I worked with Laurie Steed on a manuscript I had been developing for a long time but that still just wasn’t working. A true professional, he was patient with my words, and with me! His report was thorough, and his feedback was tough but fair. What's more, he was always open to further discussion to help me get the most out of his comments. Laurie knows his craft and he takes his role as a mentor very seriously. He is a wonderful source of support in this often solitary occupation and I'm glad to count him among my writing allies.

- Rachel Watts, author, In The Morning, I Rise, Shortlistee for the 2020 Penguin Literary Prize

Laurie mentored me over a number of years, helping me identify the next steps in my career and how to manage them. He took an incredibly flexible and kind approach, helping me navigate whatever came up, building industry relationships, advocating for me and my work, and (not least) reading and providing insightful feedback on my work along the way. Laurie's mentoring and friendship arrived at a crucial point when I really needed someone to have faith that I could do it - Laurie was, and continues to be, a phenomenal cheerleader and wise counsel.

- Sam Van Zweden, Author, Eating With My Mouth Open (NewSouth Books)

Laurie Steed has been a long-listing judge since we launched the Peter Carey Short Story Award back in 2017 and continues to be an integral part in our search for Australia’s most perfect short story. An essential element of trying to establish a national competition of both quality and weight is finding judges who can recognise worthy winners. Laurie not only understands the intricacies of the artform, but is himself a master.

- Jemma Tyley-Miller, Organiser and Founder of The Peter Carey Short Story Award and author, Gone From My Sight

Laurie Steed has tutored our online Short Story Clinics and in-person workshops, given industry advice in mentoring sessions, and assessed manuscripts. Laurie’s encouraging, generous feedback has helped to develop the work of countless writers, many of whom have gone on to publish pieces they workshopped with him. Whether in person or online, he creates positive spaces in which writers feel comfortable sharing their work. We highly recommend Laurie and look forward to working with him again in future.

- Writers Victoria

Laurie’s greatest gift is his ability to help others believe in themselves as writers. His feedback on my manuscript was gentle on the ego and facilitated skill-building, meaning I walked away feeling confident in myself, my manuscript, and my ability to avoid repeating the same mistakes in future work. He has been incredibly generous with his time and knowledge. A true mentor.

- Ashleigh Hardcastle, Author, Olive and Salima

There is something very special about Laurie Steed. He knows exactly the right question to ask of a writer, and when to ask it. Never have I had to think so deeply about my craft, and never have I felt more satisfied by it. I wish all writers could have the chance to work with Laurie Steed at some point in their careers. I cannot recommend his services more highly.

- Cassie Hamer, Winner of the 2017 Shoalhaven Literary Award and author, After the Party, The End of Cuthbert Close, The Truth About Faking it, and The Stranger at the Table (Harper Collins)

Whenever someone asks me for a writing mentor, I tell them ‘Laurie Steed’. Everyone I know who has been lucky enough to work with Laurie at KSP has sung his praises, and often had a writing industry win as a result. As a program partner, he is professional, friendly, courteous and generous. It is such a gift to have him at our disposal here in Perth!

- Shannon Britza, Former Director, Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers’ Centre

Laurie’s insightful and considered feedback has deepened my understanding of the craft of writing, and has helped me think more critically about my own artistic goals and concerns. Just as importantly, Laurie has been an incredible champion of my own (and other emerging writers’) work. This encouragement has buoyed me throughout the ups and downs of the writing life, and I highly recommend his services.

- Magdalena McGuire - Winner of the 2016 Impress Books Prize and author, Home is Nearby (Impress Books) and Born For You (Ultimo Press)

Laurie Steed brings the perfect combo to his online short story clinics: a fun and nurturing space in which creativity can flourish, and the kind of forensic, expert eye that's necessary to take the next step as a writer. I'd highly recommend any of Laurie's courses. 

- Wayne Marshall, Shortlistee, 2019 Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards, , Author, Shirl (Affirm Press) and Henry Goes Bush (Pan Macmillan)

Laurie knows short stories like no other. A generous teacher and skilled narrative surgeon, unpicking all elements of story: intuiting what works, what doesn’t; where the narrative arc fails or a character’s motivation jars. He turned a ‘not-quite-there-yet’ story of mine into a publishable piece for Westerly magazine. I can’t recommend him or his inspirational master classes enough.

- Bindy Pritchard, Shortlisted for the 2019 WA Premier’s Book Awards and Author, Fabulous Lives (Margaret River Press)