From 10am – 12pm.
Also known as manuscript clinics, these mornings are open to everyone, published or unpublished, and provide a great networking opportunity to meet other like-minded writers. There are some authors that like to keep their writing close to the chest until their draft is completed. While other authors benefit from feedback and critique throughout their creative process. Regardless of your technique, you can always come along to help us reach the critical mass necessary to provide that feedback to those who ask, and to encourage your fellow writers to aim for their goals, whatever they may be – competitions, publication, cathartic reasons or for the fun and enjoyment of writing.
Write a short piece inspired by this month’s image on the corkboard or email less than 1,500 words for critique from your peers to admin@writersfsc.org.au .
The mornings are completely free and we recommend coming to a few to see if they are helpful to you before becoming a member and supporting the club. If you’d like feedback on a piece, but you’re uncomfortable reading your own work, someone can read it on your behalf.
If there are enough submissions, a limited number of booklets will be compiled to make the clinic run smoother. Occasionally, there will be writing exercises, Ted-ED videos or games to re-invigorate the group’s energy and creativity.
All venues that are chosen for the writers room and workshops are quiet and have disabled access.
From 1pm – 3:30pm
The committee tries to provide a variety of afternoon workshops to suit the majority of writers. Come to the ones that interest you. Prices vary depending on the cost of presenters and where they are travelling from (eg: local, Canberra, Sydney, etc).
The cost of similar workshops by the same presenters in capital cities cost hundreds. The Writers of the Far South Coast relies heavily on the goodwill of the presenters, grants and a small ticket price to make city-quality workshops available in regional NSW.
July and August are great months to spend hours by a log fire writing the first draft of that next novel. Therefore winter becomes our time to retreat to Kianinny Bush Cabins, often emerging only to scoff down biscuits and cakes brought by the attendees. The cabins are shared (separate rooms) to facilitate the social aspect of the weekend. Writers thrive off the atmosphere in the common room or wander the bushwalks for inspiration.
On Friday night, mentors will pitch their best qualities and writing style to the attendees who will choose the group led by the mentor they feel will improve or inspire their writing the most. There are two 1.5 hour sessions on Saturday and Sunday morning and the rest of the weekend is devoted to writing.
https://retreat.writersfsc.org.au
No upcoming events at the moment for retreat
All Day Workshops
Occasionally, the WFSC will run a workshop over an entire day or weekend. Obviously, these workshops are more expensive and usually require payment in advance. These extra-long workshops are time very well spent, so book in early as places are also limited.
Our last weekend workshop was with the international literary manager for Short and Sweet, Pete Malicki
Professional Manuscript Assessments
Once a year, the club holds a professional manuscript assessment for authors seeking a structural edit on the first 20,000 words of a novel, novella or short story intended for publication. This is far more in-depth than can be offered during our free morning sessions. A structural edit is strongly recommended to ensure that what you are trying to say is conveyed to your readers as the editor will focus on plot, character development, logic and consistency.
Our manuscript assessments are limited to 10 places and Paula Boer requires manuscripts to be sent to her at least two weeks in advance, in order to provide personalised feedback and suggestions.
No upcoming events at the moment for ALL DAY Workshop
Having its own public liability insurance opens a lot of doors for the Writers of the Far South Coast. At our market stall, the WFSC aims to promote literature, sell books by all local authors and share information about upcoming opportunities provided by our monthly workshops and clinic. If you would like to talk to someone, in person, about your writing and how the club can help you – come and find us.
Any local author is welcome to add their books to our display with no obligation to become a member or volunteer at the stall. The WFSC will shout an author’s praises to all who reside or visit the place they call home. We are proud to support local authors and will not take a commission. Monies from all sales go directly to the author.
Amanda has represented the WFSC at several markets over the years and likes Rotary’s Pambula market the best. Pursuant to the weather and her alarm clock, the Pambula markets on the 2nd Sunday of each month is the most likely place to find the WFSC market stall. The winds there aren’t as fierce, making it much more fun to chat about literature.
Please consider joining Amanda for a coffee or perhaps volunteer an hour of your Sunday morning to talk with tourists and locals about writing, books and literature.
No upcoming events at the moment for market
The club’s committee meets regularly to plan current endeavours including upcoming workshops, the retreat, the combined AGM / Christmas party and to discuss where the club can be improved for its members. All ideas and suggestions are discussed and all initiative shown by WFSC members to represent the club and promote local literature is applauded. Please consider becoming more involved in your club by joining the committee.
Recently, the committee successfully drafted a new constitution that was accepted by club members at the 2018 AGM.
No upcoming events at the moment for committee meeting
Getting together socially is an enormous boost to writers. The blackboard poetry at “About the Book” was famously entertaining. Social lunches are currently held after WFSC committee meetings and the lunches are open to all writers, readers and the general public. Check the calendar online for times, dates and venues. If you would like to organise or promote your own gathering of creative minds, let us know and the WFSC will assist where possible with promotion, poster design or printing.
At the end of each year, writers gather at a local restaurant to celebrate their achievements. Each writer gives away a book they’ve read recently, with their own short 2-3 paragraph review, to another writer. Books are distributed by “Santa” after the main meal and before dessert.
