The KSP Writers Centre aims to provide a schedule of linked activities for all writers. ArtsWA provides essential funds for Writers/Editors-in-Residence and Specialist Tutors for the Young Writers Group, and to assist with running the KSP Science Fiction and Short Fiction Competitions. The KSP Foundation is indebted to Mundaring Shire for continuing support and thanks all volunteers for their help. The KSP Writer-in-Residence program, funded by ArtsWA, attracts Emerging and Established writers and editors from WA and interstate. Writers reside in the house, attend some regular KSP group sessions and are available for consultation by appointment.
For bookings, Workshop details and Enquiries, Please Email
kspf@iinet.net.au
or phone the Coordinator on 08 9294 1872. Bookings are essential for all events. All events are
open to KSPF members and the public unless otherwise specified.
Regular Writing Groups for beginners to advanced writers Members $4, non-members $7 per session
Poetry Writing Group – ‘Poets@KSP’ 2nd and 4th Mondays 12.45pm
Karibu Women’s Writing Group 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month 9.30am (in Midland)
Writefree Women’s Writing Group Every Wednesday 9.30am
Young Writers Group Every Thursdays in term time, Under 11s 4.00pm – 5 pm, 11 – 18 from 5.00pm – 6 pm
Thursday Night Group Every Thursday 7.30pm
Non-Fiction Writers 1st Saturday of the month 10.00am
Past Tense (Social History) Group 2nd Saturday of the month 10.00am
Speculative Fiction/ Fantasy Writers 2nd Sunday of the month 10.00am
Script Writing Group 1st Sunday of the month 10.00am
Saturday 17, 1pm – 4 pm: ‘The Art of Fiction’ with John Cregan
This three-hour workshop is designed to assist writers of all levels gain a better understanding of their craft. The role of character, place and scenario in creating an audience bond, one of the most important aspects of successful writing, will be explored, as will some of the creative and constructive elements such as mind-mapping, free-writing, story structure and story design. Exercises will be given during the workshop, so bring along pen and paper. Adequate time is allowed for questions. JD (John) Cregan is the author of the novel 98%pure. He was a guest at the 2005 Age Melbourne Writer’s Festival, and the 2006 Byron Bay Writer’s Festival, where he facilitated a full-day workshop on The Novel, and chaired a panel on The Architecture of Good Writing. John has been teaching writing for fifteen years, both in WA, and in the Eastern States. M $25, NM $40
Sunday 8, 10.30am – 4.30 pm Open Day
Are you interested in writing? Want to learn more about what the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers Centre does? Then come along for a day of readings by award-winning authors and packed full of literary tours of Katharine’s Place, the centre’s members and local school students. Local published authors will be book signing on the day, and on hand to answer questions. Free admission. Foodavailable for purchase.
Thursday 12, 10.30pm – 12.30pm: Eight-week School-Time Series with Kathleen Dzubiel
It’s important that young writers be exposed to, learn and practice the best writing. This series is an extra-curricular activity aimed at 13 – 15 year old home schoolers and children released from local schools (Years 8 – 10). Young writers will be introduced to the process of writing poetry and prose by Kathleen Dzubiel, a published poet whose work has been performed in public and on radio across Australia. Kathleen has been conducting courses in creative writing for over ten years. Participants will have their work published in an anthology at the end of the series. M $55, NM $65
Saturday 21, 1pm – 4 pm: Looking at the ‘big picture’: Structural editing for prose writers’ with Amanda Curtin
A workshop designed to help fiction and non-fiction writers approach their work as a structural editor would. Amanda will discuss common structural problems, as well as techniques to help writers step back from the words and sentences and look at ‘big-picture’ issues. Amanda Curtin is a freelance book editor with 25 years’ experience (adult and junior fiction, picture books, general non-fiction, scholarly). She is also an award-winning writer of short fiction and essays, and in 2008 published her first novel, The Sinkings. M $25, NM $40
23 February – 23 March Emerging Writer-in-Residence Natalie Kon-Yu - in Residence
Natalie is a local writer who is currently working on a novel, set in Australia and Italy in the early 1950s, and follows a young family as they leave their village to forge a new life in Fremantle. It explores the theme of migration, as well as the relationship between the characters migrating to Fremantle, and those who have been left behind. The over-arching theme is the ways in which people are able to review, suppress or fictionalise their pasts. Natalie’s writing has been published in literary and scholarly journals, and her short fiction has been broadcast on radio. She has also taught Creative Writing at Curtin University, and has recently completed her PhD.
Tuesday 10, 7pm: Literary Dinner and Readings with Emerging Writer-in-Residence Natalie Kon-Yu
Natalie will delight you with her writing at our special literary dinner in her honour at 11 Old York Road, Greenmount. M$20, NM $25
Saturday 14, 1pm – 4 pm: Workshop with Natalie Kon-Yu, WIR, 'The Shoe by the Door: Using Sensory Detail to Build Emotional Tension'.
This workshop will focus on the visual components we use in creating scenes, and how they are able to help us build emotional tension. As writers we tend to populate our fictional worlds with objects. Hairbrushes, telephone boxes, pot plants. Not only do visual details help us to create our fictional worlds, but if used correctly they can help us give depth to our scenes. Bring a scene from your own work to examine the sensory detail. M$25, NM $40
Sunday 22, 9am – 1 pm: ‘Narrative Modes and Textures’, Master Class with Ken Gasmier - Session 1.
You’ll need to bring a chapter, or a story, of fiction or documentary fiction, and an outline of where you think you will go with it. The first session will be spent sharing your work. Before the second session (Session 2 on Sunday April 4, 9am – 5 pm) Ken will tailor directions and possible models, and you will spend the day following those directions in individual writing time, with Ken’s support and feedback. Finally there’ll be time to share and discuss the new directions in the group. Ken Gasmier has published mainly fiction, has lectured writing at university, and is a reviewer and writing competition judge. $129, NM $149 includes both sessions.
Friday 27, 7 pm – Sunday 29, 6 pm: Bootcamp for Writers with Melissa O’Shea.
Do you need more time to write, the motivation to get started or keep going on a project, or some social/writerly interaction? KSP’s Bootcamp for Writers welcomes writers of all levels, genres and work habits! Join us for an opportunity to immerse yourself in your own writing project: time to write, but also time to plan, focus, set goals and get motivated for a productive and satisfying year of writing. In addition to personal writing time, the weekend will feature daily workshops on different aspects of writing, literary luncheons with guest authors, an optional yoga class to reduce writerly aches and pains, and a group dinner at a local restaurant. Write in the peaceful and inspiring atmosphere of Katharine Susannah Prichard’s historic Hills home; mingle with and learn from other writers; take time out to nurture your writing and yourself. Twelve places only, breakfast and lunch provided. Day registration $250 private accomm.(shared bathroom) $350, deluxe private accomm. $450.
Wednesday 1: Write-A-Book-In-A-Day commences.
This is a one-day writing marathon where sponsored teams of 5 – 10 people will write a children's book in a day, raising funds equally for KSPWC and Children's Hospitals in each Australian State. It takes place from April to the end of August. Teams will be given some details about the subject of the book they are to write, and may compete from school, home, office, library, telecentre or elsewhere. Awards will be issued to teams from Primary Schools (min. 2000 words), Secondary Schools (min. 4000 words) and 18 and over (min. 8000 words).
Saturday 4, 1pm – 4pm: Workshop ‘First Steps to Becoming a Freelance Writer’ with Elizabeth Bezant.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to earn a living from your writing? Or even where the money is and how to go about getting yourself some of it? If so this workshop is for you. Along with covering the basics, Elizabeth will also be sharing proven information and tips on targeting and submitting your non-fiction writing to magazines and websites. Elizabeth Bezant is a writer and writing coach. She is also the founder of ‘Writing to Inspire’, an international business that exists to inspire, inform and empower all writers towards their true potential. M$25, NM $40
Sunday 5, 9am – 5pm: Master Class Session 2 with Ken Gasmier - ‘Narrative Modes and Textures’,
Only open to those who’ve participated in Session 1.
Sunday 19 April – Sunday 17 May: Established Writer-In-Residence Jean Kent
Jean is an established poet with a long record of publication, awards, grants and fellowships. Her poems and stories have been appearing in literary magazines and anthologies in Australia and overseas since 1970, and she has published three collections of her poetry. She has promoted poetry and encouraged other writers with writers’ centres, educational centres and community groups, and has been a competition judge, a mentor, an editor, a reader, and a workshop facilitator and creative writing teacher in schools, universities and local communities. Jean is particularly interested in celebrating the Australian landscape. Her project at KSP is a collection of poems exploring where a variety of contemporary Australians feel ‘at home’ - homes of memory, dream and fantasy, as well as physical places.
Monday 20, Wednesday 22, Friday 24, 10am – 4pm: Three-day School Holiday Write-A-Rama with Dr Melissa O’Shea
Attention young writers. Do you love writing stories? If you are 11-17 yrs old, come to our 3-day school holiday Write-A-Rama and develop your writing skills in a fun and creative setting. Guest speakers will be present, and your work will be published in an anthology. M $65, NM $85
Saturday 26, 2pm – 4pm: Launch of Amber Contains the Sun.
Jean Kent, Established Writer-In-Residence, will launch this anthology of poetry by Flora Smith, Vivienne Glance, Christopher Konrad, Carol Millner and Sally Clarke.
The Writers in Residence and some of the programs for Young Writers are funded by The Department of Culture and the Arts, and the Department for Child Protection. The Young Writers' categories in the KSP Speculative Fiction Award and the KSP Short Fiction Award are funded by the Shire of Mundaring and Open Section of the KSP Short Fiction Award is funded by the Mundaring Community Bank.
These events are also advertised in the Hills Gazette, Midland Reporter, and The Echo. Bookings are essential. Please email kspfevents@iinet.net.au, or phone the events coordinator on (08) 9294 1872.