Every writer needs re-inspiration occasionally to consider what elements are crucial in a great piece of short fiction, and how to shape their own stories for maximum impact. This stimulating one-day workshop will focus on identifying and developing potent ideas for good short stories, analysing narrative, dialogue, characterisation and imagery, and discussing how they all come together to make your fiction resonate powerfully with readers. Bring paper, a pen and the will to shift some old habits.

Cate Kennedy's stories have been published everywhere from the Big Issue to the New Yorker. She is the author of "Dark Roots", a critically acclaimed short story collection, "The World Beneath", a novel, a travel memoir and three collections of poetry. Her most recent collection, "The Taste of River Water" was awarded the 2011 Victorian Premiers Literary award. In 2011 and 2012 she edited the "Best Australian Stories" anthologies for Black Inc. She has a new book of short stories coming out in November 2012 with Scribe Publications.