Where local writers meet…
The Sutherland Shire branch of the Fellowship of Australian Writers is a place to meet locals who share your passion for writing. We meet monthly to share our writing skills and knowledge and celebrate each other's achievements.
Members have recently collaborated to produce the branch’s latest anthology, ‘Living Dangerously’, which will be launched on the 22nd of November. Everyone welcome!
The Fellowship of Australian Writers (FAW) was formed in 1928 by a group of prominent Sydney writers. There are now 30 Regional groups in NSW including the Sutherland Branch and Fellowships in every other state. At the Sutherland Branch, our aim is to provide a supportive and encouraging environment where local writers can come together to share their writing and learn more about the craft. We have a diverse membership of both fiction and non-fiction writers, ranging from journalism to poetry, memoir to children's writing.
It doesn't matter how far you've come, whether you're a novice or a professional, aiming for mainstream publication or self-publishing and writing competitions, or you may want to write your life story to pass down to your family, all writers are welcome to join the group. We meet on the last Saturday of each month at Kirrawee Library at 6 Kiln Place.
Meetings vary, with guest speakers, writing workshops and open mic’ sessions. More than anything, it’s great to get together with like minded people to talk everything ‘writing’.
FAW SUTHERLAND October MEETING
The next Monthly Sutherland FAW meeting will be held on Saturday 25th October, 2025 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm.
Venue: Kirrawee Library meeting room, 6 Kiln Road, Kirrawee.
Guest Speaker: Wollongong-based Gwen Wilson is the author of ‘I Belong to No One’, a classic triumph over adversity memoir, set in the context of Australian social history immediately pre-Whitlam and the women’s movement, with a focus on Forced Adoption practices. Her nonfiction short story ‘Loving in the Shadow of Tito’ was recently published in the Society of Women Writers NSW anthology Centenary Edition Ink 4.
Her upcoming Historical Novel – ‘Louisa’ – will be published in early 2026. Set in late 1800s Sydney, and inspired by research into her great-grandmother’s life, it shines a spotlight on one woman’s struggle to survive in a time when society dictated how women should lead their lives.
Find more at www.gwenwilson.com.au including her blog The Reluctant Retiree by Garrulous Gwendoline.
Presentation title: From Fact to Fascinating Fiction
· Transforming family history research to create historical manuscript, ‘Louisa’.
· Research sources.
· Participants will be encouraged to write a fictional piece based on an actual event.
· Followed by sample of readings from the writing exercise.
What to bring (optional): A newspaper clipping, photograph, memorabilia, or other spark.
September Meeting
At our September meeting, multi-award-winning author, Camille Booker, presented her second award-winning novel, ‘The Woman in the Waves. She then delighted members by running a brilliantly insightful workshop on how to write atmospheric settings. Thank you Camille!
Living dangerously new 2025 ANTHOLOGY
The FAW Sutherland Shire Branch’s fifth anthology, Living Dangerously will be launched on Saturday 22nd November at 2.30pm at the new Kirrawee library. Everyone is welcome to join us!
A Fork in the Road was launched in February 2024. Published by the Fellowship of Australian Writers NSW, for the Sutherland Branch.
You can purchase a copy of the anthology here. Alternatively attend one of our meetings or email: sutherlandshireFAW@gmail.com
WRITERS UNLEASHED
Sutherland Shire Writers' Festival
The Writers Unleashed Festival is a literary event with a strong focus on championing emerging and local writers, in the Sutherland Shire in Southern Sydney.
The last festival, in 2022, showcased Australian literary talent from a wide range of genres, aiming to encourage aspiring writers and help readers to connect with their favourite authors.
The Festival featured an exciting line up of authors and presenters, with author talks, workshops and presentations across three rooms, Manuscript Consultations with publishers, as well as catering included for the whole day! The 2022 Picture Book Competition and SPARK high school creative writing competition winners were also announced at the Festival.
Writers Unleashed is a local festival with a big heart! Thank you to each of our authors, moderators, editors, attendees, volunteers, and festival partners for making the 2022 Festival such a fun and memorable event.
Proudly brought to you by the Fellowship of Australian Writers, Sutherland branch.
SUPPORT OUR FESTIVAL
Writers Unleashed is run by a team of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about promoting Australian writers and publishers. We’d love your help so we can continue to support and encourage aspiring writers across the Sutherland Shire.
PARTNERS
