A. OK, you are thinking you need to join a writers’ group but you wonder what you are going to get out of it, right?

There are a few benefits in joining a group like the Camden Writers Inc.

1. When you go to your first meeting, we might ask you to read your short story or poem aloud to a group of people you just met, and it might be a bit intimidating at first. But you can relax and overcome your fear and get comfortable because we were in your shoes once and you will quickly realise the benefits of joining our writing group.
2. When you join the Camden Writers Inc, you will get valuable feedback. As a new writer, you might have a goal to get your story or poem or novel published for other people to read. As you write your story and share it with the members of the Camden Writers Inc, you can feel that this is a safe place to share your writing and get genuine and valuable feedback so you know what is working and what is not. When you do some critiquing of your own to someone else’s writing, this exercise can even show you ways to improve your own work.
3. When you set writing goals for yourself, and share them with your group, such as our homework assignments or our spontaneous writing, it becomes easier to stave off procrastination when other people are counting on you.
4. When you finish your short story, poem or novel, you could ask and choose writing friends from your group to read your work and provide you feedback. As fellow writers, your Camden Writers peers will provide you with wonderful insight into the literary elements that make a great story, like structure and character development and will point the simple mistakes in spelling and grammar that you might have missed. This is what we do during our writing homework each week.
5. Remember, you are not Robinson Crusoe here. A regular writing group can help you become a better writer. Our writers are at different levels. Some have been writing for a while and have published their books or stories. Others are like you just starting. But all can share their experiences and give advice on the writing process. The Camden Writer’s group is a support group where members are here for each other!
6. Most important, you will ALWAYS receive encouragement from other members. When you get stuck, and it happens to all of us, it is extremely easy to throw in the towel or to procrastinate and blame it on ‘writer’s block’. It is easy to quit writing. When you find the right writing group that works with you these moments will pass because the other members will be supportive of your endeavour by giving you words of encouragement to assist you and help keep you moving toward your ultimate goal!

So join the Camden Writers Inc today by visiting our membership application page and completing the application online or you may download the PDF and bring it with you to our next meeting.

A. $100 a year payable on the first meeting in February. You may pay in instalments of $50 also with $50 in February and the balance ($50) at the first meeting in July.

A. Full membership provides you with the ability to have your stories and poems published in our annual anthology book as well in our website.

A. You will be able to a full membership which provides you with the ability to have your stories and poems published in our annual anthology book as well in our website.

A. No. While we would love for you to become a full member you may attend as little or as many meetings you wish. You would only have to pay for each visit at the current meeting.

A. While we are not an editing service, we may give you ideas as to where to find that kind of service.

A. We have annual competitions that have a small entry fee. If your entry is selected as one of the winners, your story will be included in our annual anthology and you will receive a complimentary PDF of the book.

A. At this time membership is for all individuals twenty-one years of age or older.

A. Our meeting starts normally at 930 AM and end at 12 PM and yes, we provide morning tea.

A. Our members life experiences or imagination provide all the creative juices for our stories and poems.

A. We publish our book in paperback format, e books and PDF. We are currently looking at publishing audiobooks.

A. No, our writers have published children’s books as well.

A.

COVID SAFETY INFORMATION SHEET

FOR NARELLAN LIBRARY

AND

THE CAMDEN WRITERS INC.

For Wellbeing of Library staff and members

Maximum capacity for Redgum during Covid-19 —–18 people

• Exclude participants, volunteers and visitors who are unwell.
• Participants encouraged to stay home if unwell. If suffering flu like symptoms seek medical attention and be tested for COVID.
• Provide group with information and training on COVID-19, including when to get tested, physical distancing, wearing masks, cleaning, and how to manage a sick visitor.
• Workshop organiser to undertake site induction of The Space-Digital Studios in Narellan Library and ensure NSW Public Health requirements are understood. Refer group to NSW Government updates on restrictions for self-management and adherence.
• Display conditions of entry (website, social media, venue entry).
• Workshop Organiser to comply with Library conditions of entry are to be observed – on display at entranceway to the library. Workshop organizer to ensure that they regularly check Council’s social media and website updates.
• Participants are to remain vigilant and aware of conditions of entry and restrictions. COVID Check in signage is in place at entry to the venue. The President to ensure that members use Library QR check in . If you do not have a phone or device to read a QR code please notify Library staff at reception desk to assist you.
• A complete COVID-19 Safety Plans has been submitted by the President. Please support the President and the group to adhere to the conditions and regulations.
• Physical distancing – Capacity must not exceed one customer per 4 square metres of publicly accessible.
• Group to adhere to latest NSW Health guidelines for social distancing and not exceed the limits on any community space utilised for the meeting.
• Ensure 1.5m physical distancing where possible and at points of mixing or queuing such as toilets and entrance and exit.
• Physical distancing is to be managed as per the public health orders, practicing a 1.5mtr physical distance between participants where practicable.
• Please do not gather immediately outside the room or premises.
• Physical distancing is to be managed as per the public health orders, practicing a 1.5mtr physical distance between participants where practicable. Participants are to enter and depart promptly, lingering is not permitted in library foyer areas, or registration areas.
• Participants are to remain seating and minimise movement during the activity.
• Lifts are limited to a maximum of two people at any time.

• Reduce crowding wherever possible and promote physical distancing including where people are asked to queue.
• Physical distancing is to be managed as per the public health orders, practicing a 1.5mtr physical distance between participants where practicable. The President of the group is to manage the flow of participants to avoid crowding and ensure people move through to the seating area promptly.
• Ensure any communal areas where people gather, or kitchen facilities, maintain appropriate physical distancing where practical.
• Physical distancing is to be managed as per the public health orders, practicing a 1.5mtr physical distance between participants where practicable. Upper-level toilets utilised by groups to avoid congestion in lower level toilets are available.
• Seating is to be set in accordance with the NSW Health Orders, where practicable a 1.5mtr spacing is to be observed between participants.

Hygiene and cleaning

• Adopt good hand hygiene practices.
• The President to provide sanitiser for wipe down of hard surfaces before and after use, and hand sanitiser for participant access and wipes as required.
• Signage in place throughout the Library facilities.
• Ensure hand sanitiser is accessible at the venue entry and throughout the facility or ground.
• Hand sanitiser is available at the entranceway to the library, participants are to sanitise on entry. Additional sanitiser is to be provided by the group and remain accessible to participants whilst meeting or undertaking the activity.
• Ensure bathrooms are well stocked with hand soap and paper towels or hand dryers. Consider providing visual aids above hand wash basins to support effective hand washing.
• Library facility management will provide a well-stocked and clean environment. Group to notify Library staff if more stock is required.
• Encourage participants to bring their own water bottle, snacks, towels, exercise mats etc. and encourage eating outside if practical.
• Participants are to provide their own personal supply of refreshments. No shared catering.
• No self-serve buffet style. If food is provided or share-style, one person should be allocated to serve food and practise hand hygiene before and after service.
• Participants are to provide their own personal supply of refreshments. No shared catering.
• Clean cutlery and tableware with detergent and hot water, or with a commercial grade dishwasher if available.
• Participants are to provide their own personal supply of refreshments. No shared catering.
• All hard surfaces and touch points are to be wiped on commencement and completion of event or activity.
• Clean areas used for high intensity cardio classes with detergent and disinfectant after each use.
• Reduce sharing of equipment where practical and ensure these are cleaned with detergent and disinfectant between use.
• Sharing of objects is to be avoided, sanitising wipes to be available and utilised where shared resources are in use.
• Single use items and sanitising wipes to be provided by the hirer/user group.
• Group to wipe down and sanitise table and chairs and hard surfaces after each session.
• People involved in cleaning or reorganising furniture should wash hands thoroughly before and after with soap and water.
• Participants to manage set up and pack down of furniture as per Library Facilities requirements using sanitiser and touch point cleaning as required.

Record keeping

• Keep a record of name, contact number and entry time for all staff, volunteers, visitors and contractors where practical for a period of at least 28 days. Electronic collection (e.g. using a QR code) of contact details for each person is strongly encouraged. Any paper records must be entered into an electronic format such as a spreadsheet within 12 hours. Records must be provided as soon as possible, but within 4 hours, upon request from an authorised officer.
• Group will use the Library’s QR Code to ensure all participants adhere to the NSW Public Health Order requirement for COVID Safe Check In.
• Please make you are aware of the COVID Safe app and its benefits to support contact tracing if required.
• Participants are advised of COVID Safe conditions for check in to Library facility.
• Cooperate with NSW Health if contacted in relation to a positive case of COVID-19 at your workplace and notify SafeWork NSW on 13 10 50.

Updated as of 03/03/2021.