Why I love
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Why I love … finding a new voice
I generally write fiction in third-person. It’s just always been the voice that’s come out. The other day, however, I had a story I wanted to write for a short-story competition, and I just couldn’t find my voice for it. I had the plot in my head. I knew what themes I wanted to hit Continue reading
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Why I love … understanding that AI will never replace (good) writers
I work as a technical writer and knowledge manager for a global tech company. The advent of generative AI has fundamentally changed a lot for us as a business – that is the nature of technology. For a couple of days after ChatGPT (which uses OpenAI) arrived, those of us who write for a living Continue reading
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Why I love … the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards
The New Zealand publishing industry is one of difficulties, curiosities and beauty. Only a small fraction of New Zealanders buy books with any regularity, and even fewer who buy New Zealand books. A solid print run for New Zealand fiction is 3000 copies; if you get a first run of 5000 you’ve made it (for Continue reading
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Why I love … when my writing surprises me
I have been working on a short story for a competition. The idea came from a hilarious conversation at the craft group I attend (cross-stitch and knitting for me, thanks for asking). I set up my competition folder in my Google Drive, created a new Google Doc, then started to type. I thought I was Continue reading
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Why I love … editorial banter
I used to work in editing (and in many ways, as a technical and fiction writer, I still do), so there were endless opportunities to go down those rabbit holes that only editors are happy to go down. At one point, the Australian business I worked for was taken over by a British company and Continue reading
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Why I love … the language of a trial judgement
For many women in Australia, Monday 15 April, 2024, was a day of emotion and relief. Twenty-five thousand people logged onto the YouTube live stream of the Federal Court of Australia to listen to Justice Michael Lee deliver his judgement on the Lehrmann vs Network 10 and Lisa Wilkinson defamation trial, brought by Lehrmann. This Continue reading
Recent Posts
Ethel Webb Bundell Literary Awards: Short Story Award 2024
Northern Beaches Writers Competition 2024
Flash 500 Short Story Competition 2024
Graeme Lay Short Story
Competition 2023
EVENT TESTIMONALS
“Averil Robertson was an exceptional MC for our publishing panel, An Agent, an Author, and an Editor Walk into a Library. Her insightful questions and warm presence created an engaging and accessible space for an in-depth conversation between Danielle Binks, Katherine Collette, and Laura Franks. Averil’s deep knowledge of the literary world, enthusiasm, and professionalism ensured the session ran smoothly and sparked meaningful dialogue. We’re so grateful for the expertise and care she brought to the festival.”
(Footscray West Writers’ Fest 2025)
“Averil spoke with passion, care and insight on the challenges and joys of short story writing at our panel celebrating the launch of the Tasmanian Writers’ Prize Anthology 2023. Her insightful reflections on narrative, character and the craft of good writing confirmed how right we were to select her as one of our finalists.”
(Tasmania Reads 2024)
AVERIL ROBERTSON 