Welcome!

Welcome to our GoFundMe page. We’re Writers Victoria. We empower writers

Who are Writers Victoria?

Writers Victoria are a member-based organisation that serves the writing and literary community. We are devoted to all kinds of writers: emerging, early career and well-established writers, as well as the dreamers who are still writing a book in their heads in the shower.

We do this in several ways:

· We run courses, workshops and masterclasses on the art, craft and business of writing

· We put on events like Open Mic Nights

· We host writing competitions, prizes and residencies

· We provide mentorships to writers seeking publication

· We employ other professional writers, editors and arts workers

We make all this happen by means of a combination of membership fees, arts grants and government funding. We’ve sailed in turbulent financial waters in the last couple of years, but last year we turned the ship around. We downsized and adjusted to our program and were solidly in the black again. It was all full steam ahead as we applied for 4-years of operational funding. Then, in December, the government refused our application.

Just before Christmas, Writers Victoria was defunded.

A kick in the guts

We were beyond disappointed.

But we were determined to prevail and immediately launched an online Save Writers Victoria campaign, seeking support for our cause from our members and followers. David Davis, the Shadow Arts Minister, launched a parliamentary petition to seek a reinstatement of our full funding. It required 10k signatures to be debated by the members in the Legislative Council.

The petition offered a glimmer of hope.

We were amazed by the chorus of support that came our way from the media, writers, politicians, WV members and lovers of literature and the arts. We ended up with 11k signatures one month before the petition deadline. Our community made it clear to us how much they love and value Writers Victoria. Our hopes soared.

The petition was finally debated in the chamber on 17 June. While four members argued powerfully on our behalf, a Minister representing the Government argued against reinstating the funding. In the end, no conclusion was reached.

Writers Victoria faces a harsh and uncertain future.

Fund Our Future

While we can continue to operate this year, we want to provide our services into next year. The longer we can stay afloat, the more chance there is we can secure funding from philanthropic sources and grow a thriving organisation that empowers writers and dreamers.

We need your help to Fund our Future

The funds will be used to:

· Retain our core team and vital organisational knowledge

· Pay for writing tutors and professional editors

· Develop marketing and promotion campaigns

· Cover the expense of freelance admin support

· Provide writers with opportunities to develop into published authors

· Secure access for underrepresented voices

· Keep our doors open to all writers, no matter their background or ability

· Build a sustainable future where writers and writing in Victoria can flourish

Your donation will make this happen. By making a tax-deductible gift, you’ll bring the joy of creative expression to hundreds of people who live to write.

Every dollar counts.

What’s at stake

If Writers Victoria vanishes, our members will lose much more than a service provider. They will lose practical, affordable help to develop their skills. They will lose a community to belong to. And they will lose their champion for creativity and inclusion.

As we work across the whole state, folks in outer suburban and regional areas will miss out on the online courses, writing groups, competitions and residencies we offer. As we develop programs for writers with disability, those from the CALD, D/deaf and disability communities will likewise miss out. And as we empower underrepresented voices, so will those from the LGBTQIA+ community.

The state of Victoria will lose as well. Writing is fundamental to culture. It reflects, comments on and influences society at large. It is a public good and new voices in the Victorian writing community deserve to be nurtured and celebrated for the breadth, depth and strength of their talent. Victorian stories should be told.

You can show how much writing matters to you by giving to our GoFundMe. You can support the future of writing in Victoria by Funding Our Future.

Don’t hesitate. Give to Writers Victoria today.

*All donations are tax deductable

Writers Victoria is based on the lands of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the first story tellers. We pay our deepest respects to the Wurundjeri people, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and communities. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land.