ILF's new CEO
The Indigenous Literacy Foundation has announced its new chief executive officer is Ben Bowen, who will begin on October 6, 2021. Bowen is a descendent of the Wiradjuri Nation with family links to the Gandangara, Dharrawal and Yuin Nations. He was born and raised on the Gadigal and Wangal lands of the Sydney basin. The Indigenous Literacy Foundation is a not-for-profit charity of the Australian Book Industry that over the past 16 years has gifted 537,100 culturally appropriate books to more than 400 remote Indigenous communities and service organisations across Australia. ILF has published 103 books that represent up to 26 Aboriginal languages
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HNSA virtual conference
The Historical Novel Society Australasia virtual conference is on from October 22 to 24 and showcases more than 70 speakers from around the world. The guest of honour is Geraldine Brooks, who won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel, March. Other international guests include Kate Quinn, Ben Kane, Elizabeth Chadwick, Richard Zimler, Kevan Lyon and Laurie Blum Guest. The keynote speaker Julie Janson will address the theme of Recovery-Restoring, Reconciling and Re-imaging Lost Histories. All interviews and panels will be available to view on demand for three months after the conclusion of the event at no extra cost. More information and registrations: hnsa.org.au/2021-hnsa-conference.
National Young Writers Festival
The 2021 National Young Writers' Festival (NYWF) is a free and accessible four-day annual festival usually held in Newcastle, NSW. However, due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions this year's festival - the 24th - will be fully digital and will feature more than 80 artists across 66 events, a space for writers to take risks, experiment with new ideas, make new connections, and have fun. Among the events is Canberra Youth Theatre's Scratch, a work-in-progress readings event. See: youngwritersfestival.org/events
Children's literary competition
The Creative Thought and Reflection Literary Competition (CTRL+A) is run by the Orana Parents and Friends. Authors Jackie French and Harry Laing will be the judges. This year the theme is aligned with the Children's Book Council of Australia Book Week theme: Old Worlds, New Worlds and Other Worlds. The intention is to include as many children's stories, poems and one-page graphic novels as possible in the annual Orana Anthology of Creative Thought. Competition submissions will be open until November 1, 2021. All children of school age in Canberra and the surrounding regions are eligible to submit entries. All submissions must be accompanied by an entry fee. The book will be available for pre-purchase with delivery in early 2022. Find out more at ctrla.oranaschool.com.
Writing Bootcamp
Historical Novel Society Australasia is offering the chance for small groups of eight to be taught in one-day bootcamps over the weekend of October 16 and 17. The tutors are Kelly Gardiner and Pamela Hart (Writing), Sophie Masson (Publishing) and Nadine Davidoff (Editing). There will be 1:1 manuscript assessments by editors Irina Dunn and Elena Gomez. Gillian Polack is offering her research and writing masterclass to groups of three. See hnsa.org.au.
A Brush With Poetry
September 26: This will be a Spring Zoom open mic poetry soirée (instead of the usual Binalong venue). Hear an eclectic mix of voices and enjoy a chat with other poetry lovers. "Doors" open at 1.30pm (chat time) for 2pm poetry start. Link to event on Binalong Arts Group Inc Facebook page or via email. Contact: robynsykespoet@gmail.com or 0401 289 178. All welcome.
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