Words Worth: Farr out, FAWA Shakespeare

• FARR TOO GOOD *

Fremantle Press author Tracy Farr's Once Had Me has won the open section of the Sunday Star-Times Short Story Awards 2014. The Wellington-based author said the award, which is in its 30th year, previously had been won by some of New Zealand's best writers, including favourites Sarah Quigley, Eleanor Catton, Sarah Laing and Barbara Anderson. "It's important and exciting, a great annual showcase for NZ short fiction," the former Perth resident said. "Because it has a large-circulation national Sunday newspaper as its platform, this award reaches a good broad audience, too." Farr receives a $1000 cash prize, a Kobo eReader and a $100 Paper

Plus voucher.

• HAPPY BIRTHDAY, WILL *

Two special events are coming up at Mattie Furphy House in Swanbourne. This Sunday, the Federation of Australian Writers WA presents Shakespeare's 450th birthday in All the World's a Stage, a selection of readings from the great poet and playwright's works. On Wednesday, December 10, there's a different kind of celebration when Glen Phillips, Peter Jeffery, Richard Rossiter and others read from the works of WA author Kenneth Mackenzie to music by Escalade HQ. For full details of both events or to book, visit fawwa.org.