What’s on in May: 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 lies Australian Poetry, Blak & Bright, Melbourne City of Literature Office, Emerging Writers’ Festival, Express Media, Freeplay Independent Games Festival, 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 May 2024 for these organisations below. 

The Melbourne City of Literature Office

The Green House is back for 2024 and looking for two Melbourne-based nature writers! The Green House is a ten-week online nature writers’ room including writers from Exeter, Edinburgh, Heidelberg, Iowa City, Quebec City, Slemani and Melbourne.  

Starting on 5 August 2024 and hosted by prize-winning author Laura Jean McKay, the chosen writers will be paid AUD$1500. EOIS close 9.00pm, 6 May 2024. Learn more here. 

Express Media

Are you based in Victoria, aged between 18-25, and eager to get a front-row seat to democracy? Parliament Express is open for applications, and Express Media is seeking sharp minds ready to broaden their knowledge and skills in political interviewing, research and writing! 

Participants will meet at the Parliament of Victoria, getting a look behind the scenes of parliament and receiving masterclasses on research, interviewing and writing for clients – as well as an opportunity to do a Q&A with sitting MPs. Learn more here.

PEN Melbourne

PEN Melbourne invites you to peruse War, Censorship, and Persecution: the PEN International Case List 2023/2024. This case list highlights challenges for writers in global conflicts and the need to safeguard freedom of expression, especially in war-torn regions. Documented are 122 cases of writers facing harassment, arrest, violence and even death worldwide. Explore the full list here.

Writers Victoria

Check out Writers Victoria’s latest workshop Publicity for Authors with Hannah Ludbrook. The role of publicity, and the proactive measures an author can take to get the media and readers alike to notice their work, is often overlooked, undervalued or misunderstood.

Publicity and communications professional Hannah Ludbrook will teach you how to nail your elevator pitch and the best ways to reach your target audience. Join her 10am to 4pm on Sunday 5 May. 

If you’re on the lookout for a literature lesson, look no further than Interview with the Vampire with Diego Ramírez on Wednesday 15 May. Join the Writers Victoria team for an evening seminar that hovers between craft talk, reading group and workshop.

In this seminar, you’ll focus on Interview with the Vampire, examining the craft of the vampire in book and film, and contemporary depictions of the vampire, beyond the page and screen.

The Wheeler Centre

The Wheeler Centre is pleased to announce the 22 successful recipients of our 2024 Hot Desk Fellowships. This year marks the 12th year of The Wheeler Centre’s Hot Desk Fellowships, which offers emerging writers a $1250 stipend and a dedicated desk in the building over a ten-week period. You can discover more about each of the 2024 Hot Desk Fellows on our website now.

The Moat

Meet The Moat’s exclusive Melbourne Writers Festival cocktail, the Limoncello Margarita! This tart, refreshing blend of Tequila Reposado, limoncello, lemon, lime and agave nectar is the perfect drop to sip as you sit and discuss your festival events. Enjoy the Italian makeover of this Mexican classic at The Moat from 6 to 12 May.