Do you want to write flash fiction?

What is flash fiction?

Flash fiction is very short creative writing, between 10 to 1,000 words. That means it’s a great way to start—and finish—a piece of writing. You might be surprised to learn that short forms are the foundation of good prose. The brevity of flash fiction forces you to focus on the essentials. The really good news, though, is that instead of ending up with a half-finished story that ends up in your bottom drawer, you’ll come out of the workshop with a completed piece for your portfolio. (And of course flash fiction is great fun!) 

Who runs the workshops?

We do. After years of working for other publishers, we founded Night Parrot Press in Perth, Western Australia, to start a fresh approach to publishing. What’s more, we have worked with and nurtured all kinds of writers, so we know how to get the best out of your writing.

Are there workshops for children and teenagers?

Yes! We run workshops at schools and youth centres. Flash fiction is perfect for kids and young adults. It’s short so they love it! So do teachers and educators because it makes writing fun. In these times of social media and constant connectedness, knowing how to write well is so important. The skills students learn at our workshops will serve them through their school years and beyond. Interested in having us come to your school, classroom or community event? Please get in touch with us and we can provide a brochure of our rates and services.

What happens in the workshops?

Obviously you write, but that’s not all. We help with things like storytelling techniques and style, narrative structure and, most importantly, finding your unique voice. We’ve been in publishing for a while, so we can give you tips on what you need to do to get your work noticed. In addition, we put out regular flash fiction anthologies and can tell you what we look for when we select our stories.

Will I have to read my work to the class?

That’s entirely up to you. We all know that nothing cramps creativity like nerves. That’s why we want you to feel relaxed and supported. You can choose to read your work to the class, but there is absolutely no pressure. Having said that, you’d be amazed at how much of a buzz you get from reading your work to others. Even if you’re the shyest of writers, chances are you’ll feel so comfortable in our workshops that you won’t be able to resist the urge to reveal your hidden talent. We’ve seen it happen many times.

Don’t just take our word for it!

Here’s what people say about our flash fiction workshops:

It was a very memorable workshop – I have never learnt so much in two and a half hours!

Margaret, Albany

I found the workshop useful within the first ten minutes. A tip here, and a comment there from Laura and Linda made a huge difference.

Tim, Denmark

The Flash Fiction workshop was a fantastic opportunity for me. As an English major I am always looking for opportunities like this … I thoroughly enjoyed it! Looking forward to the next one!

Hayley, Albany

It was well-organised, presented in a relaxed manner and was fun. There was a balance among prompts, writing time and opportunities for reading aloud (with no pressure in regard to this). Prompts and examples were well selected for the time available …

Beth, Albany

Yes, the Night Parrot Press people are supportive but more importantly they make you feel brave. Just show up, learn and write.

Megan, South Hedland

It was, fun, engaging and accessible. I learned a lot in the workshop.

Jay, Perth

Let us help you get inspired, get writing and tell your story!