1990
The Year of Reading and Literacy: what better year to be involved in the Writers' Centre? In 1990 we established a manuscript assessment service, floated poets on Popeye, and published the ABC for New Writers. Plus, writers were finally identified as belonging on the endangered species list - follow the 'publications' link above for details.
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Events
January 1990
'Off the Perch': a Fringe event
Writers, an endangered species
This popular event was held at the Adelaide Zoo on the 24th and 25th February from 11am - 3.30pm.
Attendees found out why writers are considered an 'endangered species', and what they could do to ensure their survival.
They heard the cries of the 'Minor Poetic' and the 'Shorter Story', listened to the warbling song of the 'Singer-Songwriter', and discovered easy methods of identifying all the varieties of writer birds at a glance.
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Off the Perch, at the Adelaide Zoo |
Anne-Marie Mykyta |
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February 1990
Writers' Camp
35 SA Writers' Centre members enjoyed a Writers' Camp at scenic Mylor, following a request from the Brighton Writers' Workshop.
Guest writers included Elizabeth Mansutti, Moya Costello, Peter McFarlane and Paul Mann.
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A relaxing breakfast to prepare… |
…for the arduous day ahead. |
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March 1990
Poets on Popeye
What better way to spend a balmy autumn evening: the Writers' Centre held two poetry readings at sunset on the River Torrens. The readings featured overseas, interstate and local poets.
Readers included Phillipino poet Ruth Mabanglo, Peter and Lee Cataldi, Abdul Ghafar Ibrahim, and Billy Marshall Stoneking. The audience enjoyed cheese and wine during the performances.
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Lee Cataldi |
Billy Marshall Stoneking |
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August 1990
Write Around South Australia
Over two exciting weekends, writers piled onto a bus to explore South Australia, with destinations including the South East, Bungaree Sheep Station, Gawler Library and Clare Valley.
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Writers on tour—a photo of the bus |
Andrew Taylor reading at the Gawler Library |
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September 1990
Going South: to Naracoorte
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Elizabeth Mansutti reading |
Anne Marie Mykyta |
Listening…and drinking at Padthaway Winery |
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Publications
The image below is part of an attractive poster advertising the monthly Prose Reading at the Writers' Centre. The poster was displayed at the Standard Book Shop, which is now Dymocks.
1990 also saw the release of the Centre's handbook, the 'ABC For New Writers', produced by Elizabeth Mansutti and Anne-Marie Mykyta, which was launched in the Naracoorte Caves.
This publication gained media attention, in Samela Harris' 'Backchat' column. Samela commented on some of the "offbeat definitions", including alliteration: "words that all begin with the same sound, e.g. Round the rugged riesling the ragged writer rambled"; and Claret: "Essential liquid for creators".
A Writers' Centre favourite definition is that of the echidna: 'An Australian native animal, a monotreme, also symbol of the SA Writers' Centre. Chosen when the Centre was newly formed for their similarity to writers. Echindnas are unique and nocturnal, they are shy and retiring and when disturbed can be very prickly. They dig in when threatened and live frugally.'
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Display of SA Books |
Image from cover of Writers' Centre publication: ABC for New Writers |
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Seminars & Workshops
1990
Playwrights' Seminar
This seminar included Rob George (pictured), Darrelyn Gunzburg, Anne Brockman, Anne-Marie Mykyta and Doreen Clark.
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Rob George |
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April 1990
Nonfiction Writing Seminar
Speakers included Brian Matthews and Alan Samagalski.
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Brian Matthews |
Alan Samagalski |
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October 1990
Writing Novels Seminar
Guests included Tom Thompson (pictured), publisher from Collins/Angus & Robertson; Paul Mann (The Libyan Contract & The Beirut Contract - PAN); Tess Brady (Paint me a Murder - Hudson); and John Emery (Summer Ends Now - UQP, The Sky People - Soho Press NY). The day was chaired by Barry Westburg.
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Tom Thompson |
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Where We're At
Vital Stats
Membership: 550
Chair: Elizabeth Mansutti
Ros Prosser, Barry Westburg, Jeff Guess, Alan Samagalski, Nitu Banerji, Lina Ferraro, Dianne Brown, Pam Maitland, Helen Manos, Anne-Marie Mykyta.
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Brian Forte, reading in the Naracoorte Caves |
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The SA Writers' Centre is assisted by the South Australian Government through Arts SA, and the Commonwealth Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory bodies.