The SCWC Emerging Writers Program is designed to support and assist emerging writers to develop new works. This program offers a range of support mechanisms for emerging writers that include writers’ residencies at Wollongong Botanic Gardens and Bundanon, writers’ groups, skill-based and creative business workshops, and a (general) mentoring program.

Our Emerging Writers Program streams also recognise that some communities have higher support needs. These Emerging Writers Program streams include SCWC’s Young Writers Collective, the Emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mentoring Program (not currently running) and the Emerging Refugee Writers Mentoring Program in partnership with Illawarra Multicultural Services (you can read about some of our past work together here). These streams allow us to offer specific focus on writing genres, such as the SCWC/Merrigong Theatre Company Playwrighting Program.

In each of these streams, writers are connected with an experienced mentor, from whom they will receive one-on-one support and referrals to relevant writing groups and workshops, and assistance with the development of new work. Mentors will also assist them to develop relevant peer relationships and connections within the field, and connect them with subsidised skill-development workshops and events that provide professional industry knowledge and network connections.