The boys-only Dead Bones Society meets under the gigantic jaw of a T. rex for its third session on Thursday 13 April. The writing workshops at the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum in Bathurst have been so successful that more sessions are planned for the rest of this year and next. Teenage fiction author, Charles Sturt University (CSU) tutor and literacy consultant Paul Stafford says the ‘comedy horror’ workshops are aimed at gifted nine to 12-year-olds with an interest in writing and science. “It’s like a secret club because boys love that kind of thing. A creepy old museum at night is pretty exciting.” The boys are mentored by male teacher education students from CSU where Paul Stafford graduated with a degree in print journalism. Penny Packham, public programs officer at the museum, says the CSU students help the boys focus and express their ideas. “It’s giving the students an opportunity they don’t otherwise have. They are incredibly enthusiastic and quite happy to offer their time.” The workshops have been so successful the museum is looking to expand the program and run similar workshops for girls.