Writers' Centre staff can advise you an any and every aspect of writing and publishing, from the most suitable publishing outlets for your kind of writing to information about seminars, festivals, literary competitions, editors and manuscript assessors, and literary agents, among other things. The Centres run a continuing program of workshops, seminars, forums and readings catering to all ages and all types of writing, and to those in the cities as well as in regional areas. They have a range of information available in the form of brochures, booklets and books, and are able to offer advice to members in person, by mail and over the phone. All Centres produce regular newsletters or magazines which publish the latest information about literary competitions, festivals, seminars, forums and readings, as well as articles of interest to writers. The publication of comprehensive lists of current literary competitions is of special interest to emerging writers wishing to test their skills and find avenues for their writing.
Some centres offer a manuscript assessment service at a reduced rate for their members.
This allows an aspiring writer to receive a critique on their manuscript for a reasonable fee, and is especially useful for those writers who feel that they have done all the work on their manuscript that they can do alone or with colleagues. Let me encourage you to make use of the great opportunities that Writers' Centres offer and to offer you a warm welcome to the wonderful world of writing. Professional writing organisations There are also professional bodies for writers whose works have been published, broadcast or performed. These organisations also offer associate memberships for writers whose work has not yet been published or produced. It has an annual conference at which refereed papers are given, keynote speakers address appropriate topics, and much informal contact is made.