Applications are invited for this three-day/four-night residential writing masterclass - Deepening Your Work Through Revision with Dr Lee Kofman.  Applications from fiction and creative nonfiction writers who have a work-in-progress (WIP) open on 1 November 2026 (see submission details below). 

At this writing masterclass, we’ll consider the proposition that writers don’t write – they re-write, and also that the writing process is akin to layering, and that the first draft is only the very start of creating a new work. We’ll do a series of practical exercises to help deepen your work – to get closer to its heart, to discover what it actually wants to say. We’ll look at different styles of revision and try them out to see what suits each individual student. We’ll discuss creating your own unique ‘checklist’ for revision and will learn some basic tricks for successful self-editing, including how to gain a fresh perspective on our material, to make our prose tight and sparkly. Every student will have an opportunity to discuss the specific problems they are dealing with in their current WIP.

Each morning from 9:00am to 12:30pm, you will attend a masterclass led by Dr Lee Kofman.  The afternoons are free for you to write in the comfort of your room or one of the quiet nooks at the Guest House, or you may prefer to explore all the Highlands has to offer. 

Evening Activities:Before dinner each evening, we'll come together where each student will have time to discuss and get advice on an issue/s they're particularly struggling with in their manuscript.

After dinner each evening, we'll gather to discuss pre-selected readings which Lee will provide for the class.
Evening activities will conclude by 8:30pm leaving ample time to write, read or grab an early night and recharge ready for the next day.

This Residential Masterclass is held at Bundanoon Guest House, one of the few original Guest Houses remaining in Bundanoon, a small Southern Highlands village with a population of just under 3000, and gateway to Morton National Park. Built in 1925, the House still retains the charm and character of that era, including an open fire. The House comprises a generous guest lounge, public sitting room, large games and conference room, a large dining room, private dining room, bar, front verandah and an extensive garden.  The Guest House is situated a short walk from the railway station, cafes, tea rooms, restaurants, gift shops as well as a local Pub and Sports Club.   Our group has exclusive use of the Guest House and writers are accommodated in their own room with ensuite. All meals from Monday dinner to Friday breakfast are included. 

All placements are residential and in line with our commitment to provide small quality events, this masterclass has a limit of 12 participants. 

APPLICATIONS - Open 1 November 2026:
Applications are open to writers of fiction and creative nonfiction who have a work-in-progress.  In submitting your application, please provide the following:1.	Five (5) pages from your manuscript – this may be from either the start or the middle. If submitting from mid-manuscript, please include 100-200 words of context.2.	An author statement (maximum 500 words) that describes:         a. Genre of manuscript        b. Writing stage (how many words and what draft)        c. A brief synopsis         d. What three (3) key things would you like to achieve from attending this retreat.3.	An author bio (maximum 100 words)

While there is no application fee, successful applicants will be required to pay the cost of the retreat ($2,750) which includes four night's accommodation, all meals and masterclass tuition.To submit your application email: writers@writersatthewoolshed.com.au.
Applications received prior to 1 November will not be considered. 
Applications close midnight on 30 November 2026.


Bio:
Dr Lee Kofman is a Russian-born Israeli-Australian author of six books and editor of three anthologies, writing teacher and mentor based in Melbourne.  Lee’s first three books, the novels Scars (1994, Tamuz) and I will love Christina (2003, Hed Arzi – Ma’ariv Guild), and a short story collection Single Woman, 32 (1999, Hed Arzi – Ma’ariv Guild) were published in Israel, in Hebrew. 
Lee’s books in English include a writing and reading guide The Writer Laid Bare: Mastering emotional honesty in a writer’s art, craft & life (Ventura Press, 2022) and two memoirs: Imperfect (Affirm Press, 2019), which was shortlisted for Nib Literary Award, and The Dangerous Bride (Melbourne University Press, 2014). She has also edited three anthologies of personal essays, Rebellious Daughters (Ventura Press, 2016), Split (Ventura Press, 2019), which was longlisted for ABIA awards, and Ruptured (LJLA, 2025; Gefen 2026), which was shortlisted for Australian Jewish Writers Awards 2026 and published internationally, that feature prominent Australian writers. Read more about Lee here.