Reading To Write with Laurel Cohn

A guided critical reading group for writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction.

Reading the work of others in a focussed, critical way enriches your understanding of the craft of writing and helps you develop a range of technical skills and aesthetic ideas that support the expression of your own voice. Each session of Reading To Write will focus on a different story element and readings pertaining to that element will be sent prior to the session. The readings will be drawn from a range of genres to emphasise the value of reading widely.

For writers of fiction (including middle-grade and YA) and narrative non-fiction (such as travel, memoir, biography, history), this 3-part series is relevant to writers at all levels, beginners through to established.

Session topics

Beginnings: how do opening sentences, paragraphs and pages set up a story for the reader and kickstart the reading experience?

Voice & style: what constitutes a writer’s voice and how is this impacted by different stylistic choices?

Scene & summary: how does balancing scene with summary impact reader’s understanding and engagement with the story?

Dates/times

• Beginnings - 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Thursday 21 September
• Voice & style - 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Thursday 26 October
• Scene & summary - 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Thursday 23 November

All times Brisbane time (AEST). Session dates are available to book individually or with a Season Pass for all three sessions.

Format

This is a 3-part course series with a focus on critical reading and writing craft; sessions will be held online via Zoom. It is a level 1 course, suitable for all writers, beginner, emerging and established.

About Laurel

Laurel Cohn is a book editor passionate about communication and the power of stories in our lives. As a developmental editor and writing coach she has been helping writers prepare their work for publication for over three decades, and is a popular workshop presenter. Laurel has a PhD in literary and cultural studies. 

Queensland Writers Centre membership

Consider becoming a member of Queensland Writers Centre (worth $79 / year) to save up to 30% across our Program of workshops, courses and events. Queensland Writers Centre membership includes a host of benefits:

• Belong to a vibrant community of Queensland writers
• Discounts of up to 30% across our Program, services, and competitions
• Print subscription to the quarterly WQ magazine
• Priority access to writing advice from our experienced team
• Recognition for your writing achievements in our Member Milestones
• Access to Writer's Consults, the Writer's Surgery program and other members only services
• Access to member benefits of other state writers' centres in the National Writers Centre Network

Find more information on our website or get in touch with the team today.

For more information about Queensland Writers Centre’s Program of Events and answers to FAQs, please visit: www.queenslandwriters.org.au/program-info