The writer

'The writer' is a restorative story written years back in the melancholy of wanting significantly more published work in a market increasingly competitive, if not cutthroat, and driven by commercialism. Publishing houses such as Penguin or HarperCollins respond only to successful applicants, are closed to unsolicited manuscripts or consider only material submitted by a literary agent. The predicament of the new writer is such that a mass produced rejection slip is preferable to no reply. Writing competitions may preface entry into print, but extortionists exploit the gullible writer with soaring entry fees for middling prizes like free publication in an online journal few people ever read. However, winning or being shortlisted in international competitions-such as the Bridport Prize, Commonwealth Writers Prize, Writers Bureau Competition, or even the Australasian Association of Writing Programs' 'Chapter One' (2014)-offers some financial rewards or creditable publication. It also marks literary accomplishment and may grant a chance to be read by leading literary agents with a view to representation. 'The writer' is a voice for the undiscovered author but also speaks to the sacrifice of kith and kin whose support or very being may present the fraught writer with material for an innovative tale.