Express Media 30 years supporting young Australian writers

Regional Playwriting and Digital Storytelling Toolkits – Express Media

Posted by Team APATA | Sep 6, 2023

Express Media provides support and development opportunities for young people in writing and media opening doors for young writers to enable them to pursue and develop their work, fostering an open and vibrant community of young people who share knowledge in order to create and innovate.

Express Media has members and subscribers from all states and territories made up of young people across Australia (including secondary students, tertiary students and young people not in formal education), established writers, educators, librarians, youth workers, parents and supporters.

Voiceworks Journal

Published by Express Media, Voiceworks is a national quarterly journal that features exciting new writing and art by young Australians. It is a unique opportunity for people under twenty-five to publish their fiction, nonfiction, poetry, art and comics. is stocked in more than 100 stores nationally. www.voiceworksmag.com.au

Writing + Young People =

Healthy psychological growth.
Development of self-esteem, self-efficacy, coping strategies, social support and cultural connections.
Sense of purpose and the promotion of creativity, competence and self-expression.
Positive self-image!
Critical reading and comprehension skills.

Express Media Initiatives

In addition to Voiceworks national youth literary magazine other Express Media publications include Buzzcuts arts reviewing website, The Under Age online newspaper and The Signal Express online arts and culture magazine.
Awards, including the John Marsden Prize for Young Australian Writers
Training and development opportunities, including the NEWS National Editors Workshop and Skillshare, education workshops and panel sessions in diverse writing and media forms
Resources, including the Young Writers Innovation Prize and information for young writers

Recognised as the peak organisation for young writers in Australia Express Media presents an annual artistic program that aims to develop creative skills and build capacity among young people.

Alumni includes Benjamin Law, Liam Pieper, Anna Krien, Hannah Kent, Tom Doig, Lili Wilkinson, Justin Heazlewood and Van Badham among others who have gone on to have a significant impact in the Australian literary, artistic and political landscapes.

Annual Express Media Toolkits Programs

Toolkits is a rigorous 12-week program for writers aged 30 and under to develop their skills in a unique and exciting online environment. Selected applicants for each program will receive one-on-one mentoring and feedback from an established writer, specialised presentations from guest artists and the opportunity to network with other young people working in the same literary form.

Season Two Toolkit applications are NOW OPEN for Poetry, Graphic Narratives and Audio Storytelling Toolkits

Applications to Toolkits are open to all young writers, including high school students, regardless of level of written experience. Young people living in outer-metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia are encouraged to apply. It’s FREE to apply for Express Media members. If you’re not already a member: Find more information here.

First and foremost a practical initiative, Toolkits’ largely focus on creating new original work. Young writers will be encouraged to create, write, workshop and edit their work throughout the course and gain all the benefits of a mentorship right from the comfort of their couch!

From the more traditional poetry, fiction and nonfiction Toolkit programs to regional playwriting, digital and audio storytelling and graphic narratives, Express Media offers young people a chance to explore writing in all it’s forms.