Writing the world we want to live in ✨
Your latest update from Words of a Feather 🍃
At our most recent Story Soirée, we filled the jazz room of The Brunswick Green, a well-loved bar in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, with writers and story-lovers from all over the city - people who were seasoned and brand new, whose ages ranged from their 20s to their 80s.
The theme was ‘ick’! The stories, poems, and performances were indeed as cringe-inducing as they were relatable and comical; as laden with nostalgia as they were happily left in the past. All were entertaining, brave, and thoughtful.
Hosted in partnership with our friends The Provocative Inklings, these Story Soirées are always such memorable events. But this one in particular, with the array of guests and performers, really made me think: this is the world I want to live in. A world where people of all ages come together and appreciate the value that we each bring - young and old, curious and wise, bravely experimental and polished.
I thought: this is the world I want Words of a Feather help build. This is the story, with these programs and all who feel drawn to them, that I want to help write into existence.
If this resonates with you, and you would like to bring WOAF to your school, community or workplace, or explore a collaboration - I’d love to hear from you!
On a personal note, I’ve just returned from Malaysia - a short school-holiday trip to visit my grandmother. She’s in her 90s now, and losing her short-term memory, but her long term stories are preserved in her mind as clearly as if they’d only happened yesterday. From the sofa in her living room, photo albums spread across her lap, she told and re-told stories from as far back as when she was eight years old. In those moments, I was reminded how important stories are in our lives. Stories quite literally make us. They ground us in time and place, connect us to those we love, and the most magical thing of all?
We have the power to choose the stories we will one day sit down and share with our grandchildren.
I know she wasn’t telling me everything. That wasn’t the point. I was hearing the stories she had chosen to keep, all these years. I was hearing the stories that, in her keeping them, made her.
Those are the ones that matter to me.
Warmly,
Coming up…🍃
✏️ The Storytellers’ Club - Term 2, 2025
Online on Wednesdays, 4 - 5pm AEST
The Storytellers’ Club is suitable for young writers 8 - 12 years old who are eager to write, learn new skills, and find inspiration in a variety of creative writing prompts and engaging discussions throughout the term.
Term 2 starts on Wednesday April 30, and runs for 8 weeks. There are still a few places left - book your child’s place today!
The Storytellers’ Club - Term 2
❄️ Winter Story Camp
8 - 10 July, 10 am - 3 pm each day - Balwyn North, VIC
Join us in the studio for creative writing workshops to help your inner storyteller shine! This winter, we're exploring magical transformations, dream worlds, and stories of belonging that spark the imagination during the cooler months. We'll dive into tales where objects come alive, animals speak, and stories themselves become adventures. Through these literary inspired journeys, you'll gather ingredients to weave into your own unique creations while developing your writer's voice!
Story Camps are suitable for ages 8 - 13. All workshops are held at our Balwyn North studio.
Read more and book your child’s place!
🎤 Le Story Soirée
Friday 20 June, 6.30 - 9pm - Brunswick, VIC
Join us for a night of provocative, evocative readings brought to you by Words of a Feather and The Provocative Inklings. All are welcome to put their name in the hat to share writing and stories in any format. All are also welcome to simply enjoy a wonderful night of readings.
The theme for June? With our event one night before the Winter Solstice?
It could only be ... DARK.
Story Soirées are held every second month. Bookings are essential.
Get your tickets!
💜 Mountain Writers’ Retreat
October 2 - 6, - Sawmill Settlement, VIC
Escape into your writing at our next cosy retreat in Victoria’s High Country. Our dedicated Mountain Writers’ Cabin and spaciously designed weekend offers the perfect balance of community and solitude for writers of all levels.
Limited places available. Early Bird pricing available until July 31!
Learn more!
News & Opportunities🍃
📝 Books by Amy Han and our WOAF Community in Readings!
Exciting news! In the last month, Australia’s leading independent booksellers, Readings, have added two books to their shelves that are very close to our hearts!
The Yard Sale at Story House is a middle-grade fiction novel by our founder, Amy Han.
FLOAT: an Anthology of New Writings from Melbourne and Beyond, is a collection of short stories, poetry, and memoir by emerging writers who attended workshops and events by Words of a Feather and/or The Provocative Inklings in 2024.
Please visit your local Readings (or their online shop) and check them out!
📝 Flash Fiction Contest: ICK
Closing date: April 27
Words of a Feather and The Provocative Inklings bring you another monthly flash fiction contest. This month’s theme is ‘ick!’. Writers of all ages, from anywhere in the world, are invited to enter a short piece of fiction under 100 words.
Read more & enter!
📝 The 2025 Boroondara Literary Awards
Closing date: May 11
The Boroondara Literary Awards are open to young writers in Years 5 - 12 who live, work, or study in the City of Boroondara (our studio is based here, so if you have attended our programs you are eligible!). The Open Short Story category is open to all Victorian residents. Visit the City of Boroondara website for full terms and conditions, and details about the prizes!
Click here
📝 The Big Issue Fiction Edition - now open for submissions!
Closing date: June 2
The Big Issue are looking for short stories of all kinds – literary, comedy, romance, sci-fi, crime and everything in between - for their annual fiction edition. Entry is free, and every author published is paid $500.
Learn more!
