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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Dates to Remember
The 2023 WestWords Academy Presents: The West’s Time to Shine
Join the rising literary stars of the 2023 WestWords Academy for emerging writers as they present their best poetry and prose. From romance, fantasy and literary fiction, to crime, poetry, and works that defy all genres, come and be enthralled by an evening of finely...
Our Yarning: Children’s Book Writing Bookshop
Library For All is creating a collection of 500 mirror books for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children called Our Yarning. Your voice as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person can add to this unique collection. You are invited to write a story...
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Current Callouts & Competitions
Writing Groups
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...
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: ...
On Youtube
Poetś Corner with David Ades featuring Esther Ottaway
Library For All is creating a collection of 500 mirror books for Aboriginal and...
Writing Western Sydney: The Readings with Kirsty Jagger
Shayla is on a newspaper assignment when she returns to the public housing estate where...
Writing Western Sydney: The Readings with Clare Fletcher
As a photographer, Stevie’s been to enough bush weddings to last a lifetime. When’s it...
Poets’ Corner with David Ades featuring Stuart Barnes
Poets' Corner is WestWords's monthly encounter with celebrated Australian poets, curated...
Bryan Brown Reading from Living Stories: The Other City
We are grateful to WestWords ambassador, Bryan Brown, for taking the time to share his...
Writing Western Sydney: The Readings with Pete Shmigel
Pete Shmigel is a freelance writer and journalist who recently returned from his second...
Explore
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.