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Challenge and Competition news!
Friendship is our word!
Beanz/u3a Workshop a great success
Beanz/u3a Workshop a great success
At the Beanz, friendship is the heart of everything we do. Whether they are true, imaginary, fleeting, or lifelong, we all have stories about the friendships that shape us - and we want to hear yours!
Send your FRIENDSHIP entry to beanswrite21@gmail.com
by 29 June 2026.
Note: This is the only email address that accepts challenge entries.
Entries must be 400 words or less, and poetry should be no more than 60 lines, including stanza breaks.
The Perfect Printing Competition?
If you are entering the Perfect Printing Competition, this is the second challenge that you need to enter to be eligible. If you haven’t sent in your Registration Form yet… click here.
Beanz/u3a Workshop a great success
Beanz/u3a Workshop a great success
Beanz/u3a Workshop a great success
Our recent joint workshop with u3a (University of the 3rd Age) was an absolute joy! It was wonderful to connect with so many new writers alongside our beloved regular BeanZ. The room was buzzing, and our writers came up with absolutely fabulous responses to our latest ‘F’ Word challenge.
Some comments:
"I very much enjoyed my morning. It was nice to meet the other members and hear samples of their writing. Networking with other writers often makes the task of writing so much easier."
"Fun challenges - non-threatening. Great organisation. An inspiring selection of readers - good variety. Clear presentation. The story from the South African contributor was a great way to start."
What's Happening with the BeanZ?
Recognition for Beanz volunteer Judy
Celebrating Success: Helen Lyne Launches "Turnabouts"
Celebrating Success: Helen Lyne Launches "Turnabouts"
As part of National Volunteers Week, our very own Judy Elias has been presented with a certificate of appreciation for her tireless work with Spill the Beanz. The awards were presented by Dr Sophie Scamps MP at a special ceremony. Well done Judy! It is great to see such voluntary work recognised, and Spill the Beanz is always on the lookout for great helpers like Judy.
Celebrating Success: Helen Lyne Launches "Turnabouts"
Celebrating Success: Helen Lyne Launches "Turnabouts"
Celebrating Success: Helen Lyne Launches "Turnabouts"
We are delighted to share the success of Helen Lyne’s latest book launch! A mainstay of the BeanZ community since our second anthology, Helen officially debuted her second short story collection, Turnabouts, on Saturday, 18 April.
The event brought together a vibrant mix of the literary community to celebrate stories centred on life’s transformative moments.
Support Local Literature:
Titles: Turnabouts & Love, Disappointment and Other Joys of Life
Available at: Desire Books, Manly
Production: Proudly printed by BA Printing Brookvale
Congratulations, Helen, on another successful milestone!
Perfect Printing Prize Competition
Celebrating Success: Helen Lyne Launches "Turnabouts"
The Perfect Printing Prize
Exclusively for Spill the Beans Members
Thanks to the generous support of BA Printing Brookvale, we are thrilled to offer one talented member the chance to see their work in print!
One winner will receive 50 professionally printed copies of their own book.
What’s in it for you?
The author of the best entered manuscript will receive:
Professional Cover Design:
A custom-designed cover to make your book stand out.
50 Printed Copies:
High-quality professional printing for your manuscript (up to 100 A5 pages).
For more details, full Terms and Conditions, and a registration form, click on the button below
Beanz at the Open Mic
Next Open Mic 26 June
The monthly Open Mic sessions at Manly Library got off to a great start on Friday 27 February with no fewer than seven Beanz members reading their "Finally" stories or poems. These nights are a great opportinity to show off your writing skills and be entertained by a variety of poets, musicians and storytellers, capped off by dinner at the nearby Ivanhoe Hotel.
Put these dates for 2026 Open Mics in your diary now:
- 26 June
- 24 July
- 21 August
- 18 September
- 23 October
Sign up to perform from 5 pm with the session kicking off at 5:30
Beanz at Seniors' Expo
Beanz at Seniors' Expo
Northern Beaches activities in the NSW Seniors' Festival kicked off last week with an Expo at the Dee Why RSL, where The Beanz had a strong presence, waving the flag and meeting lots of potential new members.
In the picture above, the current Beanz team is joined by co-founder Jane Cameron (third from left) and Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins (second from right).
And the winner is....
Beanz at Seniors' Expo
The results are in for the Society of Women Writers NSW workshop, and the winner is…
Lynne Vertannes with her fantastic story, Not the Lego Building!
Lynne was lightning-fast, getting her entry to us in record time. She’s already looking ahead, too, telling us: ‘The workshops at the State Library of NSW sound like a wonderful opportunity to polish my writing skills.’ We couldn't agree more!
She was presented with her prize after reading her story at Manly Library's Open Mic session on 27 February (picture above).
Read Lynne's winning story here.
The Perfect gift!
Our 𝐒𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐄𝐀𝐍𝐙 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤!—that's 271 pages of your favourite 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 stories and poems!
This anthology is a vibrant collection of engaging, humorous, and heartfelt stories and poems. The human experience is explored through six compelling themes, all starting with the letter 'F'.
Why not share your stories and poems with family and friends. BUY MORE BOOKS AT A DISCOUNTED PRICE.
Available through Amazon and Harry Hartog bookstore.
RENEW OR JOIN
Ready for another fabulous year of writing adventures? Now's the perfect time to renew your membership or join our fabulous writing community. Click here to dive into a world of words!
COME VOLUNTEER WITH US
COME VOLUNTEER WITH US
WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO SHARE YOUR STORIES and POEMS
Join our friendly team with lots of small interesting tasks.
Help Spill the BeanZ publish more of your stories
Special thanks to Catherine Wilson from Stone Real Estate whose generous sponsorship enabled us to publish SEVEN books of your stories and poems.
A huge thank you to the team, who volunteer to do the editing, website design, blog, event management and administration.
A big BEANS thank you to everyone who made a donation. Without you, we couldn't fund this website.