The Short Storyists meet 4th Saturday of every month from March to November 1pm-3pm.

Please note: Some months have 5 Saturdays. Check your calendar against the meeting dates below.

Convenor: John Catling

Level: Suitable for all writers - Specifically writers with a view to learning through the short story format.

Entry Qualifications:

• Anyone focused on writing Short Stories. 

• You must have the time to read 2 or 3 submissions over 2 months and write critical reviews every month.

• To protect yourself and the other writers there is a Code of Conduct to complete.

• You will need access to online resources to submit extracts via email or another online service such as Wet Ink.

Group Overview: Many writers talk of Short Stories as being the doorway to learning about writing. Everything you need to know about writing novels - but smaller. For those practicing their approach to complete story writing, or simply building a collection of short stories, this is a group to gain a reader/writer’s feedback and encouragement in a supportive environment to help you progress this work. The group will form into groups of 4 writers. Each month 2 of the group submit stories electronically which are reviewed and discussed in the following session providing analysis and critiquing. Just to be clear, you only submit 1 story every 2 months. The analysis will consider all the elements we are taught that make up the story. Dialogue, creating narrative tension, characters, plot, continuity, synopsis writing, world building, beginnings and endings. The aim is to provide a reflection of that complete story.

Guide to word count

Short Stories: up to 3,000 words 

Format:

Month 1         

Week 1. Writer 1 & 2: Submit a short story for the team to read and review.

Week 2. Team: Develop a structured critique format. 

Week 3. Team: Submit a structured critique format for writer 1 & 2 to review. 

Week 4. Team: Meet at PCWC to review the comments and discuss. 

Month 2         

Week 1. Writer 3 & 4: Submit a short story for the team to read and review.

Week 2. Team: Develop a structured critique format. 

Week 3. Team: Submit a structured critique format for writer 3 & 4 to review. 

Week 4. Team: Meet at PCWC to review the comments and discuss.

This format requires each writer to submit a short story every 2 months, but everyone will read and analyze 3 stories every 2 months. 

Venue: Edith Cowan House, Building 20, ECU Joondalup Campus, 270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup.

Parking: Free on weekends. You can park in any bay on weekends. Carparks 14 (enter from Lakeside Drive) & 8 are closest to the house. Click here for a directional map.

Cost: $5.00. Members. $10. Non-members, includes light refreshments (tea, coffee, biscuits).

Sessions for 2024:

Saturday March 23

Saturday April 27

Saturday May 25

Saturday June 22

Saturday July 27

Saturday August 24

Saturday September 28

• September’s session coincides with our Sector Session with Dr Rashida Murphy.

Saturday October 26

Saturday November 23

Health/Covid-19: Please do not attend the group if you are unwell, have tested positive to Covid-19, are awaiting a test result, or are still recovering from infection. Thank you.