Today Tomorrow Forever - Being Rohingya

These poems share our experiences of being a part of the Rohingya Diaspora. Creating them has helped and inspired us. We would like share them as our personal gift to you. Please read these and know that we Rohingyas are always there for you.

Dirt Lane Press

Dirt Lane Press is WestWords’ publishing arm and is dedicated to opening minds, connecting people through story, and creating quality books for those who need them most.

 

Our mission is to facilitate and magnify the cultural, social and educational impact of creating, sharing and reading the stories of Western Sydney. Through stories, we show our diversity of voices, sense of worth, increased confidence, resilience and exploration of identities and potentialities.

We recognise that shifting the financial wellbeing of individuals and communities starts at the grassroots level – creating change through the power of the written word allows young people to potentially change the narrative of their lives.

We increase the profile and networks for our community and increase the knowledge, understanding and appreciation of new and established Western Sydney writers as well as the increased diversity in form and content in Australian literature reflective of the diverse community of Greater Western Sydney.

“Working with WestWords changed my life.It’s helped me with my confidence, it’s helped me with my writing skills, with how I write, with the way I view writing. They basically made me a better person.”
Ali, aged 15, Granville Boys High School

Winner – 2023 ZEST Awards – Outstanding Project Community Arts and Culture:
Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize
Winner – 2020 and 2021 Excellence in Arts & Culture
Winner – 2021 Outstanding Business Leadership – Michael Campbell Executive Director WestWords
WSABE, Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence

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Events

The West Side Poetry Slam

The West Side Poetry Slam

Each month the WestWords Centre for Writing hosts the hybrid West Side Poetry Slam! Sign up on the night and perform an original piece of writing to open minds, hearts, and arms. Random audience members score just for the fun of it and you could win a support feature...

Auburn Poets & Writers – Sydney Writers Festival 2024

Auburn Poets & Writers – Sydney Writers Festival 2024

Living in the Air Getting things done to/for you in the age of Wi-fi not bricks and mortar. Auburn Poets & Writers' show for the 2024 Sydney Writers Festival Friday, May 24th -- 7.30pmWestWords Centre for Writing, 41 Hunter Street, Parramatta   Hostage to AI...

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Current Callouts & Competitions

The WestWords Accelerator

The WestWords Accelerator

The WestWords Accelerator   The WestWords Accelerator is a brand new WestWords program, launching in 2024, with the proud support of City of Parramatta Council.  The WestWords Accelerator aims to support three writers at the critical juncture of their...

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Our Stories Writing Group

Our Stories Writing Group

Our StoriesWriters Group Our Stories is a fortnightly writers' group for survivors and refugees. Join us to develop your skills to write narrative non-fiction and share your memoir stories with other writers and readers.  These writers groups will run through basic...

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After School Creative Writing

After School Creative Writing

After School Creative Writing Groups for Children and Young PeopleEnrolments are open for Term 1 – 2024. Classes hosted on zoom! Creative writing is a crucial skill that increases critical thinking and empathy. With creative writing classes for primary and high...

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Living Stories

Living Stories

WestWords and WestLit Libraries are excited to launch the 2024 Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize! The theme for this year's writing competition is ...  Over the line ... ? Sometimes an argument goes too far.A thing that’s been said can’t be taken back. Does...

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Writing Groups

Campbelltown Writers Groups – In-person and Online

Campbelltown Writers Groups – In-person and Online

The Campbelltown Writers Groups In partnership with Campbelltown City Council, WestWords is proud to deliver our long-running writing groups in the area. There are two the choose from.   The In-Person Writers Group With Linda Godfrey   The Online Writers Group...

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The Womens’ Poetry Group

The Womens’ Poetry Group

Women's Poetry Group The Women's Poetry Group is a fortnightly writers' group for women. Join us for a safe space aimed at women who are new to writing wish to share their practice and encourage their poetry.  Limited spots are available. Please complete the form...

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The New Writers Group

The New Writers Group

New Writers Group Inc.Writers Group The New Writers Group is a not-for-profit association run by volunteers. Our monthly events feature writing workshops and exercises, open mic and special guests. Publishing opportunities include our online Pop Up Zines, our digital...

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WestWords Alumni Writers’ Group

WestWords Alumni Writers’ Group

WestWords Alumni  Writers Group WestWords Alumni Writers Group is an all inclusive monthly writers' group for adult alumni of WestWords programs who are committed to further development of their craft open to poets and prose writers in all genres.  Meetings include: ...

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Our Stories Writing Group

Our Stories Writing Group

Our StoriesWriters Group Our Stories is a fortnightly writers' group for survivors and refugees. Join us to develop your skills to write narrative non-fiction and share your memoir stories with other writers and readers.  These writers groups will run through basic...

read more
After School Creative Writing

After School Creative Writing

After School Creative Writing Groups for Children and Young PeopleEnrolments are open for Term 1 – 2024. Classes hosted on zoom! Creative writing is a crucial skill that increases critical thinking and empathy. With creative writing classes for primary and high...

read more

Online

Latest Publications

Our Resident Organisations

Westwords Mini Masterclasses

Auburn Poets and Writers

Campbelltown Writing Program

The Clubhouse

Power of a football

Writing Western Sydney: The Readings

Living Stories – Regional Winners and Highly Commended

Where Happiness Hides

Poets’ Corner

Support Us

I have been fortunate enough to collaborate with WestWords many times  during my career as a writer in Western Sydney,  and I consider them to be  the most engaged and impactful writing organization in the country.  Their work with the writing culture in Western Sydney has transformed the local literary landscape into a thriving ecology of writers, illustrators, and editors.

Luke Carman: writer and lecturer Western Sydney University 

“We remain really appreciative and in awe of the energy of WestWords and the passion you have for promoting literature in the community.”

Theresa Lock: Outreach and Marketing Coordinator, Blue Mountains Library

“This is a life a life changing experience for me.”

Zaheda Ghani: Western Sydney Emerging Writers Fellow Pomegranate and Fig, the manuscript she developed as a Fellow was published by Hachette in June, 2022

WestWords acknowledges the traditional owners of the lands on which we live, work and create, the Darug, Gundungurra and Tharawal nations and pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.