Budding young writers meet published authors at UWS
145 talented young writers from Greater Western Sydney will take part in the University of Western Sydney Young Writers' Day, to be held on Friday 12 October at Macarthur Anglican School in Cobbitty.
Students from 17 high schools will spend the day learning useful tips and techniques from published authors who will also share insights about their lives as writers.
Ms Anne McLean, Manager of Schools Engagement at UWS, says the day is an academic and creative enrichment experience for Year 10 and 11 students.
“Writing is such an important life skill and the day aims to help students realise their potential, whether they are interested in writing as a career, to achieve educational goals or just for sheer enjoyment. We know we’ll have many very talented participants and we think they’ll gain a lot from the event,” says Ms McLean.
“Young Writers’ Day is always very popular and students love meeting prominent writers, as well as other students with similar interests. They share ideas and approaches, and are encouraged to see writing from different perspectives, experiment and innovate.”
The 2012 event will feature an impressive line-up of writers.
The day will begin with a keynote address by Dr Matthew McGuire, author of the novel Dark Dawn and lecturer at the UWS School of Humanities and Communication Arts. Dr McGuire will discuss ‘Dark Dawn, Crime Fiction and The Writing Life’ and students will have an opportunity to ask questions after his presentation.
The students will then take part in their choice of practical and interactive workshops, where they will learn how to hone their writing skills with exercises designed and run by a range of experts.
"We have 11 different student workshops, many of which will be run twice. Topics include writing the news, script writing, poetry, persuasion and advocacy, fiction of various kinds, experimental writing and using place as the basis for writing," says Ms McLean.
Following the event, Ms McLean says each student will have the opportunity to win prizes by submitting a piece of their own work to a special UWS Young Writers' Day competition.
The schedule for the student workshops can be accessed on the UWS Young Writers' Day Workshop page.
There will also be a workshop for accompanying teachers entitled ‘Enriching the Writing Process’, which will be run by Jane Sherlock, Project Officer for the NSW English Teachers’ Association.
High Schools involved in the 2012 Young Writers’ Day are:
Ambarvale High School
Broughton Anglican College
Campbelltown Performing Arts High School
Caroline Chisholm College
Elizabeth Macarthur High School
Hurlstone Agricultural High School
John Therry Catholic High School
Leumeah High School
Macarthur Anglican School
Moorebank High School
Mt Carmel Catholic High School
Penrith Anglican College
Penrith Christian School
Prairiewood High School
Sarah Redfern High School
St Gregory's College
St Patricks College, Campbelltown
Ends
12 October 2012
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