There aren't many opportunities for Western Australian writers to find a supportive community and access specialised services designed to improve your skills and get you published. The non-profit Katharine Susannah Prichard (KSP) Writers Centre, affectionately known as KSP or Katharine's Place, fills this gap by offering a multitude of affordable development opportunities that cater to all ages and every level of writer in the former home of celebrated Australian writer, Katharine Susannah Prichard (1883-1969), author ofCoonardoo, Working Bullocks andThe Goldfields Trilogy.

The KSP Writers Centre is located in the beautiful Perth Hills region. It is a community space which is open all year round for visitors to be inspired by a walk through the heritage-listed gardens.

KSP's carefully crafted program of literary activities is the most comprehensive in Perth and includes writing groups, workshops and courses, after-school and home-school creative writing classes, school holiday workshops, residencies, mentoring, retreats, author talks, panel discussions, manuscript development, critiquing, Open Days, writing competitions and networking opportunities.

The ambience of the place, and the encouraging attitude of all those concerned with it, can do nothing but further enhance and nurture a writer's career. Susan Laura Sullivan, poet, novelist and former KSP Writer-in-Residence

If you would like to make your donation in memory of someone special, please include your message in the "Special messages" section of the next page.

Why are we collecting funds?

The KSP Foundation Inc is comprised of a team of one hard-working office manager and several passionate volunteers, who collectively run the KSP Writers' Centre and maintain the heritage-listed property. We are dedicated to preserving the rich history of the house and the legacy of Katharine Susannah Prichard, as well as encouraging talent in young writers and helping emerging writers to improve their skills and realise their writerly dreams, whatever they may be.

We currently receive annual administrative funding from the Shire of Mundaring, but we need income to cover program costs and general overhead expenses. Every dollar from every donation counts to help keep this Centre running.


Why we are needed

• KSP runs the largest number of writing groups in Western Australia, providing important social benefits as well as skills development through a peer feedback service and publication/promotion opportunities.
• KSP runs the most comprehensive recreational creative writing program for young writers in Western Australia, including specialised groups for after-school and home-schooled students, school holiday workshops, excursions, competitions, residencies, mentoring, Meet the Author events, special projects and professional publication opportunities, a firm annual highlight for the kids.
• KSP runs one of just a handful of salaried residency programs in Australia, providing valuable professional development and promotion for talented emerging and established writers to progress their first or next book. Placements are reserved each year for culturally diverse and/or regional authors.
• KSP is a vibrant grass-roots organisation that supports and nurtures the next wave of authors who bring you the books you read and love; without this, the cultural future of Australian publishing is threatened.

What we do to help

The KSP Foundation is committed to:

• Promoting and encouraging the craft of writing in all its forms in Western Australia, Australia and overseas.
• Encouraging the study of literature and in particular the works of Western Australian authors.
• Providing youth with unique writing development opportunities designed to improve skills, nurture talent and boost confidence and self-esteem.
• Preserving and maintaining the former home and property of Katharine Susannah Prichard and Hugo Throssell VC at 11 Old York Road, Greenmount, Western Australia.
• Collecting, preserving and displaying literary works and memorabilia associated with Katharine Susannah Prichard, to preserve her memory.
• Providing high-quality volunteering opportunities that foster a friendly community of people who take pride in the Centre and garner new skills.
• Owning any real estate, or acquiring any chattels, and to make such improvements as will ensure that the above objects are achieved.

We survive on very little income and have the ability to do a lot with not much - but, due to recent government funding cuts, the sustainability of our current services and the future of the Centre is in danger of collapse without your support. The arts industry is worth investing in - to save the future of the books we love and the community that benefits from our activities.

Are donations to the KSP Public Fund tax deductible?Yes

Will I receive a receipt for my donation?
Yes, immediately sent to you by email when approved.