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
Book Launch: Shelf Life by Hemat Malak
Book Launch: Shelf Life by Hemat Malak WestWords are proud to be partnering with 5 Island Press to host the launch event for Hemat Malak's debut poetry collection:Shelf LifeAugust 15 | 3pm@ WestWords Centre for Writing | Old Government House, Parramatta RSVP...
WestWord’s at the 2026 Mudgee Readers’ Festival
WestWords at the 2026 Mudgee Festival Samantha W. L. Lee traces three generations of women across a century and four countries, while Alexandria Burnham takes her inspiration from the documented prison escapes of pirate William ‘Swallow’ Walker. Hosted by Jenn...
Gleebooks: Story Party with Being Indy
Gleebooks Story Party: Being Indy Come and join author Zoe Gaetjens and illustrator Estee Sarsfield to celebrate Being Indy with a story time and arts and crafts session. Saturday 22nd of August10.30amGleebooksPick up your own copy of Being Indy...
Gleebooks Presents: Jelena Curic in conversation with Sam W. L . Lee
Gleebooks Presents : Jelena Curic in conversation with Sam W. L . Lee Fri 28 August | 6pm for 6.30pm@Gleebooks, 49 Glebe Point Road, Glebe NSW 2037Book now Two striking debut novels come together for a lively evening of conversation between Jelena Curic and...
The West Side Poetry Slam
West Side Poetry Slam Each month the WestWords Centre for Writing hosts West Side Poetry Slam at Parramatta Leagues Club! 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...
ConSYDeration
ConSYDeration Sydney Speculative Scribes has partnered with WestWords to bring you ConSYDeration 2026, the inaugural event for NSW writers of speculative fiction. Held 11-13 September at Old Government House, Parramatta, the event will include a gala event,...
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Current Callouts & Competitions
Fishers’ Ghost Writing Prize 2026: Years in the Making
Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize 2026 Welcome to the Fisher's Ghost Writing Prize. This creative writing competition is open to everyone who lives, works or attends school (including University or TAFE) in Campbelltown Local Government Area. Entries can include: Short...
Blacktown 2026 Mayoral Creative Writing Prize – All Out
Blacktown City Council presents 2026Mayoral Creative Writing Prize Welcome to the Mayoral Creative Writing Prize 2026. This prize is open to adults and children (aged 8 to 17 years) who live in Blacktown City. The poems and short stories must be works of fiction. All...
Living Stories
The 2026 Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize: Is it true ... ? WestWords and WestLit Libraries are proud to present The 2026 Living Stories Western Sydney Writing Prize. This year, we are asking writers and poets to respond to the theme ... Is...
WestWords: A Western Sydney Anthology
WestWords: A Western Sydney AnthologyWestWords: A Western Sydney Anthology After 10 years of working with writers and poets of Western Sydney, we are proud to continue to facilitate, elevate and promote the vibrant and diverse voices of our region in mainstream...
Writing Groups
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 C. R. Masters The Online 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...
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:...
Online
Writing Western Sydney: The Readings
In 2020 WestWords launched this series of YouTube videos...
Poets’ Corner
Poets' Corner is WestWords' monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated...
WestWords Podcast
Short and sweet interviews with some of WestWords' favourite presenters. These...
Latest Publications
Our Resident Organisations
Westwords Mini Masterclasses
Auburn Poets and Writers
Campbelltown Writing Program
The Clubhouse
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.