Ballarat Writers Anthology 2026 ‘Encounters’
Ballarat Writers will be publishing our second anthology this year.
The anthology launch is scheduled for 27th January 2027, coinciding with the annual general meeting, at the Lake View Hotel.
Upcoming Members Workshops
| Keira Lockyer Presents: TACKLING RESEARCH TODAY … FROM SNAIL MAIL TO AI. |
| Whatever you are writing or plan to write, and whether it is about real or imaginary people or places, research is essential. Everything changes so quickly these days that no matter what time or century your piece is about, and how much you know, you will still need to do some checking.At our 26th October meeting, member Keira Lockyer will share some of her research adventures over the last 28 years. These include two years investigating over 400 Jewish pioneers who came to Ballarat during the gold rush for her prizewinning 2024 book, and her research on the Anzacs and the 1915 Lone Pine conflict for the 2015 Gallipoli centenary.Her current research projects include helping people discover the stories of their ancestors through DNA and research. This has led her to look at London’s Flash houses and brothels during the Regency days, the Japanese pearlers of the Tiwi Islands, and their POW camps in Singapore, and Abe Saffron and his Sydney underworld of the 1960s. Besides advising what current free research options are available, Keira will also provide a hard copy list of her favourite Victorian, Ballarat and worldwide sources. |
Monthly Members Nights
Our Members’ Nights are held on the last Wednesday of each month (except December). Everyone is welcome, regardless of whether you’re a member or not.
You will find the location of the next meeting announced each month in the sidebar on the website. (Unfortunately, you can’t see it on a mobile phone.)
Write Club
Ballarat Writers runs Write Club for members on Sunday afternoons – a chance to get out of the house and devote an afternoon to writing, with great coffee and industrious(!) company. There is time for chatting, but the emphasis is on getting words down.
Write Club is every Sunday from 2:00pm till 5:00pm, currently at The Racers Bar, Lake Wendouree. You are welcome to drop in and join us.
Due to renovations taking place at Races Cafe Write Club will be held in the private dining room at the Lake View Hotel from the 18th October to the 22nd of November.
Email Darren if you have any questions.
Critique groups
The purpose of these critique groups is to read and give feedback on each others’ work. The initial meetings involve laying down ground rules about critiquing and ensuring everyone has equal time on their work. The goal is to help all writers improve not only their own writing, but also their feedback skills. Members are to give each other time to speak without being interrupted, and critique respectfully.
The Creswick Critique Group meets on the second Saturday of the month at 12.30pm at The American Hotel in Creswick. This is a relaxed group sharing short pieces of writing including poetry, stories and excerpts from larger pieces; feedback and comments are provided in a friendly and supportive environment, with plenty of discussion. Contact Darren at admin@ballaratwriters.com if you want to join, or for more information
The Lake View Critique Group meets at the Lake View Hotel at 10:30am on the first Thursday of the month. For more information, or to join this critique group please email Darren at admin@ballaratwriters.com You can email your work in advance to: ballarat-writers-critique-circle@googlegroups.com so there is time to give feedback, or just come along and see if the group seems right for you. No restrictions on genre, as there is a wide range of styles within the group. We accept short stories and chapters of longer works and discuss our feedback in a relaxed manner over optional coffee and brunch.
The Poetry Group meets at the American Hotel, 90 Albert St, Creswick at 12.30 pm on the third Wednesday of the month. Less critique, more sharing and support. If you are interested in joining, please email Darren admin@ballaratwriters.com
The Evening Critique Group meets at The North Star Hotel on the Third Tuesday of the month from 7:00pm to 9:00pm, accepting fiction and screenwriting submissions only with no restriction on genre and style. If you are interested in joining this group, please contact Darren at admin@ballaratwriters.com
Beta Readers
Members of Ballarat Writers have access to our Beta readers program. Beta readers can give you feedback on your manuscript. A beta reader reads an unpolished or complete draft of a manuscript before publication to provide reader feedback from the perspective of an average audience member.
Unlike professional editors, who focus on sentence mechanics or structural architecture, beta readers give broad, subjective reactions on how the story actually lands.
What Beta Readers Look For
- Pacing and Flow
- Plot Holes and Logic
- Emotional Impact
- Clarity and Engagement
What Beta Readers Do Not Do
- Copyediting or Proofreading
- Rewriting
- Professional Critique
Ask Soni Stecker at betareaders@ballaratwriters.com to be connected with a beta reader, or if you would like to volunteer to be one.
Monday Night Online Coworking
Online co-working/accountability sessions on MONDAY nights, 7:00pm – 9:00pm.
This is a great opportunity to get writing done and make new friends, especially for those who live out of town or otherwise can’t attend the monthly social nights. If you would like to join, please contact Nick at accountability@ballaratwriters.com
Members’ Listings
Members of Ballarat Writers Inc. who have an author page and/or offer book sales, editorial/publishing services and other literary focus, are listed in alphabetical order of family name here.