Are you looking for professional support and a strong peer network to help you finish your book or refine your first draft? If you're working on a first draft or a draft that just isn't working, Writers SA's First Draft program can help you shape your novel and stay on track.

This in-person cohort of First Draft will meet monthly with facilitator Karen Wyld to keep you on track and provide you with the right tools and support to finish that draft. As part of our First Draft program, you will also have access to quarterly workshops, feedback and consultations, and an online space for peer connection and critique, to get you another step closer to completing your novel.

This program is suitable for anyone working on a long-form writing project, including fiction and narrative nonfiction in any genre.

Monthly meetings will cover:

• Finding plot-holes and "killing your darlings" so your draft shines
• Critiquing your own work to determine its audience and commercial potential
• Understanding which publishing pathway is best for you and your project
• Writing an eye-catching synopsis and author bio
• Finding the right publisher or agent, and tips for pitching your work
• Networking, self-promotion, and building your squad
• Applying for funding, scholarships, awards, and other opportunities for writers
• Insider tips from Karen's real-world experiences as a published author

First Draft with Karen Wyld includes: 

• Four monthly group meetings
• Access to a wide selection of workshops with six credits to use across Writers SA's online and in person events. (T&Cs apply)
• One in-depth consultation about your writing project with a Writers SA staff member
• An expert critical reading of your first three chapters plus one page of feedback
• One Work Space writing intensive day
• Access to a private online space to share work and ideas with your peers.

Meeting dates: Wednesdays 6pm – 8pm, August 24, September 28, October 26 and November 23
 

About Karen Wyld

Karen Wyld is a freelance writer and author. She self-published her debut novel (When Rosa Came Home, 2013) a month before turning 50. Followed by an award-winning novel (Where the Fruit Falls, UWA Publishing, 2020) and a non fiction children’s book (Heroes, Rebels and Innovators, Hachette, 2021). Karen has won or been short-listed for literary awards and scholarships. She’s published fiction and non-fiction in literary journals, pieces for online news outlets, book reviews, and short stories in anthologies. Karen is an Australian Council for the Arts peer, a 2021 Ambassador for Australia Reads, and has appeared at writers events nationally. Now an established writer, Karen understands what it’s like to be a mid-life, emerging writer.

Members $890* / Non-members $1390

Venue: Mitcham Library, 154 Belair Road, Hawthorn, SA

*Payment plans are available to members for this program with a $300 deposit and fortnightly repayments of $150. Please email [email protected] to discuss options.

—Writers SA members must be logged in to receive the member discount.

Program Terms and Conditions

-The six workshops refer to both digital and in-person sessions and include: 3 1.5-hour workshops, two 3-hour workshops and one 6-hour workshop. The workshops may be selected of your choice or by recommendation from Writers SA. You must use these credits in 2022. Outstanding credits will not be held over. These cannot be exchanged for any other service or refunded. There will be a maximum of two credit-holders at each event until a minimum number of paid participants is reached and will be on a first-come-first-served basis after emailing [email protected] to lodge your request. If the workshop is at capacity for credit-holders, you can opt to pay for the workshop or join a wait-list until the event reaches the minimum number of paid participants.

-Participation in this series does not guarantee publication.

-In depth consultations and First Feedback will be carried out by a relevant staff member of Writers SA