Masterclass: Creative Living

Madison Griffiths is an author, artist and producer. Her debut book Tissue (Ultimo Press) was released in 2023, and is a boldly poetic meditation on abortion and what it has the power to represent. She is the co-producer of Tender, a podcast that tracks the journey of individuals as they decide to leave an abusive relationship. In 2022, she was awarded the Walkley Foundation Our Watch Award for Excellence in Reporting on Violence Against Women, alongside co-producer, Beth Atkinson-Quinton. Her work largely centres around the lived experiences of women, especially those whose realities are shrouded in stigma, opposition and rebellion.

Phoebe Thorburn is an autistic emerging writer & recipe developer living on unceded Boon Wurrung Country. Their writing explores food, comfort, connection, mental health & living in a world designed for neurotypical minds and able bodies. They are a Toolkits non-fiction (2023) & fiction (2024) alumni. Their work was shortlisted for Stringybark’s Erotic Short Story Prize (2023) and has been published by Frankie Magazine & ABC Everyday.

Oliver Twist is a writer and actor. He has toured Australia with his critically acclaimed shows Jali and Griot, and appeared on SBS and the ABC. As a comic, he has been chosen to open for the best national and international acts. He has been lauded as a talent both by critics and by audiences, gaining him award nominations for his work. For more writing by Oliver, visit https://substack.com/@oliveretwist

Roumina Parsa is an Iranian Australian writer based in Melbourne (Naarm). She was shortlisted for the 2022 Catalyse Nonfiction Prize and her work has previously featured in Liminal and Farrago. She recently self-published a zine of personal essays, Here I Am.

Maggie Zhou is a 25-year-old Melbourne-based freelance writer, content creator and the co-host of the Culture Club podcast. She has written for publications such as The Guardian, ABC, The Age, ELLE and Marie Claire, and previously worked at Refinery29 and Fashion Journal.

Tiia Kelly is a critic and essayist based in Naarm. Her work can be found in Meanjin, Kill Your Darlings, Australian Book Review, Overland, Senses of Cinema, and elsewhere. She is a commissioning editor for the film publication Rough Cut.