Championing writers, growing audiences, engaging readers
We launched our first major donation campaign as part of the national AusArt Day. Time now to pause, and say thank you to Creative Australia and the AusArt Day team for the initiative, and our very warmest thankyou’s to our donors.
StorySALOON’s mission is to support Australian writers and showcase the Australian short story. We do this by selecting the best contemporary published short stories, put them on stage to be read by a talented actor to a live audience, record and then edit for podcast. Each short story becomes a unique, beautifully produced episode which can be heard now and into the future.
Support StorySALOON’s AusArt Day campaign.
Why Short Stories Matter
Short stories are compact and intimate, offering up an entire world within a few pages. They tell about our unique Australian cultures and histories, about our places, and who we are now and where we’re headed.
They’re made for reading and for listening to. That’s why StorySALOON is committed to sharing short stories that reflect the richness of Australian life and our people.
StorySALOON needs $5,000 to produce 3 new short story episodes
Your donation will support us to produce three new short story episodes— three unique works by Australian writers, read by talented actors at our upcoming December 2026 live show. Help us turn a brilliant series of short story readings into beautifully produced individual podcast episodes.
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For the price of a book, help bring published Australian short stories to new audiences and readers.
Ask a friend to match your donation.
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Every $100 brings us closer to a live performance becoming an episode that can be heard now and into the future.
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Pays a writer for use of their work or an actor for the broadcast of their performance.
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This is a major contribution to the podcast production costs.
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We’re now well underway to the final edits and broadcasting of a contemporary Australian short story.
Donations over $2 are tax deductible via the Australian Cultural Fund.
Katie Beckett at the studio to record her "In the SALOON with Ren Wyld and Katie Beckett' episode.
StorySALOON Impact
So far, we’ve showcased 18 diverse Australian writers and their short stories to more than 650 live audience members.
We've released 24 podcast episodes, reaching 1,000+ listeners.
We've put $$$ into the creative economy: brought 650+ patrons into a live music and theatre venue, employed 6+ arts workers, and generated paid work for 36 writers and actors.
We've generated book sales for StorySALOON authors and booksellers.
StorySALOON Podcast is being used in over a dozen Australian university writing, literature and podcast courses.
'Dance Hall Days' by Christos Tsiolkas,
read by Alex Dimitriades
In the SALOON with Margo Lanagan and Paul Capsis
Author Spotlight: Monikka Eliah, author of 'Zucchini'
Nathalie Bilinsky, Monica Sayers, Anonymous, Sarah Haslam, Nicole Evs, Maizie Hammond, Francine Seeto, Sarah Malik, Anonymous, Kylie Hough, Suelen McCallum, Julie and Andrew Turner, Cassy Cochrane, Catherine Fargher, Michelle Hamadache, Mary-Ellen Mullane.
SUPPORTED BY
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StorySALOON is supported by the
NSW Government through Create NSW
Acknowledgement of Country
StorySALOON acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers of this land. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, as we create, perform and listen on unceded Gadigal land.