The SCWC Emerging Writers Program offers the opportunity for young writers to join SCWC’s Young Writers Collective. As part of the collective, young writers aged 18-25 meet fortnightly (online and in person) for peer-led workshops exploring the craft of writing within a supportive and inclusive community.
Young Writers Collective Mentor & SCWC Young Writers Program Leader
Helena Fox is a writer and creative mentor, whose debut book How it Feels to Float won the Prime Minister’s Award for Young Adult Fiction and the Victorian Premiers Literary Award for Writing for Young Adults. Born in Peru, Helena spent time in Spain, the UK and Samoa throughout her childhood, settling in Australia at age eleven, and gained a Master of Fine Arts in the United States. She runs workshops on creative writing with a focus on improving mental health, and is proudest of her work helping young writers find and express their voice.
Build editorial skills
Help produce published anthologies and zines
Explore layout and design concepts
Publish creative work
Give public readings
Curate and moderate literary events
Write together
Learn about the craft of writing
Workshop writing with each other
Learn how to run a writing workshop
Get paid to run a writing workshop
Continue to create a supportive, inclusive, and safe writing community
Those YWC members who choose to run peer-led workshops are supported in this by the YWC mentor Helena Fox and at least one other YWC member. People who run the workshops are paid for their teaching from fortnightly workshop fees.
Young writers can apply to join at any time by emailing Helena.
At the South Coast Writers Festival in June 2022, the Young Writers Collective launched their first ever anthology of writing, titled Uncommon Words. Read all about the launch event at Wollongong Art Gallery, and consider buying a copy from the SCWC Shop.
The Young Writers Collective has also produced some zines over the years; check them out on the Young Writers Program page on our website.