Crafting the 'Verse: Issue 1
A monthly newsletter all about writing craft and process
“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
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/
Ongoing
ABR
Accepting pitches for commentary essays on topics of political and cultural moment
Pay: all published work is paid
https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/about/submissions/for-writers
Aurealis
Submit: 2,000-8,000 word short story in any speculative fiction genre
Pay: between $20-$60 per 1,000 words
https://aurealis.com.au/submissions/
Australian Poetry
Publishes a list of upcoming and open poetry submission and competition opportunities
https://www.australianpoetry.org/calls-for-submission-competitions-and-opportunities-in-australia/
Frankie
Submit: Profile pieces, research pieces and opinion pieces
Pay: all published work is paid
https://www.frankie.com.au/submissions
Griffith Review
Submit: fiction and non-fiction no longer than 4,000 words
Reedsy weekly writing contest
Win: $250
Submit: 1,000-3,000 words
https://reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/contests/
That’s all for now! If there’s anything you’d like to see in the future, let us know.
Thanks for reading, and happy writing,
Jamie & The Inner West Writers team
Disclaimer: No AI is used in writing or producing Crafting the ‘Verse. Storytelling and art are inherently human, and should remain that way.



thanks, very informative
What a great first issue!