May 7, 2013
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander writers from across Australia will gather at the State Library in Brisbane on Thursday and Friday for a workshop being presented by the First Nations Australia Writers’ Network.
The inaugural workshop will bring together 65 emerging and established Indigenous writers from across Australia, as well as international guests from Canada and New Zealand, to participate in peer-to-peer workshops, formal presentations and round table discussions.
“Our writers have won some of the most prestigious literary awards in Australia,” co-ordinator Cathy Craigie said.
“Two Aboriginal authors have won the Miles Franklin Award – Alexis Wright with Carpentaria in 2007 and Kim Scott with The Deadman Dance in 2011. Herb Wharton was awarded the 2012 Australia Council Award for Lifetime Achievement in Literature.
“The depth of talent and experience that exists within our community is extraordinary and it is now time for us to work together to strengthen our future.”
Featured writers will include Alexis Wright, Herb Wharton, Dr Anita Heiss and Kim Scott.
Other participants include Cherbourg-born poet Lionel Fogarty, Philip McLaren, Bruce Pascoe, Alexis West, John Harding and Sam Wagan Watson.
