.
Please phone in advance to advise if you wish to attend/join this group.
Contact Sheryl Molony
Telephone: 94504520
Email: molony@iinet.net.au

Mukinbudin: NEWROC Writers
Meet the second Wednesday of every month at 2pm at various venues.
Contact Peta Watson on (08) 9047 0070
Email: tandpwatson@westnet.com.au

Northbridge: Writing across genres
Meets 2nd and 4th Sunday morning of the month in the Perth Cultural Centre, Northbridge.
Contact: Emily on 0432059332
Email: esun76@hotmail.com

Pilbara: Pilbara Writers' Group
Contact: Sharon Payne
Telephone: 0458 009 759
Email: payne.sm@hotmail.com

Victoria Park: Eat, Love, Pray ... Write!
Meets Wednesdays from 6.15 to 8.15pm at the Victoria Park Centre for the Arts, 12 Kent Street, East Victoria Park.
Cost per session is a gold coin donation to the centre and membership is $25 per year ($20 concession).
Contact: Kathy Gardner
Telephone: 9470 5520
Email: vicparkarts@westnet.com.au

Yanchep: Sun City Writers' Group
Contact: Anita McInnes
Email: amcinnes1@bigpond.com

Q3. I've finished a manuscript and want to get it published. What should I do?

If your goal is to see your work traditionally published with a mainstream publishing house, you need to do some research to determine a list of publishers to whom you might submit your manuscript. Publishers have different areas of specialty and there is no point sending your fantasy novel to a publisher of non-fiction, or your self-help book to a boutique poetry publisher. You can find a comprehensive list of Australian publishers at the Australian Publishers Association, which includes links to most publishers' web sites. For a detailed list of publishers and markets generally, get a copy of The Australian Writers Marketplace from the Queensland Writers Centre or at your local library. This is an excellent book, updated each year, and provides information about what each publisher takes as well as how they like it presented. Online access is also available for a fee.

Q3.1. How should I present my manuscript?
Each publisher has its own submission guidelines and these can vary significantly from place to place. Most publishers have websites where these guidelines may be accessed. If you would like your work considered, you should take care to adhere to the individual submission requirements for each publisher. Publishers receive a large number of submissions and failure to adhere to submission guidelines may result in your manuscript being returned unread.

Note that some publishers do not accept unsolicited submissions at all, while others accept work only from previously published authors. Others may have 'submission windows' they open for brief periods from time to time, and in some cases for specific sorts of manuscripts. Signing up for industry newsletters such as writingWA's fortnightly e-news will ensure that you are advised of opportunities such as these as they arise.

If you wish to submit material to publishers who do not accept unsolicited manuscripts, you can try and secure a literary agent, who will present your work to publishers on your behalf. For details, see Q.9, below.

Further advice is available in the Australian Society of Authors' free information sheet "Getting Published".

Q3.2. How does traditional publishing work?
Commercial publishers take on the financial risk of publication and aim to recoup their costs from sales of the published book. This is why this kind of publishing is a highly selective process. Commercial publishing houses have their own sales and marketing teams who will organise publicity and promotion and work to get your book into bookstores via their established distribution networks.

Note that it can take a period of several months for editorial staff at the publisher to read your submission and decide if they would like to see more or offer you a contract.

Q3.3. What if I am offered a contract?
If a publisher selects your manuscript for publication they will negotiate a contract with you. This usually includes a percentage of sales as your royalty, typically 10% of the retail price. You should always have an expert look at any contract before you sign. The Arts Law Centre and the Australian Society of Authors both provide contract advice services.

There will almost certainly be an editorial process that takes place before the book is finalised for production, in which you will work with an editor at the publishing house to revise your manuscript in preparation for publication. You will also be consulted on issues such as cover design, title and so on.

Once the manuscript is finalised, the publishing firm will have the book designed and typeset and prepare everything for printing. You should be given proofs of the typeset work to make sure they're correct. Once the book is printed the publisher will promote the book and distribute it to bookshops and other appropriate outlets.

Q3.4. I've been offered a contract but the publisher has requested that I contribute to costs. Is this standard?
No. In traditional publishing, the publisher bears the financial risk and should not request any contribution from the author. If you are asked to pay to have your work published, no matter what the amount, you are most likely dealing with a ‘vanity publisher'. This is a publisher which transfers some or all of the financial risk to the writer.

There are some unscrupulous vanity presses around; however depending on what your individual goals are, you may find that some do offer value for money. Ask to see examples and reviews of their previously published books, and consider contacting authors who have already worked with them to ascertain what their experience has been. Also be sure to carefully examine all quotes and contracts to see what is covered (for example, editing and proofreading may not be included, nor distribution and promotion).

Vanity publishers often provide no, or a very limited, marketing and distribution service, and do not have the quality control of commercial publishing houses. In some senses, they may be seen as operating more as a book production service than a publishing house, and this can be a very expensive enterprise for writers, who find themselves with a printed book, but no post-production support in terms of sales, marketing or distribution.

Note that a ‘vanity' publisher will not describe itself using this term. They may use terms such as 'co-op', 'subsidy', or 'partnership' publisher, and often advertise themselves as providing a pathway by which new authors can enter the industry. This can be misleading, however, as such publishers generally lack the means to afford a new author the exposure and platform necessary to build a successful career.

Before you consider accepting a contract with this kind of publisher, you should explore the option of self-publishing, information about which is provided below, in Q.4.

Q4. What about self-publishing?
With increased access to print-on-demand technologies as well as digital modes of publication, self-publishing has become an increasingly viable option. 'Self-publishers' are authors or organisations who have opted to take on the role of the commercial publisher themselves. Self-publishers not only take on the costs of publication but also bear most or all of the responsibility for marketing and distribution. You will also need to deal with issues of formatting, design and printing yourself.

Some writers choose to self-publish because they have been unsuccessful in securing a contract with a commercial publisher, while others opt for this model from the outset. Examples of the latter might be someone who wishes to publish their life story for an audience of mostly family; a poet bringing out a small debut collection or ‘chapbook' which might be mostly sold at local venues or by word of mouth; or an organisation producing a commissioned history. There are certainly instances where self-published work has been successful in gaining a broader, mainstream audience; however this is the exception rather than the norm, and if you wish to sell your self-published work to the general public, you need to be prepared to invest a significant amount of time and energy in sales and marketing.
If you are considering this path, it is important to have a clear understanding of what it will involve for you, and what the likely outcomes will be. There are a number of different options and issues to consider, and these are outlined in our free publication 'Self Publishing'.

For further reading, download the Australian Society of Authors' 'Hints for Self-Publishing Authors'.

Q5. What about digital publishing?
At the time of writing, digital publishing, or ‘e-publishing', is experiencing unprecedented growth. Established commercial publishers are moving to provide ‘e-books' as an alternative format to their printed publications; at the same time, increasing numbers of writers are taking the step of publishing their own work in digital format, bypassing publishing houses and the option of print-based publication.

For information on this developing area of publishing, visit the 'Digital Publishing' section of the writingWA website, which contains a number of useful resources as well as links to alternative sources of information.

The Australian Society of Authors has also prepared a free information sheet on e-books, which may be downloaded here.

Q6. How do I protect the copyright of my manuscript?
Copyright protection in Australia is not dependent on registration, publication or any other formal procedure. Under the Australian Copyright Act and the Berne Convention on copyright, material is automatically protected by law from the time it is first recorded - whether that be in written or audio format. You can put the internationally recognised copyright symbol (©) on your manuscript, along with your name and the year, to indicate that the manuscript is your property and reproduction is not permitted without approval. For comprehensive information about copyright, visit the Australian Copyright Council's website

Q7. How do I find a literary agent?
You can download our List of Literary Agents. Or you can refer to the Literary Agents Association website. Note that literary agents will also have their own submission guidelines and you should be sure to follow these when presenting your work.

Q8.What is a manuscript assessor and how do I find one?
A manuscript assessor is someone who will read your work and provide a written report on its strengths and weaknesses, with suggestions for ways in which the work might be improved. It may also provide an evaluation of the commercial viability of the work with regard to current market trends and industry conditions.

There are many individuals and companies offering manuscript assessment services. writingWA has prepared a list of assessors and this may be downloaded here.

Note that no license or qualification is required to become a manuscript assessor. Do your research and make sure you find the best fit for you in terms of professional experience and expertise as well as the specifics of the services provided and fees charged.

You might also like to read 'Reviewing the Reviewer', a report prepared by the Queensland Writers Centre which aimed to "explore the writer's experience of appraisal services to determine their credibility and usefulness, as well as to learn about the process from the writer's perspective".

Q9. What if no publisher will accept my manuscript?
If you are still keen to see your manuscript become a book, you might consider self-publishing, whether in hard copy or digital format. For information on these options, please see Q4 and Q5, above.

Q10. I've published my book myself. How can I promote and distribute it?
Promotion and distribution is one of the challenges faced by self-publishers. You can either establish your own networks and take on the responsibility for these yourself, or you can employ a service to do so on your behalf. Whichever option you choose, more information is provided in our free publication 'Self Publishing'.

Q11. I've got an idea for a book. Can someone help me write it?
Ghostwriting and coaching services are available but these will of course attract a fee. Writing a book is a significant undertaking which involves a substantial investment of time and writers/editors cannot reasonably be expected to accept the promise of a share in any hoped-for royalties as payment. If you would like to explore services such as these, try searching the writingWA Literati database. Note that this database is user-maintained and the information provided has been submitted by individuals advertising their services. If you wish to engage someone to help you with your writing project, it is up to you make an assessment of which service or writer would be the best fit for you.

It may be, however, that if you have an idea for a book, you are the best person to write it. Why not make a start on your own and see where it leads you, or consider joining one of the many local writing groups on offer (see Q.2 for details).

Q12. How can I find out if the manuscript I've written is any good?
You can always ask family and friends to read it. But remember that opinions are subjective and that the feedback of people you know may not be entirely impartial. Join a writing group and share your work there in order to gain a more objective, critical opinion. You might also consider paying a professional writer or editor to read it for you and provide more formal feedback. Such people, often called 'manuscript assessors' will charge a fee for their services. See Q.7 for more details.

It is also worth exploring the range of opportunities available to emerging and unpublished writers - from competitions to selective masterclasses to manuscript development awards. Keep an eye on our fortnightly e-news and "What's On" listings in order to stay up to date with current opportunities.

Q13. Is funding available to help me write or publish my work?
The State Government, through the Department of Culture and the Arts, provides a range of grants for writers. The Commonwealth Government, through the Australia Council for the Arts, also provides grants for writers. Both organisations also provide assistance to publishers to help them publish original Australian works of poetry and fiction. Individuals cannot generally apply for publishing assistance although specific grants for this purpose may be made available from time to time.

The Australian Society of Authors has also compiled a research paper entitled 'Cultural Funding in Australia, with an Emphasis on Literature and Print Media'. A free copy may be downloaded here.

Be aware that literary grants are highly competitive. In some cases you must have previously published work in order to be eligible for assistance. Make sure you familiarise yourself with the specific guidelines and eligibility conditions of a grant before lodging your application. Many funding bodies will provide feedback on unsuccessful applications on request; obtaining such feedback can assist you to strengthen your application for re-submission in a later round.

Q14. I've written a children's book. Who can give me advice about what to do with it?
Please read Qs 3, 4 and 5 for general information about the options available to you. If submitting to a commercial publisher, make sure you research and identify those who publish work for the age group for whom you are writing and in the genre applicable to your work.

There are competitions and opportunities available specifically for children's writers. Familiarise yourself with these by staying up to date with our "What's On" listings.

Also consider joining the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Memberships are processed via the SCBWI International site but Western Australia has a vibrant local chapter which holds regular meetings and provides opportunities for professional development and exchange with other writers and illustrators. Members range from beginners through to multi-published authors. For information on the WA branch, contact Dianne Wolfer: dianne.wolfer@scbwiaustralia.org

If you have a particular interest in children's literature, you might also be interested in the activities of the Fremantle Children's Literature Centre (Telephone: (08) 9430 6869; freoclc@iinet.net.au) and the Children's Book Council of Australia.

Q15. I've written a book that is about mental illness (or suicide, or some other health-related field). I want to get it published. What should I do?
Please read Qs 3, 4 and 5 for general information about the options available to you. Depending on the subject matter and intended audience for your work, you might also consider approaching government health-related agencies such as Family and Children's Services or the Health Department.

Q16. I want to write my life story. How do I go about it?
Our free publication, Writing Your Place in History, gives a comprehensive outline of how to go about this. Writers' centres and other writing-related organisations occasionally offer one-off workshops or courses in this area; for opportunities such as these, keep an eye on the "What's On" section of our website.

Q17. How much should I charge for my services as a writer?
The amount or rate you charge will depend on a range of factors which may include such things as your own experience level, the type of work being undertaken, the timeframe, and specific conditions negotiated with the client.

There is no Award rate or fixed pricing mechanism for most writers' services (excepting journalists. For information on the various Awards, contact the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance). However, the Australian Society of Authors set recommended rates for authors which include freelance writing rates based on the MEAA guidelines.