Writers' News
Salisbury Writers’ Festival Line-Up Announced
Salisbury Writers' Festival
The Salisbury Writers’ Festival, presented by the City of Salisbury in conjunction with the SA Writers’ Centre, will feature several of Australia’s leading publishers and authors in open discussions on the business of writing.
Publishers include Louise Thurtell of Allen & Unwin (genre fiction), Anna McFarlane of Pan Macmillan (children’s books), Michael Bollen of Wakefield Press (nonfiction) and Patrick Allington of Etchings (short fiction and poetry).
Participants in the festival will be provided with an opportunity to submit the first page of their manuscript to publishers. Each publisher will select two works and discuss them at the Festival’s Forum on Saturday August 16. This will be done anonymously and writers will not be named.
The following published authors will also take part, presenting their tips for success: fantasy and crime novelist Fiona McIntosh; children’s writer Phil Cummings; romance novelist Lucy Clarke; poet and short story writer David Cookson; and nonfiction author Liz Harfull.
The forum will be held on the weekend of August 16-17. To register contact Steve Davidson, Cultural Liaison Officer, City of Salisbury on 08 8406 8469 or email sdavidson@salisbury.com.au.
Queen's Birthday Honour for SA Writer
Pamela Rajkowski
On June 9, local author Pamela Rajkowski was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia during the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Her award is in recognition for service to the community through research into the history of the Afghan and Aboriginal cameleers in Australia.
Pamela is a high school teacher and author of the books In the Tracks of the Camelmen and Linden Girl: A Story of Outlawed Lives. During her 25 years working with the people of the outback and writing her two books about Afghan cameleers, she discovered important information about the stolen generations.
In collaboration with Afghan cameleers' famillies and associated community and government groups, Pamela developed community events in outback centres such as Alice Springs, Port Augusta, Marree and Beltana, and in Adelaide.
In May 2009, in collaboration with the SA Museum, the Port Pirie National Art Gallery and the Migrant Resource Centre, Pamela is organising an Afghan cameleers’ festival during the launch of the SA Museum’s Afghan cameleers' exhibition.
Queen's Birthday Honour for SA Writer
Pamela Rajkowski
On June 9, local author Pamela Rajkowski was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia during the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. Her award is in recognition for service to the community through research into the history of the Afghan and Aboriginal cameleers in Australia.
Pamela is a high school teacher and author of the books In the Tracks of the Camelmen and Linden Girl: A Story of Outlawed Lives. During her 25 years working with the people of the outback and writing her two books about Afghan cameleers, she discovered important information about the stolen generations.
In collaboration with Afghan cameleers’ famillies and associated community and government groups, Pamela developed community events in outback centres such as Alice Springs, Port Augusta, Marree and Beltana, and in Adelaide.
In May 2009, in collaboration with the SA Museum, the Port Pirie National Art Gallery and the Migrant Resource Centre, Pamela is organising an Afghan cameleers’ festival during the launch of the SA Museum’s Afghan cameleers’ exhibition.
Recent Industry Appointments
Nicholas Jose
Several prominent writers have been promoted into education and artistic positions across Australia.
Novelist Brian Castro was appointed Professor in Creative Writing at the University of Adelaide. Brian, who has been writing for more the 25 years and has published nine novels including Shanghai Dancing and The Garden Book, will take up his post in July.
Brian will replace SA Writers’ Centre member, Nicholas Jose, who will be leaving to take up a research appointment with the University of Western Sydney. In 2009 Nicholas will then take up the post of Chair of Australian Studies at Harvard University. He has published eleven books including Original Face and The Red Thread.
Joining Brian at the University of Adelaide’s Creative Writing course is Jill Jones, who was appointed as a Senior Lecturer in May. Jill is the author of five books including Open/Broken.
Bel Schenk, formerly the Editor of Southern Write at the SA Writers’ Centre, has recently taken up the post of Artistic Director of Express Media in Melbourne. Her poetry book Ambulances & Dreamers will be published by Wakefield Press in late 2008.
The SA Writers’ Centre congratulates these writers on their appointments.
And the winners are ...
the winners
The following South Australians were winners in the 2008 Festival awards for literature.
Stephen Orr won the $10,000 Award for an Unpublished Manuscript by a SA writer to be Published by Wakefield Press for 'The Second Fouling Mark'.
Steve Evans won the Barbara Hanrahan Fellowship.
Rosanne Hawke won the Carclew Fellowship.
The Award for Children's literature was won by Michael Gerard Bauer for his book 'Don't Call Me Ishmael' which is published by South Australia's own Omnibus Books.
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.