Have you found your writing community?

By Tamara Wenham

Writing can be a solitary business, with long hours spent alone at a keyboard. That’s just the nature of the beast. While there’s no other way to get a book written than to sit down and slog it out, when you come up for air you need a strong writing community around you. Such a community can support you in your writing goals and provide valuable learning opportunities to deepen your knowledge about the writing craft.

Omega Writers: Australia’s Christian Writers Network aims to provide a supportive writing community for Christian writers to encourage, educate and equip them to be the very best writers they can be. 

Here are a few of the ways we do that:

Online masterclasses

Throughout the year Omega Writers runs online Masterclasses for writers to help them develop their writing craft and marketing skills. These masterclasses offer expert advice at an accessible price and are open to everyone. Omega members usually receive a further discount.

Our next masterclass is Hunting for History: Tracking Down Sources in Original Sources.

In this masterclass, you will learn about when and how to use archives or libraries for different research purposes. You will gain some tips and tricks for digging up archival gold from a range of collections, as well as how to tap into communities of fellow history hunters in Australia and abroad. The class will be led by professional archivist Tamara Wenham. 

Book now for Monday 7 August at 7.30pm AEST: https://www.trybooking.com/CJTHF

Chapter group events

Omega Writers is an Australia-wide network for Christian writers. We have chapter groups all over the country who hold regular meetings to support Christian writers in every stage of the creative journey. Our active Brisbane group is a great example of the benefits of a strong writer’s community. In fact, our Brisbane chapter contains many original members of Omega Writers!

In August, they are holding the Brisbane Omega Showcase. This is an opportunity for writers —both established and aspiring—to showcase their work in a supportive environment. The weekend will feature presentations from a range of writers and publishers as well as prize draws that offer practical assistance in the form of editing, proofreading and book vouchers.

Book now for 11-12 August 

Friday and Saturday: https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBQ 

Friday only: https://www.trybooking.com/CHZPW 

Saturday only: https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBC

Online Community

Communities these days aren’t just in person! Writers can benefit from a range of online writing communities that help them at all stages of their journey. If you are looking for a supportive online community, our Omega Writers Facebook Group is the place to ask all your questions about writing craft and Christian publishing. 

Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/196006267212092.

Writing Prizes

Omega Writers also runs the CALEB Award. Each year we alternate between awards for published and unpublished writers. Our 2023 (Unpublished) finalists were recently announced on our Facebook page while our website is down for maintenance. Congratulations to all the finalists!