Do you want to collaborate to complete a memoir, become a biographer or write someone else’s story with/for them? Join Lea McInerney in a short session to learn the tips and traps of this non-fiction trade.

In this one-hour informative session, Lea will give you tips and tools for collaborative writing that you’ll find useful for any joint writing project, including factoring in third parties and dealing with setbacks along the way. She’ll share experiences from her work with Ngadjuri Elder and community leader Vince Copley AM on his first-person memoir The Wonder of Little Things. First published by ABC Books in 2022, it’s also now available in a younger readers edition.

Vince died in 2022, aged 85, not long after he and Lea finished the final draft. Lea went on to work with Vince’s family and the publisher to get the book out into the world. His uplifting story is now being enjoyed by many people – young and old – and Lea regularly gives talks with Vince’s daughter Kara about his amazing life.

This session is suitable for all writers interested in memoir, biography, ghostwritng and collaborative non-fiction.

Participants will learn about:

• What collaborative writing is.
• How a good relationship with clear roles is critical.
• Useful tools to make things easier.
• Factoring in other people with an interest in the project.
• Dealing with setbacks and celebrating milestones along the way (it won’t always be smooth sailing, but the joys are worth it!)

Members $35 / Non-members $88

This workshop will be delivered via Zoom. Instructions will be emailed to you, please check your spam/junk folders. A recording will be available to registered participants for two weeks after the event.

—Not a Writers SA member? Members receive more than 30% off the full price of this workshop, you’ll also get a free 20 minute consult, expert advice about your career and your work, and join a community of like-minded creatives. Join now for as little as $60! 

—Writers SA members must be logged in to receive the member discount. If you would like to use a workshop credit to book in, please contact [email protected] at least five working days before the workshop commencement date. Our staff don’t work full time and we don’t want you to miss out!

—If you are a member of another state based writers centre, SCBWI SA or Editors SA, please contact [email protected] at least five working days before the program commencement date to get a code for the member price.

—Writers SA provides complimentary membership for First Nations writers and for writers experiencing economic hardship. Please contact [email protected] to redeem.

About Lea McInerney

Lea is pictured here with Ngadjuri Elder Vince Copley, whose life story she co-authored.

Lea McInerney writes narrative non-fiction and poetry. Her work has been published in Griffith Review, Meanjin, Cordite, Southerly, Westerly and Australian Poetry Anthology. She is co-author with Ngadjuri Elder and community leader Vince Copley of his memoir The Wonder of Little Things (ABC Books 2022, Young Readers Edition 2024). Her ongoing work on Vince’s legacy has been supported by the Australian government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body. In the past, Lea worked in health care and social policy, including on many government projects where collaboration was critical to success.