Winter in Melbourne has set in and the cold grey days are perfect for catching up on admin, reading a good book or writing a few words. As soon as the sun comes out, I’m drawn out to walk, soak up its warmth before it disappears again, and if I’m very lucky and the light is right, I might capture an image to adorn the Monthly Newsletter. This month it’s  a wood duck sunbathing surrounded by feeding grebes at Albert Park Lake. In early May Minds Shine Bright set up a stall at Ceres Saturday Market.

The complete lists of the Minds Shine Bright Places Writing Competition including winners, shortlists, the long list and Certificates of Recognition.

Judging is in full swing for the Places Writing Competition and we are looking forward seeing the two anthologies form. Many remarkable places have been brought to life in short stories, poems and micro fiction from near and far. The quality of the writing submitted is high and each piece is precious. Thanks to all the writers and poets who have submitted.

This month we look at Minds Shine Bright's highlights of 2025, interview author Heather Robinson about her new publication 'Beyond the Books' and why libraries matter, and welcome short story reader Karin Doucett to the Places Writing Competition Judging Panel.

In this monthly update Amanda Scotney considers the value of telling stories, writing and reading; interviews writer Kate Foulds; and welcomes back poet Jennifer Harrison to join the judging panel for the Places Writing competition.

In Light and Shadow read different interpretions of light and shadow from forty three shortlisted writers and poets. Sublimely dark and light with moments of illumination. Light and Shadow  is a comtemporary collection of stories, poems and flash fiction for our times.

Minds Shine Bright Winter Update including: an interview with Light and Shadow contributor and poet in focus, Suzanna Fitzpatrick, being part of a writer's festival, the full LIght and Shadow judges report and more.

This month has been a struggle. A frozen shoulder together with a small increase in eye pressures has meant that there have been many visits to doctors, some discomfort and a restricted capacity for activities that are usually taken for granted. Front of mind as I attend preventative laser treatment is the flash fiction piece Just Black,  by Lans Felby, from 

We are excited to share the news with you Light and Shadow anthology (ISBN 978-06455231-6-4) is launched and is on sale now at the Minds Shine Bright Bookshop or your favourite bookshop. On Saturday we celebrated the launch of Light and Shadow, Minds Shine Bright, International Creative Writing Anthology, Seasons 2, 2025 in St Kilda, the home of Minds Shine Bright and the location of our stunning cover.

Only 30 days to go to enter Minds Shine Bright Places Writing Competition Light and Shadow Minds Shine Bright anthology is coming soon and be inspired by poet Isi Unikowski.

Capture the unique essence of places creatively and enter the Places Writing Competition. Discover the new Minds Shine Bright book, Light and Shadow, launching in June, enjoy some writing about Places and keep up to date with Minds Shine Bright's monthly news about writers and books.

The overall winner of the Minds Shine Bright Light and Shadow writing competition was poet Isi Unikowski form Canberra Australia for his poem Bright Square of Morning. The poem is about leaving Melbourne in the morning light. It takes the reader on a journey from the physical world to the universal and stays with you. It is the first time that a poem has been the overall winner of a Minds Shine Bright writing competition.

YouTube video by Minds Shine Bright

Minds Shine Bright encourages the reading and writing of books. Read our highlights from 2024 and our focuses for 2025. Places writing competition is open and calling for entries.

Every anthology tells a story. Land Acknowledgement Minds Shine Bright acknowledges the Yalukit-Willam clan of the Boon Warring people of the Kulin nations, the Traditional Custodians of the land wher...

YouTube video by Minds Shine Bright

YouTube video by Minds Shine Bright

YouTube video by Minds Shine Bright

YouTube video by Minds Shine Bright

YouTube video by Minds Shine Bright

Minds Shine Bright anthologies make a wonderful gift, featuring writings by many writers and matte cover which is soft and silky to touch. Discover your new favourite writer or poet and enjoy the u…