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Writing Programs

Inclusion Matters

Inclusion Matters was a fellowship and mentoring project at the Centre for Stories for emerging CaLD writers, featuring a hot desk writing and mentorship program.

Inclusion Matters was a fellowship and mentoring project at the Centre for Stories for emerging CaLD writers funded by the Copyright Agency and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.

The project consisted of two streams: a Mentoring Program and the Centre for Stories Hot Desk Fellowships. Both were open to writers that wished to improve their craft, to work in a supportive community, and who had projects that would benefit from feedback. Both programs were designed for people living in Western Australia who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse.

Participants in both streams had access to the Centre for Stories facilities, access to staff assistance, meetings with staff and mentors, feedback on writing, access to free or discounted workshops and events, literary services, assistance in development of programs (such as the development of an ongoing book club), and networking opportunities. Works of the Hot Desk Fellows were published on Centre for Stories’ website and works from both streams were published in our anthology To Hold The Clouds.

You can purchase To Hold The Clouds here.

To Hold The Clouds.

Project outcomes include book publications, longlisting for awards,  journal publications included works in Scum Magazine, Singapore Review of Books, Meanjin, Munyori Literary Journal, Pulch Magazine, Jalada Africa, Cordite, Westerly, Australian Poetry Journal, SBS Voices, South Asian Today, LA Review of Books, KSP CALD Fellowship and LA Review of Books Scholarship. Five writers participated at the Emerging Writers Festival 2020, five writers at Melbourne Digital Writers Festival 2019, and three writers at Perth Festival 2020.

Hot Desk Fellowship

Thirteen writers completed a 10-week Hot Desk Fellowship at the Centre for Stories during 2019-2020. These writers used their time at the Centre for Stories to network and research, work on perfecting old work, editing completed work, and developing new work. You can read stories and poems developed during the writers’ Hot Desk from our On The Page series here.

Mentoring Program

Thirteen emerging writers completed a 12-month Mentoring Program at the Centre for Stories during 2019-2020. Paired with an established mentor, the emerging writers developed new skills and networks through the many workshops, events, and mentoring opportunities offered as part of the program. The emerging writers specifically worked on developing a completed piece appropriate for publication.

Inclusion Matters alumni

Mentees

Testimonials

  • As an immigrant from a different background, I found [the] Centre for Stories very different from mainstream writing organisations in Perth. The inclusive approach and professional team who are friendly and helpful have made the mentorship experience beyond joy. And now approaching the end of the mentorship project, I feel I am heard and I know this is the beginning of a long journey ahead. – Elham Mohammadnejad
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  • My mentor and I were able to establish a relationship that extends beyond the program. Being a part of this community allowed me to finesse my voice as a writer, my intentions, my goals, my skills, and ideas; looking back on various drafts I can witness the growth. It is because of this program that I am now confident in calling myself a writer. – Karen Escobar
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Inclusion Matters Alumni

Hot Deskers

Explore our collection of interviews with these hot deskers in the series On The Table.

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We wish to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land the Centre for Stories is located on, the Whadjuk people. We respect their culture and the continuing contribution they make to the life of this city and this region.