Name: The Writer's Pond: October Open Mic & Critique Circle
Start: 2026-10-28T18:00:00+1100
End: 2026-10-28T21:00:00+1100
Location: The Drummer (Formerly The Different Drummer)

Question 1

Audience - Do I need an RSVP ticket to attend?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Seats are very limited for this evening, so it's crucial that you grab an RSVP ticket (donation optional) to secure your spot! We always pack out, so we would hate to turn you away because we had nowhere for you to safely enjoy the evening :)

Question 2

Audience - Can I attend and not give feedback/perform, just listen and support?

Accepted Answer

Of course! Bring your friends, family, neighbours - anyone and everyone (over the age of 18) is welcomed to attend! There is no pressure to provide feedback on any of the pieces.

Question 3

Audience - Filming and photography will be in progress at this event - what does that mean?

Accepted Answer

There will be a photographer at this event taking videos and photographs of the audience and performers throughout the night. By entering this event, you consent to your image being used for promotional purposes - this means an image or video of you may appear on our Instagram or Substack in the future at our discretion.

Question 4

Audience - How can I support The Writer's Pond?

Accepted Answer

We are a free community space for Sydney-based writers - our ability to remain free relies on our attendance numbers for each event. The more people you can invite to our evenings, the better! If you wish to financially donate to The Writer's Pond to help support the marketing, administration, and labour costs, you can donate on Humanitix via your "Pay What You Can" ticket. All funds received will go directly back into The Writer's Pond to help it become bigger and better for our community.

Question 5

Performer - Do I HAVE to read out my piece, or can someone else?

Accepted Answer

One of our event organisers will happily read out your piece for you on the night if you don’t wish to. Please note that you will not be able to direct/control how our event organiser reads out your piece, so if your piece is heavily reliant on pacing, tonality, or foreign languages, this is not recommended

Question 6

Performer - How will I know if I’ve been chosen for a pre-selected slot?

Accepted Answer

The event organisers will email you at least a week before the open mic! If you don’t reply to that email within 3 days, you’ll forfeit your spot.

Question 7

Performer - If I get chosen for a pre-selected slot, and can no longer make it on the night, what do I do?

Accepted Answer

Email/DM event organisers ASAP (instagram: @thewriterspond or email writerspondsydney@gmail.com). Sadly, we will not be able to read out your piece without you in attendance, and your slot will be given to someone else.

Question 8

Performer - What if I don’t get selected?

Accepted Answer

You can always attend on the night and try to grab one of our Wildcard slots! We cannot reserve these spots for anyone, as we pull names at random, but you're more than welcome to put your hat in the ring :)

Question 9

Performer - If my story is posted on the Substack, can I remove it after the open mic night?

Accepted Answer

This is possible, yes! We’d love to keep as many stories live on our Substack as possible, to serve as a time capsule. If you’d like your story to be removed after the event as continued though, zero worries just email your request to writerspondsydney@gmail.com

Question 10

Performer - What’s the difference between being pre-selected, and a wildcard slot?

Accepted Answer

For pre-selected spots, your story will be posted on this Substack one week before the open mic. This is so our attendees can see your story in advance, and you are more likely to get very well rounded and considered feedback on the night. Most importantly, you are GUARANTEED a spot for the night, unlike risking it for the biscuit with our Wildcard slots.For Wildcard slots, your piece is not shared with our Substack community, and therefore feedback will be everyone’s initial reactions to your story - which is a fun and important insight anyway! We can’t reserve these slots in advance.

Question 11

Performer - If my piece deals with racism, homophobia, or other serious matters and/or includes the use of slurs, can I still submit my story?

Accepted Answer

In our submission guidelines, we write “If event organisers consider your piece to perpetuate bigoted notions towards minority groups, use slurs without sufficient context, background, or appropriate authorial identity, or to be inciting hate speech, you will not be considered.” At The Writer’s Pond, we know that dealing with politics and sensitive matters is what makes a good story, and would never disqualify a piece from being read out simply because it deals with hard, complicated, or real-world issues. While we like to consider each story on its own basis, as a rule of thumb, we prioritise highlighting stories about political issues from writers directly affected by those issues, or with lived experience within affected communities. Authorial identity especially matters when we encounter the use of slurs within a story. In the publishing world, we call this Own Voices. If you’re interested in the complexities of an Own Voices approach, you can read more here. The Writer’s Pond never asks our writers to disclose their identities in any manner in order to be a part of our community. At the end of the day, it will always come down to how well you represent these complex issues, and the sensitivity, research, and respect you pour into your story. Please feel free to email us at writerspondsydney@gmail.com if you have further concerns or questions before submitting :)

Question 12

Wildcard Slots - What is a wildcard slot?

Accepted Answer

We allow 3 audience members to get up on stage and perform their own story every open mic! This is open to literally anyone and any story! After they finish reading, they will also receive the audience's feedback and initial reactions :)We sadly can't reserve these spots in advance!

Question 13

Wildcard Slots - How do I enter for a wildcard slot?

Accepted Answer

Once you arrive at The Drummer, head over to the stage area. You'll see a teapot marked "Wildcard Jar." Write your name on a slip of paper, and pop it in the teapot. We’ll pull 3 names at random throughout the night to pick!

Question 14

Wildcard Slots - Are there any rules?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Entries must be:1,000 words max (can be under by any amount)Your own original work (strictly no AI)A novel excerpt, flash fiction, short story, memoir, or creative non-fiction piece (no poetry)Predominantly in EnglishIf you are selected, you must announce any content warnings to the audience before you begin reading :)Please be aware that The Writer's Pond strives to be a safe space for people of all backgrounds. The beauty of our wildcard slots is that they're open to anyone and everyone, but that also means these stories are unvetted by our event organisers. When you sign up for a wildcard slot, we trust you and your story will foster a safe environment for those of marginalised identities. Feel free to reach out to us via Instagram or email if you have questions!

Question 15

Wildcard Slots - Do I need to prepare anything for the wildcard slots?

Accepted Answer

No, nothing! Just bring your beautiful self, and a copy of your story (e.g. printed out, on your phone, whatever works for you!)

Question 16

Wildcard Slots - What’s the difference between being pre-selected, and a wildcard slot?

Accepted Answer

For pre-selected spots, your story will be posted on this Substack one week before the open mic. This is so our attendees can see your story in advance, and you are more likely to get very well rounded and considered feedback on the night. Most importantly, you are GUARANTEED a spot for the night, unlike risking it for the biscuit with our Wildcard slots.For Wildcard slots, your piece is not shared with our Substack community, and therefore feedback will be everyone’s initial reactions to your story - which is a fun and important insight anyway! We can’t reserve these slots in advance.

Question 17

The Pond Library - What is the Pond Library?

Accepted Answer

TWP has launched a new initiate to make craft of writing resources free and accessible for all. Every open mic, we have a collection of free craft of writing books for you to loan out for the month and return at the next open mic. You can find this collection near the stage area. You'll have to provide your name and mobile to Scarlett, the open mic host, before leaving with the book, but otherwise it's yours to read, learn from, and enjoy for the whole month!

The Writer's Pond: October Open Mic & Critique Circle

Description

SEATS LIMITED FOR THIS INTIMATE EVENING 🌿 ⭐️ 📖 🦢

SUBMIT TO PERFORM:

WHEN: Wednesday, 28/10/26

TIME: Doors at 5:45 pm, 6 pm-9 pm

WHERE: The Drummer, Top Floor (185 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe NSW 2037)

FOLLOW OUR INSTAGRAM AND SUBSTACK FOR ALL UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS!

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