Express Media’s secret ingredient is our team of educators. All emerging writers themselves, our tutors know firsthand what it takes to animate the writing process for other young people. Aside from engaging with high-quality workshop content, students derive huge personal benefits from the mentorship of our talented crew.
Developed in accordance with Australian Curriculum standards, our workshops focus on specific areas of writing and editing to support classroom learning and empower students to pursue their own creative potential. Our workshop series can be tailored to the needs of various skill levels and high-school ages.
We recommend signing up to one of our six-week courses for maximum impact, continuity and skill development. However, as every school is different, we recognise the need for program flexibility. A range of shorter intensive programs are also available for booking in 2022.
STEP 1: PICK YOUR PROGRAM
STARTING YOUR STORY
In this introduction to creative short fiction, students will learn practical skills to initiate their own writing practice. They will develop their understanding of voice, characterisation and narrative structure through the analysis of other peoples’ work and practical engagement with writing their own.
By the end of this course, students will have written and edited a number of creative pieces and will be empowered with ways to take their writing practice further.
POETRY OFF THE PAGE
Poetry can bridge internal and external worlds, capture moments in time and act as a form of social and political commentary. This course will expand how students understand poetry, and introduce them to a range of written and spoken poetic forms.
Students will engage with creative ways to express their own thoughts, histories and beliefs through poetry. Each participant will leave the course with an original body of work.
CREATIVE PATHS TO NONFICTION
Telling a story effectively is a big part of nonfiction writing, but so too is being able to generate story ideas and direct research. This program engages students with traditional and contemporary modes of reporting and offers creative pathways into persuasive writing.
Students will learn how to develop their ideas by initiating a process of brainstorming, pitching, producing and editing pieces of original work.
GRAPHIC NARRATIVES – THE ART OF VISUAL STORYTELLING
This program explores how young people can use visual languages to tell the stories that matter most. Over a six week course, students will learn everything they need to begin drawing, writing and creating their own comics and graphic narratives. They will examine a wide-range of international and Australian work as well as learn insider tips and tricks that will kick-start the graphic narrative process.
This brand new course will illuminate why comics are such a powerful way for young people to draw out their unique stories and voices. Book now to bring literature and art to life in your classroom.
CREATE YOUR OWN PUBLICATION
This program guides students through the publication process by initiating a unique, student-driven project and using real-life editors and examples from Australia’s premier youth literary journal, Voiceworks.
Over six weeks an editor will work with students to guide them through a magazine production cycle. Sessions will cover principles of collaborative editing, pitching, workshopping, design for artwork and layout, as well as proofreading and mark-up processes. Students will leave the course with a foundational knowledge in publishing and project management, allowing them to make creative decisions for their own student publication in the future.
*For an extra fee Express Media can administer the design and printing of a final publication in the form of a zine or multi-page colour magazine.
**Please note that the Create Your Own Publication program is only available in the form of a ‘Six Week Degustation’ course.
STEP 2: PICK YOUR FORMAT
TASTER – $750 + GST
A one-off workshop up to three hours in length and tailored to suit your school schedule.
DAYLONG FEAST – $1,800 + GST
A daylong intensive program or up to three different taster workshops.
SIX WEEK DEGUSTATION – $2,500 + GST
A 1.5 hour workshop per week, scheduled in or outside of school hours.
Please note these prices are for metro Melbourne. We are happy to provide workshops in other parts of Victoria and Australia however there may be additional travel fees. Please contact Jesse Oliver for more details and an exact quote.
STEP 3: CONTACT US
For bookings and enquiries contact our General Manager Jesse Oliver at generalmanager@expressmedia.org.au.
“‘Starting your Story’ was a great starting point for our short story writing. The workshop facilitator easily established rapport with the students and really engaged the students with the subject matter and activities. It was a highly productive session.”
Marian Le Bas – Academic Dean of English at Kilvington Grammar School
“Through their mentoring programs, workshops, awards and publications, Express Media has contributed to the intellectual richness and emotional health of countless young Australians.”
John Marsden – Author and Express Media Patron