Now in its 23rd year, Voiceworks is a national, quarterly magazine that features exciting new writing by young Australian writers. It presents a unique opportunity for young writers and artists (under 25) to publish their poetry, short stories, articles and comics, illustrations, drawings and photos. It is produced entirely by young people.

Every submission to the magazine, whether it is published or not, receives personalised feedback from a dedicated volunteer team of editors (also aged under 25) based at Express Media. Every young writer published in the magazine is paid for their contribution.

Submissions for the final Voiceworks issue of 2011, themed Play, close on Sunday September 18. For more information, go to www.expressmedia.org.au/voiceworks/index.php/submissions/

Express Media is a not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to provide support and development opportunities for young people in writing and media. Based at the Wheeler Centre for Books, Writing and Ideas in Melbourne, Express Media is recognised as the peak organisation for young writers in Australia. All the money received from subscriptions helps ensure we are able to provide more opportunities for young people to get noticed, get feedback, and get published.

To find out more about Voiceworks or Express Media, or to submit work, please visit www.expressmedia.org.au or contact their CEO, Joe Toohey, at generalmanager@expressmedia.org.au or on (03) 9094 7886.

The John Marsden Young Writers Prize is back for 2011!

Presented by Express Media and internationally acclaimed author John Marsden, the competition aims to encourage young writers by offering awesome prizes, great exposure and recognition from one of Australia’s most important authors.

There are two categories to enter in: Short Story and Poetry. There are separate competitions for people under 18 and people aged 18-25.

First place winners of both the Poetry and the Short Story Prize for under 18s receive $500 each. In the 18 – 24 Category the first place winner of the Short Story prize wins $3,000 and the first place winner of the poetry prize wins $1500.

First place winners are also published in the December issue of youth publication Voiceworks, while second and third place winners (as well as those with honourable mentions) are published on the Express Media website.

Entries must be submitted by mail before 5pm Wednesday 31st August 2011.

At the time of writing, the Express Media website (www.expressmedia.org.au) was having maintenance problems. So in order to get an entry form or more details you might need to email them at info@expressmedia.org.au

June has been declared National Young Writers Month by Australian literary organisation Express Media. NYWM is a new initiative by the organisation to get young people to start writing by forming a community of young writers and setting aside July as a month for people to set and achieve a ‘goal’.

Here’s how it works – You register here, and set yourself a goal. Then you have access to forums blogs, events, and articles, so you can interact with a community that will support you and help you to achieve your goal.

This is a national event so it is running right across Australia! Every state has a representative ambassador to get their state involved and support you in your writing goals, and the NT ambassador is Finn O’Branagain!!!

From the Website:

“Finn is an emerging writer, director, actor & designer and 2011 Youth Arts Queensland JUMP mentee. She has performed and presented work at various festivals and events nationally, including directing short plays in the Darwin Fringe festival, performing in horror yowie physical theatre piece ‘Acacia Hills’ at the Melbourne Fringe Festival, performing her poetry at the Young Writers’ Festival, Wordstorm, and the inaugural Nightwords festival at the Sydney Opera House. She was a finalist of the NT Young Achiever of the Year award, and has also been a winner and a finalist for her short films in the Fist Full of Films Festival.”

Check out this awesome video Finn has made, along with Katherine, another ambassador for the NT!!!

For more information visit www.expressmedia.org.au/nywm/

Applications are open for Express Media’s ‘Write In Your Face’ program. From the website:

“Each year Express Media gives young people, or people working with young people, the chance to apply to Write in Your Face, a program of support funded by the Literature Board of the Australia Council .

In 2011, Express Media once again invites proposals from young writers who are using language in innovative ways.

You may apply for up to $5000 but must be aged 30 years or younger (or work with people 30 years or younger) at the time of application to apply.”

The selection criteria include innovation and excellence of your work, potential of your own artistic development, and evidence of planning and structure. The money can be used on anything where the primary focus is on writing and telling a story.

Previous winners have made websites (like the 12 word story website), started graphic novels (Like Pat Grant’s Blue), or even produced literary journals (like Dot Dot Dash).

For more information, and an application form, click here.

Since 2008, the Chinese government has been running the Hanyu Qiao Chinese Bridge Chinese Speaking Competition. The competition gives students learning Chinese a chance to show their skills in Chinese speaking, general knowledge about China and their cultural knowledge and performances.

Twenty students competed for the chance to represent Australia at the finals of the competition in China. Three of them came from Darwin, one of them was yours truly, and the other two were Gabriel Heines and Jeremy Lung.

All of the contestants performed incredibly well, with topics ranging from the humdrum families and activities to international travels and Chinese censorship. There were four winners, and while unfortunately no one from the Territory won, Gabriel won a special mention for his speech, in which he talked about the history of the Chinese in Darwin. Good work Gabriel!

If you are learning Chinese, this competition is a great opportunity to show off your Chinese. And to those who are not, remember to consider learning Chinese due to Australia’s (and Darwin’s) proximity to China and its prominence in the world.

School has started again, but we all know chillax time is just as important! Grind has composed a list of activities and ideas that may keep you occupied and entertained when it’s time for a break from school.

1. Riding buses to nowhere

This idea came up as we sat around doing nothing in particular. Round up a few mates, hit the buses and cruise. As students get to travel for free, provided they have student cards, a group can travel all around Darwin for free. Buses also provide luxuries such as air conditioning and, since they move, the scenery is always changing. Another advantage of riding buses is that you will get to know Darwin and its bus routes.

2. Learn something new

Not exactly an original idea, but learning to do something new, whether it be a musical instrument, a new trick on a bike, or learning to draw can be very rewarding. Some suggestions of things to learn are: Morse code, juggling, as many digits of pi as possible, and trick card shuffling. See which ones you can come up with, try them out and leave us a comment saying how you went. You’l kill some time and learn something new while you are at it.

3. Write a short story

If you are anyway interested by reading fiction, then writing a short story can be interesting. You can write a short story about a character from a book or TV show you have watched or read, or you can make up a character. Even the character creation process can be interesting, as you can give your imaginary character any trait you want, any flaw, any strength and any name. And what is great about writing your own story is that anything can happen; from your character attempts to buy a trombone in Humpty Doo to Darth Vader attempting to destroy the human race from another galaxy, its up to you. And at the same time, you practise things such as spelling (very important) and grammar, as well as putting ideas into words.

4. Cooking

If you have a well stocked pantry or fridge that is full of ingredients, then cooking can be very rewarding and keep you occupied until you have finished. If you have never cooked before, you might want to try something simple like cupcakes, and then progress from there. Cooking can win you points with your parents and friends. Also, cooking is a valued skill by the opposite sex, so keep at it.

5. Get arty farty

Whether you are into art or not, it does not matter. Just do something which involves art, whether its finger or toe painting, drawing, arranging displays or leaving encouraging messages to passers by on the footpath in chalk. It does not matter if can or cannot draw, paint, write legibly or be creative. You can also attempt to teach yourself any of these.

Note: finger and toe painting is extremely fun, but remember only to get the paint on the thing you are painting, you do not need to redecorate the floors of the house while toe painting.

6. Make something

Home made items can be a lot of fun to make, whether you decide to make a sculpture out of the pebbles in your garden or make a castle out of a cardboard box. Or, you can make small gifts out of items laying around your house. You can make jewellery out of erasers, or robots out of you old VCR, or even a chain out of paperclips. If you are interested check out:

http://dollarstorecrafts.com/

7. Make a mini movie

If you have a video camera or a digital camera that can record videos, you can make and direct a mini video. With simple items, a few friends and a bit of improvisation you can make just about any type of mini movie from a three minute action thriller involving fights with a giant cardboard box monster to a ten minute sci fi featuring an alien with a liking to a laundry basket.

8. Make someone’s day

There are a few ways to go about brightening up another person’s day. You could write a thank you letter to someone who helped you, it is always nice to be appreciated. Or, you could write to a distant friend who may be drifting out of touch; its always good to hear from different friends. Another good idea is to write a list of things you like about someone then give it to them. If you find a display of appreciation embarrassing you could find a way to give it anonymously. If there is someone new in your street or at school/work, you could welcome them and introduce yourself and things of importance, such as your friends.

If you are interested check out http://www.operationnice.com/

9. Plan world domination

Plan out how to take over with a friend. You could try any approach, from taking over the world’s security services to contacting aliens and using them to take over the world. You could write up plans, and draw arrows on a world map and label it master plan as well as include photos and plans for strategic targets. This can keep you occupied for quite sometime.

10. Write a Grind article

Whether you are a part of Grind or not, you can write a Grind article. You can write it about anything from school subjects to genetic engineering. Anything that is relevant to you is probably of interest to others, and you could write an article about it. If you have an article already written, or even just need ideas, or maybe just interested, just email: grind@grindonline.com.au

Why it’s the best and worst thing you will ever let into your life.

You’ve heard about it, you’ve seen it on your mate’s computer. A little button at the top of their screen that simply says ‘Stumble!’. The StumbleUpon toolbar is a mysterious and powerful tool, whose mystery is only exceeded by its power.

Be aware, for you have been warned. If you have the StumbleUpon toolbar on your computer, two things are likely to happen. One, you will discover total radical and awesome sites that will blow you away. Two, you will never sleep again. I’m telling you, it’s addictive.

“Just one more Stumble,” you say to yourself over and over and over, as the clock hands drift. Then you look and it’s three in the morning, and you haven’t moved in six or seven hours. “Oh no! I’ve got school/work tomorrow!” you think, “I’ll just have one more…”

So it goes, on and on. Yet, I have no regrets about Stumble. Since I signed up for a (free) account, I have seen areas of the internet that I would never have found. I have learned random and useless facts. I have seen amazing photos of events I would never have known about. The concept is so easy! All you do is go to www.stumbleupon.com, and sign up for an account. You tick a heap of boxes so Stumble (in all its mystery and power) knows which sites to drop you at, and then you put your like it, or  you don’t. After that it’s even easier. You can write a review of the site, you can friend and connect to people who like the same stuff you do, or you can sit for hours in front of your computer like a mindless drone… Or if you’re looking for a more positive spin, a sponge eager for information. So in a nutshell, Stumble is like channel surfing on the internet.

I know you want to know more, so go and check it out. And remember, Stumbling is less awkward on the internet.

Naughty Stories for Good Boys and Girls.

These stories were full of win. Packed with gruesome stories of farting and picking boogers, my year 5 teacher Mr. V had us in stitches at story time.  If you never read one your childhood was probably spent crying in the cupboard unaware of how hilarious bodily functions could be. I pity you.

The series consists of 13 sets of short stories published by Milne Books in 2000 with the first book in the series winning the Young Australian Best Book Award.

Why it’s a Nostalgia WIN

For one thing, it was Australian, not American like Sesame Street or British like our good friend Harry but pure, true blue, put-a-shrimp-on-the-barbie Aussie. Secondly, Naughty Stories for Good Boys and Girls was nothing like any other book our teachers would ever let us read – not that we wanted to read anyway. It was crude and made us feel dangerous; so while we sat in the corner laughing our heads off reading about ghouls and pranks and swear words, poor old Sally two shoes and her lost puppy remained in the cupboard under a fine layer of neglected book dust with the other boring morals.

Isabella Swan moves to a small, dull town called Forks. As her first day begins she notices that the Cullens, particularly Edward Cullen, hate her. As time goes by Bella becomes more and more fascinated with his porcelain skin and golden eyes. She notices how they all walk gracefully and look the same, but are her theories right? Are Edward and his family all vampires? Is she putting herself and others at risk? The book begins with love, and action leading to a suspenseful ending. You must read the book to know all the answers. It will keep you reading non-stop just like me.

If you like this book read the next two in the trilogy: “Newmoon” and “Eclipse”.

Reserve/Borrow a copy now!