Benjamin Law writes and sweats, often at the same time. After all, writing is hard work. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the craft and economics of writing, Benjamin – who has written books, journalism, stage plays, TV screenplays, columns, documentaries and essays for over 20 years – is here to help, by answering all your questions in this no-holds barred, minimal-clothing* workshop at Blue Mountains Sauna!,
*Don’t worry: we’re not going all-out Scandinavian and naked, so bring your favourite swimsuit!
Participants will share a two-hour sauna session with Benjamin, where he’ll answer every question imaginable, in an environment conducive to openness and honesty. What makes for a good interview? How do you handle rejection? What does a good daily writing practice look like? How do you get an agent? How do I finish this damn manuscript?
You'll have exclusive access to both saunas, including the Savu, the Southern Hemisphere's first public wood-fired smoke sauna, along with two cold plunges and three fireside rest areas. You’ll draw inspiration from a guided Aufguss with a trained Sauna Masters. Water infused with organic essential oils is poured over the stones, and the steam is moved through the room with choreographed towel work, set to music. It is immersive, physical and deeply grounding, and it is best experienced exactly as sauna is meant to be: together.
Then, after a short break, you’ll enter a relaxing workshop space, where you’ll use the experience of the sauna to inspire your work, participating in writing exercises and reflection under Benjamin’s guidance.
Blue Mountains Sauna opened in Leura in 2022 as Australia's first dedicated European-style public sauna, and has been championing authentic sauna culture ever since, performing Australia's first public Aufguss in 2023.
What to bring
Pen or pencil and notepad
Swimwear: sessions are clothed.
2 bath towels and a water bottle. Bench towels are provided.
A robe or warm layer for resting outside between rounds (towels available for hire if needed)
Slippers, filtered water, tea and hydration salts are included.
The basics, once inside
Shower before you sauna, sit on your provided bench towel, be respectful of others and the environment. Our team will guide you through the hot-cold-rest cycle; no sauna experience is needed
Health and medical
Sauna bathing and cold-water immersion carry inherent risks: heat, cold shock, dizziness, fainting, and interactions with some medical conditions and medications.
Please check with your doctor first if you are pregnant, have a heart condition, low or high blood pressure, or any other medical condition that heat or cold could affect. We can't give medical advice, but we're happy to answer questions about the facility to help inform that conversation.
Hydrate before, during and after your session, listen to your body (if you feel dizzy or unwell, step out, cool down and tell a staff member), and follow staff direction at all times.
Guests affected by alcohol or drugs can't be admitted.
Full terms, including health and safety: bmsauna.com.au/terms and bmsauna.com.au/etiquette. Accessibility questions or anything else: goodheat@bmsauna.com.au.
This workshop is an 18+ event.
Benjamin Law is the author of The Family Law, Gaysia, the Quarterly Essay Moral Panic and editor of Growing Up Queer in Australia. He is also an AWGIE Award-winning screenwriter and playwright behind the Netflix comedy-drama Wellmania, Melbourne Theatre Company's Torch the Place and Dying: A Memoir, and the award-winning series The Family Law.
You can purchase a single ticket to this workshop (see below), or if you wish to attend more than one workshop across the Festival weekend, you can purchase a Workshop Pass.
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This venue is wheelchair accessible, but please visit our Accessibility page or email hello@bluemountainswritersfestival.com.au if you have any other accessibility requirements.