What’s on in August: Resident Organisation Round Up

As the centre for Books, Writing and Ideas, we are host to some fantastic arts and culture organisations.

Within the Wheeler Centre building lives Australian Poetry, Blak & Bright, Melbourne City of Literature Office, Emerging Writers’ Festival, Express Media, Melbourne Writers Festival, PEN Melbourne, the Small Press Network and Writers Victoria. Beneath the Wheeler Centre you can enjoy a European culinary escape at Italian inspired restaurant The Moat.

Discover what’s coming up in August 2023 for these organisations below. 

The City of Literature Office

Parallel Panels is a two-week residency exchange program designed to support graphic storytellers. The program is hosted by Bucheon City of Literature and Melbourne City of Literature, in partnership with RMIT Culture, and offers a graphic storyteller from each city of literature the chance to spend a fortnight in their sister city. 

Victoria-based graphic storytellers are invited to apply by 9pm (AEDT), Monday 21 August. 

Express Media

Season 2 of Toolkits is now open for applications! This intensive 12-week creative course is open to Australian writers and artists under 30. This season Express Media are running streams in Poetry, Graphic Narratives and Audio Storytelling.  

Head to their website to learn more and get your application in by Sunday 20 August.

Melbourne Writers Festival

This August, the Melbourne Writers Festival podcast brings thoughtful, thrilling and curious conversations from the festival to you. How can Indigenous law inspire new ways forward? How did Alison Roman become the foodie icon of a generation? And what do Gabrielle Zevin and Emma Straub have in common?  

To find out, listen to the latest episodes of the Melbourne Writers Festival podcast on your preferred podcast provider.

Writers Victoria

Enjoy a range of new writing workshops with Writers Victoria this August, including Conquering Fear as a Writer with Koraly Dimitriadis and How to Write About ‘Issues’ in YA (Without Making It an Issue) with Nicole Hayes.  

On Saturday 12 August, Nicole Hayes will discuss how YA fiction continues to push boundaries and challenge readers and publishers alike. But how do you explore an issue in an engaging way without preaching or lecturing? This in-person workshop will help identify relevant issues and offer strategies to help you make your point, without losing the reader. 

On Saturday 19 August, Koraly Dimitriadis will inspire you to push boundaries, shed inhibitions and get to the heart of expression. This in-person workshop will provide techniques for building your confidence and support you as you develop courage.  

Both workshops run 10am to 4pm at the Wheeler Centre. Learn more here. 

The Wheeler Centre

We recently announced the return of Spring Fling for 2023, with a program of 24 events featuring more than 60 renowned writers, musicians, artists and thinkers from across Australia and around the world. Purchase tickets to three or more eligible Spring Fling events and receive 15% off full price tickets. 

View the full line-up of local and international guests who are set to dazzle stages across Melbourne from October 2-14.