Chris Gallagher, Director Tasmanian Writers’ Centre
We’re rapidly accelerating towards the end of the year and have some big news for Tasmanian writers.
Firstly we’re pleased to announce that our 2013 Tasmanian Writers Festival, The Shock of the Now, (here) is coming up in March next year. I have been working on the program with a team of dedicated helpers, and we are pleased to announce that from today, festival passes and tickets to the keynote address are available via the Ten Days on the Island website. We are lucky enough to have the renowned ethicist and philosopher Peter Singer to give the keynote address. See more information below.
Secondly I would like to congratulate Island on securing Arts Tasmania funding for 2013. This cornerstone of literature in Tasmania has endured a rough few years, losing state government funding for 2012, but we are encouraged that Arts Tasmania is prepared to support great Tasmanian literature for another year. Congratulations to Editor Dale Campisi and Managing Editor Rachel Edwards on their creativity and dedication in producing another four great issues of Island, and we look forward to the summer issue, which will be released soon.
We have a team working on producing our next broadsheet of new books by Tasmania writers. Entries are closing soon, but it’s not too late to have your book included. Download our guidelines (see below) and get your files and payment to the office now. We will be releasing the new broadsheet during the festival.
Thanks to those who joined us for our celebration of Tasmanian short stories at the Lark on Wednesday night. Stimulating conversation with Deep South editors Danielle Wood and Ralph Crane, and author Adrienne Eberhard, and entertaining readings by Sean Monro and Jane Longhurst made this an evening to remember.
To finish off our year we would like to invite you to join us for our Franklin Conversations event on 12 December, with Bob Brown, Libby Lester and Cameron Hindrum. Come and celebrate 25 years of environmental writing sparked by this seminal conflict in our Tasmanian wilderness as we wind down for the Christmas break.
There are a number of fantastic prizes and opportunities available for writers, so do have a look through the listings below. And coming up to the silly season do consider subscriptions to a journal such as Island, a Shock of the Now festival pass or Peter Singer ticket, or a good book by one of our great Tasmanian writers for your Christmas shopping list! These gifts give twice by supporting writers and promoting their work amongst your family and friends.
