The Perth writing community is the place to be in August / September with the Children’s Book Council Awards and the Premier’s Book Awards just gone and the Perth Poetry Festival around the corner. Congratulations to winners and shortlisted writers on all sides and congratulations too to publisher Terri-ann White at Upswell for the release of her first 2021 title, Imaginative Possession by Belinda Probert.
At grassroots the four writers’ centres are gearing up for the Emerging Writers Program. Applications to The PCWC, FAWWA and WAPI have now closed, so if you are still looking for an opportunity to develop your manuscript look out for the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers’ Centre (KSP) deadlines which fall in September and October.
Here at FAWWA we have had our own events and regular workshops. A highlight this month was Cindy Solonec’s presentation to Friday@Furphy’s. Cindy (Nyikina) spoke about her West Kimberley memoir, Debesa. To see Mattie’s full of people, many of them with a Magabala books and Kimberley connection, was to experience firsthand the depth of history the Fellowship shares with writers, individuals and organisations beyond the metropolitan area. It was an evening rich in stories and songs and I would like to thank everyone who made it a success.
The Stuart Hadow Short Story Award shortlist is out. The 182 entries were judged this year by Susan Midalia. Congratulations to all the shortlisted writers and good luck for the next stage. The awards will be held at Mattie’s on Sunday 12 September at 2pm. All welcome. On the same day Terri-Ann White will join us to present Getting Published, the first of our Emerging Writer’s Program workshops. A limited number of tickets will be available for those who are interested. Please contact the office by email.
We are delighted to have three interns with us for a time, Noni Oldfield and Eleisha Perez from Curtin University’s Professional Writing and Publishing program and Lauren Pratt, a Murdoch graduate who comes to us fresh from her stint at The Centre for Stories. If you come down to Tom Collins over the next couple of months on Tuesday or Friday you are sure to meet them. Please make them feel welcome.
Karen Whittle-Herbert
FAWWA President.
FAWWA is pleased to present the Stuart Hadow Competition Shortlist selected by judge Susan Midalia. This year’s competition drew a healthy 182 unpublished short stories from across Australia delivered to Susan in the cold, wet Makuru season (winter). The shortlist now emerges with the wildflowers! We are so pleased to see one of our Emerging Writers’ Program alumna, Julie Woodland, present on this list.
Michael Burrows (WA), 'Green Thumbs'
Jean Flynn (VIC), 'Someone Like You'
Paulette Gittins (VIC), 'Only Joking'
Kerry Greer (WA), 'Espalier'
Karen Hollands (QLD), 'Unravelling'
Julie Woodland (WA), 'The Astrophysics of Love'
The winners will be announced on September 12 at the annual presentation event, held at Mattie Furphy House 2-4pm. Admission is free and afternoon tea is provided.
Getting Published with Terri-ann White
Don’t miss an opportunity to attend the first Emerging Writers’ Program workshop with Terri-ann White on the morning of the Stuart Hadow award ceremony (12 Sept, 11am-1pm). A limited number of places are available in this Getting Published Workshop provided by one of WA’s most respected publishing professionals. Please book in advance by calling the FAWWA office on 9384 4771 or emailing fellowshipaustralianwriterswa@gmail.com. Tickets are $30, $25 for members.
A river, a rope swinging
President of FAWWA, Karen Whittle-Herbert, joins the ranks of WA crime-writers with her first novel to be released on 1 October 2021. Drawn from Karen’s childhood experiences growing up in Geraldton, The Rivermouth hits close to home — a 15-year-old boy is murdered in a regional coastal community amid a slew of social issues and exhaustion. In an interview with Seesaw Mag, Karen said “It never occurred to me to set the story anywhere else… local readers will know how the road smells when it rains in summer or when the hairy caterpillars come out.” Read the article and more about the book here. Film and television rights for the novel have already been optioned by Spark Plug films. Congratulations Karen, we can’t wait to read your novel!
Become a member
Thank you to all those who have signed up or renewed their membership with FAWWA for the current financial year. This is a unique time to be supporting writers and creatives in Perth and WA who generate the stories of this place and community. Members receive discounts to FAWWA events and the events of other organisations affiliated with WA Writers United: (WA Poets Inc, Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers’ Centre and Peter Cowan Writers’ Centre). If you would like to become a member, click on the following link: https://www.fawwa.org/become-a-member
Friday @ Furphy’s with Ron Banks
Ron Banks began his working life as a high school teacher but switched to journalism, where he became arts editor at The West Australian. He has written extensively about the arts, interviewing actors, directors, artists, musicians and dancers, as well as writing reviews of Perth productions of theatre and music over many years. Since retirement he has written and published two successful books — Other Times, about The West Australian newspaper in the pre-digital age, and this year his memoir Fragments, on growing up in the 1950s in suburban Perth. You can catch Ron at the next Friday@Furphy’s: 10 Sept, 6pm at Mattie Furphy House.
Coming up in October, look out for Glen Philips at Friday@Furphy’s for the launch of his new book.
Life Story-telling: A workshop to get you started
Places are still available if you are interested in attending the workshop on Life Story-telling to be run by our members Helena Studdert and Machiel van der Stelt in October-November. If you have always wanted to tell your own tale, this supportive and encouraging workshop is for you. Join us at Mattie Furphy House and learn how you might record your life’s journey. Expressions of interest can be sent to fellowshipaustralianwriterswa@gmail.com.
AGM
FAWWA Members, it is that time of year again. Please note the date of the AGM in your calendars: Sunday 24 October, 2pm at Tom Collins House.
Events Listing
Tues 7 Sept, 6pm: Write Night ($10/$5)
Fri 10 Sept, 10am-12noon: OOTA Poetry Class with Shey Marque ($30 members/$25 non-members. Cash on the day) 1-3pm: OOTA Prose Class with Ashley Angus (Price as above)
Sun 12 Sept, 11am-1pm: EWP Workshop, “Getting Published” with Terri-ann White, Upswell (Please book in advance. $30/$25 Members) 2-4pm: The Stuart Hadow Short Story Awards. Admission free, afternoon tea provided.
Sun 19th Sept, 10am: Book Length Project Group ($10/$5)
Tues 21 Sept, 6pm: Write Night ($10/$5)
Fri 24 Sept, 10am-12noon: OOTA Poetry Class with Shey Marque ($30 members/$25 non-members. Cash on the day) 1-3pm: OOTA Prose Class with Ashley Angus (Price as above)
Tues 28 Sept, 6.30pm: Writing Hour with Louise Allan. Book direct with Louise here ($20 per ticket)
Sun 24 Oct, 2pm: AGM
Look out for Glen Philips at Friday @ Furphy’s in October