Fiction Writing Melbourne

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 (5 mins) Pomodoro 3: 10.05-10.30 (25 mins) Break: 10.30-10.35 (5 mins) Pomodoro 3: 10.35-11.00 (25 mins) Break: 11.00-11.05 (5 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.

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: Alex will summarize some expert wisdom on writing dialogue and then discuss that wisdom in relation to his own experience writing dialogue. 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**

Novella to Feature Film

Calling a talented group of aspiring filmmakers: Creating a big screen James Bond Style action cliffhanger. Working from a Novella: THE AiGENT. Join in creation of: Screenplay, storyboard, character casting, scene production, editing , and music. Join a dynamic group.... and own it!

Socialise and discuss a book over coffee.

Everyone’s talking about Yesteryear, a novel by Caro Claire Burke, about a trad wife influencer who wakes up in 1855 to find herself a housewife in a farming family. Is the novel deserving of all the fuss?

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**

Page Turners: Reading Hour

Reading Hour 📚 We’re inviting you to bring whatever book you’re currently reading, or borrow one from our collection, and read with us. We’ll spend around 30 minutes reading quietly together, followed by a relaxed, guided discussion about what everyone’s reading. Whether you are starting a new book or are desperately trying to finish one, you are welcome! Sometimes reading is easier when someone else is reading too. We’d love to read with you. 📚 Bring your own book, or borrow one of ours. ☕ Snacks and drinks provided. 💬 Low-pressure discussion with guided questions. 📅 Monday 9th November • 6:00 pm 📍 Boyd Community Hub, 207 City Rd, Southbank VIC 3006 - Principle's room

The Twenty-seventh Page

Join us for the Twenty-seventh Page! Theme: **a book with a death at the beginning.** I'm sure we'll all have some interesting books to discuss! Feel free to bring along any discussion questions you can think of or theme suggestions. Happy reading :) See you there!

October - Horror: Never Whistle at Night by Shane Hawk and others

Indian.

Crime and Wine November Meetup!

Mark your calendars! We are back for November! We will be reading “Strange Sally Diamond” by Liz Nugent. As always, if you haven’t finished the book, or haven’t had a chance to read the book- please still join us for a wine with some like-minded ladies! I ask that you please only RSVP if you are absolutely committed to attending, and please update ASAP if you decide not to attend. This means that everyone who really wants to come can join us! RSVP OPENS SATURDAY OCTOBER 31st AT 12PM. *Please note the PayPal fee to help is to cover MeetUp admin app costs.

The Age of Innocence - October 2026 Big Ideas Book Club

**THIS IS AN IN PERSON MEETING** **The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton** Edith Wharton’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Age of Innocence, is both a poignant story of frustrated love and an extraordinarily vivid, delightfully satirical record of a vanished world. It’s this vanished world that inspired the lavish costume drama The Gilded Age, written by Julian Fellowes, the creator of Downton Abbey. Part of the Macmillan Collector’s Library; a series of stunning, clothbound, pocket sized classics with gold foiled edges and ribbon markers. These beautiful books make perfect gifts or a treat for any book lover. As the scion of one of New York’s leading families, Newland Archer has been born into a life of sumptuous privilege and strict duty. But the arrival of the Countess Olenska, a free spirit who breathes clouds of European sophistication, makes him question the path on which his upbringing has set him. As his fascination with her grows, he discovers just how hard it is to escape the bonds of the society that has shaped him.

Book 155: We are all Ghost in the Forest by Lorraine Wilson