[Australia] Add Tales from the Trenches page

docs/_data/australia-2024-schedule.yaml

@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ talks_day2:
   - duration: '0:20'
     title: '☕ Coffee break'
   - duration: '0:30'
-    slug: creating-truly-accessible-documentation-felicia-sephodi
+    title: '<a href="../tales/">Tales from the Trenches</a>'
   - duration: '0:10'
     title: '✋ 10 min Q&A'
   - duration: '0:15'

docs/_data/australia-2024-sessions.yaml

@@ -32,31 +32,6 @@
     <p>In this session, I’ll share the journey of implementing a documentation survey and 
     fixing it by dissecting the survey mechanism, enhancing feedback paths, updating our 
     survey design, and integrating survey results with our data analytics platform.</p>'
-- title: Creating truly accessible documentation
-  slug: creating-truly-accessible-documentation-felicia-sephodi
-  series: Write the Docs Australia
-  series_slug: australia
-  year: 2024
-  speakers:
-  - name: Felicia Sephodi
-    slug: felicia-sephodi
-    twitter: 
-    website: 
-  abstract: '<p>I recently gave a talk at another conference on accessible development
-    and after I gave the talk, I had to take a technical writing for accessibility
-    course where I learned about the art of creating useful alt text. It happened
-    that during my slides creation, some of my examples were not inclusive of audiences
-    with disabilities, I later realized that was also a pattern in my workplace. This 
-    session is a mixture of what I learned in detail, creating documentation
-    for all users and advanced ways for making documentation usable for everyone.</p>
-
-    <p>Understanding the art of creating disability-friendly content, I will explain 
-    the problem with the alt text during my talk and how I solved it. Additionally, 
-    I will show ways to create effective alt text and content that adapts
-    depending on the user. The session will also touch on inclusive design patterns as 
-    a method for helping create accessible documentation. Lastly, I will highlight 
-    efforts for collaboration, testing and ensuring that everyone is on board with 
-    accessibility in documentation design.</p>'
 - title: Mastering review comments — Fine-tuning feedback for better docs
   slug: tips-for-great-review-comments-cameron-shorter
   series: Write the Docs Australia

docs/_templates/2024/menu-desktop.html

@@ -20,6 +20,9 @@
             {% if not flagisvirtual %}
               <li><a href="{{ pathto('conf/'+shortcode+'/'+year_str+'/sponsor-expo') }}">Sponsor Expo</a></li>
             {% endif %}
+            {% if shortcode == "australia" %}
+             <li><a href="{{ pathto('conf/'+shortcode+'/'+year_str+'/tales') }}">Tales From the Trenches</a></li>
+            {% endif %}
             {% if flaghashike %}
             <li><a href="{{ pathto('conf/'+shortcode+'/'+year_str+'/hike') }}">Hike</a></li>
             {% endif %}

docs/_templates/2024/menu-mobile.html

@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@
       {% if not flagisvirtual %}
         <li><a href="{{ pathto('conf/'+shortcode+'/'+year_str+'/sponsor-expo') }}">Sponsor Expo</a></li>
       {% endif %}
+      {% if shortcode == "australia" %}
+        <li><a href="{{ pathto('conf/'+shortcode+'/'+year_str+'/tales') }}">Tales From the Trenches</a></li>
+      {% endif %}
       {% if flaghashike %}
       <li><a href="{{ pathto('conf/'+shortcode+'/'+year_str+'/hike') }}">Hike</a></li>
       {% endif %}

docs/conf/australia/2024/lightning-talks.rst

@@ -18,8 +18,6 @@ We have two categories for people who submit talks:
 We do this so we have a mix of first time and experienced speakers.
 We also want first-time speakers to know that we care about them having a chance to get on stage.
 
-**You can sign up for lightning talks each day of the conference** `on our Google Form <https://forms.gle/ULLEXmkXHymanNEP9>`_.
-
 Planning: What goes into a lightning talk?
 ------------------------------------------
 
@@ -32,6 +30,8 @@ First, you need a **topic**. Your topic might be:
 - A retrospective, or what went right/wrong during a project you did or are doing
 - Anything relevant that the audience might be interested in knowing more about
 
+**Stuck for an idea?** Check out `Tales from the Trenches`_, a session for lightning talks focussed around three different topics. 
+
 Next, you need an **outline** for the content. Think about the **audience**, and the **goal** of your talk. Choose points to make that will be understandable by the audience and achieve your presentation goal. Remember how quickly five minutes goes by when choosing what to include!
 
 Potential **points of interest** might be:
@@ -80,3 +80,5 @@ License
 Thanks to the lovely Portland Python Users Group for use of this content.
 
 Lightning Talks: A Guide for Beginners by Michelle Rowley of PDX Python is licensed under a `Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License <http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/>`__.
+
+.. _Tales from the Trenches: https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/australia/2024/tales/

docs/conf/australia/2024/tales.rst

@@ -0,0 +1,45 @@
+:template: {{year}}/generic.html
+
+Tales from the Trenches
+=======================
+
+**Where real stories meet tech docs.** This year, Write the Docs Australia is excited to introduce "Tales from the Trenches"—a new initiative inviting attendees to share their unique experiences and offer fresh perspectives. 
+
+We’re offering the usual `lightning talks`_ session on Day 1, but with "Tales from the Trenches" on Day 2, we’re setting three broad topics to help spark ideas and focus your stories. 
+
+Why join in?
+------------
+
+Great things happen when we share what we know. Our community is made up of technical writers, programmers, support teams, developer advocates, content strategists, and more; and we all work in such different spaces—public, private, and open source. 
+
+Sometimes the best conversations are the ones that happen in the hallway between sessions. With "Tales from the Trenches," we’re bringing those gems onto the stage for everyone to hear and enjoy.
+
+Who’s it for?
+-------------
+
+"Tales from the Trenches" is for everyone\! Whether you’re a natural on stage or this is your first time holding the mic, all are welcome. Some of us have great stories but aren’t sure what’s worth sharing, while others want to speak but don’t know where to start. 
+
+This is a relaxed, open space for all of us to share a story or two. We’re all peers here, learning from each other as we go.
+
+How It Works
+------------
+
+- **Talks on Day 2**: "Tales from the Trenches" will close out Day 2 with 5-7 minute lightning-style talks—no slides, just you and your story.  
+- **Pick a topic**: Choose from one of our three topics to get your ideas flowing.  
+- **Sign up**: Add your name to the sheet when you register to claim your spot under a topic. If spots fill up fast, we’ll draw names to keep things fair.
+
+Topics for your tales
+---------------------
+
+- **AI in documentation** – What problem did AI ***not*** solve for you? How has AI changed how you work? This could include experiences with AI tools, automation, challenges, and how tech writers are navigating the world of AI.  
+- **Tech writing fails & documentation horror stories** – We’ve all been there. Whether it’s an embarrassing moment, a big mistake, or just a funny story, we’ve all had fails. Tell us what happened and what you learned!  
+- **Soft skills in technical writing** – What’s a soft skill that’s made a difference in your work? Share stories about resilience, time management, dealing with imposter syndrome, mentoring others, or balancing feedback.
+
+Your five minutes of fame!
+--------------------------
+
+Whether it’s a documentation horror story, a tech-writing hack, or a valuable lesson learned, your story matters. Step up, share a tale, and make your mark at the conference\! Plus, by contributing, you’ll be adding to a rich, diverse experience that everyone can learn from.
+
+**Note:** All talks will be recorded (unless you'd rather opt out) and shared on the Write the Docs Australia YouTube channel.
+
+.. _lightning talks: https://www.writethedocs.org/conf/australia/2024/lightning-talks/