A look at writing and publishing within Australian arts and culture
- 556,600 Australians are involved in writing
- 36 per cent of this figure are paid
- 162,000 Australians are involved in publishing
- $3.3 billion (6.7 per cent) of the country’s production of cultural goods and services is spent through publishing
- $1.6 billion is spent on books, more than any other category of culture, including TV, Pay TV and newspapers
- 78 per cent of people aged 18 years and over in Australia read for pleasure
Writing is a vital part of Australian arts and culture. It reflects who we are, the wealth of Australian history, the diversity of voices and the breadth of our individual and collective experience. It's also a significant cultural industry with a myriad of options, pathways and considerations. In any Australian state, the success of writers is one of the significant signposts of developing intellectual and cultural life, and in Queensland, writing is thriving.
Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) exists to celebrate and support Queensland writing. Built on decades of solid generous commitment by both emerging and renown artists, writing in Queensland is as energetic as the state's recent population and industry growth. And, as Peter Carey says, "when Queensland takes you in it can make your very skin feel different."
About us
Queensland Writers Centre encourages networking, connection, and creativity through the art and business of writing. Through its annual program and special initiatives, QWC promotes skills development and professional practice, and works to advance the recognition of Queensland writers and writing throughout Australia and the world.
QWC is a not-for-profit organisation with more than 2,300 members, and is the publisher of The Australian Writer's Marketplace – Australia's leading directory of the writing and publishing industry.
Queensland Writers Centre acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as traditional owners and custodians of Queensland.
What we do
When it comes to writing and publishing, there’s a lot to know. From structure and plot, editing, grammar, manuscript development through to literary agents and self-promotion, QWC provides essential knowledge, networks, skills and professional development opportunities, and works to service diverse audiences, including regional and Indigenous writers.
Our annual program is made up of courses, seminars, workshops, youth programs and masterclasses covering all aspects of writing and publishing, including:
- Engaging lecture and performance events through Wordpool and the Riverbend Poetry Series
- An annual Poet-in-Residence program, which creates partnerships and opportunities with the international literary community
- A partnership with the Hachette manuscript development program for emerging Australian authors who are either unpublished or have no more than one significant work commercially published
- A partnership with Varuna Writers House to present the Varuna Longlines program for remote, regional and Indigenous writers.
QWC also works to provide:
- An affordable editorial consultancy service for members
- Advocacy and support to drive new forms of writing and publishing
- Support for literacy programs and community cultural development.
Why we make a difference
Established in 1991, QWC has spent more than 18 years supporting Queensland writers. We work to promote the diversity of Queensland voices and experience through writing and publishing.
Our mission is to support and promote a writing culture in Queensland by contributing to the professional development and practice of writers locally, and by advancing their recognition nationally and internationally.
Our vision is to create and support a strong Queensland writing sector and strong markets for Queensland writing through the provision of specialised resources, information and professional development for Queensland writers.
Our members are published authors, emerging authors, children’s authors, journalists, editors, agents, publishers, poets, storytellers, project managers, freelancers, teachers, lecturers and critics. We provide specialist support beginner writers through to big names in writing and publishing.
Benefits for members
The QWC model is based on innovation, strategy and success, We combine the business of publishing The Australian Writer’s Marketplace, with the provision of services and advocacy for Queensland writers. There’s many benefits to joining QWC. These include:
- Access to an affordable, fee-based editorial consultancy that provides developmental feedback on a sample of your manuscript
- Information and advice through our staff and publications, including The Empty Page blog, fortnightly e-bulletins, our website resources and our monthly magazine, WQ, which includes the latest competitions and opportunities and in-depth articles by industry professionals
- A Members Directory for promotion and networking.
How to join or renew
View information on how to join or renew your membership to the Queensland Writers Centre.
Sources
ABS 6281.0 Work in Selected Culture and Leisure Activities 2004
ABS 4172.0 - Arts and Culture in Australia: A Statistical Overview, 2007
ABS 4172.0 - Arts and Culture in Australia: A Statistical Overview, 2007
ACNielsen for the government book promotion, Books Alive, in June 2001