Fiction Writing Melbourne

Writers & Creatives Social

We are trialling a new platform and will be running the new platform from 2024. Please signup here: [https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers](https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers) The Wharf Hotel by the river. Southern Cross Station is closest. Ask at the bar to find us. Or call us 0403193785. Tonight's Social Evening Schedule: (Ideas welcome) 6pm to 6.45pm: Socializing 6.45pm to 6.55pm: Introduction and overview of the evening by Jim including go-around introduction 6.55pm to 7pm: A word from Mat our founder 7pm to 7.10pm A paired connection question to get people talking with one another 7.10pm to 7.30pm: Guest Topic: Jim will review *The Endorphin Effect: A breakthrough strategy for holistic health and spiritual wellbeing* by Dr William Bloom Phd. Dr Bloom is a leading pioneer of British holistic healing. He has a remarkable biography including being a successful multiply published author by his mid twenties, before doing a solo two-year spiritual retreat in the Atlas mountains of Morrocco with the Berber nomads, then many other incredibly varied things subsequent to that. 10 mins talk 10 mins Q&A. 7.30pm to 8.15pm: Readings section open to all to read out something from their work up to 4 minutes. Feedback optional. 8.15pm to 9.30pm: Socializing. Optional. Many of us love this as a chance to connect personally in a screen-addicted culture. • Come out and meet some like-minded folks who enjoy writing and other entertainment and creative outlets. We'll hang around until at least 8.30pm, but often later. All age ranges, all writing types (and entertainment types), all the way from never writing and up to published authors. • This night is about you. So chat to people, read out your work, give feed back, get to know everyone... Or, feel free to sit back and chill. It's your night, enjoy it how you see fit. **Please only RSVP if you can make it.** **We're booking the area, so we will need you to turn up if you say you are coming.** **We have added an attendee limit, so please update your RSVP if you can not make it.** Thank you, Melbourne Writers. The Wharf Hotel food menu: https://www.wharfhotel.com.au/eat-and-drink Great Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters Website: www.worldwriterscollective.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelbCityWriters Blog: http://melbournewriters.wordpress.com **Help us by getting in contact so you can add to these social pages and site - matclarke.author@gmail.com**

Shut Up & Write!® @ Brunswick

**IMPORTANT NOTICE:** This event is listed on the Shut Up & Write! website. Please visit the group page to see full event details and RSVP to sessions. Join the group here: https://www.shutupwrite.com/series/id2w43gpaC00

Shut Up & Write!® at Melbourne Connect

We are a multi-disciplinary group of PhDs and academic staff who write together regularly and help one another to achieve our writing goals through supportive community, focus and a structure that works. We welcome anyone who wants to get some writing done in a collegial, supportive, encouraging environment. You don’t have to be from University of Melbourne (you don’t have to be from university at all!). We use the Pomodoro method, which means we write in timed intervals of silence, then chat and catch up for 5 mins and repeat the cycle. Arrive when you like, leave when you like. The goal is to keep our writing projects progressing and reduce the isolation that can be part of the academic and/or writing life. **Session Outline:** Welcome: 9.00-9.05 (5 mins) Pomodoro 1: 9.05-9.30 (25 mins). Break: 9.30-9.35 (5 mins) Pomodoro 2: 9.35-10.00 (25 mins) Break: 10.00-10.05 (25 mins) Pomodoro 3: 10.05-10.55 (50 mins) Break: 10.55-11.05 (10 mins) Pomodoro 4: 11.05-11.30 (25 mins) **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** WiFi name/password: There is free public wifi available at the Melbourne Connect Superfloor (speak to the concierge for details). University of Melbourne staff and students can connect to the university wifi; staff and students from other universities can join Eduroam using their home institution's log in credentials. Travel / Parking info: Public bike parking along Swanston and Grattan Streets. Tram routes 1, 3, 3a, 5, 16. 16, 64, 67, 72 along Swanston Street (Stop 1) and 19 along Royal Parade (Stop 10). The nearest train station is Parkville Metro Station. Bus routes include 200, 207, 250, 251, 401, 402, 403, 505, 546. There is no public parking available at Melbourne Connect, however the area is well serviced by nearby public carparks, including Cardigan House Parking at 96 Grattan Street and the University of Melbourne Eastern Precinct Car Park at 375 Grattan Street. A taxi rank is located on Grattan Street.

Socialise and discuss a book over coffee.

This is September event not August. We read Michelle Wright’s novel Good Boy, about a convicted murderer who is soon to finish a 20 year sentence, who trains an unruly dog so it won’t be put down.

Write Now

We are moving to a new platform and will be only running the new platform in 2025. please signup here: [https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers](https://www.downtomeet.com/Melbourne-Writers) This is the time to write whatever it is you want to write. \-\-\-\-\-\> IMPORTANT <\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We ask for the Nook which is to your left as you go in, but it is not always available. Ask for the table under "Mat Clarke". Sometimes we do not have an official host, so please say hi to people as they arrive and make everyone feel welcome. Thanks. No limitations. Come along and bring your laptop or pen and paper and work on whatever you want. There are no rules :) You can write. You can chat and write. You can share your work. Or not share your work. (If you need silence to concentrate then headphones are a good idea considering it is in a cafe/bar.) Coffee, hot chocolate, etc., available to buy. Also food and drink. Please buy something to show our thanks for the space they give us free of charge. There are some people that will want to chat, but most will be writing. So bear that in mind. See you there :) \-\-\-\-\-\-Please only RSVP if you can make it\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \-\-\-\-\-\-Un\-RSVP if you need to cancel\-\-\-\-\-\-\- We're booking the area, so we will need you to turn up if you say you are coming. Thanks. Thank you, Melbourne Writers. Great Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelbWriters Website: www.worldwriterscollective.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/MelbCityWriters Blog: http://melbournewriters.wordpress.com **Help us by adding to these social pages and site**

A Horse Walks into a Bar, David Grossman (International Booker, 2017)

With only 9 Booker prize winners left to read, most from the '70s, we have expanded to include International Booker prize winners. This is our first. Grossman has won the Israeli Prize, that country's highest literary award for his lifetime literary contribution including children's novels, poetry and a novel drawing on his sons' experiences in the Israeli Defense Forces, one of whom was killed on the last day of the 2006 Lebanon War. Last year he called his country's campaign in Gaza a "genocide". Despite being an "unexpected delight" about a comic *A Horse Walks into a Bar* is not an easy read. It has been described as a parable about the losses of parents and nation. Through the narrator, a judge in the audience, it explores our roles as spectators and participants as he listens to the offensive comic. For those that have had enough Magic Realism lately, looks like we're dropping the "Magic" out this month! Since starting this book club a few years ago we have formed a nice core membership. If you haven't come yet, please look out for the books on the table, pull up a chair, order a wine and join us. We like to hear what everyone has to say and enjoy the conversation, we're not cliquey at all! Oh, and to defray the Meetup monthly bill I will accept gold coin contributions or wine if you want to pay for multiple in one hit. I hope to see everyone again at this one with some new faces.

Exile from the World: A Russian and Turkish perspective on the Lonely Dreamer

The Twenty-fifth Page

Join us for the Twenty-fifth Page! Theme: **a book with a child main character** Feel fee to interpret this however you like. I'm sure we'll have some interesting choices this month! Feel free to bring along any discussion questions you can think of or theme suggestions. Happy reading :) See you there!

The Page Turners Reading Hour

Online Reading Hour 📚🧑🏻‍💻 Based on feedback from the community we are going to try something different! We are going to do an online reading hour! We’re inviting you to bring whatever you’re currently reading, come chill out, and read quietly with us, followed by a guided discussion. Feel free to drop in and drop out! Whether you’ve just started a new book, you’re halfway through, or you’ve been on the same chapter for three weeks (we’ve all been there 😅), you’re welcome. 📚 Bring your own book 🛑 Casual drop in drop out session 💬 Low-pressure discussion with guided questions. Sometimes reading is easier when someone else is reading too. We’d love to read with you. 📅 Thursday 10 September • 4:00 pm 📍 Online - We will post the link!

Proposal Writing - 1 Day Workshop in Melbourne

**The Winning Edge: Master the Art of Persuasive Proposal Writing** Learn to research, write, and polish winning business proposals in our practical 1-day Proposal Writing workshop. **Ready to secure your spot? 🎯 Register now and complete your payment securely via Stripe Checkout!** [Click Here](https://buy.stripe.com/8x2bJ1aam1YGeG4aeg2oE43) **Program Details** **Duration:** 1 Full Day (8 Hours) **Delivery Mode:** Classroom / Inhouse **Language:** English **Credits:** 8 PDUs / Training Hours **Certification:** Course Completion Certificate **Refreshments:** Lunch, Snacks, and beverages will be provided during the session **Elevate your writing. Increase your influence. Win more business.** **If you would like weekend training sessions, kindly reach out to us at [info@mangates.com](info@mangates.com) for availability and scheduling.** **In a competitive market, is your proposal just a document, or is it a definitive argument for your success?** A truly effective proposal does more than just list services—it positions your solution as the only logical choice for the reader. Whether you are bidding for a major contract, applying for a grant, or pitching to an investor, the clarity and persuasiveness of your writing are what separate winners from the rest. **Why Results-Driven Professionals Choose This Course:** Winning proposals are built on strategy, not just words. This session is engineered to help you: • **Think Like an Evaluator**: Understand the psychology of buyers and investors to address their needs before they even ask. • **Differentiate from Competition**: Learn the art of "ghosting" the competition—highlighting your strengths while subtly exposing their weaknesses. • **Master Persuasive Syntax**: Move beyond basic grammar to master the voice, tone, and transitions that lead a reader to a "Yes." • **Streamline Your Process**: Use proven templates and outlines to write high-quality proposals in less time. **The Professional Curriculum:** **Module 1: The Strategic Foundation** • Defining the proposal and the modern writing process. • Navigating different types of proposals and Requests for Proposals (RFPs). **Module 2: Purpose & Audience Alignment** • Identifying your core purpose and performing a deep needs analysis. • Crafting a powerful goal statement that resonates. **Module 3: Structural Frameworks** • Mastering general formats and specialized sections. • Building a detailed framework that ensures no critical detail is missed. **Module 4: Fact-Finding & Data Organization** • Identifying and leveraging high-quality resources and the internet. • Organizing complex information for maximum clarity. **Modules 5 & 6: Advanced Writing & Persuasion Skills** • Mastering grammar, sentence construction, and persuasive voice. • Creating strong transitions and building logical, undeniable conclusions. **Module 7: Educating the Evaluator** • Using illustrations and strategic writing to guide the evaluator’s decision. • Techniques for "ghosting" the competition effectively. **Modules 8 & 9: Precision Editing & Proofreading** • Using the Readability Index to ensure your message is crystal clear. • Professional proofreading and editing techniques, including the power of peer review. **Module 10: The Final Professional Package** • Typesetting tips and achieving a high-end look and feel. • Packaging your proposal for maximum professional impact. **Tailored for Your Business:** Does your team struggle with specific RFP formats, government contracts, or complex technical bids? We offer Customized In-House Training designed to align perfectly with your organization’s business development goals. The primary benefit of our in-house sessions **is** contextual relevance. We don’t just use generic examples; we can tailor the content to your specific industry and current bidding challenges. We can work directly with your existing templates or help you build new ones, ensuring that your team leaves the workshop with a refined, ready-to-use process that increases your organization’s win rate. **©2026 Mangates Tech Solutions Pvt Ltd. This content is protected by copyright law. Copy or Reproduction without permission is prohibited.** **Who Should Attend?** This course is open to anybody looking to improve their professional influence, including: • Sales & Business Development Teams • Grant Writers & Non-Profit Professionals • Project Managers & Freelancers • Entrepreneurs seeking investment or partnerships **📧 Contact us today to schedule a customized in-house session: [corporate@mangates.com](corporate@mangates.com)** ## **Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)** **1\. Do I need to be a professional writer to attend this course?** **No.** This course is designed for anyone who needs to write persuasive proposals, whether for business, grants, contracts, or internal approvals. You'll learn practical techniques that anyone can apply, regardless of writing experience. *** **2\. Does this course cover grant writing?** **Yes.** While the course focuses on proposal writing principles applicable across industries, it also covers techniques relevant to grant applications, funding proposals, business contracts, and internal business cases. *** **3\. What is "ghosting the competition"?** It is a proposal strategy that highlights your unique strengths and value proposition while subtly addressing common weaknesses found in competing solutions—without directly mentioning competitors. *** **4\. Will I receive templates and resources after the workshop?** **Yes.** Participants receive a comprehensive course manual containing proposal templates, writing frameworks, best practices, and practical tips to support future proposal development. *** **5\. How does the course help with Request for Proposal \(RFP\) responses?** You'll learn how to interpret RFP requirements, understand evaluation criteria, ensure compliance, and develop compelling responses that improve your chances of success. *** **6\. What is a Needs Analysis in proposal writing?** A Needs Analysis identifies the client's challenges, objectives, and expectations. The course teaches you how to align your proposal with these needs to create more persuasive, client-focused solutions. *** **7\. Will this course improve my business writing skills?** **Yes.** In addition to proposal strategies, you'll learn professional writing techniques, including clear sentence structure, effective language, and common writing practices that improve clarity and credibility. *** **8\. What is the Readability Index\, and why is it important?** The Readability Index measures how easy your proposal is to understand. You'll learn how to write clear, concise content that keeps evaluators engaged and communicates your message effectively. *** **9\. Does the course cover proposal design and formatting?** **Yes.** The workshop includes guidance on proposal layout, formatting, document structure, and professional presentation to ensure your proposals are both visually appealing and easy to navigate. *** **10\. Can this course be delivered onsite for our organization?** **Yes.** The workshop is available in onsite, classroom, and virtual formats. For corporate groups, the content can be customized to align with your industry, proposal processes, and organizational requirements. **11\. What is the refund policy?** You are eligible to request a refund up to 7 days before the event.

Writing group looking for new members

Book 153: Ghost Station by S. A. Barnes