Here’s a flattering profile of me in T Magazine Australia.
I live and work on Gadigal land in Sydney, Australia.
Find me on Instagram.
I run Australia’s most successful literature Substack. Subscribe to News & Reviews here. Four times a year we run an online readers and writers festival via weekly livestreams.
In 2024 I co-founded Bibliocarta — a company offering travel for readers and a library for travellers. Our first trip offering for 2026 sold out in less than 12 hours. More announcements coming soon.
My PhD is about Australia’s new ‘public interest’ defence for defamation law. I hope to complete this later in 2026 and initiate plans to make my research useful to society.
Together with the Women’s Justice Network I founded the ‘Freadom Inside’ project that gets books to women incarcerated in NSW. We recently raised $55,000 to run book club programs for those still inside.
Memoir & Life Writing Masterclasses
In-Person at Ace Hotel, Sydney - Sat 6 & Sun 7 June 2026
Live Online - Sat 13 & Sun 14 June 2026
Audit Option Available
People sometimes feel that memoir and life writing is somehow indulgent or presumptuous, but the opposite is more true: readers are grateful for writers willing to share their real lives with us. Your own perspective is original and you already have the experience you need to tell the story. The interesting question is: what to do with the raw materials of your life? And which form of life writing would best fit your goals? How do you edit when you’re so close to your material? And what about the common fears and pitfalls of publishing life writing?
For the first time, I will also be delivering this series of workshops online - both in a live weekend format and in an auditing package (at-your-own-pace) format. These three tiers of options are each different prices. Attendees at the In-Person and Live Online weekends will also gain compimentary access to the audit package.
Scroll down for more information about scholarships and everything included in the booking prices. Please have a careful read about which version you’re booking. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.
Workshop Schedule
Sat 6 & Sun 7 June, 2026
GUEST AUTHORS FOR SYDNEY: Sarah Dingle, author of Brave New Humans (Saturday) and Amani Haydar, author of The Mother Wound (Sunday).
The category of ‘life writing’ and ‘memoir’ is kaleidoscopic. The perfect way to begin this series of masterclasses is to step through the myriad options available to you. Straight-up, life-long autobiography? A series of neatly edited diaries? A single day in sharp detail? A rollocking travelogue? A gritty investigation in which you, the journalist, are the main character? A pithy personal essay? You get the idea.
By seriously assessing what best-practice looks like in all these different sub-genres, we can gather a sense of what shape might best fit our goals. Of course, it also requires digging and honesty to discover one’s goals in writing from life. We’ll do that too. Whether you’re starting at a blank page or you’ve got an entire manuscript drafted, this workshops is going to help you find and articulate the form that best fits your story.
SATURDAY WORKSHOP #2 - RAW MATERIALS
Diaries, notebooks, emails, photos, memories... what are the raw materials you’re working with? How do you sort through them? What do you do if you’ve got too many here or not enough there?
By classifying different ‘types’ of raw materials that we might find in life writing, and reflecting on the shape and form you chose in the first workshop, you’ll be able to think more clearly about the strengths and weaknesses in your work and appraoch. And most importantly, you’ll be able to make a plan for your concrete next-steps for drafting.
Editing is hard enough even without you being the protagonist of the story. How can you possibly get enough distance from the material to be able to trim and cut the way a great writer needs to? How can you tell if something is important to you versus being important to the reader? Even if you have an editor, you still need to get your work from rough to polished. By stepping through some exercises editing others’ works, and going through some good rules-of-thumb, you’ll leave with a toolkit to apply to your own work in your own time.
This workshop is also about respecting the stamina required to get life writing to the finish line. Whether it’s a month on a personal essay or five years on a memoir, the editing process is where a lot of people lose focus and confidence. I want to help you go the distance.
SUNDAY WORKSHOP #2 - PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION
Helen Garner once wrote: ‘ Writing, it seems, like the bringing up of children, can’t be done without damage.’ And Voltaire: ‘To hold a pen is to be at war.’ Do these things need to be true? What steps can we take to mitigate risk and where does one person’s story overlap with another’s?
A lot of people allow their fears of publication prevent them from actually making their work, and that’s a damn shame. Until you’ve crafted the writing you’re most proud of, you won’t know what you even need to fear! We are leaving this workshop until the end of the masterclass so that you can enjoy and learn from the first three without the fear. Then, we dive in to the thorny topic together.
Workshop Schedule
Sat 13 & Sun 14 June 2026
Are you someone (or do you know someone) with high enthusiasm but low funds? The fees from paying attendees subsidise scholarship positions. The identity of the scholarship recipient will not be made public. The In-Person scholarship recipient will receive everything listed as ‘included’, but they will need to organise their own transport to and from Ace Hotel.
Applications are open now and close on 24 April 2026. Apply here. Successful applicants will be notified on or before 1 May 2026.
In the past three years of teaching I have been able to donate $7,600 to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation by including what I call “mandatory donations” in students’ attendance fees.
For this masterclass series, I will be donating $100 from each In-Person booking, and $50 from each Live Online booking. Thank you for your mandatory generosity!
TESTIMONIALS
WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
— Brianna
“I felt a surge of creativity upon my return to Melbourne and learnt a lot from the workshop. I am not going to be able to read without annotating my peaks, troughs and passages now!! I feel it has completely transformed the way I read.”
— Edith
“The peaks, troughs, passages is such a simple approach to reading but one that delivers in so many ways - I haven't engaged with a fiction book critically in a long time, and the process allowed me to think critically about the work without being too laborious — it’s definitely something I’ll continue to do from now on.”
— Ellie
“Without a doubt, this was one of the most energising learning experiences I have ever attended. It had immediate relevance to my new career venture, with genuinely practical tools +insights that will enhance my reading, editing and writing. The early days of navigating a new industry can be lonely and frustrating, so it was equally valuable to learn alongside such intelligent, likeminded women on different paths.”
— Samantha
“Bri's teaching style—so generous and so practical—will give you momentum and clarity to push past cliché excuses about how you need more time or inspiration to write. My overall sensation yesterday was buoyancy. I felt uplifted by the people (Bri, Alice, Bridie, and everyone at the table), the content, and the vibe.”
— Kerryn
“I know how much preparation and work would go into teaching these days and making it feel so seamless, so just a massive thank you for offering this again. But it's also the emotional space that is held to make it feel so inclusive and open that you create. Thank you for always being so generous with your knowledge and just removing all the wank and keeping it so real!”
— Sian
“Honestly Bri, the whole weekend was a highlight of my creative life. But in the interest of answering the question, it was so good because you genuinely managed to cater to writers of all stages without making anyone feel out of their depth or unqualified. There’s only one Bri Lee, and the heart and generosity that your pour into these workshops is so clear – you really care about our growth and success as writers. I would 100% come to another workshop. What you nailed was that you could be at any stage of your writing career and still get so much out of each session.”
— Lina
“I feel super motivated! And inspired to just write - I literally woke up the next morning and started committing pen to paper about something that had been mulling around in my head. I also felt equipped with tools to be a better reader.”
— Jananie
— Brooke
“Bri's method of reading critically blew my freaking mind and resulted in an in-depth, honest and stimulating conversation that would have continued for hours if we didn't have a schedule of things to do. There are so many books I want to re-read using her method!”
— Riva
“After the workshop I felt PUMPED. Ready to take my writing (and life?) seriously. I felt like I'd had a booster shot of rigour, possibility, inspiration and insight.”
— Jess
“You have a clear, generous and engaging teaching style and you make your students feel comfortable to share and ask questions. I was unsure of what someone like me (at the very beginning of pursuing this career and passion) whether I’d be out of my depth. It was the complete opposite! I had the most wonderful time and learnt so much. I’m really excited for what is to come and will be keeping an eye out for when the next round of workshops are released! Thank you Bri, I’m truly grateful!”
— Rosie
“Bri is a powerhouse - inspiring and empowering, leading by example.”
— Phia
“The first thing that springs to mind is that I felt like I'd found my people! Haha. But honestly, I left the day with my brain absolutely buzzing and convicted to take myself seriously as a writer. Those are feelings I haven't really felt for a very long time, and I just felt so motivated and EXCITED about writing and creating. Bri, your teaching style is so earnest and generous and funny in a way that made me feel like I could learn anything with you. I think the biggest highlight for me was just that I felt I had taken a big chance on myself and my writing practice in booking the workshop and you met each and every one of us as an equal with something worthwhile to share. It's so clear how much work you put in your teaching (and your career!!), and for you to share your personal experiences with us within that space was really special. It sounds corny, but I just felt so inspired. I just want to say thank you so much, Bri and Alice. I keep telling people who ask how the workshop went that it was the best thing I could've done for myself, and I genuinely mean that. It's been a real circuit breaker for me, and I finally feel like I have the confidence to take my work seriously and not just let excuses get in the way.”
— Jess
“Thanks again Bri, I learned so much and I’ve been buzzing ever since. Everyone was so kind and it was special to be in a room with people who love words and writing!”
— Freya
“You are so highly skilled and knowledgeable, while also being empathetic, authentic and relatable for writers at all stages of their careers.”
— Megan
“I felt reinvigorated to commit to my craft and practice after spending a whole day with people who are also intellectual, bookish, and curious!”
— Brittney
Prices (GST addeed at checkout)
In-Person in Sydney $1,980
Deposit option for In-Person in Sydney: make part payment to secure your place and recieve an invoice to make the remaining payment by 10 May 2026.
Live Online $660
Audit Package $330
Information for the In-Person in Sydney Option
- Your order of a barista coffee on arrival, morning tea, our lunch together, afternoon tea with another proper coffee, and then a cocktail or mocktail at our 4pm guest author hour. You will not be hungry. (Dietary requirements can be accommodated; please email us at the time of booking.)
- In late April I will post you copies of the ‘Required Readings’ we will be discussing in class in June.
- On the day you will receive copies of any reference materials I refer to in the workshops.
- Each individual’s attendance fee includes a $100 donation to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation made on your behalf.
- The fee from paying attendees will subsidise one ‘scholarship’ position on each day for a person with great enthusiasm who cannot afford a place.
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Attendees will also gain compimentary access to the Audit Package.
- Getting yourself there and back, and accommodation if you want to stay at Ace Hotel
- Please bring your own note-taking materials - you will learn better using pen and paper, but of course laptops are welcome too.
LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY
The overwhelming feedback from the workshops in 2023 and 2024 was that ‘everything’ about Ace Hotel was wonderful. The food is delicious, the rooms are beautiful, and the vibe is great. It’s easy to get public transport, being a short walk from Museum Station and with many bus stops around. There is some weekend parking available nearby. See the Ace Hotel website here for more information about that.
Hosting these workshops at Ace Hotel allows us to provide inclusive and accessible workshops that accommodate the needs of all participants. This includes wheelchair accessibility and accessible restrooms. We work closely with the team at Ace to ensure guests are aware in advance of what to expect with accessibility features such as ramps, elevators, and accessible seating. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Information for the Live Online Option and Audit Package
- The ‘Live Online’ option is scheduled for the weekend of 13 + 14 June, and the four workshops will be recorded. The guided book club sessions and the off-the-record as-me-anything sessions will not be recorded at all. These sessions are intented to emulate the special classroom feeling of free and open discussion of creative works, personal challenges, and industry processes.
- The four recorded workshops will be made available as an Audit Package for one month. Access to this package is complimentary for attendees of the In-Person in Sydney option.
- Attendees of the ‘Live Online’ option are expected to purchase and read the two Required Readings in advance of the weekend, and log in ready to share their thoughts and feedback.
- Where I refer to other writings in class (and the in-person students recieve these as physcial handouts) Live Online and Audit Package students will recieve these materials as either hyperlinks or PDFs.
FAQS
You definitely don’t need to be a ‘full-time’ writer, or a ‘real’ writer, or any of the other useless categories we create in our minds to feed the imposter syndrome. You just need to be committed. These weekends are rigorous but not intimidating.
WHAT PREPARATION DO I NEED TO DO?
There will be two Required Readings for the In-Person and Live Online students. I will be send out a short video on how to do my ‘Peaks, Troughs, and Passages’ approach to better reading in early April. Come ready to share your reflections and discuss if you are attending in-person in Sydney or live online. Students accessing the Audit Package will not be doing these.
HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE COMING?
I’m capping attendance at 20 people for the in-person Sydney workshops. This will allow discretion and honesty in discussions, and guarantee a higher quality of conversation and engagement. If you’ve been to one of my workshops before, you’ll know how critical small group size is to the quality of the experience.
WILL IT BE RECORDED?
The In-Person in Sydney workshops are not at all recorded. They are special, and students have discrete access to me and the guest authors. The four workshops delivered live online are recorded, and these are then made available in the Audit Package. But the off-the-record ask-me-anything hours for the live online option are also not recorded.
All workshop registrations (either paid in full or via the deposit option) are strictly non-refundable. This means that once you have paid for a workshop, you will not be eligible for any refunds, regardless of the reason for cancellation.
If you make the deposit payment and then are unable to make the full and final payment by the due date of 10 May 2026, your deposit will be forfeit.
If you are unable to attend a workshop you have booked for any reason, please notify us as soon as possible via email. If the workshop you have booked has a waiting list and your place can be taken be someone on this list a refund can made, minus a small administration cost.
Workshop registrations are also transferable to another name if someone else you may know can attend in your place.
Workshop registrations are not transferable to a different workshop date or between ‘types’ of workshop delivery.
By registering for the workshops and making full or part payment, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this policy.
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
Email me at info@bri-lee.com
“Without question, this is 100% the best investment I have made into my career.”
— Riva
— Riva
© BRI LEE 2026
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