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Write-ability Fellows announced

Five writers with disability will receive six hours of free mentoring with authors, assessors and industry experts through the second annual Write-ability Fellowships announced this week.

Fellowships were awarded to writers working in a range of styles and genres, including memoir, non-fiction, blogging, short story and poetry.

“We received more than 35 applications from all over Victoria, so we had a difficult task to narrow down the applications to just five fellowships,” said Writers Victoria Director, Kate Larsen.

A partnership between Arts Access Victoria and Writers Victoria, the Write-ability program aims to support Victorian writers with disability who want to develop their skills and writing careers.

Melbourne emerging writer Nicole Smith will work with writer and critic Bethanie Blanchard over the next two months.

“I have always dreamt of making a living as a writer surrounded by books and literature,“ Smith said. “To me, being awarded a Write-ability Fellowship gives some validity to this dream and gives me confidence that I am on the right path with my writing. I hope to treat the sessions as an intense learning experience and collaboration. Thank you very much to Writers Victoria for giving me this first push towards (hopefully) a fruitful writing career.”

The remaining fellowships have been awarded to Giovanni di Mase (who will work with mentor Lyndel Caffrey), Sarah Widdup (with mentor Matthew Hooper), Michelle Roger (with mentor Sam Twyford-Moore) and Kate Morrell (with mentor Antoinette Holm).

A further three shortlisted writers were highly commended. Naomi Snell, Tully Zygier and Veronica Fil will each receive a free one year Writers Victoria membership.

Writers Victoria acknowledges the generous support of the Grace Marion Wilson Trust for this program. Write-ability is made possible by the support of the City of Melbourne, the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, and Arts Victoria. Write-ability is grateful for the previous support of the Copyright Agency, the Ian Potter Foundation, and the Victorian Government.

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