As the Fisher’s Ghost Writing competition can attest, there are more than a few talented and passionate writers in the Macarthur. So, all passionate writers need a community of fellow scribblers to challenge and keep them motivated. It is with this idea of community building in mind that Campbelltown Library and WestWords are continuing to build on the great writing groups that started in 2021. In 2022 WestWords and Campbelltown Library will be delivering regular writing groups and a range of masterclasses on various genres.
Please send your expression of interest to chris@westwords.com.au
The writing groups are as follows:
Groups are held on Saturday fortnights at 10am with James Roy, and Tuesday fortnights with Sienna Brown at 10am.
Both groups are at capacity at present but join the waitlist by contacting Campbelltown Library 02 46454444. And keep an eye out for an exciting program of Masterclasses. In June our Masterclass will be at HJ Daley Library, Campbelltown.
Fiction Writers Group – facilitated by James Roy
Are you furiously fidgeting with your form? Are you negotiating the mountains and pitfalls of the blank page? A writers’ group is a great place to come and sort out those kinks, to find like-minded people who aren’t obliged to like your work because they’re your mum or partner, and who, like you, are hoping that the great story in their mind somehow makes it onto the page. Every fortnight, facilitated by the effervescent James Roy, the Fiction Writers’ Group will come together (online at present) to learn, discuss, and feedback on each other’s work. No matter if you’re a beginner writer or well-weathered, we’d love you to join this lively space for writers.
James Roy
Since James Roy’s first title was released in 1996, he has published 35 books, several of which have won major awards. He is a popular speaker in schools and at festivals, and has taught creative writing in such far-flung places as China, Japan, the US, Europe and, of course, Australia. James is a musician and songwriter who believes that the right number of instruments to own is “just one more.” He lives in the Blue Mountains.
Starting Tuesday 22nd February at 10:00 am – 12:00 pm (held fortnightly)
The Creative Writing Group – facilitated by Sienna Brown
Contrary to popular lore, writing is not a solo sport. Every writer needs a community, a sounding board, a group of people who think you’re fabulous and want to see you grow. The creative writing group is that for you. Meeting fortnightly via Zoom, Sienna will guide the group in looking deeper into their own work and craft. It is regular space to bring your creative writing questions and to find inspiration in the work and thoughts of others. No matter what your experience level, beginner or professional, we welcome you to come share this creative space.
Sienna Brown
Sienna Brown was born in Kingston, Jamaica, and grew up in Canada. She’s been a professional dancer, film editor and documentary director/writer, and worked at Sydney Living Museums, where during research, she first came across information about Caribbean men and women being transported to Australia as convicts. She used this research to kick start her writing career. In 2020, Master Of My Fate won the MUD Literary Award for best Australian debut novel and was also shortlisted for the ARA Historical Novel Prize. She is currently working on her second historical fiction novel: Heat In The Afternoon. This year, she’s been commissioned by ABC Radio National to co-produce with Dr Ben Etherington: Where do you come From? Caribbean Convicts In Australia, a documentary podcast for the History Listen series. Research for this project has been funded by the School of Humanities and Communication Arts, Western Sydney University.
This month (June) we are back with our second Masterclass for Campbelltown in 2022.
This Masterclass is open to anyone 16+ and will be held at HJ Daley Library, Campbelltown.
Bringing Myself to the Page: negotiating authenticity, identity and boundaries in fiction and personal essay
Date: Sunday 26th June 2022
Time: 10 am-1pm
Location: HJ Daley Library, 1 Hurley Street, Campbelltown NSW (5 mins walk from Campbelltown Train Station)
Ages: 16+
In a world where so many of us are constricted by expectations on how to behave, what is acceptable, and what is right when writing, it’s difficult to find and trust our authentic voice. At Campbelltown Library, in celebration of Pride Month, Bringing Myself to the Page will create a space for the sharing of personal experiences, and the discovery of new tools when approaching the fiction and personal essay space. No matter what genre you are working in, we’re making space to talk queer writing and queer writers. Everyone is welcome.
The guest speaker for the session is Tanya Vavilova. Tanya Vavilova’s essays and short stories have been published in Meanjin, The Lifted Brow, Seizure, the Mascara Literary Review, Slow Canoe and the UTS Writers’ Anthology, among other places. Her short story ‘Artichoke Hearts’ won the Wollongong Writers Festival Short Story Prize in 2018. She was recently awarded the Writers NSW Varuna Fellowship and was a Bundanon Trust Artist-in-Residence in 2019. We are Speaking in Code is her first book.
Bookings are open now: https://bit.ly/LGBTQIAWriting
This Masterclass is brought to you by WestWords in partnership with Campbelltown City Libraries.
Tea and coffee will be provided.