A local author and youth worker has launched a new not-for-profit program to help young and disadvantaged writers in the Geelong and Bellarine area.
Zeb Granger, who has written and produced more than a dozen books and plays, created the free mentoring program Next Draft to provide coaching and support to writers aged 13 to 21.
Mr Granger said he wanted to help young people in Barwon have the same opportunity.
“Working in the youth work space for the past few years, it regularly becomes clear how many creative young people, particularly in these regional communities, feel discouraged or lack the confidence and opportunities to pursue their creative dreams,” he said.
“I’ve often found that by tapping into those skills and passions within my work, we see mental health improve, we see their confidence and social skills lift. Suddenly, they have a whole new way of communicating and interacting with the world through their stories or poetry.”
Mr Granger, who released his latest book Ogres, Elves & Insufferable Dad Jokes this week, said his own mental health journey had reinforced his belief in the importance of stories.
“When I first became a father in 2019, I massively struggled with my mental health,” he said.
“Struggling and seeking stories, I quickly noticed the lack of fantasy stories that have relatable men that capture who we are now in the 21st century, and more specifically fathers, who prioritise being a good dad over slaying the beast. That’s what inspired this story and I’m excited to share it with the world at last.”
Visit nextdraft.com.au for more information on the program.
