Bendigo Writers' Council

BWC Writers Explore August – Writing from History – Telling Stories from Primary Sources with Leigh McKinnon
Leigh McKinnon is the Research Officer at Bendigo’s Golden Dragon Museum where he has been researching, writing and presenting on Chinese heritage in Bendigo and the Goldfields for the past 15 years. Amongst his publications have been a history of Bendigo’s heritage-listed dragon Loong, a two-volume illustrated history of the places and people of Bendigo’s Chinese community, and an account of Chinese-Australian ANZACs from regional Victoria.
In this talk Leigh will not only refer to his experiences in researching and writing about this rich history but will also present to the group some different types of primary sources to which participants will have the opportunity to make their written responses.
Bring pens and paper and be inspired.
When: 7–9 pm, Wednesday 26 August 2026
Cost: $10
Where: Bendigo Library, Activity Room 1, 259 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo*
* Until further notice, due to building works, entry to the library is via the rear doors in Lyttleton Terrace… please ring the BWC bell if we’re not there to welcome you.

Reminder: Chris McInally is a Scottish writer, editor and anthologist
Besides writing fiction, Chris has also edited and co-edited several anthologies, the most popular of which is the CONTACT! military horror anthology series (2021–present), all for his own independent publishing house Screaming Banshee Press.
Bring pens and paper and be inspired.

When: 7–9 pm, Wednesday 29 July 2026
Cost: $10

Where: Bendigo Library, Activity Room 1, 259 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo*
* Until further notice, due to building works, entry to the library is via the rear doors in Lyttleton Terrace… please ring the BWC bell if we’re not there to welcome you.

BWC Writers Explore July – with Chris McInally

Chris McInally is a Scottish writer, editor and anthologist, currently living in Victoria, Australia.

An avid reader and fan of horror from a young age it was perhaps inevitable he would eventually turn to writing in the very same genre (but also others!). His works include the APEX series (2016–present), the DEVILSBANE series (2022–present) and standalone novels DEEP BLACK (2017) and RELICT(2021).

Besides writing fiction, Chris has also edited and co-edited several anthologies, the most popular of which is the CONTACT! military horror anthology series (2021–present), all for his own independent publishing house Screaming Banshee Press.

Facebook links: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorChrisMcInally and https://www.facebook.com/screamingbansheepress

Bring pens and paper and be inspired.
When: 7–9 pm, Wednesday 29 July 2026
Cost: $10
Where: Bendigo Library, Activity Room 1, 259 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo*

* Until further notice, due to building works, entry to the library is via the rear doors in Lyttleton Terrace… please ring the BWC bell if we’re not there to welcome you.

Reminder for this Wednesday, the 24th of June

BWC Writers Explore June – Writing Non-Fiction – From Idea to Publication
with Judith Long
Judith Long spent her early childhood years on a farm about 50 kilometres from Wudinna on central Eyre Peninsula. It is an area with a very recent white history and both sets of grandparents were among the first white settlers in the area.

Although she has spent most of her working life as an occupational therapist, she has always had an interest in local history. Six years ago she wrote and self-published the The Waddikee Rock Honor Roll, an outline of the service of World War Two soldiers from a small rural community on central Eyre Peninsula.

When she’s not researching and writing about history, she’s busy with her other interests of travel, military history and fashion. She currently lives in Bendigo in central Victoria.

Bring pens and paper and be inspired.

When: 7–9 pm, Wednesday 24 June 2026

Cost: $10

Where: Bendigo Library, Activity Room 1, 259 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo*

* Until further notice, due to building works, entry to the library is via the rear doors in Lyttleton Terrace… please ring the BWC bell if we’re not there to welcome you.

BWC Writers Explore May – Culture & Connection – Find Your Flavour!
In this workshop we’ll be exploring connections to culture and drawing on personal history to write authentic stories and poems. You will learn how to tap into your heritage and weave what you already know into the fabric of your writing. The best literature has a unique voice that is both specific and universal. Come along to this workshop and find your flavour!
Indrani Perera is a Sri Lankan/German/Australian poet, Pocketry Almanack editor, Circus of Similes creator, 3CR Spoken Word show host and author of Defenestration and pas de deux. Her poems have appeared on library receipts in Naarm, the big screen in Boorloo and on phones at the Melbourne Writers Festival. Indrani has been widely anthologised, published worldwide in literary journals and shortlisted for major poetry awards. Indrani has performed on makeshift stages in bars, teahouses and libraries, as well as in studios, theatres and on radio. In 2023 she was National Guest Poet at the Perth Poetry Festival. Her website is: www.indraniperera.com.
Bring pens and paper and be inspired.
When: 7–9 pm, Wednesday 27 May 2026
Cost: $10
Where: Bendigo Library, Activity Room 1, 259 Hargreaves Street, Bendigo*
* Until further notice, due to building works, entry to the library is via the rear doors in Lyttleton Terrace… please ring the BWC bell if we’re not there to welcome you.

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Brief precis of Troy's presentation.
How to Write a Crime Story , with Troy Hunter.
Troy began with a slideshow of the history of crime story writers. Starting in 1920 to today.
Thoughts of a crime. What crime shows do you watch?
His 10 Commandments of crime writing is valuable information as a guide to explore your own crime story.
the 8 elements of crime.
Detective.
Crime.
Victim.
Suspects. A good number is 4 or 5.
Means/How
Motive/Why.
Opportunity/Where/When.
Clues and Red Herrings.(Misdirection.) 1.2.3.4.
Troy writes for young adults.
Cosy crime...Dwell on the crime and reason ect, not the grisly details.
A marvellous information packed session.
Thank you Troy.

BWC Writers Explore April – How to Write a Crime Story with Troy Hunter
Important Update
Please note:
– Until further notice, due to building works, entry to the library is via the rear doors in Lyttleton Terrace… please ring the BWC bell if we’re not there to welcome you.
Do you love crime stories, especially Agatha Christie? Maybe you’re a budding mystery author yourself? Why not join best-selling YA crime author, Troy Hunter, as he talks about the nuts and bolts of how to write a whodunnit and take you through some practical tips on how to construct your own crime story.

Originally from Bendigo, Troy Hunter is a writer of page-turning, dark, fun, heartfelt teen crime novels. His debut novel Gus and the Missing Boy (2024)was shortlisted for both the Ned Kelly Award and the BAD Sydney Danger Award for Best Debut Crime Fiction. The sequel Gus and the Burning Stones came out in 2025. He is currently working on an adult crime novel and a third Gus novel. He’s passionate about getting reluctant readers, especially boys, into reading books, and is also the cohost of the podcast Q***r Writes Sessions.

Bring pens and paper and be inspired.
When: 7–9 pm, Wednesday 29 April 2026
Where: Bendigo Library
Cost: $10

Please use Lyttleton Terrace Bendigo Library entrance.
BWC Writers Explore March – Exploring Substack – and other playful ways to publish for love and money with Lauren Mitchell
Lauren Mitchell is a local communications professional, a former journalist and magazine editor who has lent her hand to almost every form of publishing – books, podcasts, blogs and more. Her words have appeared on trams, tote bags, apps and, quite literally, in concrete. Come along and be inspired to likewise share your writing in myriad ways, including via the fastest-growing online social platform for writers: Substack.
Bring pens and paper and be inspired.
When: 7–9 pm, Wednesday 25 March 2026
Cost: $10
Where: Bendigo Library, Bendigo
Lyttleton Terrace entrance.