Hello and welcome to FAWWA members longstanding and new. I trust everyone’s writing projects are progressing well.
Sunday Sessions at FAWWA
Firstly we are counting the days until the second Sunday Sessions at Mattie Furphy House on Sunday, October 23. FAWWA is excited that the following Western Australian authors of international standing will be teaching on the day: Dervla McTiernan, David Whish Wilson, Donna Mazza, and Holden Sheppard.
Some sessions have proven so popular we’ve needed to release extra tickets. Others are close to selling out, so do go online to fawwa.org or to the FAWWA account at Eventbrite.com.au to reserve your spot for this exciting and rewarding day of learning. Discounts for FAWWA and Four Centres members.
Annual General Meeting October 16
Members are cordially invited to the 2022 Annual General Meeting at Mattie Furphy House on Sunday, October 16 at 2pm, (to be followed by the 4pm Sunday Sundowner). Committee members for the coming year will be appointed on the day. If you would like to nominate for a position we would love to hear from you. Please contact a committee member for more information about the roles, and skills needed.
Book Length Project Group October 16 cancelled
A note to writers who attend the Book Length Project Group, the October 16 session is cancelled due to the clash with the Annual General Meeting. I look forward to seeing you all the following month, on Sunday, November 20, 10am to midday at Mattie Furphy House.
Perth Writers’ Salon
Writers looking for a class to join may like to consider the Perth Writers’ Salon starting October 30 for six Sunday mornings at Mattie Furphy House. The enriching, fun sessions from 9am to midday are suitable for all writers in any genre. They will be led by author Campbell Jefferys who has written for newspapers and magazines and published nine books. For details email Campbell on c.jefferys@gmx.net
Australian Short Story Festival 2022, Fremantle Arts Centre
The sixth annual Australian Short Story Festival will be held in Perth from October 28 to 30, with events to feature some of Western Australia’s finest short story writers, as well as writers from across Australia and overseas. The weekend programme kicks off with a gala opening night to be followed by writing workshops, book launches, advice on getting published and story-telling for children. For details visit australianshortstory.com. To secure your tickets please visit Trybooking.com/CCMSA
Write your life story
To celebrate Seniors Week, the Society of Women Writers is running the popular workshop, Writing Your Life Story, at Citiplace Community Centre on Saturday 12 November 2022 from 12.30pm to 5pm. The session will be taught by Helen Iles, Managing Editor of Linellen Press which specialises in publishing memoirs. Cost is $30 and bookings are essential. Details: email swwwabookingofficer@gmail.com or phone 0429 116 395 or visit www.swwofwa.com.au
Daffodil Cottage Writers’ Residencies
Submissions are open for the Daffodil Cottage Writers’ Residencies in the Blue Mountains, New South Wales. Established, mid-career and early career artists are encouraged to apply for the residency from December 6 to 14, or register an expression of interest for residencies from February to March 2023. Applications close 24 October. For details and to apply: https://www.westwords.com.au/daffodil-cottage-writers-residencies/
Sunday Sundowner and open mic at Mattie Furphy House
FAWWA is delighted to invite members and friends to our second monthly sundowner on Sunday, October 16, 4pm to 6pm — immediately following the Annual General Meeting. The first in September was very well attended and lots of fun. Please bring drinks and a plate to share. All are invited to read a piece of their own poetry or prose of up to three minutes, with a winner chosen by popular vote. Sunday Sundowners will be the third Sunday of each month. To RSVP email committee member Lynne De Peras on lynne.83b@gmail.com
Congratulations to Colin Young who won the September Sunday Sundowner Open Mic for reading his poem below, from his collection Between Stations
Temple of Healing
At the Asclepion on Kos
cicadas drone an entrance
overgrown with a pine-tree
whose needles drop like green rain.
Cypress and oleander
silhouette a flight of steps
where finches skirl.
People are diminished
under the bulk of marble
and irretrievable centuries.
A couple kiss.
They roam their eyes
over ruins. Columns
cluster in dialogue.
Do these stony cells
still breathe the ghost
of health? Close by,
mountains across the water
Invigorate salty air.
By Colin Young From his collection Between Stations
Congratulations to Megan Anderson
FAWWA is delighted to celebrate the recent achievement of Megan Anderson whose flash fiction Gone For Some Time won first prize in the UK’s Reflex Fiction summer flash fiction competition. Megan is a member of the 2021/23 Four Centres Emerging Writers’ Programme at FAWWA and we wish her every success as her writing endeavours continue.
Pack a picnic for Backstories
Last but not least the Centre for Stories invites all to attend informal storytelling sessions hosted in suburban backyards this month. Pack a picnic and enjoy a lazy afternoon hearing from two trained storytellers. Details: https://centreforstories.com/events/
Happy writing, and I look forward to seeing you at one of our classes or events soon.
President
Fellowship Australian Writers WA
Karen, left, with Western Australian author Josephine Taylor, at this year's Stuart and Hadow Short Story Competition winners' announcement.