Sydney Speculative Scribes / WestWords - May Open Mic

Sydney Speculative Scribes / WestWords Open Mic
We invite you to join us for a series of Sunday afternoon open mic sessions at WestWords Western Sydney Centre for Writing. This event is for members of Sydney Speculative Scribes, as well as members of the general public who are interested in writing and reading speculative fiction!

Our next open mic event of the year is May 10, 2pm-4pm.

WestWords has partnered with Sydney Speculative Scribes to take your word from the page to the stage. Come read a short story or an excerpt from your longer work and listen to other speculative fiction writers in an intimate and supportive environment of writers in the same genre. 

If you'd like to sign up to perform ahead of time, please email ally@westwords.com.au with the following information: 

• Your "pen name" or performance name 

• If you'd like to request a 5 minute, or a 8 minute, time slot. 

• Please let us know if you'd like to perform sitting or standing. 

Adhering to the 8-minute time cap is compulsory and a sign of respect to your fellow writers and performers. The event host reserves the right to end a reading at the 8-minute mark. Please make sure you time yourself reading ahead of the event, to ensure your reading does not go over 8 minutes. 

If there is room on the runsheet on the day of the event, sign ups are welcome at the door.

Featured performer:

Adam Richard's career has spanned stand-up comedy, radio and television – both in front of the camera and as a writer. His spec-adjacent work includes writing and starring in the TV series Outland (2012), about a queer sci-fi fan club, and as a panellist on the ABC's Whovians (2017-2020) featuring Doctor Who fans. He has a podcast, 'Adam Richard Has a Theory', and his fiction has appeared in the 2025 UTS Writers’ Anthology Light the Lanterns. Find him at www.adamrichard.com.au.

Your reading should be:

• Speculative fiction (that's sci-fi, fantasy, horror, alt-history...)

• Either a whole piece (microfiction) or a sensible chunk of a longer work (e.g. a chapter of a novel or a segment that leaves us wanting more from a longer short story)

• Rehearsed and ready for sharing.

Where: WestWords Centre for Writing
41 Hunter Street, Parramatta 

Snacks and nibbles are available at the event. 

Parking is not available on location. We recommend parking at Parramatta Westfield. Or arriving via public transport to Parramatta Station. Both are within 5 minute walking distance. 

Any questions, please contact ally@westwords.com.au

We look forward to welcoming you!