News

Culturally diverse mentorships announced

We are pleased to announce the five recipients of our 2013 CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) Mentorship Program, which supports and promotes the diversity that forms the fabric of our writing and our broader community.

Beverly Almeida, Lian Low, Fatima Sehbai, Hariklia Heristanidis and Hoa Pham –representing both metropolitan and regional Victoria, and emerging and established positions on the writing spectrum – will this year commence mentorships with author and historian Maria Tumarkin to advance their writing practice and explore publishing opportunities.

“I am thrilled to be involved in this Writers Victoria program, which recognises that writers born into another language have a tremendous amount to contribute to Australian literature,” said Tumarkin.

“Biculturalism is a real asset, not a hindrance, for a writer. What a privilege it is to work with five women who do not sound like anyone else and who are burning to bring their stories to a wider readership.”

The Writers Victoria CALD Mentorship Program is generously supported by the Grace Marion Wilson Trust. The Program forms part of Writers Victoria’s focus on providing opportunities and access to its diverse membership and writing community.

Read more about the CALD mentees: Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)

— 15.05.2013 »

Writers Victoria thrilled to join Templeberg Villa in offering one-month fellowship in stunning Sri Lanka

Writers Victoria and Templeberg Villa are excited to announce the 2013 Inaugural Templeberg Residential Writing Fellowship, a funded, month-long writing residence in stunning Galle, Sri Lanka.

Fiction, non-fiction and performing arts writers, poets, journalists and bloggers are invited to apply for the Fellowship, which includes return economy airfares, accommodation at Templeberg Villa (templeberg.com), full board and a $1,000 allowance.

“This is the perfect antidote to a creativity lull or the lack of time to write,” said Writers Victoria acting Director Jacquelin Low. “The Fellowship is an opportunity for a writer to devote 30 uninterrupted days to their writing project in serene, inspiring surrounds.”

“Writers like Paul Bowles have previously made the area around Galle their home, finding inspiration in the mix of cultures, the tropical scenery and the incomparable sunsets”, said Templeberg Villa co-owner Christopher Shields. “We felt that hosting a writer at Templeberg Villa could be our way to support great Australian writing.”

Galle, on Sri Lanka’s south coast, is home to a respected literary festival and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Applications are now open and close midnight 14 June. The Fellowship must be taken before 31 December 2013.

Application details at writersvictoria.org.au/services/fellowships Closing date: 14 June 2013

— 03.05.2013 »

Fresh workshops and short courses announced

Our inaugural Winter School opens for enrolment today. The school will be tutored by Cate Kennedy, Lisa Jacobson, Sally Rippin, Rebecca Harkins-Cross and Damon Young.

In addition to the Winter School, a fresh lineup of classes have been added to our events calendar. We’re ecstatic to bring you classes on grammar, editing, romance, history, memoir, YA, theatre and plenty more.

In a first for Writers Victoria, we’re hosting a masterclass in the historic town of Clunes. The June masterclass is a four-day retreat focussing on life writing and will be tutored by award-winning author, seasoned publisher and magazine editor Peter Rose.

See the full list of events for 2013.

— 01.05.2013 »

Writers Victoria launches new CALD Mentorships with Maria Tumarkin

Writers Victoria is pleased to announce its latest mentorships, with mentor Maria Tumarkin, which are offered to support emerging and established writers from non-English speaking backgrounds to advance their writing practice and explore publishing opportunities for their work.

The Writers Victoria CALD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) Mentorships 2013 are available to writers working on a specific piece, either in full or in part, which can may be in essay or longer form, in either fiction or non-fiction categories.

The deadline for applications is 5pm, Wednesday 3 April 2013.

Application and guidelines: Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD)

— 19.03.2013 »

Writers Victoria welcomes the release of new cultural policy

Writers Victoria welcomes the release of Creative Australia, the new National Cultural Policy launched by Arts Minister Simon Crean yesterday afternoon.

Here’s a quick summary of what the National Cultural Policy will mean for Victorian writers.

The $10.3m increase to the Public Lending Right scheme is a very welcome addition to all those published writers who already have books in library circulation. And a $600,000 bump in the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards will also be a boon for our more established writers.

Community language funding of $13.9m will reinvigorate the use and teaching of Indigenous languages and provide some opportunities to Indigenous writers.

“But it’s the significant increase in funding going to the Australia Council, along with the extension of the ArtStart grants program and a new investment in artistic career development that will have the most direct benefit for our next generation of writers, poets and playwrights,” said Writers Victoria’s incoming Director, Kate Larsen.

Songwriters will also get a leg up through $1.25 million to address career pathways in the contemporary music industry.

The changes to arts education are exciting too. For the first time, all Australian school children will be guaranteed an arts education. But we were disappointed to see that literature is not one of the five arts subjects specifically mentioned. We can only assume that this is because it’s already being covered under the English curriculum.

The policy also skirts over the massive changes currently facing the publishing industry. And while it’s good to see the government’s commitment to continue to build on the National Arts and Disability Strategy, but it’s a shame it also didn’t take the opportunity to demonstrate how it will be resourced. “Demand for our Write Ability program has been overwhelming,” Kate said, “so it’s important that targeted initiatives for writers with disability like this continue to be supported now that the three-year National Arts and Disability Strategy has come to an end.”

Overall, the National Cultural Policy brings good news for Victorian writers. We look forward to what comes next.

— 14.03.2013 »

Hazel Rowley Literary Fellowship awarded to Stephany Steggall

The 2012 Hazel Rowley Literary Fellowship was awarded to Stephany Steggall last night at Adelaide Writers' Week.

Steggall will use the $10,000 prize to write a biography of Thomas Keneally, Booker Prize winner for Schindler’s Ark.

The announcement was made at a lecture commemorating the life and work of biographer Hazel Rowley, where special guest lecturer Alex Miller reflected on his friendship with the late Rowley.

Applications were judged by Miller, acclaimed biographer Jim Davidson, Lynn Buchanan, a close friend of Rowley, and Della Rowley, Rowley’s sister.

Interviews
Della Rowley, sister of Hazel Rowley
Mary Hoban, 2011 Hazel Rowley Literary Fellowship recipient

Contact
Jacquelin Low, Acting Director 03 9094 7836 director@writersvictoria.org.au

— 07.03.2013 »

Introducing Kate Larsen – our new Director

The Writers Victoria Committee of Management is pleased to announce that Kate Larsen has been appointed as the new Writers Victoria Director commencing Monday, 13 May 2013.

“We are delighted to have Kate Larsen join Writers Victoria. She is an experienced arts administrator as well as a noted writer and poet,” said Isolde Lueckenhausen, Writers Victoria Chair.

“With Kate at the helm of our organisation, we will continue to represent our members and the broader Victorian writing community to develop a vibrant and sustainable writing culture.”

Most recently Chief Executive Officer of Arts Access Australia, Kate brings extensive experience in strategic leadership, creative direction and visioning as a leader in the not-for-profit, government and cultural sectors in Australia, Asia and the United Kingdom.

As a writer and poet, Kate has been involved in the Australian Poetry’s Cafe Poet initiative, the Emerging Writers' Festival and FreePlay Festival. She is commissioned to undertake a poetry residency at Arts Centre Melbourne later this year.

“I am thrilled to guide Writers Victoria through the next stage of its development,” Kate said.

“We are all looking forward to a year of new reach, new collaborations and quality professional development opportunities for all Victorian writers.”

Until Kate commences, Jacquelin Low will continue to be Writers Victoria Acting Director.

Enquiries Please contact Writers Victoria on director@writersvictoria.org.au or (03) 9094 7836

— 05.03.2013 »

Writers Victoria members become Hot Desk fellows

As of today, the Wheeler Centre Hot Desks are home to writers keen for a space to call their own. With the help of The Readings Foundation, Hot Deskers receive a $1000 stipend, a workspace for two months and support from the Wheeler Centre resident organisations.

From nearly 200 applications, the list was whittled down to just ten writers, six of whom are Writers Victoria members. A big congratulations to members Penelope Chai, Kirsty Murray, Wahibe Moussa, Dominic Gordon, Pepi Ronalds and Meleesha Bardolia, who’ll be working on film scripts, plays, YA novels, novellas and non-fiction pieces.

We’re looking forward to having them here and to reading their projects when it’s time for them to go home.

— 11.02.2013 »

Writers Victoria seeks new director

Writers Victoria is seeking a new director to lead the organisation. For more information, visit our employment opportunities page. Applications close 8 February at noon.

— 22.01.2013 »

Shortlist announced for Hazel Rowley Literary Fellowship

We are pleased to announce the shortlist for the Hazel Rowley Literary Fellowship: Ann-Marie Priest, Elizabeth Taylor, Helen O'Neill, John Murphy, Lisa Milner, Sheridan Palmer and Stephany Steggall

The judges for the fellowship are Alex Miller (acclaimed writer and close friend of Hazel’s), Jim Davidson (acclaimed biographer), Lynn Buchanan (close friend of Hazel’s) and Della Rowley (Hazel’s sister).

The winner will be publicly announced during Adelaide Writers' Week at the Hazel Rowley Memorial Lecture on Wednesday 6 March from 5pm.

— 11.01.2013 »