Welcome to PCWC!

It’s lovely to have you with us for an inspiring & exploring time of creative writing.

For many writers creativity comes relatively easy. Ideas are often bubbling away in the background of our lives–some we seize on; others are passing thoughts forgotten in the moment, but what makes an idea really come to life is the ability to craft that idea.

In 2025 PCWC’s focus is on building the ‘writing as craft’ skills of our members. We will do this through member only projects programmed throughout the year as well as running our groups, workshops, conversation sessions, and our partnership programs.

All writers are welcome at the Peter Cowan Writers Centre. Our home is in Edith Cowan House on the beautiful grounds of Edith Cowan University, Joondalup. PCWC has been in the house since its opening in 1998 and we continue to run our groups and workshops here through the generous giving of the chancellery of ECU.

Fully volunteer and independently run we are supported by the School of Arts and Humanities, ECU, and through grant assistance from the City of Joondalup.

PCWC’s members explore all forms of creative writing: flash fiction, short story, fictional novel (both genre & literary), children’s, young readers and young adult, memoir, biography, autobiography, personal essay, screen, theatre, plays, creative non-fiction, and poetry forms.

So, whether you are a writer for pleasure, an aspirational writer, an emerging writer, a developing writer, or an established writer we’d love to see you here sharing, developing, or perfecting your craft!

- Sharon Leahy,

Writer-In-Residence (2025)

PS: PCWC is celebrating thirty years this year of connecting writers with their writing, with other writers, and with opportunities. Happy Birthday PCWC! Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Conversations at PCWC - 2025

Next session: Sunday, February 16, 1- 4pm. Feedback Day.

Feedback is the most important tool in the writer’s tool box. Feedback does not involve giving an opinion nor does it offer criticism of a work, instead it is an exchange of ideas and meaning around a reader’s interpretation of a given work. All works, no matter how brilliant they may be, require feedback. Getting the very best out of any critique, whether given or received, requires skillful understanding around the purpose of feedback.

If you are unsure about your own feedback processes, or if you are confident in them, come along and ask your questions or share your knowledge. Conversation helps reinforce knowledge and all are welcome!

This day will also be an opportunity to find out more about our groups and what they offer. If you are interested in any of our groups please come along to this session and have a chat with some-one about what’s involved. Always free for members, February’s conversation is free for non-members as well.

Conversations at PCWC are a relaxed, informal, Q&A type session where conversations around writing, over a range of topics, will be programmed throughout the year. Occurring, roughly, monthly there will usually be a short presentation about the topic followed by conversation. It’s a great way for members and friends to engage with others about the wonderful world of writing! Updates to our sessions are posted here. Free for members. Non-members $10.

HUMANITIX

To be the first in the know about our events follow us at Peter Cowan Writers Centre | Humanitix

Supporting an Australian company that supports NFP’s.

Follow us on Instagram

@petercowanwriterscentre