We’re pleased to announce Writers Victoria will use a $30,000 investment from the Victorian Government to increase support for writers across regional and rural Victoria.
Creative people in regional and rural Victoria have access to fewer professional development opportunities and industry networks than those living in metro areas.
It can be more difficult to network, to get professional assessments on manuscripts, find available mentors and training, and connect closely with publishers.
Writers Victoria Chair Janice Gobey said, “This investment recognises that a writer’s location shouldn’t determine their access to professional development and literary networks.
“Regional Victoria has an amazing and diverse writing community. We’ll work alongside local writers and organisations to understand more about what’s needed and develop practical, sustainable ways to support them to be successful fiction and non-fiction authors, no matter where they live.”
Approximately 1.6 million people live outside metro Melbourne and some of Victoria’s most loved and successful writers come from regional Victoria – Alison Lester, John Marsden, Gregory Day, Cate Kennedy, and Amie Kaufman, the list goes on!
Writers Victoria has a proud history of working in regional areas with initiatives, including hosting regional writing networking groups and regional open mic nights and sponsoring several regional writing and literary festivals and events.
In collaboration with existing regional writing hubs, libraries, arts organisations and local communities, Writers Victoria will use the funding to understand the needs of regional writers, identify gaps in existing services and create opportunities for writing communities across the state.
“We look forward to creating stronger connections between regional writing groups, literary festivals, libraries and local arts organisations, creating more opportunities for writers to develop their skills and participate in Victoria’s literary sector. We want to foster the wonderful richness and cultural diversity that comes from rural and regional Victoria,” said Gobey.
“We’re grateful to Minister Vicki Ward for supporting our work in this area.”
We look forward to sharing new and upcoming regional events and initiatives over the coming months.