the writermind project 2026 presents...
Two live versions of The Zone to choose from in January:
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The Zone | Spacious 2026
... a year-long program Ten beautiful mind management modules plus Companionable Silence writing and accountability days + extras common to both programs 12 Feb - 3rd December Fortnightly, on Thursday mornings 9.30am (Sydney time) Fort |
The Zone | Intensive
... a 10 week program Ten beautiful mind management modules + extras common to both programs 3rd March - 10th May Weekly on Tuesday mornings 9.30-11.00am (Sydney time) |
Features common to both programs:
* Welcome & orientation day before program starts
* Skills Clinics, recorded so you can come back and review
* Regular opportunities for live Q&A where you can problem solve your own writermind difficulties
* Peer support - live in the group sessions and via private forum
* Reflective Practice activities each week
* Library of resources - meditations, articles, podcasts, bonus modules to address specific needs in the group
* Welcome & orientation day before program starts
* Skills Clinics, recorded so you can come back and review
* Regular opportunities for live Q&A where you can problem solve your own writermind difficulties
* Peer support - live in the group sessions and via private forum
* Reflective Practice activities each week
* Library of resources - meditations, articles, podcasts, bonus modules to address specific needs in the group
Topics at a glance:
* The steady writermind | What is it and how do I get one?
* Then my mind went walking | Psychological factors that make it hard to focus
* Stories of me | How self-narratives shape writing engagement
* Writermind essentials | Mind management basics for every writer’s toolkit
* Beyond stimulus-response | Managing, reactivity, overwhelm and inertia
* Don’t go there! | When fear, shame, guilt and other unpleasant emotions lead to avoidance
* Eyes on the prize | When focus on publication, prizes or praise gets in the way of writing engagement
* Metaphor, mood and motivation | From mind prison to mind palace
* I had a dream | Managing disappointment in the writing, productivity or publication
* Bringing it all together | Writing practice equilibrium for the future
* The steady writermind | What is it and how do I get one?
* Then my mind went walking | Psychological factors that make it hard to focus
* Stories of me | How self-narratives shape writing engagement
* Writermind essentials | Mind management basics for every writer’s toolkit
* Beyond stimulus-response | Managing, reactivity, overwhelm and inertia
* Don’t go there! | When fear, shame, guilt and other unpleasant emotions lead to avoidance
* Eyes on the prize | When focus on publication, prizes or praise gets in the way of writing engagement
* Metaphor, mood and motivation | From mind prison to mind palace
* I had a dream | Managing disappointment in the writing, productivity or publication
* Bringing it all together | Writing practice equilibrium for the future
Which program will you choose?
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The Zone | Spacious 2026
A year-long program Welcome & orientation gathering Live sessions every second Thursday Alternating between: Thursday Focus (Skills Clinics +++) & Companionable Silence writing & Accountability days 12th February until 3rd December Two payment options both at 2025 fees:
Upfront discount: $880 inc gst Payment Plan: 10 monthly payments of $97 inc gst ********
Register for year-long program with discounted upfront payment
Register below for the one off discounted single payment of $AUD880 inc GST Register for year-long program with payment plan
Register below for the payment plan of 10 x monthly payments of $AUD97 inc GST |
The Zone | Intensive
A 10 week program Welcome & orientation gathering Live sessions Tuesdays 9.30-11.00am 3rd March - 12th May Two payment options both at 2025 fees:
Upfront discount: $660 inc gst Payment Plan: 3 monthly payments of $233 inc gst ******* Register for Intensive program with full-fee payment
Register below for the one off discounted one off payment of $AUD660 inc GST Register for Intensive program with payment plan
Register below for the payment plan of 3 x monthly payments of $AUD233 inc GST |
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The Zone programs are designed to help you reset your writing practice so you can do more writing, with less angst.
If you are:
* Craving the type of writing practice you never quite manage to achieve
* Needing the skills and confidence to recover quickly from setbacks
* Prone to distraction, procrastination, overwhelm, angst, self-criticism, “not-good-enough” beliefs, “what-if” paralysis,
people pleasing or inertia
* Wanting the perspective that allows you to stay focused and engaged, even when you’re experiencing difficulties
* Finding it difficult to get or stay focused on your writing
* Fearful 2026 will get away from you without you writing as much or as often as you had wanted
* Wanting connection as a writer
* Ready to prioritise your writing practice
...then you are invited to become part of one of The Zone programs.
An opportunity for you to prioritise your writing practice, rather than squeezing writing in around the everything and everyone else.
* Craving the type of writing practice you never quite manage to achieve
* Needing the skills and confidence to recover quickly from setbacks
* Prone to distraction, procrastination, overwhelm, angst, self-criticism, “not-good-enough” beliefs, “what-if” paralysis,
people pleasing or inertia
* Wanting the perspective that allows you to stay focused and engaged, even when you’re experiencing difficulties
* Finding it difficult to get or stay focused on your writing
* Fearful 2026 will get away from you without you writing as much or as often as you had wanted
* Wanting connection as a writer
* Ready to prioritise your writing practice
...then you are invited to become part of one of The Zone programs.
An opportunity for you to prioritise your writing practice, rather than squeezing writing in around the everything and everyone else.
What's Included?
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The Zone | Spacious 2026
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The Zone | Intensive
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* Welcome and orientation Getting to know one another, setting the scene for the year ahead
* Fortnightly live Thursday Focus online learning (Feb - Dec, 2026). Each session we’ll start with a mind management Skills Clinic focused on one of the ten topics. Then, we’ll spend time identifying how you can practise and implement writermind skills. These sessions include live Q&A to problem-solve issues that get in the way of your writing, coaching and reflective practice activities, plus connetion and peer support with other writers in the group. The clinics will help you to understand what leads to the difficulties you experience in your writing practice. Learn and hone practical skills that help foster a steadier, more spacious mind. * Fortnightly Companionable silence writing and accountability days. Light-touch writing days for group members who find it helpful to know there are other writers at work, each in their own space, each likely managing similar challenges. These days will include 30 min accountability and support checkins between 9.30am Sydney time, and 4.00pm on alternatingThursdays. * Weekly personal Reflective Practice activities designed to help you shift old patterns, implement changes, and identify specific activities to keep you aligned with your writing plan * Low-key mental health & emotional wellbeing resources – for those who would value writer-related mindfulness practices, meditations, podcasts and the like I will provide optional, on-demand resources as part of your group membership. Plus I will share others’ resources that I think you may find helpful and interesting – podcasts, books, programs and when opportune bonus video sessions to address concerns and issues raised during our group sessions. All this will take place in a private, secure area within The Writermind Project online studio. Note: Whilst material from the Skills Clinics will be recorded and made available to you, the live interactions in the group will not.This is in recognition that there can be sensitivity and vulnerability associated with being part of a group program, and I want this program to feel safe for you. As soon as you register you'll have access to The Zone online space, a private space for your group. Once there, you can put your live sessions for each week in your calendar, let people in your life know you have commitments those days (and will not be available!!), then arrange a quiet time between now and when we start to download your 2026 Writing Practice Reset Planner (you'll find this in the portal) and spend some quiet time thinking deeply about the writing practice you are going to build for yourself throughout the remainder of 2026 and beyond. The Planner is a tool to help guide this process. \ |
* Weekly live Tuesday online learning We'll start the program with a stand-alone Welcome and Orientation gathering so we can meet each other, settle in and set the scene for the group. Each following session we’ll start with a mind management Skills Clinic, focused on one of the ten topics. Then, we’ll spend time identifying how you can practise and implement writermind skills. These sessions include live Q&A to problem-solve issues that get in the way of your writing, coaching and reflective practice activities, and connection with other writers in the group.
The clinics will help you to understand what leads to the difficulties you experience in your writing practice. Learn and hone practical skills that help foster a steadier, more spacious mind. * Weekly Reflective Practice activities - delivered to your inbox and designed to help you to implement and integrate the skills you've learnt. These activities will help you shift old patterns, implement changes, and identify specific activities to keep you aligned with your writing plan. * Low-key mental health & emotional wellbeing resources – for those who would value writer-related mindfulness practices, meditations and the like I will provide optional, on-demand resources as part of your group membership. Plus I will share others’ resources that I think you may find helpful and interesting – podcasts, books, programs. If particular issues arise that could do with extra attention there is scope for bonus recorded video sessions. All this will take place in a private, secure area within The Writermind Project online studio. Note: Whilst material from the clinics will be recorded, the live interactions in the group will not be recorded. This is in recognition that there can be sensitivity and vulnerability associated with being part of a group program, and I want this program to feel safe for you. As soon as you register you'll have access to The Zone online space, a private space for your group. Once there, you can put your live Tuesday sessions for each week in your calendar, let people in your life know you have commitments those days (and will not be available!!), then arrange a quiet time between now and when we start to download your 2026 Writing Practice Reset Planner and spend some quiet time thinking deeply about the writing practice you are going to build for yourself throughout the remainder of 2026 and beyond. The Planner is a tool to help guide this process. |
The Zone programs are for you if you:
* Say that writing is one of the most important aspects of your life, yet you can’t seem to make it a priority
* Experience self-doubt, low confidence, self-criticism
* Seem to go straight to worst-case scenario and get caught there
* Experience anxiety or dread at the thought of getting negative feedback about your writing
* Engage in avoidance (procrastination, substances, excessive social media use, food, zoning out) to help you handle your
fears and doubts
* Tend to say “yes” when you’d rather say “no”
* Believe that “I’ll write when things settle down”, but know realistically that they won’t
The Zone programs may not be for you if you:
* Are looking for support related to the craft and technical aspects of writing.
* Are experiencing acute mental health difficulties and are looking for therapy – this group will involve coaching and
guidance, and may feel therapeutic for participants, however it is not a therapy group
* Realistically, don’t think you could likely make at least about 80 percent of the live sessions. Please note - whilst the Skills Clinics will be recorded no other aspects of our group sessions will be available for replay.
writing life!
* Experience self-doubt, low confidence, self-criticism
* Seem to go straight to worst-case scenario and get caught there
* Experience anxiety or dread at the thought of getting negative feedback about your writing
* Engage in avoidance (procrastination, substances, excessive social media use, food, zoning out) to help you handle your
fears and doubts
* Tend to say “yes” when you’d rather say “no”
* Believe that “I’ll write when things settle down”, but know realistically that they won’t
The Zone programs may not be for you if you:
* Are looking for support related to the craft and technical aspects of writing.
* Are experiencing acute mental health difficulties and are looking for therapy – this group will involve coaching and
guidance, and may feel therapeutic for participants, however it is not a therapy group
* Realistically, don’t think you could likely make at least about 80 percent of the live sessions. Please note - whilst the Skills Clinics will be recorded no other aspects of our group sessions will be available for replay.
writing life!
Ready to spend more time in The Zone?
More writing. Less Angst.
More writing. Less Angst.
A steady writing plan for the remainder of 2026 and beyond
Fresh Perspectives | New Capacities | Renewed Enthusiasm
The skills, structure and support for a sustainable, engaged writing practice.
Fresh Perspectives | New Capacities | Renewed Enthusiasm
The skills, structure and support for a sustainable, engaged writing practice.
Meet the host of The Zone, Alison Manning.
Hi, I'm Alison Manning, the Writer's Psychologist. I specialise in writers'psychological wellbeing and creative productivity. I would absolutetly love to see you in one this year's online groups.
I am a Clinical Psychologist, and have conducted research about links between writers' emotion regulation and their writing engagement. Alongside my Writer Psych practice, I have a regular psychology practice, Alison Manning Psychology, where I help people build good lives after trauma, as well as helping people to understand and manage depression, anxiety and other mental health difficulties.
I founded The Writermind Project with the aim of supporting writers to be as well, happy, focused, engaged and self-compassionate as possible given the significant stresses and uncertainty involved in being a writer.
In the past I've worked as a broadcast journalist and mediator, both of which set the scene for what I love most as a psychologist, getting to the heart of the matter.
Hi, I'm Alison Manning, the Writer's Psychologist. I specialise in writers'psychological wellbeing and creative productivity. I would absolutetly love to see you in one this year's online groups.
I am a Clinical Psychologist, and have conducted research about links between writers' emotion regulation and their writing engagement. Alongside my Writer Psych practice, I have a regular psychology practice, Alison Manning Psychology, where I help people build good lives after trauma, as well as helping people to understand and manage depression, anxiety and other mental health difficulties.
I founded The Writermind Project with the aim of supporting writers to be as well, happy, focused, engaged and self-compassionate as possible given the significant stresses and uncertainty involved in being a writer.
In the past I've worked as a broadcast journalist and mediator, both of which set the scene for what I love most as a psychologist, getting to the heart of the matter.
Terms and conditions
The purchase of The Zone provides the purchaser with access to the program
The purchaser recognises that there will not be a refund for missed live events.If live events are missed the purchaser will still receive the Skils Clinic mind management recordings, and the weekly reflective practice activities materials.
The purchaser recognises that whilst the facilitator of The Zone writers’ groups is a clinical psychologist, The Zone writers’ groups are educational, coaching and support programs, not group therapy programs. The Zone is not designed to take the place of individual or group therapy.
Current and former clients of Alison Manning, whether as individuals or parts of a group are welcome to join The Zone programs. Alison Manning will honour your privacy by not mentioning any prior relationship, and by not disclosing any private information to members of The Zone. Current and former clients are advised to contact Alison Manning to discuss any potential concerns.
Recordings of the live sessions (beyond the Skills Clinics) will not be made available as these recordings may include group members' personal information. Only the Skills Clinics recordings will be made available.
o
The purchaser recognises that The Zone material may at times, for some people, prove unsettling. Purchasers who feel that they may be susceptible to emotional distress are advised to identify sources of external support in the event that they need extra support. Group members can also contact the facilitator, Alison Manning, recognising that Alison may have limited scope to respond promptly.
The Writermind Project individual and group programs are not designed to address acute mental health crises.
In committing to join The Zone Writers’ Group, the purchaser recognises and accepts the above conditions.
rmation of the other participants
The purchaser recognises that there will not be a refund for missed live events.If live events are missed the purchaser will still receive the Skils Clinic mind management recordings, and the weekly reflective practice activities materials.
The purchaser recognises that whilst the facilitator of The Zone writers’ groups is a clinical psychologist, The Zone writers’ groups are educational, coaching and support programs, not group therapy programs. The Zone is not designed to take the place of individual or group therapy.
Current and former clients of Alison Manning, whether as individuals or parts of a group are welcome to join The Zone programs. Alison Manning will honour your privacy by not mentioning any prior relationship, and by not disclosing any private information to members of The Zone. Current and former clients are advised to contact Alison Manning to discuss any potential concerns.
Recordings of the live sessions (beyond the Skills Clinics) will not be made available as these recordings may include group members' personal information. Only the Skills Clinics recordings will be made available.
o
The purchaser recognises that The Zone material may at times, for some people, prove unsettling. Purchasers who feel that they may be susceptible to emotional distress are advised to identify sources of external support in the event that they need extra support. Group members can also contact the facilitator, Alison Manning, recognising that Alison may have limited scope to respond promptly.
The Writermind Project individual and group programs are not designed to address acute mental health crises.
In committing to join The Zone Writers’ Group, the purchaser recognises and accepts the above conditions.
rmation of the other participants
