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HELPING WRITERS REALISE THEIR
CREATIVE AND PROFESSIONAL DREAMS

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Develop
Develop

Tools to help develop your writing skills.
- Competitions and Opportunities
- Publishers and Journals
Program
Program

Workshops and events.
- Autumn Program
  
  Writers SA offers a year-round program of literary workshops, events, and courses, both in person and online.
  
  Writers SA members receive a discount to all ticketed workshops, members log in here to access discount prices. Not a member yet? You can join us here.
  
  For information about our cancellation and refund policy, please read our terms and conditions before you register for a workshop.
  
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- All Events
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- Online Events
- Youth Workshops
  
  Writers SA believes in fostering writers of all ages, and encouraging young writers to express their creativity and build their skills in a supportive, safe, fun and engaging environment.
  
  We hold kids writing workshops and writing clubs for young people regularly throughout the year and in the school holidays.
  
  If you are from a school or organisation we can also develop young people’s writing workshops, one-off talks and events, and other programs with and for you, please contact us at [email protected] or call on 08 8223 7662 to find out more.
  
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- Regional Program
  
  Looking for a writing workshop, community event, performance or literary showcase in regional South Australia?
  
  Our No Limits: Young Regional Writers program offers a diverse range of online and in-person writing workshops and events in three regional SA locations: Riverland, Eyre Peninsula and Limestone Coast.
  
  This project is supported by Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative, and Arts South Australia.
  
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- Events Calendar
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Resources

Resources

Professional resources for writers.
- Manuscript assessment
- Mentorship Program
  SA Writers Centre Mentorship Program
  The mentorship program is designed to connect our members with a suitable mentor, at any stage of their writing careers. From writing craft, editing, pre publication, to marketing and publicity mentorships – and encompassing a wide range of genres – SA Writers Centre will assist you to identify the most appropriate mentor for your needs.
  Selection of Mentor
  There are a number of mentors listed on our website. Please familiarise yourself with them and prepare a shortlist of preferred mentors. Karen Wyld Ruth Starke Rebekah Clarkson Cassandra Dean Anne Bartlett Carla Caruso Bernard Whimpress Anna Solding Scott Zarcinas Ben Stubbs Cameron Raynes Lauren Foley Jane Turner Goldsmith Tony Shillitoe Ray Tyndale
  Mentorship Application Form
  You will also need to identify at least one (maximum of three) goals for your mentorship and agree to the full terms and conditions.
  Process
  SA Writers Centre will connect you with a mentor with four weeks of application. Mentorship fees must be paid in advance in full to the Centre.
  What to expect
  Mentorship hours are billed for actual time spent, in 15 minute (minimum) increments. This includes all contact with the mentee including phone/Skype/IM conversations, emails, reading and feedback time and face to face meetings. Note this means that if you send four emails to your mentor, that will equate to one hour of mentorship time. The mentor and mentee will develop a shared timetable and plan, including identified goals, and will keep a weekly record that tracks progress towards goals and time spent by the mentor. Any questions or difficulties will be resolved by the SA Writers Centre.
  Rates
  Mentorships are offered in five hour blocks. 5 hours $550 10 hours $880 20 hours $1650 You can add additional blocks upon completion of initial blocks if you and your mentor agree that this would be beneficial for your work. [gravityform id="15" title="true" description="true"]
- Consultations
- Pre-submission Assessment
  Are you ready to send your book out to agents or publishers? Once your manuscript is ready for submission, you need to spend time perfecting your pitch—and it’s important to get it right. While all publishers and agents have their own submission guidelines, we can give you a general assessment of your synopsis, cover letter, biography and first chapter (or chapter outline if your manuscript is nonfiction) to ensure your pitch is in the best possible shape.
  - A written report with personal feedback
  - Advice and next steps from a publishing expert
  - For fiction, nonfiction, short stories.
  For prices and more information, please contact
  [email protected]
- First Feedback
  Are you just starting out as a writer and looking for some guidance? Our online First Feedback service provides an opportunity for new writers to get a first reader for their work. Submit up to 1500 words of writing or up to four pages of poetry (Times New Roman, 12pt, double-spaced) and receive a page of general feedback on your story and your writing, with some questions designed to develop and challenge your writing skills. You will receive your feedback within four weeks of submitting. This service is available for members only. For more information, please contact [email protected] [gravityform id="13" title="true" description="true"]
- Professional development
- Useful links
- Southern Write Archive
  Southern Write is the SA Writers Centre newsletter/magazine. It was discontinued in 2014, but there is a wealth of information on writing craft in these pages. 2014 March edition June edition 2013 March edition June edition September edition December edition 2012 February edition March edition June edition September edition December edition 2010 February edition March edition April edition May edition June edition July edition August edition September edition October edition November edition December edition 2009 February edition March edition April edition May edition June edition July edition August edition September edition October edition November edition December edition 2008 February edition March edition April edition May edition June edition July edition August edition September edition October edition December edition 2007 February edition March edition April edition May edition June edition July edition August edition September edition October edition November edition December edition 2006 February edition March edition April edition May edition June edition July edition August edition September edition October edition November edition December edition 2005 February edition March edition April edition May edition June edition August edition September edition October edition November edition December edition
Members

Members

Membership information and resources.
Interact

Interact

Keep up to date with those around you.
- Blog
- SA First Nations Writers Group
  The South Australian First Nations Writers Group was established to foster and develop the continuing diversity and growth of local First Nations writing in South Australia. It is coordinated by Edoardo Crismani, a descendant of the Wiradjuri people, author of poetry and short stories and working on his first novel manuscript. The group meets once a month, and currently these gatherings take place over Zoom due to Covid-19 restrictions. Meeting dates for 2020:
  - Wednesday 21 October
  - Wednesday 18 November
  - Wednesday 16 December
  The SA First Nations Writers Group is supported by Writers SA, with assistance from the Australia Council for the Arts.
- Deep Creek Residency
  Matilda Bookshop, in partnership with Writers SA, and association with Ultimo Press, are offering an annual residency fellowship to a South Australian writer. The fellowship provides support (time, writing space and mentoring) to work on a writing project of literary merit. As there are currently no SA residency fellowships offered to SA writers, the fellowship aims to remedy a gap in the literary community. Applications will be assessed by Writers SA staff, with the shortlist judged by Writers SA and Matilda Bookshop. Ultimo Press will provide consultation and manuscript assessment to the recipient.
  
  The residency is for one week (seven nights) and includes the following:
  - A travel/living subsidy of $500. Writers living in remote areas may be eligible for a higher subsidy.
  - One week’s accommodation at Grass Tree Gully in Deep Creek for uninterrupted writing time. Breakfast and lunch will be provided daily, but please note that the food provided is for the resident fellow only.
  - A one-and-a-half-hour mentorship session with author and experienced mentor, Pip Williams, a week ahead of the residency (either in-person or online), with a follow-up session at either one-month or three-months after the residency, as decided by the writer and the needs of their project. The mentor will have read the submission material, including outline/synopsis, ahead of the mentoring session. Follow-up mentoring session in 2024 is a creative check-in, and will not involve a full manuscript assessment.
  - An initial one-hour phone consultation with Ultimo Press, after reading submission material, followed by a full manuscript assessment and further one-hour consultation on delivery of finished work. How to apply:
  Applications will open Wednesday February 1st 2023, and must be submitted to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/deepcreekres by 11:59pm Saturday 1 April 2023. The successful recipients will be notified by June 30 2023.
  
  The week-long residency will take place October 16-23, 2023. There is no application fee, and no program fees apply. Regional writers may apply for a higher travel/living subsidy at the time of application and will depend on the location they are travelling from.
  
  Selection Criteria:
  
  Applications will be considered according to:
  - the impact of the opportunity on the writer,
  - the ambition and potential of the project, and
  - the quality of the support material.
  - The residency is open to both emerging and established writers
  To apply:
  
  Please follow this link where you can also upload your documents.
  - your contact details.
  - a brief, relevant bio (max. 150 words).
  - a statement addressing how the opportunity will benefit you (max. 250 words).
  - a summary/outline/synopsis of your proposed project to be undertaken during the Deep Creek residency (max. 1 page). (Please note, we are only accepting submissions of full length adult literary fiction, memoir, biography, autobiography, poetry collections and narrative non-fiction).
  - artistic support material (one chapter of manuscript, or twenty pages of writing if still in early development stage. Please outline the connection of the support material to your proposed project).
  - please advise what stage of your development the manuscript/project is at. For example, completed first draft, ideas generating phase, editing polished manuscript.
  Terms and conditions
  
  By entering this application process, you agree to the following terms and conditions:
  
  1. You must be a writer with a work in progress (the submission can be in early stages of development, but we want to see that you have a viable and dynamic project in mind).
  
  2. You must be a South Australian resident for at least 12 months.
  
  3. You must be 18 years or older.
  
  4. You must be able to take up the residency between October 16 and 23, 2023, and if circumstances beyond your control prevent you from attending during this time, you must notify Writers SA of this immediately so another applicant can be offered the fellowship.
  
  5. The successful applicant will need to make their own way to and from the residency at Grass Tree Gully in Deep Creek, South Australia.
  
  6. The final recipient will be chosen at the discretion of Writers SA and Matilda Bookshop. The decision will be final, and no discussion will be entered into with applicants. Previous applicants may reapply with the same or a different literary project. Previous winners can not reapply even if the project is new.
  
  Additional Information
  
  The house is reasonably accessible however the property is mostly rugged terrain. Please contact [email protected] if you need to discuss any accessibility queries or options in relation to the residency.
  
  Undertaking the residency is not a guarantee of publication. Ultimo Press will consider the final manuscript at their discretion.
- Writers in Schools
  Writers SA’s Writers in Schools Program embeds professional practising writers in outer suburban and regional public high schools in South Australia to teach writing skills, provide literary career pathways, and inspire a love of writing and reading in students. The program provides employment to the writers to undertake two or four-week residencies where they will work on personal creative projects. The writers will also work with teachers to provide writing workshops, author talks and other activities with students in alignment with the curriculum, and has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
  
  2023 Writers in Schools
  
  Jude Aquilina
  
  Jude will be based at Penola High School for two weeks from the 20th February 2023.
  
  Jude Aquilina is an award-winning poet and author whose work is published in literary journals, newspapers and anthologies across Australia and abroad. She has published and edited many books. Her Wakefield Press titles include Knifing the Ice, On a moon spiced night and Tadpoles in the Torrens: poems for young readers. Jude is a freelance writer, editor, mentor and educator. She has taught creative writing to a wide sector of the community, at schools, libraries, community centres, university, TAFE, and in a prison.
  
  Jude was the 2018 recipient of the Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship. Her works in progress include a poetry collection about the outback, titled Big Backyard, a novel based on her opal-mining grandmother, and a book of South Australian ghost stories.
  
  Jude believes that everyone can write and enjoys assisting people on their writing journeys as a mentor and editor. She conducts workshops on the topics of poetry, memoir, short stories and general creative writing.
  
  Jude says: “Everyone should have a chance to try creative writing. I am thrilled to be working with the Penola High School students. It is so important to bridge the gap for under-served public high schools. Such students are of the age where imaginative and creative skills are heightened.
  
  Many high school students don’t have the opportunity to try creative writing, meet published authors or discuss writing careers and opportunities. I look forward to sharing my knowledge, offering my support and running some inspiring workshops.”
  
  Allayne Webster
  
  Allayne will be based at Roma Mitchell Secondary College March 13-24, 2023.
  
  Allayne writes Children’s and Young Adult literature. She’s a Premier’s Reading Challenge Ambassador, multiple arts grants winner, she sings and plays guitar, and sometimes she illustrates.
  
  Paper Planes (Scholastic) was a 2016 CBCA Notable, shortlisted for the Adelaide Festival Awards, and is included with the Australian Heritage Untapped Project. A Cardboard Palace (MidnightSun), a 2018 CBCA Notable, was published in Sweden. Our Little Secret (Scholastic) was listed for the Golden Inkys and has recently been republished (Ligature Press.) The Centre of My Everything (PenguinRandomHouse) was shortlisted in the 2019 Davitt Awards (crime) and the 2020 Adelaide Festival Awards. Sensitive (UQP) is published in Russia, was shortlisted in the 2020 Australian Speech Pathology Awards, and is an IBBY Outstanding Book for Young People with Disabilities. That Thing I Did (YA – Wakefield Press) was out March 2022 and Selfie (YA -Text Publishing) is out April 2023. Allayne continues to write for children and young adults.
  
  Allayne says: “I’ve been a member of Writers SA for many years and during that time my membership has provided me with a myriad of wonderful opportunities – and now I can add a residency at Roma Mitchell Secondary College to the list! Writing for children and teenagers is my life’s passion, so to get to work intensively with students and staff over a two week period is a dream come true. Normally I would be visiting a school for one or two days, but this residency means I have a greater timeframe in which to share knowledge, build skills, and deliver real community impact. I’m very excited!”
  
  Jennifer Mills
  
  Jennifer will be based at Heathfield High School May 1-14, 2023.
  
  Jennifer Mills is the author of the novels The Airways (Picador, 2021), Dyschronia (Picador, 2018), Gone (UQP, 2011) and The Diamond Anchor (UQP, 2009) and a collection of short stories, The Rest is Weight (UQP, 2012). In 2019 Dyschronia was shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Literary Award, Australia’s most prestigious prize for literary fiction, the Adelaide Festival Awards for Literature, and the Aurealis Awards for science fiction. The Rest is Weight was shortlisted for the 2013 Queensland Literary Awards Steele Rudd Award for an Australian Short Story Collection and longlisted for the 2013 Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award.
  
  If you are interested in including a writer in your school, please contact [email protected]
  
  Subscribe to Writers SA for news about the latest updates of the Writers in Schools project.
- A Year in Review
  Writers SA in partnership with The Adelaide Review have launched ‘A Year in Review’, a new national program of literary criticism, supported by The Australia Council for the Arts. As a recipient of The Australia Council of the Arts COVID-19 Resilience Fund, Writers SA will deliver a year-long literary criticism program designed to provide important coverage to Australian authors affected by the pandemic, and a platform for emerging local critics. The first review will be published shortly. Keep your eyes on The Adelaide Review and this page for the latest. For more information on the project, click here.
- Writers & Readers in Residence
  In 2018, Writers SA launched its Writers and Readers in Residence Project, in which South Australian and international writers undertake an artistic residency in regional communities to activate reading as well as writing in the town. The Writers and Readers in Residence Project will take place from 2018 to 2020, and has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body. In the first year of the project, residencies were awarded to Bernice Chauly (Malaysia), Jane Howard, Karen Wyld and Manal Younus.
  2018 Writers and Readers in Residence
  
  Bernice Chauly
  Bernice Chauly is a novelist, poet and educator. She is the award-winning author of six books of poetry and prose which include the acclaimed memoir Growing up With Ghosts, Onkalo, and the novel Once We Were There, which won the Penang Monthly Book Prize 2017. Since 2011, she has directed the George Town Literary Festival, shortlisted at the London Book Fair’s International Excellence Awards 2017. Her contribution to the Griffith Review: Commonwealth Now is “The Batang Kali massacre, Truth still denied”. While on her Writers SA residency, Bernice worked with South Australian poet Ali Cobby Eckermann at her property in Koolunga. She also appeared at Adelaide Writers Week and New Zealand Festival.
  Jane Howard
  Jane Howard is a journalist, critic, artist and researcher who works throughout Australia. She is a contributing editor at Kill Your Darlings Journal, where she focuses on podcast criticism, and a regular contributor to Guardian Australia. Jane has worked for the Guardian across Australia and in Asia; had writing commissioned in England, Scotland, Canada, and the Czech Republic. She was director of the 2016 Digital Writers’ Festival and coordinator of HIVE at the 2017 Adelaide Film Festival. Jane is currently manager of communications and development at ActNow, and a research assistant at Deakin University. Jane undertook her residency in Renmark in partnership with the Renmark Paringa Library. Jane met with local readers at the library and with students at St. Joseph’s School Renmark and Glossop High School, and ran a workshop at Riverland Youth Theatre.
  Karen Wyld
  
  As a freelancer, Karen writes trade book reviews for Books + Publishing and has op-eds published in NITV, Meanjin, Al Jazeera, Guardian Australia and Indigenous X. She has a piece in the Spring issue of Meanjin, which is a fictional telling of four girls in Western Australia, who were part of the Stolen Generations. Her debut novel, When Rosa Came Home, was shortlisted for a SA Readers & Writers People’s Choice Award in 2015. Her draft manuscript, Where the Fruit Falls, was shortlisted for the Richell Prize in 2017. Karen was a participant of Hardcopy in 2018, after being awarded the inaugural ACT Writers & First Nations Australia Writers Network Indigenous Writers Scholarship.
  
  Karen spent a month in Ceduna for her residency, where she edited her novel, Where the Fruit Falls, which she worked on during the Hardcopy professional development program for writers. She also commenced her next project, Bestiarium Terra Nullius: peculiar beings of uninhabited southern lands, which is a series of three novellas. Following the journeys of maritime explorers, such as Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders, some of this work is based in the Great Australian Bight.
  
  While in Ceduna Karen was hosted by the Ceduna School Community Library, and presented writing workshops with readers from the wider community, the Ceduna Area School, and met with community at Arts Ceduna and Far West Languages Centre.
  
  Manal Younus
  Manal Younus is an Australian based freelance storyteller from Eritrea who believes that language and stories are the very fabric of our existence. The young artist also facilitates writing, performance, public speaking, youth empowerment and intercultural awareness workshops in schools, community groups. Younus has featured on ABC’s QandA, presented at the Adelaide TEDx Conference in 2016, the National Multicultural Women’s Conference of 2016, the Adelaide Festival of Ideas and Open State Festival, the Halogen Foundation’s Young Leaders Convention, The Council for International Schools Conference 2017 and James Cook University’s Young Language Ambassadors Conference of 2018. Manal’s residency took place in Port Augusta in partnership with the Port Augusta Public Library. She also spent time with local writers, readers and artists, in particular with the local community arts groups Desert Voices Choir and Dusty Feet Mob. Manal focused on writing a new collection of poetry, which explores youth, self, femininity, faith and migration. Following her residency, Manal will keep in touch with the community through digital updates to show the progression of her writing work. Subscribe to Writers SA for news about the 2019-20 iterations of the Writers and Readers in Residence Project.
- Context Writers Festival
  
  Context Writers Festival is a free, three-day festival for writers to connect and share new conversations about story and truth.
  
  Presented in partnership by Writers SA and City of Adelaide, the 2021 Context Festival features a diverse range of local and national authors to inspire new conversations, held on Kaurna Yarta (Adelaide), from 8–10 October. The program features Professor Aileen Moreton-Robinson, Natalie Harkin, Soul Lounge poets Stevie Zhao, Manal Younus and Prosper, journalists Anisha Pillarisetty and Royce Kurmelovs, musician Corey Theatre, zine-maker Ruby Allegra, novelist Karen Wyld, and many more.
  
  Context Writers Festival
  October 8-10
  Adelaide City Library
  Auslan interpretation will be available on all sessions. Please see library accessibility information here.
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  An initiative of the City of Adelaide delivered in partnership by Writers SA
- See Me Through My Hands
  In 2020 and 2021, Writers SA presented ‘Deaf Storytellers Live’ and ‘See Me Through My Hands’ at Adelaide Writers Week – performances featuring emerging writers from the Deaf community telling stories in Auslan. Thank you to the writers – Stuart Anderson, Joanna Agius OAM, Debra Swann, Paul Bartlett, Samantha Wilson, Sophia Borick and Kate Frost, mentors Manal Younus, Hannah Kent, Jared Thomas and Sean Williams, facilitator Indigo Eli and our team of interpreters. Supported by Aesop Foundation and City of Adelaide.
- National Writers’ Centre Network
  The National Writers’ Centre Network is Australia’s largest network of writers. The network supports and connects writers in all the States and Territories of Australia. Together, we represent more than 10,000 members and a much broader constituency of early career, emerging and established authors – across all genres, all styles and all parts of Australia.
  ACT Writers
  Doonkuna Wing, Gorman House Arts Centre, Ainslie Avenue, Braddon ACT
  NT Writers’ Centre
  Froghollow Centre for the Arts, 55 McMinn Street, Darwin NT
  Queensland Writers Centre
  Level 2, State Library of Queensland, Cultural Centre, Stanley Place, South Bank QLD
  TasWriters
  77 Salamanca Place, Hobart TAS
  Writing NSW
  Callan Park, Balmain Road, Rozelle, NSW
  Writers SA
  Institute Building, Kintore Avenue, Adelaide SA
  Writers Victoria
  Level 3, The Wheeler Centre, 176 Little Lonsdale Street, VIC
  Writing WA
  Alexander Library Building, 25 Francis Street, Perth Cultural Centre, WA
- Liminal x Writers SA
  
  Writing Commissions & Editorial Mentorship 2022
  
  Submission period: 1 September–1 October, 2021
  
  We are thrilled to announce that Writers SA is collaborating with Liminal magazine!
  
  We are welcoming fiction and non-fiction pitches from both emerging and established Asian-Australian writers who live in South Australia. Selected works responding to the theme of Haunt will be published online, in a collection of Asian-Australian excellence that sees Liminal’s first South Australian series, to be published in 2022.
  
  Alongside these commissions, Liminal will facilitate a mentorship for two emerging editors, who will work with editors Cher Tan and Elizabeth Flux for hands-on experience editing our South Australian series.
  
  If your pitch is successful, the editorial mentorship and writing commissions will be remunerated.
  For more information, please see below.
  
  Liminal x Writers SA Writing Commissions 2022
  
  Call For Fiction & Non-Fiction Pitches
  
  Led by Cher Tan & Elizabeth Flux, alongside two emerging editors.
  
  What spectres linger? What superstitions appear in the day to day? Whether it be ghosts of people or ideas, experiences that cause ripples through lives and generations, places you return to again and again, we want to hear what ‘haunt’ means to you.
  
  The Liminal writing commissions call for fiction and non-fiction writers to send through a pitch of their best ideas. We are looking for work that touches on the theme of Haunt, in the broadest ways possible; you are welcome to take the theme and split it apart, interrogate it, or turn it inside out. We welcome work from both emerging and established Asian-Australian writers.
  
  Writers will be paid $600 each, for their piece in the Liminal x Writers SA series.
  
  Submit here
  
  Liminal x Writers SA Editorial Mentorship
  
  Call For Emerging Editors
  
  Mentored by Cher Tan & Elizabeth Flux
  
  The Liminal & Writers SA Editorial Mentorship invites emerging Asian-Australian editors based in South Australia to apply for an editorial mentorship. The mentorship will be conducted online, and involve working closely with Cher Tan (non-fiction) and Elizabeth Flux (fiction) to edit the Liminal x Writers SA series. Each selected mentee will learn how to edit and shape pieces for digital publication, as well as receive feedback and guidance throughout the entire editorial process.
  
  Each emerging editor will be paid a stipend of $1600, which will support the upskilling and development of an emerging Asian-Australian editor based in South Australia.
  
  Submit here
  
  THIS PROJECT IS PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LIMINAL MAGAZINE, AND IS SUPPORTED BY ARTS SOUTH AUSTRALIA.
- Lit Market Lab
  Writers SA is excited to announce a state industry first, the Lit Market Lab. This October in Adelaide, we will connect 20 aspiring and emerging South Australian writers with representatives from the Australian publishing industry over an intensive weekend to forge professional relationships, grow networks and—most importantly—pitch their books. Joining us will be: Rachel Bin Salleh, Magabala Books Robert Watkins, Ultimo Press Kelly Fagen, Allen & Unwin Alex Adsett, Alex Adsett Literary Agency Melanie Ostell, Melanie Ostell Literary Agency Grace Heifetz, Leftbank Literary …and more to be announced. Writers SA is now accepting applications from unpublished writers with a completed manuscript in any form or genre, and those with only a single publication and no current representation. We especially encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers, writers with disability, culturally and linguistically diverse writers, and those living in outer suburban, regional and remote areas. See below for more information about what each professional is looking for. Apply here Applications close 11:59pm on Monday 13 September. The Lit Market Lab is supported by Arts South Australia. Publishers Rachel Bin Salleh, Magabala Books (WA) Only accepting pitches from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creators, and if there are any non-Indigenous peoples involved, they would need to either be co-author or part of the storytelling process. Magabala Books publishes in all genres. (co-authors can apply together in one application)
  Robert Watkins, Ultimo Press (NSW) Currently interested in contemporary literary fiction and contemporary reading group fiction. ‘Also keen to read psychological thrillers, but not looking for crime that sits outside what might be considered a psychological thriller (procedurals, mystery, traditional outback crime etc). I will read historical literary fiction if it has themes that feel contemporary! Ps I also like short fiction – but only if the collection has a unifying theme across the collection.’
  Kelly Fagen, Allen and Unwin (NSW) A&U publishes a wide range of Australian fiction and non-fiction and Kelly is looking for books from largely new authors who have something to say that is currently missing from our national and international conversations.
  Agents Alex Adsett, Alex Adsett Literary Agency (QLD) Seeking: Crime or mystery, romance, science fiction or fantasy (except urban fantasy), commercial fiction, literary fiction (with a strong narrative), narrative nonfiction, young adult, or middle grade fiction. Particularly looking for BIPOC authors or those from marginalised backgrounds.
  Not seeking: Comedic SciFi Fantasy or crime, or any kind of satire or parody; no short stories, no poetry, no works that have already been published or self-published. No straight memoir, unless there is a really great hook. No urban fantasy, unless there is a genuinely fresh perspective.
  Melanie Ostell, Melanie Ostell Literary Agency (VIC) I’m keen to unearth distinctive voices and wonderful stories in commercial fiction, crime, literary, historical fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir and only interested in select YA and middle grade. No microfiction, expansive fantasy series, poetry or plays.
  Grace Heifetz, Leftbank Literary (NSW) Open to most genres but not looking for kids & YA, genre or lifestyle/illustrated at this time.
  Applicants must:
  - Have a completed and polished manuscript not currently under consideration or contract
  - Be previously unpublished, be unpublished in the last ten years, or, have one full length novel or collection published but not be under contract or represented for a second novel or collection*
  - Be a permanent resident living in South Australia
  Applications must include:
  - Biography (300 words)
  - Synopsis and/or summary
  - The impact this opportunity will have on your writing career
  - The genre you are writing in and word count of your manuscript
  - Your dream publisher if there were no barriers and why
  - Completed manuscript as an attachment***
  - If the manuscript has been previously submitted to anyone on the list of attending professionals, and if so, please advise where and the year.
  This program aims to provide opportunity to writers who are not always reflected in the literary establishment. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers, culturally and linguistically diverse writers, writers with disability, working class writers, writers living in the outer suburbs, and those in regional or remote areas. Terms and Conditions: * Previously published includes self-published or traditionally published books, including full-length collections of poetry or short stories. **A travel and accommodation subsidy can be provided for regional or remote applicants. Please note where you will be travelling from in your application. ***Manuscript attachment will not be supplied to, or viewed by, anyone outside of Writers SA. Taking part in the Literary Market Lab weekend does not guarantee publication or that agency representation will be offered, however the opportunity to make industry connections will be invaluable. In addition to inclusion in this program, each participant will be offered a one year Writers SA membership (or membership renewal). Attendance over the three days, including some meals, is free to the 20 successful applicants. Covid-19 contingency Writers SA is committed to the safety of our community. If a Covid-19 outbreak or lockdown should occur, the event will be postponed or presented in a digital format. If a participant is required to self-isolate or their movement is restricted at the time of the event, Writers SA will endeavour to accommodate attendance through digital or other means. If Covid-19 restricts the participation of our interstate guests, their sessions will be postponed or presented digitally.
- Council Partnerships and Events
- No Limits: Young Regional Writers
  [caption id="attachment_56609" align="aligncenter" width="600"] Eyre Peninsula by Jack Baldwin, The Lead South Australia, licensed under CC BY 2.0[/caption] Writers SA is expanding our operations into the regions! Our project No Limits: Young Regional Writers supports literary activities in the regions, and creates industry pathways for young regional writers, from skills to publication. The project supports coordinators in three regional SA locations (Renmark, Eyre Peninsula and Mount Gambier), employs diverse authors to present skills-based writing workshops, commissions new literary work by young regional writers, connects young writers with publishers and industry representatives, and presents performance events and literary showcases in regional Country Arts SA venues for communities of readers and writers. With events delivered in-person and online, young regional writers are connected with professional peers and audiences from around Australia. This project is supported by Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative, and Arts South Australia. As of May 2021, Alysha Herrmann has stepped into the role of Statewide Regional Manager and Riverland Coordinator. She is currently recruiting coordinators in Eyre Peninsula and Mt Gambier regions. Contact [email protected] for more information.
- Teen Writers Club
  
  Writers SA hosts a Teen Writers Club each term in-person. High school aged teens meet on Saturday mornings at City Library just off Rundle Mall for 8 weeks starting at the end of week 1.
  
  Dan Thorsland is our 2021 group facilitator! Dan is an editor, writer, video and film producer, who contributed to Superwoman, Wonder Woman and Star Wars comic series when he worked for DC and Dark Horse. Dan has moved on from his position at video game producer Mighty Kingdom and now works for Flinders University.
  
  Facilitators change term-to-term and provide structure and advice for the group with help on all forms and mediums related to creative writing. Sessions are casual and there are no hard outcomes, just a fun and inclusive atmosphere to build relationships with other writers and to learn to write or learn to write better.
  
  The cost of participation for each term is $200 and while registrations are open, you can find the event link under the ‘Program’ tab. Places are limited to keep the group manageable and if Covid creates restrictions, we move to a Zoom or Groups online location.
  
  If you’d like to find out more information or to be added to a mailing list when registrations are coming up, please email [email protected]
  
  Writers SA does not currently have a program for primary school aged children but please ask your local council library if they have any workshops coming up.
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  Volunteering with the SA Writers Centre offers a chance for you to expand your skills, ready you for the workforce and provide you with an operational understanding of a professional arts organisation. Whilst we currently don’t have any vacancies for volunteers, we do encourage you to register your details with us here and we will notify you of any suitable opportunities. SA Writers Centre has a wide reaching professional development program that offers free and ticketed events for local writers – from our Quick and Dirty reading nights, Member Meetup events – through to ticketed events such as literary dinners, fundraising events and regular workshops. The majority of our volunteer opportunities require event preparation, venue set up and pack up, front of house and bar shifts for our regular onsite and offsite events and often reside out of normal office hours, such as evenings and weekends. We really value our volunteers and are committed to ensuring the experience is positive and useful and we strive to provide pathways for them. Many of our current staff began with us through our volunteer program. Occasionally, we also have volunteering vacancies in the areas of administration and workshop delivery. We’re looking for people who want to begin or boost their career in the arts, who want to support opportunities for local writers, or who just want to get involved and have some fun. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please ensure you fill out this form and you will be contact should we require your assistance or further details.
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Home > About > Staff

Staff

Jessica Alice

Chief Executive Officer

Jessica Alice is the CEO of Writers SA. She is a poet, critic, broadcaster and artistic director from Melbourne’s west living on Kaurna country in Adelaide. Jessica is also Chair of the Arts Industry Council of South Australia (AICSA), and a committee member of the Kat Muscat Fellowship—a prize for writers and editors.

Jessica was formerly Program Manager of Melbourne Writers Festival and Co-Director of the National Young Writers’ Festival. She has served on boards including SYN Media and Melbourne International Arts Festival.

Jessica’s writing and criticism is published in The Guardian Australia, Metro Magazine, Overland, VICE, The Lifted Brow, Cordite Poetry Review, Australian Poetry Journal, and the anthology Solid Air: Australian and New Zealand Spoken Word (UQP).

Bronwyn Tilley

Operations Manager

Bronwyn Tilley (writing as Bronwyn Stuart) is a multi-published award-winning author of 19 novels, novellas and short stories in both contemporary and historical romantic fiction, traditionally published and self-published. She is an advocate for fair deals for authors and a font of knowledge about the literary industry both here in Australia and overseas.

Bronwyn is a skilled public speaker and MC. She appeared at the Clare Writers Festival and on several publishing panels around the country. From 2016 to 2018 Bronwyn programmed and managed conferences for Romance Writers of Australia as well as sitting on the committee for the not-for-profit for two of those years. Her non-writing jobs have included: retail manager, office manager, call centre worker, checkout chick and other not-so exciting positions.

Bronwyn and her vast collection of shoes reside in the Adelaide hills on Paramangk land along with her husband, kids and dogs.

Lana Guineay

Marketing Coordinator

Lana is a freelance writer and author based by the beach, with a diverse background in digital, media, and publishing.

Her debut book Dark Wave was winner of the Viva La Novella prize. Her non-fiction has been published widely, and her award-winning fiction has appeared in Going Down Swinging, Anthology of Australasian Stories, and was a daily winner of the 2019 Swinburne Microfiction award.

Lana graduated from the University of South Australia with a degree in Creative Writing, and followed a career as a fashion editor for global brands before returning to her hometown.

Lana is passionate about supporting, promoting, and getting to know South Aussie writers at Writers SA, and is currently writing her second book.

Lauren Mullinder

Program Manager

Lauren is a published children’s book illustrator, art teacher and tea drinker based in Adelaide’s north-eastern foothills. With a background in design, advertising and event management, Lauren is a passionate contributor to many local literacy organisations, serving on committees and advocating for connection and engagement between creators and community.

In her work, Lauren strives to connect readers with the whimsy and imagination of childhood – drawing inspiration from nature and her own nostalgic memories and experiences.

When not illustrating, Lauren likes to spend time outdoors – gardening, hiking and scuba diving.

Edoardo Crismani

First Nations Writers Coordinator

Edoardo Crismani is a film director, writer, singer-songwriter and is a descendant of the Wiradjuri people. He is the Coordinator of the SA First Nations Writers Group.

Edoardo was nominated by the Australian Writers Guild for a 2017 AWGIE Award for writing The Panther Within. In 2020 he directed Deadly Family Portraits: Crombie Crew for ABC TV, available to watch on iView.

Edoardo is working on his first novel, Finding Billy Brown, which was shortlisted for the Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship.

Vern Schulz

Finance Officer

Vern has a diverse background and broad experience in all facets of office and finance management. Starting out in the graphic arts industry as a photo retoucher and desktop publisher, he then transitioned to working in a business doing website design and publication, in the role of Director and Office Manager. Following that, he moved to the Pink Sofa, a lesbian dating website, as Office Manager, doing payroll, accounts and selling online advertising. After 4 years working in that interesting and diverse role, he moved to one of Adelaide’s leading law firms as a Legal Administrator, and then Payroll Administrator.

Out of work hours, Vern has subcontracted his time to one of Adelaide Hills’ favourite pizza and wine bars, Lost In A Forest, doing HR, Finance and Payroll. An avid (and competitive) sailor and certified RYA Keelboat Instructor, you will often find him off sailing locally, interstate and overseas whenever possible.

With a keen interest in the arts, Vern is pleased to be working with Writers SA and brings a broad range of skills to the organisation.

Kirste Vandergiessen

Riverland Regional Coordinator

Kirste is a writer and digital illustrator from the Riverland. She graduated with a Bachelor of Creative Writing in 2016 and has since been reconnecting with her hometown where she has jumped into developing events to support young Riverland creatives. She collaboratively produced the workshop mini-festival Symposium, a space to encourage connection and to learn new skills, co-facilitated Mono Club, a virtual bookclub, and I Feel Like Writing, a weekly workshop to foster the importance of young regional voices in the community and writing industry.

She is writing a young adult fantasy novel about magic gemstones, mermaids, and the importance of self-value, growing, and learning.

She lives for all things magical and if fairy wings don’t sprout from her back, or if fire doesn’t spark from her palms, one day, she’ll head down her destined path as a Capricorn villain.

Alfie Simpson

Event Assistant

Alfie Simpson is a writer and editor currently living in Adelaide. When he’s not removing words from manuscripts, he writes for an online magazine called Breach, where he specialises in stories about plant-monsters and extremely deep oceans. His piece ‘Sub-Urban’ won the 2018 Aurealis Award for best horror short story. Another of his stories, ‘The Endless Below’, was shortlisted for the same award in 2017. His other works include ‘All the Long Way Down’, published in Cthulhu Deep Down Under Volume 3 in 2021.

Nelya Valamanesh

Digital Event Assistant

Nelya Valamanesh is an Adelaide-based artist who has produced works on a range of platforms. Nelya’s vision through all of her creative avenues has been to speak her truth as a proud queer Persian/Australian woman, and elevate unspoken voices of colour and other marginalised groups.

During her career she has DJed, co-facilitated theatre workshops, and freelanced in the film industry. Currently, she is in script development for her own web series with funding from the South Australian Film Corporation. She was also a finalist in the Mercury CX’s Pitch-o-Rama competition in 2019 and 2020, was accepted into AFTR’s National and State Talent Camp.

Nelya has also worked in numerous theatre developments with ActNow Theatre, STCSA, and an Arts SA-funded narrative podcast with other local creatives.

Ryan J Morrison

Digital Event Assistant

Ryan J Morrison is an emerging author and academic with an interest in genre fiction and disability studies.

Currently in the fourth year of a PhD in Creative Writing, Ryan is researching how artificial intelligence is depicted in science fiction, which is informing a genre-bending adaptation of the Jewish legend of the Golem of Prague.

When he isn’t obsessing over board games, card games, and pen & paper roleplaying games, Ryan also streams video games on Twitch as SciFiAIguy, and creates a weekday webcomic called Only the Truest of Facts. Ryan is passionate about education, and is eager to provide support to both workshop attendees and facilitators.

Audrey Menz

Regional Program Assistant

Audrey Menz is an emerging queer writer based in Mount Barker, South Australia. She is a recent Graduate of a Bachelor of Creative Writing, a current student of a Graduate Diploma of Digital and Social Media, and lover of all things literary academia.

She is particularly interested in fostering and developing spaces for diverse writers, and in her downtime is an avid Slushpile Screener and Reader for the young adult magazine, ‘Ember: A Journal of Luminous Things.’

In her own work Audrey explores how ‘the fantastical’ can be used to deconstruct and investigate social issues. She is currently writing a dark fantasy novel about monsters, gods, and how to heal after experiencing trauma.

When not reading or writing, Audrey is a self-proclaimed ‘nerd’ who can be found delving into her new favourite fandom.