Fiction Writing Sydney

Romance Writers of Australia - Sydney Meetup

This is our monthly meet-up!! This is a social group for local romance writers to discuss all things craft, publishing, and overall a chance to connect with other writers and refill the creative well. This is a group designated for ROMANCE writers (romantasy, paranormal romance, historical romance, etc.). Please review the group's description for further information. We do not read sections/give feedback during these meetings unlike many other writing groups. Please save some trees and do not print/bring copies of your work during the meet-up. We meet in the NSW State Library Café. We have a general chat and catch-up from 10:00-1:00pm that's casual and friendly where we discuss all things writing (and some not-so-writing-related topics). From 1:00-3:00, there's a write-in in one of the library study rooms downstairs for anyone who wants to get some words down or pages edited.

Scribes x WestWords Open Mic

[WestWords](http://westwords.com.au/) has partnered with Sydney Speculative Scribes to take your word from the page to the stage. Come read a short story or an excerpt from your longer work and listen to other speculative fiction writers in an intimate and supportive environment. **[FREE! RSVP required](https://events.humanitix.com/sydney-speculative-scribes-westwords-november-open-mic)** *In addition to RSVPing here on Meetup, please register at the link above so we can keep track of numbers as we are promoting across different platforms.* **If you'd like to read, sign up to the open mic list when you [RSVP via Humanitix](https://events.humanitix.com/sydney-speculative-scribes-westwords-november-open-mic). If there are slots available, you may also add your name to the list on the day.** Your reading should be: * Speculative fiction (that's sci-fi, fantasy, horror, alt-history...) * Ideally 5 mins, no more than 8 mins long (about 1500 words) * Either a whole piece (microfiction) or a sensible chunk of a longer work (e.g. a chapter of a novel or a segment that leaves us wanting more from a longer short story) * Rehearsed and ready for sharing. **How to get there**: If you are coming by public transport, the venue is 1 kilometre (about 15 mins’ walk) from the **Parramatta Transport Interchange** (train & bus), or 700 metres (about 10 mins’ walk) from the **Church Street light rail stop**. If you are coming by car, you can park: * In **Parramatta Park** for free. The nearest parking area to Old Government House is the **Bowling Green Car Park**. * If you are a **Club Parramatta** member, there is also free parking in O’Connell Street where the club stands. * The **Justice Precinct** car park in Hunter Street is also fairly reliable but costs $14 per day. You can also be dropped off by car right outside the venue. **Accessibility:** Please notify us if you require accessible parking as there is limited space on-site. The Welcome Room is located behind Old Government House on level ground, but there is a slope to reach the building from the front gate. If you require ramp access, let us know in advance. There is an accessible toilet about 50 metres from the room.

SelfPubAus lunch MeetUp - Strawberry Hills Hotel, Sydney

It's time for our November 2026 MeetUp at the Strawberry Hills Hotel next to Central Station, Sydney. **\*\*\*NOTE\*\*\*** we will be discontinuing this MeetUp account as the fees are prohibitive and we want to keep all events free. Please sign up for our mailing list at http://selfpub.com.au to be notified of future events. Come and meet some fellow writers and have a drink or lunch if you like. Everyone is welcome, whatever stage of the writing and publishing journey they're at. **[Strawberry Hills Hotel](https://www.thestrawbs.com.au)** \- downstairs in the Devonshire Room\. Look forward to seeing you there! Feel free to bring any books or marketing material from your writing and publishing journey - it's always great to see successful results.

Romance Writers of Australia - Sydney Meetup

This is our monthly meet-up!! This is a social group for local romance writers to discuss all things craft, publishing, and overall a chance to connect with other writers and refill the creative well. This is a group designated for ROMANCE writers (romantasy, paranormal romance, historical romance, etc.). Please review the group's description for further information. We do not read sections/give feedback during these meetings unlike many other writing groups. Please save some trees and do not print/bring copies of your work during the meet-up. We meet in the NSW State Library Café. We have a general chat and catch-up from 10:00-1:00pm that's casual and friendly where we discuss all things writing (and some not-so-writing-related topics). From 1:00-3:00, there's a write-in in one of the library study rooms downstairs for anyone who wants to get some words down or pages edited.

Write Night in Marrickville 2026!

Welcome to Write Night in Marrickville! We're meeting at Thirstville on Illawarra Road Marrickville. Its a very chilled out venue, and has a nice upstairs area which suits a writing group well. The night will be in two parts - 1. The group starts the evening with some writing exercises, so please bring along paper, pencil/pen, laptop, whatever works for you. 2. After that, we go over any written material you care to share with us. Please bring two A4 pages (at most) of your pre-written work printed out on paper, or a few more if spaced out (such as with poetry). Please bring around 6-8 copies to share with others - the benefit of paper is that people can write thoughts and feedback on them, and we can all relax with less screen time. If you cant print anything, no problem, we'll work something out. Please be prepared to offer constructive - but nice and supportive - feedback. The official finish time as 8.30pm, but feel free to hang around for mid-week socialising with fellow creatives if you like. Very relaxed and welcoming! Many thanks, and have a great night! Cheers, Roger.

Advanced Writers' Group (In-person)

Our online session, following the IWWG session.

Shut up & Write Sydney

Join us at the Bonnibel cafe in Bondi Junction every week for an hour of solid writing. Whether you’re making the finishing touches to your manuscript or staring at a blank first page, this is the place to get some words down. Don’t worry, no one will ask you to share your work. There are no critiques or prompts, no unsolicited advice and definitely no reading aloud to a room of people. Just the chance to meet fellow writers and get some work done in a friendly environment. Writing can be a solitary hobby. Everyone feels like they’re writing a bestseller on Monday and a nonsensical fiasco on Friday. Come and hang out with fellow writers who understand the highs, the lows and the absolute slog of act 2. The structure: • 7pm: Arrive, settle in, chat to those around you • 7:15: Write in silence for an hour • 8:15: Stop writing, chat about how the session went, mark down your word count etc… • 8:30: The session ends but feel free to stick around and chat more if you like 😊The cafe stays open till 10 Don’t worry if you’re not writing a novel. We've had people writing blog posts, poems, jokes, academic papers and more besides! So if any of this appeals to you, hit that attending button, shut up, and write!

Advanced Writers' Group

Our in-person sessions, following the IWWG session.

Words on Tap

Are you working on a manuscript, short story, memoir, or idea that’s been simmering in your notebook or laptop? This group is for emerging writers and storytellers who want a supportive place to share their work and connect with like-minded creatives. Each MeetUp we offer the opportunity (optional, never pressured) for you to read a short excerpt of your work of up to 800 words in a safe, encouraging environment. This is not a critique group and not a workshop—it's about being heard, building confidence, and finding motivation through community. We will be meeting in the upstairs bar at The Flat Rock Brew Café, 290 Willoughby Rd, Naremburn NSW 2065, the first Wednesday of each month—a relaxed, welcoming space to talk writing, listen to stories, and nurture the creative process. (Many thanks to the Flat Rock Brew Café management - who have generously provided this space). Come along to: * Share your writing in a supportive space * Listen to others, sip a cool ale and get inspired * Connect with fellow writers and storytellers * Nuture your creativity and develop your author’s profile You’re welcome whether you want to read, listen, or simply be around people who “get it.” All writing styles and experience levels are welcome. And this is a free event.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

Meeting at the usual place, upstairs at the Shakespeare Hotel, Surry Hills, Sydney, on Thursday 5 November 2026, we will be discussing *Lolita* (1955) by the Russian-American author Vladimir Nabokov. This is one of the most famous and controversial novels of the 20th century. Humbert is a middle aged man obsessively attracted to to a 12-year-old girl whom he nicknames 'Lolita.' After he marries her mother, Humbert manipulates circumstances to gain control over Lolita after her mother's death. He then sexually abuses her over a long period of time, convincing himself that (despite her age) she is consenting and enjoying it. For me (Dale), the power of the novel is that morally Humbert is the lowest of the low — a serial child abuser. Yet he would probably be the most captivating guest at a dinner party: cultured, clever, witty and amusing. How do we distinguish between the morality of a person's words and ideas on the one hand, and the reality of their actions on the other? Nabokov forces us to confront an idea sometimes assumed by the ancient Greeks: that a person's intelligence, charm and artistic sensitivity somehow reflects their inner beauty. Or perhaps the most intelligent and witty people can be the most morally corrupt? The novel was initially rejected by several publishers because of its subject matter before being published in Paris. It later became an international bestseller and is now considered a classic. Easily available in hard copies from local libraries (free) or through inter-library loan ($3.50). About $13 from Amazon, ebay and bookshops. Soft copies from our friend Anna or a free pdf from me on request at dalemills@cantab.net We meet upstairs in the pub in a private room conducive to discussion. Look for the sign or ask at the bar for details. There will be about 30 of us. We talk about the book in big group for about 40 mins, before breaking up into small groups. Newcomers are very welcome.

Scion by James Islington | Sun 1 Nov 2026

Scion by James Islington | Sat 7 Nov 2026