YOUNG WRITERS PROGRAM
The Young Writers Program at the South Coast Writers Centre is a thriving program that has been running since 2014. The Program offers creative writing workshops for young people from 10 through to 25 years of age. The program is built on active, workshop-based learning and practice. In each workshop, writers respond to creative writing prompts, learn about elements of craft, share their work, and critique their peers. The aim of the YWP is to be both a class and community, where young writers can develop their craft and create work they are proud of, all in a relaxed, inclusive, and supportive space.
There are three groups offered as part of a development pathway through the Young Writers Program.
The first is the Young Writers Group, for students aged 10-13 (years 5-8),
next is the Senior Young Writers Group, for students aged 14 and up (years 9-12),
and finally there is our graduate Young Writers Collective (18+).
There are opportunities throughout the year for students to read their work publicly, and at the end of every year the students produce and publish a Zine of their work.
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Junior Young Writers Group
In this workshop group, students respond to prompts every week, read out their work and give each other feedback. There is a focus on developing the craft of writing, learning new ideas and techniques, and exploring all kinds of writing in a fun and supportive way.
Senior Young Writers Group
In these workshops, students delve deeply into the craft of writing through a broad range of writing prompts, and further develop their editorial skills by creating longform work and revising works in progress. They read and critique each other's work and the work of diverse authors and continue to build their unique writer's voice, all in a safe and inclusive space.
Young Writers Collective
The YWC is a self-directed writing group, with the members running the workshops themselves. Facilitated by graduate members of the Young Writers Groups, the philosophy of the Collective is to offer stimulating writing prompts, provide thoughtful and constructive feedback, support each other's writing, and build a diverse and inclusive community of young writers in the Illawarra.
We accept Service NSW Creative Kids Vouchers
Program Founder: Helena Fox
Helena Fox is the founder of SCWC’s Young Writers Program and the mentor of the Young Writers Collective.
Her debut novel, How It Feels To Float won the 2020 Prime Minister’sLiterary Award for Young Adult Literature, as well as the Victorian Premier’s Award. Her latest novel The Quiet and The Loud was published in 2023.
YWP Teacher: Rhys Lorenc
Rhys is an art nerd with a particular interest in speculative fiction, Rhys is a graduate of the South Coast Writers Centre Young Writers Program, and co-founder of the SCWC’s self-directed Young Writers Collective. Rhys has been leading workshops for both the Collective and the YWP for over two years, and is currently completing a degree in Creative Writing and English Literature at the University of Wollongong. His writing appears in the YWC Anthology Uncommon Words.
YWP Teacher: Sky Carrall
Sky has completed a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Creative Writing with Distinction. She has been involved with the SCWC Young Writers Collective (YWC) since 2020, where she has run writing sessions for the group. She has also run writing workshops for International Women’s Day in partnership with Women Illawarra. Sky’s work was published in the YWC anthology Uncommon Words, and her microfiction and short stories have been published in Spineless Wonders anthologies. Sky also works as a journalist and a dance teacher.