Watkin Street Residency 2023
The Watkin Street Residency, generously donated by the Shields family, allowed us to provide one writer with the opportunity for a five-day writing residency in a studio in Newtown in March.
The residency offered the chance for some uninterrupted writing time inspired by the bustling city life right on this studio’s doorstep. The studio was located a two-minute walk from the main street and from Macdonaldtown train station, and a ten-minute walk to Erskineville or Newtown Train Stations.
The recipient of this residency was Madi Wheeler, an emerging writer from the Jervis Bay area. She has a major in English Literature, which has exposed her to a wide range of forms and ensures that her compositions sit upon strong theoretical foundations. Madi’s current focus is on a submission for publication, she also has individual poems under review with several literary journals. Madi’s work is primarily concerned with feminist, societal and speculative thematic concerns and invites readers to recognise and interrogate the power constructs that govern their lives. Poetry is Madi’s preferred form, however, she has also composed and published short works of fiction with her most recent publication, a short work of queer historical fiction, included in the most recent issue of Copperfield Review.
Currently, Madi is undertaking a Master of Writing and maintaining a High Distinction average. This allows her to continue to build her capacity as a writer and make connections within the wider academic field. As a highly competent teacher of English, Madi has mentored emerging writers through the HSC Extension Two course and supported them to find their authorial voice. This has allowed her to be continuously self-reflective and build confidence in her own voice as a result.
“The Watkin Street Residency provided crucial writing time for me away from the distractions of work and home to solely focus on my craft. Being in such close proximity to the city meant inspiration and like-minded individuals were always close at hand, and I had the opportunity to attend poetry readings and workshops throughout the week to stoke the creative coals. My host Erin was incredibly accommodating, and her insights into her own experiences with the publishing process were invaluable to me. These have provided me with a strong starting point as I begin to navigate the process of drafting with the goal of seeking publication for an anthology. During my stay at Watkin Street, I was able to refine and submit seven independent pieces to literary journals and magazines such as Cordite, Meanjin and APJ, however, my biggest achievement was finding the courage to make some big structural changes to enhance the cohesion of the collection. My residency at Watkin Street was such a rewarding experience, and has ultimately cemented my resolve to ensure the success of this project - and to ensure that I find the time to keep writing!” - Madi Wheeler
