Welcome to the write house
A weekend school for writers /16 - 20 may 2025
city getaway/ LONG weekend workshop/
writing escape.
Where a retreat typically entices people to a lush and green out-of-town location, instead, we're inviting you to join us for a gritty city stay as Bad Writers Club takes over The White House in Fitzroy.Nestled in the bustling heart of Fitzroy, our prime location places you within walking distance of the area's famed bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, and cultural landmarks. Convenient transport options link you to Melbourne's CBD, surrounding suburbs, iconic sporting grounds and art centres.NEED MORE COPY HERE PLEASE! Something that mentions award winning author/teachers, the write house is the perfect place to give yourself the break you deserve, and your story the blah blah blah
The White House
This gorgeous terrace house with garden views is designed with your comfort and enjoyment in mind. It’s the ultimate group retreat, brimming with charm. The spaces invite you to connect, unwind, and create lasting memories.Nestled in the bustling heart of Fitzroy (Wurundjeri Country), our prime location places you within walking distance of the area's famed bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, and cultural landmarks.9 bedrooms7 bathrooms3 fully-equipped kitchensFun-filled game room(s) featuring a pool table, table tennis, foosball and outside darts4 lounge areas2 large dining areas and 1 smaller oneExpansive courtyard with ample bench seating, outdoor heaters and bbqAir Conditioning and heating throughout the home
WHAT’s INCLUDED
4 nights accommodation at The White House, Fitzroy, VIC3 X Breakfasts (Sat, Sun, Mon)3 X Lunches (Sat, Sun, Mon)2 X Dinners (Fri, Sun)4 X Writing WorkshopsLOTS OF FUN, ENTERTAINMENT, AND WRITING SUPPORT
ITINERARY
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DAY 1: CHECK-IN FROM 4 PM ONWARDS
Arriving Friday evening, you’ll be greeted with drinks and snacks and shown to your room. A delicious dinner (provided by Moroccan Soup Bar) will follow, and then we’ll get right into the fun with a night of literary trivia hosted by The Chestnut Tree Bookshop.
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DAY 2:
7 AM - 9 AM BREAKFAST
9:30 AM - 1 PM: FINDING YOUR WRITING VOICE WITH IMBI NEEME
1 PM - 2 PM: LUNCH (CATERED)
2 PM - 4 PM: CHARACTER WORKSHOP WITH IMBI NEEME
DINNER AT OWN EXPENSE
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DAY 3:
8 AM - 10 AM BREAKFAST
9:30 AM - 1 PM PRACTICE WITH POETRY
1 PM - 2 PM LUNCH (CATERED)
2 PM - 5:30 PM FREE TIME
6 PM - 9 PM DINNER AT THE MOAT (DRINKS AT OWN EXPENSE)
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DAY 4:
8 AM - 10 AM BREAKFAST
10:30 AM - 2 PM MAINTAINING YOUR WRITING PRACTICE WITH KATE MILDENHALL
1 PM - 2 PM LUNCH (CATERED)
2 PM - FINISH
DINNER AT OWN EXPENSE
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CHECK OUT BY 10 AM.
YOUR TEACHERS
Imbi
Neeme
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Imbi Neeme (she/her) is a recovering blogger, ardent novelist and spreadsheet enthusiast, whose writing holds a toothpaste- smeared mirror up to her life. She considers herself to be a ‘domestic mystery writer’, spanning everything from ‘Who left the milk out?’ to the secrets we all keep, sometimes even from ourselves.
Her manuscript The Spill was awarded the 2019 Penguin Literary Prize and published by Penguin Random House Australia in 2020. Her second book, Kind of, Sort of, Maybe, But Probably Not came out in February 2024, also with Penguin. She blogged for many years at Not Drowning, Mothering, and she was the recipient of the 2019 Henry Handel Richardson Fellowship for excellence in short story writing at Varuna, the national writer’s house.
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Identify and refine your unique writing style!
In this session, you will explore how your personal experiences, emotions, and perspectives can help shape your voice on the page and ultimately connect with readers at a deeper level. While Imbi claims to have found her writing voice at the bottom of the biscuit barrel, she assures us that this session will not involve any crumbs.
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Discover the transformative power of perspective in your stories!
Through hands-on activities and discussions that explore differing points of view, Imbi will help you develop compelling characters and create depth in your stories. Perfect for writers of all levels.
Kate Mildenhall
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Kate Mildenhall (she/her) is an author, writing teacher and podcaster. Her debut novel SKYLARKING was longlisted for Debut Fiction in The Indie Book Awards 2017 and the 2017 Voss Literary Award. Her second novel, THE MOTHER FAULT was longlisted for the 2021 ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year and shortlisted for the 2021 Aurealis Science Fiction Novel of the Year. Her latest novel is THE HUMMINGBIRD EFFECT (2023), longlisted for the Indie Book Awards Fiction, 2024 and the Stella Prize 2024.
For the past six years Kate has co-hosted The First Time Podcast where she has spoken with over 200 Australian and international writers.
Kate is currently working on her fourth novel and undertaking a PhD in creative practice at RMIT University. Her first picture book will be released in 2024. Kate lives in Hurstbridge on Wurundjeri lands, with her partner and two children
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Now that you’re energised and inspired with your writing project, how can you hold on to that momentum in your ongoing writing practice? Using writing exercises, goal setting and practical planning activities, Kate will help you to imagine your ongoing writing routine, work through the blocks and challenges that will get in your way, and get excited for the work to come on your writing project. Kate uses her own writing and publishing experience, the wisdom of the many writers she has interviewed for The First Time podcast and at festivals and events and her teaching expertise to help you feel engaged and motivated and ready to stick with your project until you finish it. For writers of all levels.
Australia is founded on land that was stolen from Indigenous people. THE WRITE HOUSE PLEDGES TO DONATE $30 FROM each booking TO PAY THE RENT.
ACCOMMODATION
queen 2
Perfect for the writer who wants the comfort of a solo room or is totally cool with sharing a bed with a writing buddy!Queen BedShared Bathroom
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $2900
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $3700 (split the cost and pay $1850pp!)QUEEN 1
Perfect for the writer who wants the comfort of a solo room or is totally cool with sharing a bed with a writing buddy!Queen BedShared Bathroom
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $2900
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $3700 (split the cost and pay $1850pp!)QUEEN 3
Perfect for the writer who wants the comfort of a solo room or is totally cool with sharing a bed with a writing buddy!Queen BedShared Bathroom
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $2900
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $3700 (split the cost and pay $1850pp!)queen 4
Perfect for the writer who wants the comfort of a solo room or is totally cool with sharing a bed with a writing buddy!Queen BedShared Bathroom
SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $2900
DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $3700 (split the cost and pay $1850pp!)PERFECT FOR BFFS
TWIN 1
TWIN 2
twin 3
Perfect for the writer who wants to bring a friend but likes their own bed! Bring a roommate for an extra $800.2 single bedsShared bathroomSINGLE OCCUPANCY: $2900 DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $3700 (split the cost and pay 1850pp!)
Wrangle some pals together!
BUNK room
The White House’s bunk room will bring back memories of hostels and backpacking in faraway places. There are 8 bunks available so bring a bunkmate, or a whole group of friends!Please note: Bunk allocations will be on a first-come-first-served basis on the day of check-in. SINGLE BUNK: $1650
KING 2
The fanciest room in the house! This room has a king bed, a balcony, and writing desk.SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $3500DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $4300 ($2150pp)
KING 1
Splurge and make your writing retreat extra luxe with a beautiful King room.SINGLE OCCUPANCY: $3200DOUBLE OCCUPANCY: $4000 ($2000pp)
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