Young writers from Story Factory have celebrated their emergence as published authors and poets, with the launch of 13 novellas and 10 poetry collections at the University of Sydney.
The proud writers shared excerpts from their work and signed copies of their books – as professional authors do.
Ranging from Years 7 to 12, the students came from across Western Sydney for weekly workshops in Story Factory Parramatta’s Year of the Novella and Year of Poetry programs.
In workshops, and between them, students used their writing tool of choice – scraps of paper, scrolls, the Notes App, even a letter board. Week by week, they workshopped their ideas, wrote (and re-wrote) their drafts, and learned from visiting authors and professional editors. They supported each other on their writing quests, and cheered each other on.
‘Over the past three years, every Thursday I travelled from Penrith to Parramatta,’ says Oliver Muzzatti, a Year 12 student who has published his third book with Story Factory.
‘I’ve had the great pleasure of calling Story Factory Parramatta my home. I found love and passion for the art of storytelling.’
Across both programs, each student brought a unique writing style and voice. Poets conjured up hip hop-tinged verse, hilarious conversational lines, and personal vulnerability. Novelists together wrote more than 25,000 words across genres from fantasy to historical fiction and sci-fi.
The workshops were a transformative experience for all participants.
‘What Story Factory does with all our programs is particularly evident in Year of the Novella and Year of Poetry,’ says Jerry Ray, who led the programs. ‘The students really identify as a writer, they become a writer.’
Dr Catherine Keenan AM, Executive Director and Co-founder of Story Factory, echoes this sentiment.
‘What we’re really celebrating with the publication of these books – what is, I think, truly special, and what I am most proud of – is something that’s harder to see than the books themselves,’ she says.
‘The book is just the end product. The thing that matters is that each and every one of your young writers has found their voice and used it.’
Excerpt from Gulp by Oliver Muzzatti, Year of Poetry 2025
If only
they thought about
teaching the grey withering men
in charge of the world we’re in
Not thinking about
the children
of tomorrow land
But rather
more concerned
with lining their
pocket books
That’s a check-mate
A dollar in their croaking hand
But we can’t say nothing
We’re too quiet
Even though they’re
the ones
from the silent generation
If we shout together
we could stop
the damnation
of our nation
Purchase a copy of the students’ work through Story Factory’s online book shop.
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Year of Poetry 2025 was supported by Create NSW, The University of Sydney, the Jibb Foundation and the City of Parramatta. Year of the Novella 2025 was supported by Create NSW and The University of Sydney.
