Writers SA

Q&A with Writers’ Week author Preti Taneja (We That Are Young)

2019-02-16T05:12:33Z

Writers SA is thrilled to host British-Asian novelist Preti Taneja, author of We That Are Young, for a special masterclass in association with Adelaide Writers’ Week. In an exclusive and intimate session, find out how Preti was inspired by Shakespeare’s King Lear to write her own novel.

Ahead of her exciting visit to Australia, we asked Preti a few questions about her book, her experience in conflict zones, and her love of writing fiction.

Writers SA: What was it about King Lear that fascinated you to use it as the starting point for your book?
Preti Taneja: First of all it was the language – at school I was gripped by the way Shakespeare manipulates words to suggest the ambiguities of how people feel about one another, and to critique how the social world of power is constructed. Then it was the character dynamics, and the difference between what I could see was happening between the daughters and their father – a ‘divide and rule’ patriarchy – and the way that was understood by critics over time – as evil daughters take down their tragic, heroic father. There seemed some injustice there about the way women are perceived and our lives understood. Finally it was the division of the kingdom – it was the first time I had seen Partition, which is in my family’s Indian history, discussed at school – and I understood the play as a metaphor for something I had only heard about in stories at home.

WSA: How has your work in conflict zones and with refugees influenced you as a writer?
PT: In profound ways, all of my work has to do with advocacy. Listening to people’s stories and reporting on them for human rights work made me want to look at structural discrimination as a novelist, and to do that from a certain point of view: the lives of people who have the power, who make the rules. I want to understand what keeps us all bound and connected – being a refugee is not a job – it’s an imposed category of being and so who makes those rules and circumstances, and how we can challenge them is what interests me.

WSA: What is it that draws you to writing fiction?
PT: Fiction gives me the linguistic and thematic freedom to explore every aspect of life in a way which I hope will reach people who may be saturated with news. Language is my country and fiction – the kind that deeply engages with reality while throwing it into sharp relief – is the place where I am most at home.

WSA: What are you looking forward to experiencing in Adelaide and Australia?
PT: It’s my first time in the country. I’m looking forward to meeting and hearing from as many people as I can and taking it all in; I just want to taste the air.

Book into Preti Taneja’s masterclass here.

Writers SA’s International Author Masterclass program is presented in association with Adelaide Writers’ Week and our venue partner, the State Library of South Australia.

The post Q&A with Writers’ Week author Preti Taneja (We That Are Young) appeared first on Writers SA.

We’re hiring! Are you our next Program Coordinator or Marketing Coordinator?

2019-02-01T01:51:32Z

It’s with both joy and sadness that we let you know that we are seeking a new Program Coordinator. Our outgoing coordinator, Matthew Cropley—who has been so integral to Writers SA—is leaving us for an exciting full-time writing opportunity overseas. We are thrilled for Matt and we are so glad his professional writing career is making great leaps! South Australia’s loss is indeed the world’s gain. We wish him the very best on his next adventure.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

This opens a position at Writers SA for a part-time Program Coordinator! The Program Coordinator coordinates and delivers Writers SA’s core program of workshops and events. The Program Coordinator works closely with the Director on artistic programming and event management to deliver on the organisation’s key strategic aims to foster a community of writers and support writers’ careers in the state.

View the Program Coordinator Position Description for information about the role and how to apply. Applications close 5pm, Friday 1 March.

MARKETING COORDINATOR

We are also hiring a part-time Marketing Coordinator. This .3 role is focused on the delivery of Writers SA’s marketing plan across our website, social media, e-news.

View the Marketing Coordinator Position Description for information about the role and how to apply. Applications close 5pm, Friday 1 March.

As both of these roles are part-time, we invite anyone who has demonstrable skills and experience in both programming and marketing and is interested in applying for both (to be rolled into a .9FTE role) to contact us. Contact our General Manager Lynda de Koning on lynda@writerssa.org.au or (08) 8223 7662.

The post We’re hiring! Are you our next Program Coordinator or Marketing Coordinator? appeared first on Writers SA.

Winners of the 2018 Writers SA and Feast Shorty Story Competition Announced

2018-11-30T01:16:25Z

The Feast short story completion attracted a strong field and we were delighted with the numbers. The stories covered a range of subjects: falling in love, rites of passage, casual sex vs. friendship, living with HIV, being trans in a country town; and included every genre from realism to futuristic fantasy and whimsy.

The winning stories were distinguished by the clarity of their themes and their ability to manage ideas within the confines of the word length. The characters were interesting, evoking feelings that resonated for the judges. They were edited and polished to a high standard.

We look forward to reading more next year. It’s heartening to know there is so much good queer writing.

The winners are:

Over-30 Winner: Stephen House with ‘In My Pup Tent’

Over-30 Highly Commended: Tanya Vavilova with ‘Carpark’

Over-30 Highly Commended: Jenny Toune with ‘Cull’

Under-30 Co-Winner: Jaimee Hart with ‘How Do We Rewrite the Stars’

Under-30 Co-Winner: Jamila Main with ‘Butterfly Kicks’

Under-30 Highly Commended: Patrick Forrest with ‘Lucky Felix’

The post Winners of the 2018 Writers SA and Feast Shorty Story Competition Announced appeared first on Writers SA.

Blog Post: Manal Younus in Port Augusta #2

2018-10-22T06:45:45Z

Southern Cross News SA featured a story on Manal’s residency:

Upon arrival at Port Augusta, I was met with a warm welcome from the host of the Eco Motel, the place in which I would be staying for the week. We had some lovely conversation about east Africa and other parts of the world as he had worked internationally for many years before opening this motel. I unpacked my groceries and settled in before Tina, the Port Augusta Public Library manager picked me up and to show me around town. We drove to the Arid Lands Botanic Gardens to see the sculptures that were installed for the arid art festival. We then made our way to Flinders look out at the Red Banks and I was given a brief about the colonial history.

On my second day I met with Tina and Lisa, who have recently begun offering walking tours of the town. On our walking tour I learned a lot about Port Augusta since colonisation began. The stories of Matthew Flinders, the familiar tale about the quest to find the inland sea. It was enlightening, and walking across the entire town helped me to get my bearings. Later that day, I had an interview with Umeewarra, the local indigenous radio station and had an opportunity to share a poem. It’s much easier to get your voice heard in smaller towns. I had a few interviews throughout the week. My second interview was with ABC radio. I was having a chat with the journalist Shannon who was from Adelaide, and it turned out she went to the same high school that I did. We debated favourite teachers and had a lovely time. The third was with Southern Cross Media, also by a young motivated person straight out of Uni. It’s brilliant seeing the opportunities that exist outside of the big cities.

I spent a lot of time cruising through the library and doing some writing for my new collection of poetry as well as catching up on some admin. I also had a chance to catch up with the local singing group, Desert Voices. We had a wonderful time sharing songs, poems and stories and making plans for possible future collaborations. Another group I had a chance to meet with was Dusty Feet Mob, a young aboriginal dance group, and this was a beautiful experience to say the least. They moved to tell a story through their dance with an Archie Roach track playing in the background. Watching them dance, then sharing my poetry was like an interdisciplinary art collaboration, I felt that they spoke to me in their language and I spoke in mine and we understood each other without distortion of interpretation. It was a feeling. A connection. Later, I shared a poem with the aunties and the kids that was about reconnecting with my family, the air was so tense, many tears were being held back including my own. One sister asked me about writing about grief. She told me of how it is something continually experienced in her community but there is no way to speak about it, she felt that this, spoken word, might be a good outlet.

During this trip, I had many hours of wandering around the town, capturing textures and sounds on my camera and voice recorder. I had time to sit amongst elders, in their offices and homes learning about things that cannot adequately be represented in books. I had time to sit alone, to catch up on overdue work and to create new work. It was such a welcoming place, with many people that I met throughout the week making an appearance at the final event on Thursday night where we shared stories, laughter and tears. There was much talk about returning to facilitate workshops here and there, to take trips further out into the bush, to share books and to collaborate. The best part about the whole experience was that it felt like the beginning of something new.

The Writers and Readers in Residence Project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Read Part 1 here.

The post Blog Post: Manal Younus in Port Augusta #2 appeared first on Writers SA.

Blog Post: Manal Younus in Port Augusta #1

2018-10-22T06:43:56Z

Writers SA is running a Writers and Readers in Residence program sending authors out to interact with communities and create new work. Read about poet Manal Younus’ experience in Port Augusta as the first writer on the program:

When I was in the fourth grade, we were tasked with choosing a town in South Australia to research and then present to the class. I looked on the map when Port Augusta caught my eye for two reasons. Port Adelaide Power were my family’s favourite football team and my birthday is in August. In the mind of an 8 year old, a town that was basically called Port August, was built for me. I began to research the place by looking at books in the library and even sending a letter to the Mayor, the late Joy Baluch’s office for some information. She sent me brochures and pamphlets with more information, this made me feel even more connected. As I learned more about its history, the dessert, the gulf, the camels and the cameleers, it became more apparent to me that there was something about this place – Camel’s have always been my favourite. Noticing my growing obsession with Port Augusta, my family decided I should see it in real life, so we packed some bags and went on a road trip. I was able to take my own photos for my school presentation. For that project, I submitted a poster and a cassette tape with my commentary of our trip.

This was the first of many visits that were to come. My family returned again a few years later to ride the Pitchie Richie Railway to visit Quorn and friends in Whyallah. When I began working with Act Now Theatre and Reconciliation SA we made a couple of trips to PA to deliver interactive workshops on social cohesion. By this time I was seeing Port Augusta in a different light.

When Writers SA approached me with the opportunity to do a residency in rural SA, Port Augusta was mentioned as an option and I knew immediately that it was where I wanted to go. Not because of the childhood obsession – ok, not entirely – but because I still see the magic that I saw as a child. This place is the meeting point for desert and ocean as it is for so many parts of history. It’s home to a large Aboriginal population, many with great connections to country and involvement in building their communities. It has a strong history of diversity, from the multitude of first nations language groups that would pass through and meet on that land. It hosted the first wave of tradesman and cameleers from the Middle East. I’ve been fascinated by the boom and bust cycles of the industries that have left their mark on the town. Many layers of stories that seem to exist there and it has such a potential for growth, and I’m charmed by the friendly nature of all who walk past. I couldn’t wait to finally have the opportunity to spend time there and explore all of these things that I only knew vaguely of but had been captivated by, so long ago.

The Writers and Readers in Residence Project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Read Part 2 here.

The post Blog Post: Manal Younus in Port Augusta #1 appeared first on Writers SA.

Author Karen Wyld in Ceduna as Writers SA’s Writer-in-Residence

2018-09-25T02:20:06Z

Karen Wyld, an author, freelance writer and weaver, will spend a month in the Ceduna region working with the library and various community-based organisations to present activities for local writers and readers.

Karen’s residency is part of Writers SA’s Writers and Readers in Residence Project, in which South Australian writers undertake an artistic residency in regional communities to activate reading as well as writing in the town. The Writers and Readers in Residence Project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

“We are thrilled for Karen to spend this time in Ceduna,” Director of Writers SA, Jessica Alice, said. “This is invaluable time for Karen to reflect and write, while making meaningful connections with community in the region.”

From school holiday activities, to 1:1 support for new and emerging local writers, and involvement at the annual OysterFest, Karen will be developing and presenting a wide range of activities for readers and writers.

“I’m grateful to have been offered this experience. With a background in community development, youth work, Aboriginal health, and arts, I’m really looking forward to meeting a diverse range of organisations and working together to present activities for readers and writers of all ages,” Karen said.

As a freelancer, Karen writes trade book reviews for Books + Publishing and has op-eds published in NITV, Meanjin, Al Jazeera, Guardian Australia and Indigenous X. She has a piece in the Spring issue of Meanjin, which is a fictional telling of four girls in Western Australia, who were part of the Stolen Generations.

Her debut novel, When Rosa Came Home, was shortlisted for a SA Readers & Writers People’s Choice Award in 2015. Her draft manuscript, Where the Fruit Falls, was shortlisted for the Richell Prize in 2017.

Karen has just completed Hardcopy 2018, after being awarded the inaugural ACT Writers & First Nations Australia Writers Network Indigenous Writers Scholarship.

While in Ceduna, Karen will be editing her novel, Where the Fruit Falls, which she worked on during the Hardcopy professional development program for writers.

She will also be commencing her next project, Bestiarium Terra Nullius: peculiar beings of uninhabited southern lands, which is a series of three novellas. Following the journeys of maritime explorers, such as Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders, some of this work is based in the Great Australian Bight.

Karen has an interest in First Peoples and settler-colonial history. She said of this upcoming trip, “I will be traveling from my home by the sea, close to where Baudin and Flinders first met, along the coast they navigated, to write in a region that they also wrote about. And during my journey, I’ll be reflecting on first contact between these foreigners and the people of the country I will travel through—Ramindjeri, Kaurna, Narangga, Nukunu, Nauo, Barngarla, Wirangu, Mirning, Kokatha and Anangu.”

Karen will be in residency, on Wirangu country, between Monday 24 September and Monday 22 October 2018.

Karen will share updates of her residency and road-trip via Instagram, her blog and Twitter.

You can join Karen Wyld for a story-weaving workshop with Writers SA on Saturday 17 November, where within a yarning circle you will be taught how to weave a basket and learn the essentials of storytelling.

The post Author Karen Wyld in Ceduna as Writers SA’s Writer-in-Residence appeared first on Writers SA.

Arts writer Jane Howard in Renmark as writer-in-residence

2018-09-14T07:52:06Z

Guardian journalist and arts writer Jane Howard will be in Renmark over the next two weeks undertaking a writing residency at the Renmark Paringa Public Library.

Jane’s residency is part of Writers SA’s Writers and Readers in Residence Project, in which South Australian writers undertake an artistic residency in regional communities to activate reading as well as writing in the town. The Writers and Readers in Residence Project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Jane Howard is a journalist, critic, artist and researcher who works throughout Australia. She is a contributing editor at Kill Your Darlings Journal, where she focuses on podcast criticism, and a regular contributor to Guardian Australia. Jane has worked for the Guardian across Australia and in Asia; had writing commissioned in England, Scotland, Canada, and the Czech Republic.

She was director of the 2016 Digital Writers’ Festival and coordinator of HIVE at the 2017 Adelaide Film Festival. Jane is currently manager of communications and development at ActNow, and a research assistant at Deakin University.

Meet Jane at the Renmark Paringa Public Library on Thursday 20 September, 10:00-11:00am.

For bookings contact Renmark Paringa Library 85 86 55 44.

The post Arts writer Jane Howard in Renmark as writer-in-residence appeared first on Writers SA.

Writers SA appoints Lynda de Koning as General Manager

2018-09-12T03:57:41Z

Jessica Alice, Director of Writers SA, today announces Lynda de Koning as the organisation’s next General Manager.

“It is with enthusiasm for Writers SA that I welcome Lynda as our General Manager,” Jessica said. “Lynda’s experience and record in South Australia’s arts and creative industries is a great asset to our team, and to writing and literature in the state. I am very excited to start working with Lynda soon.”

Lynda’s career in the arts has spanned nearly twenty years, fulfilling pivotal roles with organisations including Patch Theatre Company, the OzAsia Festival, Adelaide Festival Centre and Riverland Youth Theatre, among others. She has extensive experience in company and operations management, and developing the systems and resources to deliver organisations’ artistic vision. Lynda brings significant networks and not-for-profit sector management experience to Writers SA.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Jessica and the team to deliver the vision of Writers SA, and to personally contribute and support the professional development of individuals and the sector,” Lynda said.

Writers SA led a rigorous recruitment process that attracted a high calibre of candidates. Writers SA thanks all applicants for their interest in the role.

For enquiries contact Writers SA on 08 8223 7662

The post Writers SA appoints Lynda de Koning as General Manager appeared first on Writers SA.

Poet Manal Younus in Port Augusta as Writers SA’s Writer in Residence

2018-09-13T02:46:51Z

Poet Manal Younus will spend this week in Port Augusta, where she will work with the Port Augusta Public Library and community groups to write and connect with local writers and readers. The Library will host a Meet The Poet event on Thursday 13 September.

Younus’s residency is part of Writers SA’s Writers and Readers in Residence Project, in which South Australian writers undertake an artistic residency in regional communities to activate reading as well as writing in the town. The Writers and Readers in Residence Project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

“I’m really looking forward to getting new inspiration from such a culturally and historically rich town,” Younus said about her Port Augusta residency. “I’m also excited to meet and work with local artists, groups, and movers and shakers.”

“Writers SA is thrilled to be working with the Port Augusta Public Library to host Manal Younus for this residency,” said Jessica Alice, Director of Writers SA. “Manal is an extraordinary young poet and it is wonderful to see her and her work welcomed by the Port Augusta community.”

While in Port Augusta, Younus will focus on writing a new collection of poetry, which explores youth, self, femininity, faith and migration. Following her residency, Younus will keep in touch with the community through digital updates to show the progression of her writing work.

Manal Younus is an Australian based freelance storyteller from Eritrea who believes that language and stories are the very fabric of our existence. The young artist also facilitates writing, performance, public speaking, youth empowerment and intercultural awareness workshops in schools, community groups.

Younus has featured on ABC’s QandA, presented at the Adelaide TEDx Conference in 2016, the National Multicultural Women’s Conference of 2016, the Adelaide Festival of Ideas and Open State Festival, the Halogen Foundation’s Young Leaders Convention, The Council for International Schools Conference 2017 and James Cook University’s Young Language Ambassadors Conference of 2018.

The Port Augusta Public Library is hosting a Meet The Poet session with Younus on Thursday 13 September from 7:00pm.

The post Poet Manal Younus in Port Augusta as Writers SA’s Writer in Residence appeared first on Writers SA.

Check-in with the Director – September 2018

2018-09-07T05:20:23Z

The 2018 Salisbury Writers’ Festival

We had a blast at the Salisbury Writers Festival last month, and I particularly enjoyed meeting so many of you for one-on-one consultations. It was great to hear about the different things local writers are working on—the ingenious ideas, the fascinating plays with form and genre, and the generous tellings of your lives that have led you to be the writers you are today. I feel privileged to have spent the time with you and I can’t wait to see these writing projects develop. Thanks, too, to all the brilliant presenters at the festival, the staff at Salisbury Council, and to our wonderfully engaged audiences.

I am pleased to announce the first of Writers SA’s writer in residence as part of our Writers and Readers in Residence Project. Manal Younus will soon travel to Port Augusta, where she’ll work with the Port Augusta Public Library and other community groups to write and connect with local writers and readers. Manal will be focusing on writing a new collection of poetry, which explores youth, self, femininity, faith and migration. Look out for more info from us about Manal’s residency, and the other writers who will be heading out into the regions this year. The Writers and Readers in Residence Project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.

Keep an eye out for more news from Writers SA. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to bring you our final quarter program for the year, to be released in a couple of weeks, as well as details for member networking events and an end of year celebration. We also look forward to introducing you to new faces at Writers SA in the coming months as we fill some key roles.

In the meantime we’ve got some brilliant workshops coming up over the next few weeks and we look forward to seeing you there!

– Jessica Alice, Director of Writers SA

The post Check-in with the Director – September 2018 appeared first on Writers SA.