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Teen Writing Bootcamps

Teen Writing Bootcamps

Chase your passion and join our Teen Writing Boot Camps information session to explore your options in writing and find the Boot Camp that best suits your style. 

All Teen Writing Boot Camp sessions are open to teens aged 13 to 18 years old from across Australia. The sessions are free to attend but require consent from a parent or guardian. 

Don’t miss your opportunity to strengthen your creative muscles. 

This program has been made possible with the generosity of Serp Hills Foundation and The JTM Foundation.  

2023 recap: Comics with Clea Chiller

Author Clea Chiller smiling at the camera wearing purple, dangly earring and a black top.

At the Library's Teen Writing Bootcamp in June 2023, Clea Chiller explored the art of writing and drawing comics.

Read her tips and reflections from the workshop.

2023 recap: Poetry with Flora Chol

Author Flora Chol wearing a yellow top and colourful earrings.

At the Library's Teen Writing Bootcamp in May 2023, Flora Chol explored the art of poetry.

Read her tips and reflections from the workshop.

2023 recap: Playwriting with Dan Giovannoni

Author Dan Giovannoni wearing a colourful summer shirt.

At the Library's Teen Writing Bootcamp in May 2023, Dan Giovannoni explored the art of writing theatrical plays.

Read his tips and reflections from the workshop.

2023 recap: Memoir and personal essaying with Didem Caia

Author Didem Caia staring at the camera with a book shelf behind her.

At the Library's Teen Writing Bootcamp in March 2023, Didem Caia discovered the compelling power of truth-telling.

Read her tips and reflections from the workshop.

2023 recap: Science Fiction with Lili Wilkinson

Author Lili Wilkinson with pink highlights and wearing a green sequin top.

At the Library's Teen Writing Bootcamp in March 2023, author Lili Wilkinson explored imaginative and futuristic concepts in writing. 

Read Lili's tips and reflections from the workshops.

2023 Teen Writing Bootcamp: information session #2

This session talks about poetry with Flora Chol and playwriting with Dan Giovannoni and moderated by Yanan Chai.

2023 Teen Writing Bootcamp: information session #1

This session talks about memoir and personal essaying with Didem Caia and science fiction writing with Lili Wilkinson.

2022 Teen Writing Bootcamp: information session #1

This session talks about contemporary fiction with Emily Gale and own voices writing with Nevo Zisin, moderated by Catalina Cox. 

2022 Teen Writing Bootcamp: information session #2

This session talks about science writing with Alicia Sometimes and screen writing with Nova Weetman, moderated by Imogen Piening.

2022 Teen Writing Bootcamp: information session #3

This session talks about slam poetry with Maxine Beneba Clarke and non-fiction/journalism with Leah Jing McIntosh, moderated by Yanan Chai.

2022 recap: Non-fiction writing with Leah Jing McIntosh

At the Library’s Teen Writing Bootcamp from May-June 2022, writer Leah Jing McIntosh explored the art of non-fiction writing with a group of talented young teens.

View Leah's tips and reflections from the bootcamps.

2022 recap: Science writing with Alicia Sometimes

From late April through to mid-May 2022, writer, poet and broadcaster Alicia Sometimes explored the art of science writing with a group of talented young teens in her Teen Writing Bootcamp classes.

View Alicia's tips and reflections from the workshops.

2022 recap: Own Voices writing with Nevo Zisin

Norelle Bladon

At the Library's Teen Writing Bootcamp in March 2022, writer, performer and activist Nevo Zisin taught teens how to find their own voice and write with authenticity.

View their tips and reflections from the workshops.

2022 recap: Contemporary fiction with Emily Gale

At the Library's Teen Writing Bootcamp in March 2022, writer Emily Gale explored the art of contemporary fiction writing with a group of talented young teens.

View Emily's tips and reflections from the workshops.

2022 recap: Screenwriting with Nova Weetman

At the Library’s Teen Writing Bootcamp in late April through to May 2022, writer Nova Weetman explored the art of screenwriting with a group of talented young teens.

View Nova's tips and reflections from the bootcamps.

Resources for new & emerging writers

A long-haired, smiling woman in overalls holds up a sign saying 'A good idea'

So you’ve completed one of State Library Victoria’s Teen Writing Bootcamps. What’s next for you and your writing?

Check out our great list of resources highlighting opportunities for further learning, places and platforms to publish your work, writing prizes and fellowships, and other avenues to explore as you take your next, brave steps as a writer. Go for it!

2021 recap: Jared Thomas on contemporary fiction

Man leaning on a wall and smiling at the camera

Jared Thomas

International award-winning Nukunu author Dr Jared Thomas discusses the basics of writing contemporary fiction.

2021 recap: Zoya Patel on putting creativity into non-fiction writing

Woman standing in front of an orange wall

Zoya Patel

2021 recap: Nevo Zisin on finding your own voice

Headshot in front of a yellow background with a rainbow shirt

Nevo Zisin

Proud Minority

Writer, performer and activist Nevo Zisin shares their tips on writing with authenticity.

2021 recap: Alicia Sometimes on science writing

Woman leaning on a wall and looking at the camera

Alicia Sometimes

Poet, broadcaster and writer Alicia Sometimes shares her thoughts on the art of science writing after her Teen writing boot camp in April.

2021 recap: Zoya Patel on writing opinion that matters

Woman smiling and signing books

Zoya Patel

Learn the basic principles of opinion writing from writer and editor Zoya Patel.

2021 recap: Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa on slam poetry

Woman smiling directly at camera

Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa

Poet Sukhjit Kaur Khalsa calls on teens to write from the heart in this blog post about her slam poetry workshop, held in March 2021 as part of the Teen writing boot camp.

2021 recap: Zoya Patel on how to write a compelling feature article

Woman standing in front of a graffiti wall

Zoya Patel

Writer and editor Zoya Patel shares her three top tips for writing feature articles.

2021 recap: Nova Weetman on screenwriting

Woman smiling at camera

Nova Weetman

Screenwriter and LoveOzYA author Nova Weetman shares screenwriting tips and reflections from her boot camp.

2021 recap: Zoya Patel on non-fiction writing

Woman standing in front of a blue wall

Zoya Patel

Writer and editor Zoya Patel shares her musings after the first of her four non-fiction writing boot camp sessions during April 2021.

Thank you

This program has been made possible with the generosity of Serp Hills Foundation and The JTM Foundation.