
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the Group?
Writing can be very isolating. The purpose of this group is to create a time and space for people who love writing to meet, share ideas and gain confidence in their writing.
Who runs the Group?
The Group is run by Sarah Craze, professional historian and author.
When are the meetings held?
Meetings are always at 1 pm on the last Saturday of the month, excluding December and public holidays. They usually finish around 4 pm.
Where are the meetings held?
In Meeting Room 1 at Hawthorn Library, Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn.
Can I come if I don’t live in Boroondara?
Yes. People attend from all over Melbourne. Just remember the traffic around Hawthorn can be dreadful but there is free parking at the Library.
How does the Group work?
Each participant brings a piece of writing/poetry (maximum of 1,000 words) with around 10-12 copies for everyone. You will then read your piece aloud and everyone will take a few minutes to write their comments on their copy. A few people will then share what they thought and then we move on to the next person.
Can it be more than 1,000 words?
It can be a little over but the 1,000 word limit is so we can ensure everyone can have a turn and be finished in time.
What genres of writing do people share?
We have all sorts of people writing in all sorts of genres: memoir, non-fiction, fantasy, travelogues, time travel, poetry, crime, short stories, and romance have all made an appearance at one time or another.
I’m writing a book. What will I get out of the Group?
It can be difficult to feel you're getting value when you only have 1,000 words to share and not an entire chapter. In this case, I recommend an extract, character study, synopsis (if you're looking for a publisher), chapter overview, or a statement answering the question: “What is this book about?” Anything that can give you a fresh eye and feedback on your themes and intentions for your manuscript will be a useful way to use the Group.
Can I come and listen without sharing anything?
Yes, if you’d like to try us out, you are welcome to sit in on a session for no fee.
What fees are involved?
It's a $40 fee to join Boroondara Writers for the year. If you would like to attend on an ad-hoc basis, it is $10 per session.
The $40 fee includes the coffee and tea at the meeting, the monthly newsletter with information on competitions and writing tips, access to the Group’s Facebook page, and the opportunity for your work to be published in the Group’s biennial Anthology.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept cash and bank transfer. Unfortunately, we don’t have credit card facilities.
​​