A practical and exploratory four-week course designed for poets at any stage of their journey.
Facilitated by poet Gillian Swain
Key Information
When: 11 am – 1:30 pm, Saturday 14 June, 21 June, 28 June; 5 July
Venue: Tomaree Library, 7 Community Close, Salamander Bay NSW 2317
Cost:
Full Price: $350
Member: $300
Member concession / youth: $250
Non-member concession / youth: $300
* Hunter Writers Centre defines youth as someone aged 25 years or under.
Registrations close 5 pm, Wednesday 11 June.
About the Course
This four-week course equips poets—whether beginners or more experienced—with the tools, skills and confidence to refine and advance their craft.
The course offers a structured and playful exploration of poetry-writing techniques over four weeks, tackling challenges like facing the blank page, finding clarity, defining style and intention, and ‘killing your darlings.’ Each session provides strategies for crafting meaningful, polished poetry while encouraging an exploration of form, style, and the broader poetry landscape.
By the end of the course, participants will feel empowered with new skills, greater confidence, and clear approach for their creative journey.
Step into the adventure of poetry with the tools and guidance to chart your unique path.
‘Gillian was brilliant. Her engaging and easy-going nature made the workshop really enjoyable. Her knowledge and joy of poetry was contagious.’ – Participant, February 2025
Course Structure
Week One: From Inspiration to Draft
This session focuses on generating ideas and capturing poems from the abstract space of thought and inspiration. Participants will translate inspiration into tangible drafts, laying the groundwork for future development.
Week Two: Shape and Structural Possibilities
This session examines structural and stylistic elements of poetry, inviting participants to explore various forms and experiment with techniques to expand their creative range. By uncovering natural tendencies and trying new approaches, poets gain a deeper understanding of how shape and structure influence their work.
Week Three: Polish and Purpose
This workshop centre on techniques for editing and polishing poetry. Participants will identify the essence of their poems and refine drafts for clarity and impact. Discussions will explore the ways and reasons poets adjust their work, whether for personal satisfaction or preparing for publication.
Week Four: Poetry in session Practice and Community
In the final, participants explore the poetry ecosystem and the role of community in sustaining a writer’s practice. By reviewing their work and applying workshop insights, poets develop strategies to embed their practice into everyday life, engage with the writing community, and approach publication with confidence. This session ties together all previous elements, equipping participants to continue their poetry journey independently and within the wider creative landscape.
Accessibility
Tomaree Library has two disability parking spaces, ad wheelchair access at the front of the building. There are two accessible bathrooms.
Please let us know if you have specific access requirement when you are booking your workshop. Please email Bastian at programs@hunterwriterscentre.org or call Katherine on 0435 858 145 to discuss specific access requirements.
Getting There
By Bus: Port Stephens Coaches operates multiple bus routes serving the Salamander Bay area:
Route 130: Connects Newcastle Interchange to Fingal Bay, passing through Newcastle Airport, Salamander Bay, and Nelson Bay. This route is suitable if you’re traveling from Newcastle or nearby areas.
Route 135: Runs from Raymond Terrace to Nelson Bay via Salamander Bay, ideal for those coming from Raymond Terrace.
The library is adjacent to the Salamander Bay Shopping Centre, making it easily accessible on foot from nearby bus stops along Salamander Way.
For real-time schedules and the most convenient routes from your location, use the Transport for NSW Trip Planner. This tool provides up-to-date information on bus timings and routes
By Car:
Parking is available at the library and at Salamander Bay Shopping Centre, adjacent.
About Gillian Swain
Gillian Swain is a poet based in the Hunter region on Wonnarua land and grew up on Awabakal land. Gillian’s poetry appears in various journals and anthologies including the Australian Poetry Anthology Vol 10 (2023), Burrow (Old Water Rat Publishing, v1,2,3), Live Encounters magazine: Special Australia-New Zealand edition (May 2021) as well as Poetry for the Planet: An Anthology of Imagined Futures (2021, Littoria Press), What we Carry: poetry on childbearing (2021, Recent Works Press) and others. She is involved in running various poetry events including Poetry at the Pub (Newcastle), was the Co-Director and Poetry Curator of for the writers festival ‘IF Maitland’ in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and has run various poetry workshops across all age groups. Gillian has recently established the popular poetry event Culture Club: Poets Society. Her debut poetry collection is My Skin its own Sky (Flying Islands Press, 2019) following her chapbook Sang Up (Picaro Press, 2001).