Crafting the 'Verse: Issue 1

A monthly newsletter all about writing craft and process

May 09, 2026

“And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” - Sylvia Plath

Come on in, and welcome to the first issue of Crafting the ‘Verse sponsored by the Inner West Writers (IWWG). Go and grab a notepad, pen, and maybe a cup of tea and a blanket while you’re at it. For the inaugural issue, we’re chatting to IWWG member L.J. Kendall about all things writing and craft. We also have a writing challenge and some learning resources to add to your writer’s toolkit, as well as some book recommendations. And of course, we’ve included a handful of writing opportunities to inspire you.

Writing Challenge

Pick a scene you love from a favourite book and break it down. Write a list of bullet points on what you think the author was trying to achieve. Make sure you look for plot, characterisation, world-building, and anything else that stands out.

Now rewrite the scene. It should still achieve everything the original author set out to do, but be in your own style and voice.

Toolkit

And here, dear writer, you’ll find a resource; something to help you grow as a writer. These may be for writing skills, publishing tips and tricks, or industry insights.

This issue, the resource is perfect for all you fantasy folk, but also great for anyone who wants to tell a good story. Every few years, Brandon Sanderson, science fiction and fantasy legend, rerecords a lecture series and publishes them for writers everywhere! I’ve only linked the first one, which was updated this year. If you find it useful, make sure you watch the rest! I personally loved Sanderson’s discussion around promises and payoff in lecture two.

Brandon Sanderson lecture #1 - 2025

Spotlight on: L.J. Kendall

You can see Luke’s website here: https://atoeintheoceanofbooks.com/

You can buy Luke’s books here or from Galaxy books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/L.-J.-Kendall/author/B019DUHM9E?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Creative Well

I fill my well from so many different places. Books, music, film, art, random conversations overheard on the train, quirky, interesting people.

In the book world, I’ve just started reading Robin Hobb (I know, I am so late to the party). Safe to say, I’ve loved the classic fantasy feel and deep, rich world building.

I’ve also been getting stuck into The Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow. It’s sharp, witty, and deals with a fascinating period of time. I’m not sure I will ever look at a child’s rhyme in the same way again.

Music is also a deep filler of my creative well. Over the past few weeks, my writing has been accompanied by a playlist filled with angry, somewhat witchy music. The tracks I keep coming back to are Gods Will Rise by Astyria and How Villians Are Made by Madalen Duke.

I’ve also been filling my well with lots of snuggles with my beautiful new cats, and getting my hands dirty in an attempt to start my own courtyard vegetable garden.

Upcoming Writing Opportunities and Events

15 May

Varuna Residential Fellowships

Win: A residency at Varuna, the National Writers’ House

Submit: first 7,000-10,000 words of the work you’d like to work on as part of the residency

Entry fee: $70 (financial support is offered dependent on circumstance)

https://www.varuna.com.au/for-writers/varuna-residential-fellowships

17 May

Griffith Review

Submit: fiction and non-fiction no longer than 4,000 words

Pay: $0.75 per word

https://www.griffithreview.com/for-writers/

18 May

ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize

1st place: $6,000

Submit: 2,000-5,000 word short fiction

https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/prizes-programs/elizabeth-jolley-story-prize/current-prize

31 May

Bath Novel Award

1st place: £5,000 + trophy

Submit: first 5,000 words of a completed novel and a one page synopsis

Entry fee: £33

https://bathnovelaward.co.uk/the-bath-novel-award-international-writing-prize/

2 June

Keesing Studio residency at the Cité internationale des arts

A residency opportunity for Australian writers, in Paris

Win: 2, 3, or 6 month residency, including financial support

https://creative.gov.au/investments-opportunities/keesing-studio-residency-cite-internationale-des-arts

1 July

Cordite Poetry Review

Submit: up to 3 poems

Pay: all publications are paid

http://cordite.org.au/submissions/

13 July

Richell Prize

$10,000 + mentorship with one of Hachette Australia’s publishers

Submit: First 3 chapters, up to 20,000 words, one-page synopsis, chapter breakdown of rest of work (no more than 2 A4 pages) - PLEASE NOTE: the manuscript does not need to be completed

https://emergingwritersfestival.org.au/richell-prize-2026/