The Short Storyists meet 4th Saturday of every month from February to November 10 -12noon.

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

Convenor: Jon Catling

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

Please join us if you are:

• focused on writing Short Stories

• have time to read 2 or 3 submissions over 2 months and write a critical review

• are happy to complete a Code of Conduct to protect yours and other’s works

• have access to online resources to submit extracts via email or another online service such as Wet Ink

Group Overview: Short stories are often regarded as ‘doorways’ for new writers. Everything you need to know about writing novels - but smaller. If you are practicing your approach to complete story writing, or are building a collection of short stories, this group will give you reader/writer analysis of your work. Encouraging and supportive, the reflections given are aimed at helping you progress your work.

Participants form into groups of 4 writers. Each month 2 writers within the group submit their stories electronically. Reviewed during the month by those in your group they are then discussed at the monthly meeting when you meet up allowing for 1 story to be submitted by each team member every 2 months. Analysis of submitted stories will consider elements such as dialogue, creating narrative tension, characters, plot, continuity, synopsis writing, world building, beginnings and endings, among many, as a way to reflect on each story.

Word count: up to 3,000 words. 

Format:

Month 1         

Week 1. Writers 1 & 2: submit a short story for reading and review.

Week 2. Team members: develop their individually structured critique format. 

Week 3. Team members: submit their structured critique format for writer 1 & 2 to review. 

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

 Month 2         

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

Week 2. Team members: develop their individually structured critique format. 

Week 3. Team members: submit their structured critique format for writer 3 & 4 to review. 

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

Each writer submits a short story every 2 months, but everyone in your team 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 2025:

Saturday February 22

 Saturday March 22

 Saturday April 26

 Saturday May 24

 Saturday June 28

 Saturday July 26

 Saturday August 23

 Saturday September 27

 Saturday October 25

 Saturday November 22

 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.