We meet at Mattie’s House, part of the Federation of Writers of Western Australia (FAWWA), Kirkwood Road, Swanbourne, on the third Sunday of every month. We’re a group for writers who are working on longer projects.
Our projects are at various stages of development—some of us are just starting, some have completed a first draft, and some are finished and looking for a publisher. The projects include fiction, non-fiction, memoir, biography, and short story collections. Some writers have been published already, and others are new to writing. We meet for discussion and support, and often invite local authors, publishers, and editors to talk to us about writing and the publishing industry.
Our website has a few useful links, particularly for Perth-based writers, but writers from anywhere might find them useful, too. For instance, ‘Coping with Negative Feedback on Your Writing‘ is something all writers have to deal with on the pathway to publication.
We always welcome new people to our group—experienced or inexperienced—so please come along if you’re Perth-based and are writing, or want to write, a booklength project!
You’ll find more information on our website.
Some photos of Mattie’s House, where we meet.
This is lovely, Louise. When I read hints for would-be writers, they often include joining a writer’s group. And I’ve heard of some great groups (such as the Canberra Seven) which have succeeded wonderfully in supporting each other and producing great works amongst them. I can imagine such a group would not only be practically helpful if you are all able to be honest with each other, but also emotionally helpful in what is a lonely task.
Mattie’s House looks lovely. What is the gender balance of your group? In other words, is it a mixed group or all women?
One of the important functions of the group, if not the main function, is to provide support and motivation to keep going in what can be a lonely obsession. We often have people join who’ve been writing for years on their own with no idea other people are as mad as they are! There’s not many people you meet in everyday life who closet themselves away for a good part of each day and type like mad! (However, once the addiction takes off, it’s hard to kick the habit!) It’s always refreshing to meet other people addicted to it like you are.
Mattie’s House is lovely. It was the home of Sam (son of Joseph Furphy—aka Tom Collins, who wrote ‘Such is Life’) and ‘Mattie’, his wife who was an artist. It has quite a history, and has been relocated to the Swanbourne Heritage Precinct.
Our group is mainly women, as is often the case, with a few males who come from time-to-time. It’s a mix of ages, ranging from writers in their twenties to their seventies, and we’re from all sorts of backgrounds. It’s a lovely group, I think. We’re very welcoming and accepting of any writer, regardless of age, gender, skill-level, or how often they can write.
I wondered if the house had such a history. Lovely, and lovely name. I bet you all have a lovely time seeing each other. Interesting, though as I suspected, that it’s mostly women. We are different aren’t we-equal, but different!
Yes, I’ve tried to encourage the men to return, but maybe because they feel outnumbered, they don’t.
It’s a lovely group and we’re lucky to be able to meet in Mattie’s gorgeous living room!
Great plug, Louise, how do I wish I was nearer…
I wish you were nearer, too! I’d love to meet you. Maybe one day … 🙂
I’d love that! Sometimes, I feel I know and love more people in Australia than in Birmingham. 🙂
Haha! We’re a loveable bunch over here–something to do with the sunshine! You must visit and see for yourself. ???? xx
I’d love to visit one day (when kids can travel for that length of time 🙂 ) xx