What we’re about
A community for writers of speculative fiction, emerging and established. This Meetup is designed for writers serious about their craft and will feature events to educate and support you.
We meet from 5.30-8.30pm on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Creator Space at Chatswood Library.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Willoughby Literary Festival: Speculative Writing in FocusChatswood Library, NSW
As part of our commitment to Sydney speculative writers who are at an intermediate level looking to develop professionally, we present Speculative Writing in Focus, a one-day event full of sessions to elevate your skills, in partnership with the Willoughby Literary Festival.
Schedule:
9.30am: Doors open10am: Keynote: Garth Nix, plus Q&A and book signing
[FREE but registration required]11am: Workshop: Next Level Worldbuilding with Zena Shapter
[Cost: $22.49 – tickets through the library]1pm: Workshop: Advancing Story Structure with Ally Burnham
[Cost: $22.49 – tickets through the library]2.30pm: Panel: Speculative Publishing in Australia with editor and agent Abigail Nathan, author JS Breukelaar, author and former editor of
StarShipSofa Jeremy Szal, Hachette publishing director Joel Naoum and facilitator Simone Corletto.
[FREE but registration required]3.30pm: Open mic readings with special guests JS Breukelaar and Jeremy Szal. Limited slots to read, or you can simply register to attend.
[FREE but registration required]RSVPs will be through the library for individual sessions.
How to get there
Public transport: Chatswood Library is located in The Concourse, 350m from major Chatswood transportation hubs, including Chatswood train station and Chatswood bus interchange.Parking: Parking is available at The Concourse car park accessible on Ferguson Lane via Archer St ONLY. Parking rates can be found here.
The library has lift access from The Concourse car park and from The Concourse, ground and upper levels. Parking is also available at Chatswood Chase adjacent to The Concourse on the corner of Archer St and Victoria Ave. The first 3 hours parking are free.Cycle: Bicycle parking is available at library entrance.
Accessibility
For participants requiring stair-free access, this is available through the Ferguson Lane entrance through the parking garage. Ride shares or taxis should be directed to drop off at that location. If further assistance is needed please let the Meetup coordinators know in advance and we will do our best to assist.Please be advised that access from Victoria Ave does consist of a significant flight of steps up into the Concourse area.
Photo by Dan Dimmock on Unsplash
- Speculative Writing Night @ Chatswood LibraryChatswood Library, Chatswood
Our aim is to provide a supportive community for speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror etc) writers at all levels, offering a platform for networking, dedicated writing time, craft discussions, and publication tips. Whether you're just starting or an established wordsmith, join us on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Chatswood Library.
Schedule:
5:30 - 6:00 pm: Introductions and casual chat
6:00 - 7:30 pm: 'Focus & Write' session
7:30 - 8:30 pm: Continue writing, or socialise and share your progressWhat to bring: Your work-in-progress, whether on screen or paper.
Connect with fellow writers, explore the speculative fiction realm, and let your imagination soar at our regular writing meetups.
How to get there
Public transport: Chatswood Library is located in The Concourse, 350m from major Chatswood transportation hubs, including Chatswood train station and Chatswood bus interchange.Parking: Parking is available at The Concourse car park accessible on Ferguson Lane via Archer St ONLY. Parking rates can be found here.
The library has lift access from The Concourse car park and from The Concourse, ground and upper levels. Parking is also available at Chatswood Chase adjacent to The Concourse on the corner of Archer St and Victoria Ave. The first 3 hours parking are free.
Cycle: Bicycle parking is available at library entrance.
Accessibility
For participants requiring stair-free access, this is available through the Ferguson Lane entrance through the parking garage. Ride shares or taxis should be directed to drop off at that location. If further assistance is needed please let the Meetup coordinators know in advance and we will do our best to assist.Please be advised that access from Victoria Ave does consist of a significant flight of steps up into the Concourse area.
Our meeting room
We are in the Creator Space, straight down the main aisle from the front desk, though the sign may be obscured by books. If you are unable to locate the Creator Space, ask the staff at the front desk for its location; they are expecting us.Do note a 'yes' RSVP on Meetup does not confirm your place, please RSVP through the library so they can set out enough places for us on the night.
Photo credit: Cedrik Wesche
- Speculative Writing Night @ Chatswood LibraryChatswood Library, Chatswood
Our aim is to provide a supportive community for speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror etc) writers at all levels, offering a platform for networking, dedicated writing time, craft discussions, and publication tips. Whether you're just starting or an established wordsmith, join us on the 4th Wednesday of each month at Chatswood Library.
Schedule:
5:30 - 6:00 pm: Introductions and casual chat
6:00 - 7:30 pm: 'Focus & Write' session
7:30 - 8:30 pm: Continue writing, or socialise and share your progressWhat to bring: Your work-in-progress, whether on screen or paper.
Connect with fellow writers, explore the speculative fiction realm, and let your imagination soar at our regular writing meetups.
How to get there
Public transport: Chatswood Library is located in The Concourse, 350m from major Chatswood transportation hubs, including Chatswood train station and Chatswood bus interchange.Parking: Parking is available at The Concourse car park accessible on Ferguson Lane via Archer St ONLY. Parking rates can be found here.
The library has lift access from The Concourse car park and from The Concourse, ground and upper levels. Parking is also available at Chatswood Chase adjacent to The Concourse on the corner of Archer St and Victoria Ave. The first 3 hours parking are free.
Cycle: Bicycle parking is available at library entrance.
Accessibility
For participants requiring stair-free access, this is available through the Ferguson Lane entrance through the parking garage. Ride shares or taxis should be directed to drop off at that location. If further assistance is needed please let the Meetup coordinators know in advance and we will do our best to assist.Please be advised that access from Victoria Ave does consist of a significant flight of steps up into the Concourse area.
Our meeting room
We are in the Creator Space, straight down the main aisle from the front desk, though the sign may be obscured by books. If you are unable to locate the Creator Space, ask the staff at the front desk for its location; they are expecting us.Do note a 'yes' RSVP on Meetup does not confirm your place, please RSVP through the library so they can set out enough places for us on the night.
Photo credit: Cedrik Wesche
- Canberra excursion: Conflux 2025 BRAVE NEW WORLDSCrowne Plaza, Canberra
Conflux is Canberra’s longest running speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy and horror) convention, an annual gathering that features an eclectic range of panels, discussions, launches, presentations and other events with a strong focus on SF genre storytelling and its creators.
Special guests:
James Bradley, writer and critic. His books include the novels Landfall, Wrack, The Deep Field, The Resurrectionist, Clade and Ghost Species, plus Paper Nautilus (poetry) and Deep Water: The World in the Ocean (non-fiction).
Freya Marske, writer. Her debut novel, the queer historical fantasy A MARVELLOUS LIGHT, was an international bestseller and won the Romantic Novel Award for Fantasy. It kicked off the Last Binding trilogy, which was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Series. Her most recent book, SWORDCROSSED, was published by Bramble and Tor UK in 2024, and her debut novella CINDER HOUSE is forthcoming from Tor.com and Tor UK in October 2025.
Kirstyn McDermott, writer. She is the author of two award-winning novels, Madigan Mine and Perfections, along with two collections of short fiction, Caution: Contains Small Parts and Hard Places. Her most recent work is Never Afters, a collection of novellas that retell classic fairy tales.
Jason Nahrung, writer. He is the author of four novels, a novella, and more than 20 short stories, his fiction is anchored in the speculative genres and typically is darkly themed.
Full adult membership is $275, with various other prices for concession and day passes.
Please note a 'yes' RSVP does not secure your place. You must book and pay for Conflux membership through TryBooking.
