Ellipsis’ Shut Up & Write began in August 2024, as a fortnightly, casual, untitled “body doubling” session for writing. Jazz and Pam had been attending a city-based writing group that worked broadly on this model. When it came to an end, they decided to continue to meet. For many months, it remained designated writing time for Jazz and Pam. On occasion, others joined them. Although it was mentioned at Ellipsis Open Mic and Poets Take Over! from time to time, it was never intentionally promoted. It only became an “event” on the Ellipsis website in April 2026 when it switched from “fortnightly” to the more accessible “first and third Saturday” scheduling from May 2026.
The following information is taken from a document prepared in April 2026 titled Shut Up & Write – A Procedural Overview. The document will be reviewed and updated towards the end of 2026.
“We have to earn silence...to work for it: to make it not an absence but a presence; not emptiness but repletion. Silence is something more than just a pause; it is the enchanted place where space is cleared and time is stayed and the horizon itself expands.” - Pico Iyer
How it Works…
Shut Up & Write exists to provide a shared time and space for writers to write.
The group meets for a total of two hours – greetings, chat and planning are welcome in the first 20 minutes, followed by 80 minutes of quiet writing, finishing with 20 minutes of sharing and discussion.
During the quiet writing time, participants are encouraged to work on their own writing projects without disturbing others. Writers may, of course, come and go from the table as they wish.
Writers arriving or departing during the quiet writing time will be greeted/farewelled without fanfare in order to maintain group focus.
Page & Turner
Brass Tacks…
Ellipsis’ Shut Up & Write is facilitated by either Jazz or Pam, often both, on the first and third Saturdays of each month at Page & Turner bookstore, Level 2, Myer Centre, Adelaide.
Sessions commence at 10:00 AM; quiet writing from 10:20 AM to 11:40 AM; wrapping up by 12:00 PM.
February and March sessions may be altered or cancelled to accommodate Adelaide Fringe Festival and Adelaide Writers Week.
There is no charge.
Each session will be advertised in Ellipsis Poetry’s monthly newsletter and on their website only. It will not be promoted on their social media channels.
Page & Turner welcomes writers at any time during their opening hours.
Into the Future…
Ellipsis Open Mic will continue to evolve in response to community feedback, identified need, and new ideas.
A survey distributed through the Ellipsis Poetry community in August 2026 will inform next steps.
Just keep writing…
For the love of poetry…
