It’s May! We hope you girded your loins for bad Justin Timberlake impressions, ask your Millennial friends about that. The 4th was with us, Cinco De Mayo came and went (brownie points if you know what it actually celebrates), and bees and turtles were able to amicably celebrate their respective days in the same week! Needless to say that a-May-zing things happened this month, and we’ve got more in store this coming June!

President’s Update

Greetings, my fellow WERDS! (It stands for Writing Nerds. We wear the title as a badge of honor, and have a secret handshake to boot.)

First, I would like to address the chimera in the room, or rather, the chimera at the top of this post. The CSFG is rebranding with a new logo and a mascot! A couple of months ago, we had a great opportunity to talk to the original founding members of CSFG. I learned that the reason why CSFG is called a guild is that it used to include artists. As part of my commitment to expand the CSFG to bring more artists to the guild, we have reached out to local Canberra artist, James Houl who designed our incredible logo as well as the part gang gang, part koala, and part shingleback chimera. We are so stoked to reveal this to you all and can’t wait to start incorporating our mascot (we will need a name for it soon and are thinking of holding some kinda contest) as well as the new logo into everything CSFG! If you like his work as much as we do, you can check out James’ work on Facebook and on Instagram. 

We also had an incredible general meeting this past month and I want to thank Jin Chan Yum Wai for coming by and talking to us. We’ve got something magical for you this coming June for our general meeting. If you’ve ever felt that Ben Franklin was a bit off on how death and taxes were the only certainty in life, then come join us in June where you learn about how magical/sci-fi economics are way more dire!

We also have Book Club, Comic Book Club, Short Story Critique, Novel Critique, our Scribbles and Nibbles meet ups, and our night watch all to look forward to in June! Make sure to follow us on our socials for all the details!

May your ink and inspiration ever flow.

  •     Americo Alvarenga (El Presidente)

May Meeting Recap: with Special Guest Speaker Jin Chan Yum Wai

Jin Chan Yum Wai is a creator and entrepreneur who has spent over a decade building worlds in both games and comics.

On the gaming side, Jin’s work ranges from serving as Creative Director for the indie survival game Undying to acting as Lead Game Designer for Tencent’s Forbidden City pocket builder. When he isn’t in production mode, he’s helping the next generation of developers find their footing as a Game Design Trainer at AIE.

His passion for storytelling extends to the page as the writer and artist behind High School Romance and Xero the King of Thieves. To help more indie creators get their work out there, he also co-founded Shrine Comics, a publishing platform and app that brings indie manga to readers digitally and in print.

Based in Australia, Jin stays busy at the intersection of game dev, education, and indie publishing.

We were so lucky to have Jin come talk to us about his knowledge of all the industries he works in as well as giving us advice on getting our collective feet in the doors. We hope to have him back soon.

June’s Meeting Announcement: Workshop With Addie!

Are you planning any (fictional) financial crimes? Do you want to build a world where souls are currency? Have you ever wondered how vampire-hunters pay the rent? Join us as A.D. Ellicott decodes economics for worldbuilding.

Addie is an economist who has worked across tax policy, international policy, and macroeconomic forecasting. She’ll run through:

  • what your currency says about your society,
  • how to leverage economics to drive conflict, and
  • magic systems as metaphors for economic inequality.

Our general meeting will be 7pm on Wednesday 17 June at the Burns Club in Kambah. Link to the online meeting will be posted on csfg.groups.io and our Discord server before the meeting. We look forward to seeing you there!

 

Conflux news

Conflux 20 will take place this year from 2-5th October at the Mercure Hotel, Braddon.

This year’s theme is Beyond the Abyss & their committee is looking for input on panels and workshops. Feel free to do so here. CSFG is excited to announce that we will be running the Conflux Short Story Competition! More information on that soon, but we will be looking for people who want to be involved in helping us read and judge in the competition. If you are interested, reach out to us at [email protected] and we will be in touch.

Ditmar Awards

The Ditmars Award winners were announced! Congratulations to all the winners!

Best new talent – Jeff Clulow

Short story – Bitter Skin, Kaaron Warren

Novella/novelette – The Hidden God, TR Napper

Novel – Honeyeater by Kathleen Jennings

Collected work – This Dark Architect and Other Grim Tales by Pamela Jeffs

Professional artwork – Honeyeater internal art, Kathleen Jennings

Fan art – Brave New wardrobe by Kaaron Warren

Fan writer – Ian Mond

Fan publication – Aurealis Awards: Behind the Curtain podcast, Alexandria Pierce William Atheling Jr Award – Story Thinking and the Real World Applications of Sci Fi and Fantasy Writing by Helen Marshall, Kim Wilkins and Lisa Bennett

Member News

The White Ribband by Mason Hawthorne

CSFG Member Mason Hawthorne has self-published a novella, The White Ribband.

Lost, alone, amnesiac; all that is left to him are a few tokens, and his name…

Sir Gaheris cannot remember who his friends are, who he serves, or where he has come from.

But he knows he must find his way back, whatever the cost.

It’s available on his site here.

 

 

Dirtbags: HerCanberra Article

CSFG President Americo Alvarenga and artist Madison Lee have launched the campaign for their graphic novel, DirtBags. And HerCanberra has done a fun interview with the dynamic duo! Check out the article here and stay tuned for their book launch soon!

If you missed their campaign, don’t fret! They have preorders available on Madi’s site here!

 

 

 

 

After Empire by Gillian Polack

CSFG Member Gillian Pollack is excited to announce a new book! Check out the QR code in the image for more information!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just A Messenger: Tales of the Wilde by Peter Thomson

Peter Thomson has published an eBook!

Gherrit is a lowly clerk in a bank, calculating interest and exchange rates for a meagre wage. When he is offered a trip, all expenses paid, he is told he is just a messenger. Just deliver documents, witness signatures. All routine. No mention of kidnapping, evil mazes, buried secrets, financial skullduggery and, worst of all, ‘assurance specialists’.

It’s available here

 

 

 

2028 WorldCon in Brisbane!

Would you like to showcase your work at a Worldcon in Australia?

If so, register for this year’s LAcon V Worldcon and vote in Site Selection to bring Worldcon Down Under again after 18 years!

Check out the Bid to bring Worldcon to Brisbane in 2028!

Happy Birthday Lost Souls!

Time flies in the realm of Lost Souls! Did you know we are one year old this winter solstice? We invite you to help us mark the first year since our dark, strange and beautiful birth with readings and music. Our performers will share a beguiling blend of horror short stories, an “in character” short talk and weird poetry, followed by music of bittersweet melodies and rhythms. Featuring performances by Joseph Ashley-Smith (writer), P. S. Cottier (poet), Aaron Dries (writer), Kaaron Warren (writer), Dan Power (performer, fine artist and science communicator) and Jenny Sawer (singer, musician). Hosted by Fionn Macpherson from Lost Souls Magazine.

Tickets available here!

CSFGers Do you have something to promote or an upcoming event?

We want to promote our members! If you have member news, you can send it through to the CSFG inbox at [email protected] or reach out to a committee members on Discord!

Book Club

The theme for the June/July cycle is: The Frontier.

The books for your consideration this month are:

  • Roadside Picnic by Arkady Strutgatsky and Boris Strutgatsky
  • The Dark Tower #1: The Gunslinger by Stephen King
  • Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
  • A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge

The poll for you to vote on will be posted on the CSFG Discord in the #book-club chat on Monday, 1 June 2026. The poll closes one week from opening.

We will discuss the winning book via hybrid session at 7:00 PM, Tuesday 21 July (the third Tuesday of every odd month) at the ACT Library/on Google Meet.

Comic Book Club

CSFG’s Comic Book Club! If you’re interested in reading and talking about graphic novels, come join us on Discord where we will get-together and talk about the graphic novel we voted on there!

CSFG at GeekExpo Canberra 18-19 July: Volunteers  Needed! 

We are heading back to GeekExpo! If you want to help us out at our table and/or if you’re a member that has books to sell, we will have the forms up so for volunteers and book information.

If you’re into comics, sci-fi, horror, anime, gaming, or cosplay, this is your playground—a place to feel out of this world and completely at home, surrounded by a community that shares your passion. Find your geekdom family at GEEK EXPO Canberra.

Formerly Geek Markets, GEEK EXPO returns for two massive days at EPIC, delivering the city’s biggest pop culture event. Enjoy an expanded line-up of artists, exhibitors, immersive attractions, and special guest appearances.

With something for all ages, GEEK EXPO is a family-friendly celebration of creativity, fandom, and community

Click here for Ticket information.

Upcoming events

Wednesday 3rd June – Short Story Critique Group: 7pm (online) (stories due the Sunday before)

Saturday 6th June – Scribbles and Nibbles: 10am, National Library of Australia, Parkes (in person)

Wednesday 10th June – Novel Critique Group: 7pm (online)

Wednesday 17th June – Monthly Meeting: 7pm, Burns Club, Kambah (hybrid)

Saturday 20th June – Scribbles and Nibbles: 10am, National Library of Australia, Parkes (in person)

Wednesday 24th June – Short Story Critique Group: 7pm (online) (stories due the Sunday before)

Friday 26th June – Movie Night: 8pm (online)

 

For information about any of these events or activities, reach out to us at [email protected] or message a committee member on Discord.

Note: links to join hybrid meetings online are shared through csfg.groups.io and the CSFG Discord server.

 

This month’s feature image was brought to you from CSFG, artist James Houl.