Sydney Speculative Scribes

Short Story Club: 'Missing Helen' by Tia Tashiro

Sun, Jun 21 · 12:00 PM AEST

WSU Peter Shergold Building, 169 Macquarie Street, Parramatta, AU

Short Story Club is a reading club for time-poor people who love speculative fiction. Just like other clubs we read the story and discuss it... though expect to go deeper into craft as writers.

This session we're reading Tia Tashiro's 'Missing Helen', a 2026 Hugo and Locus Award-nominated story. This is available free to read through Clarkesworld #226 and its audio version.

June's Short Story Club is co-hosted with 2026 Parramatta Laureate Eda Gunaydin at Western Sydney University. Meet at noon for a light lunch (provided) and we'll start the main event at 12.30pm.

No need to bring anything but your thoughts, having read the story.

Please indicate any dietary requirements when you RSVP.

Image credit: 'Alone' by Matt Dixon

Speculative Writing Night @ Chatswood Library

Wed, Jun 24 · 5:30 PM AEST

Chatswood Library, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood, NS, AU

If you're coming, please RSVP through the library as well as here so they can set out enough places for us on the night.

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.

RSVP through the library

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.

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 progress

What 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.

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.

***

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.

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.

Did I mention you should RSVP through the library to make sure they know our numbers?

Speculative Writing Night @ Chatswood Library

Wed, Jul 22 · 5:30 PM AEST

Chatswood Library, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood, NS, AU

If you're coming, please RSVP through the library as well as here so they can set out enough places for us on the night.

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.

RSVP through the library

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.

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 progress

What 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.

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.

***

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.

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.

Did I mention you should RSVP through the library to make sure they know our numbers?

Speculative Writing Night @ Chatswood Library

Wed, Aug 26 · 5:30 PM AEST

Chatswood Library, 409 Victoria Ave, Chatswood, NS, AU

If you're coming, please RSVP through the library as well as here so they can set out enough places for us on the night.

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.

RSVP through the library

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.

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 progress

What 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.

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.

***

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.

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.

Did I mention you should RSVP through the library to make sure they know our numbers?