Our second anthology is open for submissions.
Ballarat Writers are putting together an anthology this year, and we invite all BWI writers to send in a short story or a poem to be included.
We aim to have the anthology completed and printed so that we can launch it at the end of November 2026.
The anthology will be called “Encounters”, but you are welcome to use any theme and title for your own story or poem. Just bear in mind the limit of 4,000 words for fiction and 60 lines for poetry.
Please also bear in mind the deadline date for receiving your work, which will be midnight on 30 June 2026. Entries are to be sent to our dedicated email address, anthology@ballaratwriters.com
Please note that all submissions will be reviewed by our anthology editorial team after 30 June. They are here to help and may request formatting, spelling, structural or other editorial changes for quality purposes. In some cases, entries might be excluded if content or quality is considered unsuitable. Submitting a piece of work is on condition that you agree that our editorial team reserves the right to request changes or exclude entries from the anthology if necessary.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any comments or questions. We are open to receive entries (once again of less than 4,000 words of fiction or 60 lines of poetry). You can include something you have already written and would like to see in print, or get started on something special for the anthology.
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 2pm till 5pm, currently at The Racers Bar, Lake Wendouree. You are welcome to drop in and join us.
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 Frank at creswickgroup@ballaratwriters.com if you’re interested in joining.
The Lake View Critique Group meets at the Lake View Hotel at 10:30AM on the first Thursday of the month. 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, email Darren at bwi-poetry-circle@googlegroups.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 Stormy at bwi-evening-critique@googlegroups.com
Monday Night Online Coworking
Online co-working/accountability sessions on MONDAY nights, 7 – 9 pm.
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.