Upcoming Events

In Person - Ekphrastic Poetry Workshop

June 21, Ballarat, Victoria. In person poetry writing workshop in conjunction with Words Out Loud and Soldiers Hill Artist Collective. Thanks to the City of Ballarat the price is subsidised at $15. Find out more.

About the class:

Ekphrasis is the ancient poetic technique of writing about another work of art (painting, sculpture, etc).

Using the Solstice 26 ekphrastic art exhibition as inspiration, Melissa Watts will take writers on their own poetic journey as they learn the elements of ekphrasis, how to emotionally connect with an artwork of their choice and then write and edit at least one poem. Melissa will teach poets how to look deeper into both works to build emotional resonance, to consider tone, pace, point of view, setting, symbolism and a range of other poetic devices that will honour the original artwork but also generate a new poem. Participants will be provided with comprehensive handouts to allow them to continue their poetry journey after the class has concluded. 

Melissa’s classes are always designed with three things in mind:

1 - that participants feel safe and supported to learn new skills and push creative boundaries regardless of where they are on their own creative journey

2 - that participants create new work or progress their current work-in-progress

3 - that participants leave feeling empowered.  

 The Solstice 26 exhibition involves Central Highlands writers responding to artworks produced by Soldiers Hill Artist Collective, and is supported by a Creative Ballarat Creative Inspiration grant.

Book here

Book Launch - Nicole Kelly, Shifters.

Thursday 18 June 2026 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM 

Old Colonists Club, Ballarat. 16 Lydiard St North, Ballarat Vic 3350

From Colins Books Ballarat.

We are delighted to host local author Nicole Kelly to celebrate the release of her middle age supernatural adventure novel ‘Shifters’. A story of friendship, magic, and belonging, Shifters will take you to the heart of Japan – and beyond. Nicole will be in conversation with Melissa Watts.

ABOUT NICOLE
By day, Nicole Kelly works as a primary school teacher, instilling a love of reading and writing in her small charges. The in-between hours are filled with her own stories and writing. Nicole has short stories published in the anthologies, Close to Heaven and Just Alice. She lives in rural Victoria with her husband and two young children. Nicole's debut novel 'Lament' was released in 2020 and her second book 'Shifters' comes out on June 5.

ABOUT 'SHIFTERS'
Genre: Middle Grade Supernatural Adventure

Lost in Japan. Hunted by shadows. Emily must find her voice – and her courage – to save a friend from ancient magic.

When Emily moves to Japan with her father, nothing feels familiar – she doesn’t speak the language, she doesn’t understand the culture, and she’s never felt more alone.

But everything changes in Kyoto, when she meets Koji – a boy with a mysterious connection to the spirit world. As ancient magic stirs and dark forces begin to close in, Emily is drawn into a hidden world of shapeshifters and secrets.

To save her friend, she’ll have to find courage she never knew she had – and discover that home isn’t always a place. Sometimes, it’s the people we choose to protect.

A story of friendship, magic, and belonging, Shifters will take you to the heart of Japan – and beyond.

Book here