LATEST NEWS FROM GEELONG CEREAL AND OUR LOCAL ARTS COMMUNITIES
PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITIES – MEMBER NEWS – EVENTS FOR WRITERS – UPCOMING NEW FEATURES – MICROFICTION OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS – SERIAL UPDATES – BOOK LAUNCHES
G'day writers and readers! I hope this grey, blustery week is treating you well.
This is just a quick note (Yes, we know, they're never quick notes) to let you know what's coming up in the Cereal over the coming weeks!
Our Next Microfiction Edition
After two banger editions of Microfiction Mondays, we're set to do it again.
Our next microfiction edition will be themed "Fiction from the Fog", inspired by Geelong's recent heavy fog, and the many impressive photos that have shown up on social media in its wake. The photo featured in our callout was taken last week in Geelong on the Particularly Foggy Evening. (Yes, we are aware that it is potentially the worst picture ever taken, and also proof that we should never be allowed to play with photo editing software. However, it should confirm that when we say no AI enhanced images on the Cereal, the rule for thee applies to we.)
"Fiction from the Fog" is just an optional prompt; please feel free to send whatever takes your fancy, as long as it's less than 300 words!
We're looking forward to more two sentence stories (they have already started to roll in and we haven't even issued the callout yet!), micro-serials, fifty-word reviews, and whatever else you creative fiends come up with for us. We're really excited about the way your contributions are shaping the microfiction editions. They are taking on a life of their own!
If you've got pictures of the fog, or pictures that fit your story that you'd like to contribute to the edition, we'll be thrilled to include them. Please, as always, check out the submission guidelines first.
The good, the Bad and the I'm Sorry, What?
On reflection, "Would you like to have your thoughts published" feels a little threatening, but please rest assured, should you sign up for this fun initiative, Geelong Cereal will only publish those thoughts you type and send to us. We cannot not read minds, we promise.
The Good, the Bad and the I'm Sorry, What? will be a regular feature by Geelong Cereal where your mission, should you choose to accept it, will be to answer three questions each edition. Two will be serious questions related to writing, publishing and all things adjacent, and the third question will be something off the wall, just for laughs.
Signing up only means agreeing to recieve the questions for each edition; there is no obligation to participate every time or to answer all three questions. Similarly, there are no guidelines for answer length; you can write a single sentence or, if you are enthusiastic about a topic and want to write a five page essay complete with diagrams and pictures of a diorama you have made, knock your socks off.
Geelong Cereal wants contributing to this community to be enjoyable and low stress and that will always be a key feature of our participation call-outs. It should always be fun!
To register your interest, please email thegeelongcereal@gmail.com
A shoutout to our serial writers, and a look at what's coming up in our serial lineup.
First up, we want to enthusiastically thank our serial writers, who keep this site on the rails with fresh content every week. We couldn't be more grateful for your creativity, enthusiasm and talent.
Fletcher the Kangaroo
Fletcher the Kangaroo will be coming to an end soon, and we want to sincerely thank Kristine Fitzgerald for so generously contributing this long-running serialised novel to the Geelong Cereal program. When the new G.C Team took on the administration of Geelong Cereal, there were two serials still running – Fletcher and Wild Orchids, and it was the readers who were following those stories that gave us such a strong position to re-launch this publication from. We're very grateful to all of you.
You will be missed, Fletcher! If you haven't read it, the entire story is still available to read here at GC, along with several other completed serials.
Hare, There and Everywhere
Martin Smith's hilarious Hare, There and Everywhere concluded last Sunday. The serial was tremendously popular, and without a doubt, the most frequent comment we have heard from Geelong Cereal readers over the last eight weeks has been "Gee, that Martin's a funny bloke isn't he?"
We're thrilled to announce that Martin's brand new serial, Rehabilitated, will begin this Sunday 19 July. Our heartfelt thanks to Martin for sharing his whimsical wit with the G.C community.
Darley Street
Season one of Steve Gray's very popular (and iconically Melbournian) ten-part serial Darley Street is almost at an end, but don't despair, because there is more to come!
A special shoutout to Steve is due. Steve was the first person to answer our call to write a new serial, and he has proven to be a serial writing powerhouse. Darley Street will continue with Season Two.
Wild Orchids
Denise Main and Ian Chisholm's Wild Orchids, also extremely popular and iconically Melbournian, was, as mentioned, one of the two currently running serials when we jumped in here at the Cereal, and it brought with it an ongoing readership which we are very grateful for. We're pleased to say Wild Orchids will continue on it's fortnightly schedule for the forseeable future!
The Sixth Plague
Episode Three of the Sixth Plague will be out shortly. The author has been a little busy editing, administering and compiling a certain online magazine, among other things, but a little birdie tells us Mel is very keen to finish the next episode and indeed the rest of the first season, and hopes to have Episode Three on the board within the next couple of weeks xD
Sleeping With the Fishies
Phoebe Hancox has been busy with her own brand new radio show "Speakeasy." Hopefully, we can turn the tables and interview her about the show, and her broadcasting experience! In the mean time we have it on good authority that another episode of Sleeping With the Fishies is coming to us in the next few days.
You can catch Speakeasy every second Tuesday at 5pm on
SYN 90.7 FM!
The Watchers
We have it on good authority that our highly valued contributor Andy Mclean doesn't have time to scratch at the moment. A second episode of the Watchers will be out next week, but the series will continue on a fairly long schedule for the time being. We wish Andy the best of health and perhaps the odd day off to write!
Your Upcoming Serial
There's room for more, folks! If you've got an idea for a serial, please shoot us an email at thegeelongcereal@gmail.com
To get started, you'll need the first two complete episodes, a short plan outlining how the serial will proceed (this can change, we just want you to have an idea of where it's headed), and a commitment to a minimum of six episodes. (There's no maximum. Go on, see if you can top Neighbours 9363 episodes. You keep writing them and we'll keep publishing them!)
Episodes need to be between 500-3,000 words each. Please check our submission guidelines carefully.
Alternately, if you'd like to try writing a micro-serial, consider submitting episodes up to 300 words to our monthly Microfiction Monday editions!
Geelong Writers Members Night and Finest 500 Winners and Chapbook!
Geelong Writers are hosting their monthly get together on Wednesday July 22 at Industry 26. If you're a member, come along, and if not, come anyway. We'll be thrilled to see you :-)
Dark Skies Book Launch
In other news, J.S Harman is launching his third book, Dark Skies, on Sunday 2 August, at Industry 26. Stand by for more news from J.S.Harman here on Geelong Cereal later this week!
Author Talks
Are you an author who'd like to share your tips, tricks and experiences with us in a regular column?
Let us know at thegeelongcereal@gmail.com
Geelong Writers General Anthology Open for Submissions!
The General Anthology will publish short fiction and non-fiction up to 1500 words, and Poetry of up to 3o lines. Submissions close 30 August.
See https://www.geelongwriters.org.au/general-anthology/ for more information.
Geelong Short Play Festival
After sellout performances last year, the Geelong Short Play Festival is on again. Sponsored by Geelong Writers, it will feature plays by six play-writing finalists from over 30 single-act plays submitted this year, with each performed by a local theatre company.
Prizes will be awarded for the best script, best actor, and best production and the audience at each performance will have the chance to vote for their favourite play.
Join us in celebrating and supporting our local playwriting and acting talent!
Get your tickets before they sell out again. https://geelongartscentre.org.au/.../geelong-short-play.../
G Zines Swap and Sell
G Zines is currently seeking EOIs for their third Swap and Sell of 2026, to take place on 19 September at The Dome.
For more info check out geelongzines.wordpress.com
Emerging Writers Festival
The Emerging Writers Festival will run from 10-18 September
Check out what's in store this year!
https://emergingwritersfestival.org.au/emerging-writers-festival/
This is well worth a visit for any emerging writer, not only for inspiration, information and networking, but for the chance to be involved in the festival next year.
National Writers Conference
The National Writers Conference (part of the Emerging Writers Festival) is coming up, Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 September, 10AM-5:15PM
We went last year and it was an inspiring collision of creative minds. Please consider checking it out!
https://emergingwritersfestival.org.au/event/national-writers-conference/
Got something local-arts adjacent that you'd like us to mention?
You know what to do!
thegeelongcereal@gmail.com
That's all for now.
Stand by for updates and keep those creative wheels turning!
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
-G.C.Team
