In this two-day Memoir Masterclass with Dr Lee Kofman you'll learn how to shape life stories into gripping narratives, and yourselves and the people in your lives into compelling characters. We will cover some of the basics of this popular writing genre, including finding the specific theme/s in your life to focus on and finding the right structure for telling your story. You'll also learn how to seduce your readers by describing your experiences vividly. And we will discuss the role of emotional honesty in writing about ourselves. 

Commencing at 10am and concluding at 4pm each day, Lee's two-day Memoir Masterclass will be held at Dormie House, 38 Arthur Street, Moss Vale (Accommodation is also available at Dormie House).  Bring along a packed lunch or purchase it along with coffee and snacks from Dormie House.  Participants are asked to bring writing materials (pen/pencil & paper or fully charged device).  Limited to 10 participants. Course Fee: $575 per person. 
To book click here or on the 'Book Now' link opposite. 

Bio:
Dr Lee Kofman is a Russian-born Israeli-Australian author of six books and editor of two anthologies, writing teacher and mentor based in Melbourne. 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 and two memoirs: Imperfect, which was shortlisted for Nib Literary Award, and The Dangerous Bride. Lee has also edited two anthologies of personal essays, Rebellious Daughters and Split, which was longlisted for ABIA awards, that feature prominent Australian writers.Lee’s numerous short stories, short creative non-fiction and poetry have been published widely in Australia, Scotland, UK, Israel, USA and Canada.Lee has been involved in many literary awards and writing competitions as a judge or assessor, including Varuna Fellowships, the Deborah Cass Award, Copyright Agency Award Mentorship Program (ASA) and the Nib Literary Award.

Dr Lee Kofman

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Setting is far more than just a backdrop to narrative – vividly rendered external worlds have the power to enrich character and enhance story in powerful and unexpected ways. This is especially true in a country like Australia, where our dramatic landscapes are so often integral to our stories.

In this workshop with award-winning author James McKenzie Watson, you will explore the role setting plays in character development and practice crafting landscapes that speak to your narratives. Drawing on his own experiences describing rural NSW in his novel Denizen, James will explore the importance of introspection in landscape description and identify what makes good descriptive language work.  This workshop includes practical advice, techniques and examples, in-class exercises, and resources to take home.

Target audience: Aspiring, emerging and developing writers.

Commencing at 10am and concluding at 4pm, this one-day workshop with James will be held at Dormie House, 38 Arthur Street, Moss Vale.  Bring along a packed lunch or purchase it along with coffee and snacks from Dormie House (Accommodation also available).  Participants are asked to bring writing materials (pen/pencil & paper or fully charged device). 
Limited to 10 participants. Course Fee: $210 To book click here or on the 'Book Now' link opposite

Bio:
 James McKenzie Watson writes fiction with a focus on health and rural Australia. His novel Denizen won the 2021 Penguin Literary Prize, was shortlisted for Best Debut in the 2023 Ned Kelly Awards, and was named a best book of 2022 by multiple Australian publications.
James has written for The Guardian, Meanjin and Kill Your Darlings. He has appeared at events including the Sydney Writers Festival, Newcastle Writers Festival and BAD Crime Sydney, and taught creative writing for organisations including Writing NSW. He co-hosts the writing and health podcast James and Ashley Stay at Home and works as a nurse.

James McKenzie Watson

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'Caress the details, the divine details.' - Nabokov.  The right details are what turn ordinary writing into extraordinary writing. Whether it is fiction, non-fiction, memoir or poetry, the things we choose to put in are important, as well as what we choose to leave out. If we are not writing about subject’s we know intimately we are going to have to choose where to look to find these details, and practice paying close attention. The more specific our writing is, the more universal the appeal. Specificity allows readers to trust your storytelling.

This course with Dr Eleanor Limprecht consolidates how to discover the details, how we go about using detail in writing, looking at examples and practicing in-class writing exercises. There will be opportunities to share writing and give each other feedback on it.  

Commencing at 10am and concluding at 4pm, Eleanor's one-day workshop will be held at Dormie House, 38 Arthur Street, Moss Vale.  Bring along a packed lunch or purchase it along with coffee and snacks from Dormie House (accommodation also available).  Participants are asked to bring writing materials (pen/pencil & paper or fully charged device). 
Limited to 10 participants. Course Fee: $210 To book click here or on the 'Book Now' link opposite

Bio:
Dr Eleanor Limprecht is an author, constant reader and creative writing teacher. Eleanor was born and raised in the US, Germany and Pakistan but now lives in Sydney. Eleanor is the author of novels - What Was Left (2013), Long Bay (2015), The Passengers (2018), The Coast (2022). Her fifth novel, Cul de Sac, will be released in 2026. Eleanor has had short fiction, book reviews, feature articles and essays published in many places. Eleanor regularly speaks about writing and has participated in panels and moderated sessions with other writers at libraries, bookstores, classrooms and literary festivals, both in Australia and internationally.Eleanor teaches Writing a Novel at the Faber Academy in Sydney and is available as a mentor through Australian Writers Mentoring Program.