First Nations Writers WA

With support from Centre for Stories donors and Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, and launched in 2023, First Nations Writers WA is a program offering writing career support and publishing opportunities for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers from Western Australia, including those now living elsewhere.

Based in Boorloo/Perth on Whadjuk Noongar boodjar, the program aims to create more accessible and enjoyable opportunities for First Nations mob with connections to WA to share their stories, however and wherever they want to, with sustainable career development outcomes.

Facilitated by Noongar authors Casey Mulder and Luisa Mitchell, First Nations Writers WA provides participants with:

• Free monthly Write Night events at Centre for Stories (Accessible via Zoom for regional participants and WA mob living outside Western Australia);
• One-off writing workshops with published guest authors throughout the year in different styles and forms;
• Writing Fellowships like the Elder & Editor Memoir Fellowship;
• Individual editing feedback;
• Networking opportunities with publishers, editors and fellow writers;
• Publishing opportunities online and in print in upcoming anthologies;
• Website and social media profiling;
• Opportunities to speak at festivals and events;
• And access to Centre for Stories events, networks, peer support and staff support.

Since launching in early 2023, we have successfully run writing workshops with authors Ambelin Kwaymullina, Mabel Gibson, Cass Lynch, Kathryn Gledhill-Tucker, Isobel Bevis and more. We have assisted numerous emerging writers to publishing their work in Portside Review, and held one networking event featuring authors such as Kim Scott and Cindy Solonec.

In 2024, we launched the Short But Deadly Flash Prize with Portside Review, publishing 10 short pieces of fiction or memoir by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers. This prize was judged by Magabala Books CEO Lilly Brown and authors John Morrissey and Mabel Gibson. In 2025, we launched the inaugural First Nations Elder & Editor Memoir Fellowship to support the recording of elder’s stories.

To participate in this program, participants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and have strong connections to nations within Western Australia. We welcome WA mob wherever they currently live. There is no formal application process but if you are interested in learning more, please reach out to our First Nations Writing Program Director Casey Mulder at casey@centreforstories.com or register to one of our regular Write Nights events to meet the crew.

Sign up to the next meeting here.