Acclaimed author to lead workshops

Dorothy Johnson and Friends of Barwon Heads library group Karen Firth and Mandy Bridges.

Award-winning local author Dorothy Johnston will lead a series of three short-story workshops from June to August.

‘Winter Tales’ is for budding authors or those who just want to improve their writing.

The workshops are a joint project of the Friends of the Barwon Heads Library and the Barwon Heads Arts Council.

All workshops will be held at Barwon Heads Library from 2pm to 4pm on Sundays, beginning 23 June followed by 21 July and finishing on 25 August.

If you write short stories and would like to develop your craft; or if you want to write stories but have never got around to starting, Dorothy’s workshops are designed to inspire and assist.

The focus will be on encouraging participants to work on their story, or stories, over the winter months, with plenty of time for discussion and feedback.

Dorothy Johnston is the author of 11 novels including Through a Camel’s Eye and The Swan Island Connection, the first two books in a sea-change mystery series set in Queenscliff.

She has twice been shortlisted for the Miles Franklin Award.

Her short stories have been published in Australian newspapers and journals, including The Canberra Times, HEAT, Meanjin and Island.

The cost for three workshops is $65 and participants should book for all of them, since the idea is to give everyone a chance to develop their writing over time.

The age range is 10 years and older and there will be an upper limit of 15 participants, so early bookings are encouraged.

For further information and bookings, phone Dorothy Johnston on 5255 3188 or 0477-664 456 or email dorothy.johnston@hugonet.com.au.

MEANWHILE Barwon Heads Library is thriving and has seen a sustained increase in membership over the past two years since facing closure.

If people would like to join the ‘Friends of Barwon Heads Library’ it can be contacted by email at barwonheadscommunitylibrary@outlook.com.