Talented Writers' Programmes


  Overview

The purpose of this great adventure is to nurture a group of young writers over several years by exposing them not only to superb authors, but also to each other. It is a joy to see the friendships and confidence developing.

The authors working with us are carefully chosen because of their:
- list of critically acclaimed publications in many genre
- warm and empowering presentation style
- different personalities and backgrounds
- and varied approach to the craft of writing.

To elaborate, the same group of talented young writers from numerous schools in each area come together, every term, for a whole day creative writing workshop with one of Australia’s top authors for young adults. Each author is a brilliant teacher of their craft. Each day will be informative, practical, intense, inspiring and fun. The director, Lesley Reece, will be managing each day working alongside the author. At the conclusion of each day, the students will have a well-developed piece of writing.
 
Those students who wish to continue will be invited to return the following year.
 
The students selected must want to come, be avid readers, want to write and want to share their writing. They should also be prepared to commit to the complete programme of 4 days in any given year.

The Youth Literature Day Programme (Years 9 - 12)  is in its ninth year at the Centre and has been an outstanding success, with more and more schools applying to join the programme. 
 
In 2007, we were in the happy position of being able to commence the programme for talented young writers in Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton at the same cost as metropolitan schools.  

As a result of the enormous success of this programme, the Young Writers' Programme has been introduced this year for talented Year 7 and 8 writers. The Young Writers' Days are being held in the metropolitan area (Fremantle Children's Literature Centre), Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton. 

Information and Expectations

For Students, Teachers and Parents

  • Students need to commit to all four days each year, as the skills and confidence development is cumulative.
  • Students are expected to produce a piece of writing resulting from each day.
  • These days are casual dress: strictly no uniform.
  • Students need to bring all the food and drink they require. There is nowhere to buy food and students are not permitted to leave the grounds.
  • Any student needing to leave early must have a note from a parent or teacher.
  • Books by the presenting author and other authors for young adults will be available for sale on the day. An "Honour System" enables those students unable to pay on the day to take a book and pay on the next Young Writers' or Youth Literature Day.
  • The Centre Director introduces presenting author and outlines programme for the day.
  • The day is divided into 3 sessions with 2 breaks for morning tea and lunch.
  • During the day the author shares his/her background experiences and then presents two or three hands-on creative writing workshops, exploring different techniques and ideas. The students engage in silent writing and sharing and editing in both small and large groups.
  • Students need to bring all writing materials including paper, clipboard, pencil and pen. A designated file for Youth Literature Days is essential to store all drafts, handouts, etc.
  • Students must be highly motivated and prepared to listen, question, write and share. They need to be avid readers. The aim is to nurture both their skills as writers and their confidence to share and be edited. They must want to write. These days are very exciting but also very challenging. Students will be nurtured, have a lot of fun and will be treated as mature young adults.
  • Feedback forms are required to be completed by all students at the conclusion of each day.

Metropolitan Young Writers Days

for Years 7 and 8 students

  Group A Group B Group C Group D
Term 1
with Leone Norrington (NT)
Monday 29 March Tuesday 30 March Wednesday 31 March Monday 22 March
Term 2
with Raewyn Caisley (WA)
Thursday 24 June Friday 25 June Monday 21 June Monday 28 June
Term 3
with Jackie French (NSW)
Wednesday 4 August Thursday 5 August Friday 6 August Tuesday 3 August
Term 4
with Deborah Lisson (WA)
Tuesday 9 November Wednesday 10 November Thursday 11 November Monday 15 November

Venue: Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre,
Old Prison Hospital, Corner Knutsford Street and Hampton Road, Fremantle

Time: 9:00am - 2:30pm.

Enquiries: Please phone Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre (08) 9430 6869
or email Sally at s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au

Regional Young Writers Days

ALBANY

For Years 7 and 8 students

Term 1
with Catherine Bateson (Vic)
Friday 12 March
Term 2
with Kirsty Murray (Vic)
Friday 11 June
Term 3
with Archie Fusillo (Vic)
Friday 3 September
Term 4
with James Roy (NSW)
Friday 29 October

Hosted by Great Southern Grammar School

Venue: Library
Great Southern Grammar School,
244 Nanarup Road, Albany

Time:   9:00am - 2:30pm.

Enquiries: Please phone Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre (08) 9430 6869
or email Sally at s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au


BUNBURY


For Years 7 and 8 students

Term 1
with Catherine Bateson (Vic)
Friday 26 March
Term 2
with Kirsty Murray (Vic)
Friday 18 June
Term 3
with Isobelle Carmody (Czech Republic)
Friday 13 August
Term 4
with James Roy (NSW)
Friday 5 November

Hosted by Bunbury Senior High School

Venue: Library
Bunbury Senior High School
Haig Crescent, Bunbury

Time:   9:00am - 2:30pm.

Enquiries: Please phone Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre (08) 9430 6869
or email Sally at s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au


GERALDTON


For Years 7 and 8 students

Term 1
with Catherine Bateson (Vic)
Friday 19 March
Term 2
with Kirsty Murray (Vic)
Friday 25 June
Term 3
with Archie Fusillo (Vic)
Friday 10 September
Term 4
with Glyn Parry (WA)
Thursday 11 November

Hosted by Geraldton Senior College

Venue: Library
Geraldton Senior College,
Carson Terrace, Geraldton

Time: 9:00am - 2:30pm.

Enquiries: Please phone Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre (08) 9430 6869
or email Sally at s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au

Metropolitan Youth Literature Days

New Group

For those students in Years 9 - 12 commencing in 2010

  New Group A
New Group B
Term 1
with Catherine Bateson
Tuesday 9 March Wednesday 10 March
Term 2
with Kirsty Murray
Tuesday 22 June Wednesday 23 June
Term 3
with Archie Fusillo
Tuesday 7 September Wednesday 8 September
Term 4
with Julia Lawrinson
Monday 8 November Friday 12 November

Venue:
Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre, Old Prison Hospital, Corner of Knutsford Street and Hampton Road, Fremantle
(Entrance gate in Prison wall at Knutsford Street corner)

Time:   9:00am - 3:00pm

Enquiries: Please phone (08) 9430 6869 or email Sally at s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au

Continuing Group

For those students who were in New Groups A and B in 2009 and wish to continue.

  Continuing Group A
Continuing Group B
Term 1
with Catherine Bateson
Tuesday 16 March Wednesday 17 March
Term 2
with Kirsty Murray
Tuesday 8 June Wednesday 9 June
Term 3
with Archie Fusillo
Tuesday 31 August Wednesday 1September
Term 4
with James Roy
Tuesday 26 October Wednesday 27 October

Venue:
Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre, Old Prison Hospital, Corner of Knutsford Street and Hampton Road, Fremantle
(Entrance gate in Prison wall at Knutsford Street corner)

Time:   9:00am - 3:00pm

Enquiries: Please phone (08) 9430 6869 or email Sally at s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au

Master Class

For those students who were in Continuing Groups A and B or Master Class in 2009 and wish to continue.

Term 1
with Catherine Bateson
Tuesday 23 March
Term 2
with Kirsty Murray
Tuesday 15 June
Term 3
with Isobelle Carmody
Tuesday 10 August
Term 4
with Matt Ottley
Friday 15 October

Venue:
Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre, Old Prison Hospital, Corner of Knutsford Street and Hampton Road, Fremantle
(Entrance gate in Prison wall at Knutsford Street corner)

Time:   9:00am - 3:00pm

Enquiries: Please phone (08) 9430 6869 or email Sally at s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au

Regional Youth Literature Days

Albany

For Years 9 - 12 students commencing in 2010 and students continuing from 2007, 2008 and 2009

Term 1
with Catherine Bateson
Thursday 11 March
Term 2
with Kirsty Murray
Thursday 10 June
Term 3
with Archie Fusillo
Thursday 2 September
Term 4
with James Roy
Thursday 28 October

Hosted by Great Southern Grammar School

Venue:
Library, Great Southern Grammar School, 244 Nanarup Road, Albany

Time:   9:00am - 2:30pm.

Enquiries: Please phone Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre (08) 9430 6869 or email Sally at s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au

Bunbury


  NEW GROUP
for those  Years 9 – 12 students commencing in 2010
CONTINUING GROUP
for those students continuing from 2007, 2008 and 2009
Term 1
with Catherine Bateson
Wednesday 24 March Thursday 25 March
Term 2
with Kirsty Murray
Wednesday 16 June Thursday 17 June
Term 3
with Isobelle Carmody
Wednesday 11 August Thursday 12 August
Term 4
with James Roy
Wednesday 3 November Thursday 4 November

Hosted by Bunbury Senior High School

Venue:
Library, Bunbury Senior High School, Haig Crescent, Bunbury

Time:   9:00am - 2:30pm

Enquiries: Please phone Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre (08) 9430 6869 or email Sally at  s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au

Geraldton

For Years 9 - 12 students commencing in 2010 and students continuing from 2007, 2008 and 2009

Term 1
with Catherine Bateson
Thursday 18 March
Term 2
with Kirsty Murray
Thursday 24 June
Term 3
with Archie Fusillo
Thursday 9 September
Term 4
with Glyn Parry
Wednesday 10 November
 
Hosted by Geraldton Senior College

Venue:  Library, Geraldton Senior College, Carson Terrace, Geraldton

Time:   9:00am - 2:30pm

Enquiries:  Please phone Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre (08) 9430 6869 or email Sally at s.sweetingham@iinet.net.au

Contemplation
Contemplation
Working Together
Working Together
Sharing
Sharing
Creative Time
Creative Time
The grounds and garden at the Centre
The grounds and garden at the Centre provide an ideal setting in which to find the muse
Writing in Comfort
Writing in Comfort
Inspiration
Inspiration
Flow
Flow
In Session
In Session
Discussion on Technique
Discussion on Technique
Author, Maureen McCarthy in session
Author, Maureen McCarthy in session

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