Tasmanian Writers Centre launches inaugural Devonport Young Writers in the City program
Kirsty Madden, Twitch Coordinator
Kate Elphingstone
The Tasmanian Writers Centre has selected five emerging writers aged 16-30 as residents in the inaugural Devonport Young Writers in the City program.
Kate Elphinstone, Skye Cusack, Jane Beeke, Lauren Hay, and Kyle Perry are immersing themselves in the northern coastal city of Devonport to craft experimental essays based on their summer experiences.
Twitch Co-ordinator Kirsty Madden, who is facilitating the residency, says it is a terrific opportunity for Tasmania’s young writers to get paid while building their craft.
“Writers from our previous Hobart and Launceston residencies have given feedback that it is really validating to be recognised as writers, to build their craft and their confidence, and to be recognised by their local communities as emerging writers,” Ms Madden says. “Taking the time to write in specific locations is a great opportunity to be informed and inspired to create new stories about local places.” The writers are spending two to three hours per day for up to 10 days in venues including the Spirit of Tasmania, Devonport Regional Gallery, Rooke St Mall, Sea FM, and Bass Strait Maritime Museum. The gallery’s Education and Public Programs Officer Dianne Sheehan is excited to host the residents in Devonport’s iconic locations during the summer, and to “congratulate these writers on being awarded such an amazing opportunity”. “As a regional gallery, we support all art forms across our extensive calendar of public programs,” Ms Sheehan says. “Our partnership with the Tasmanian Writers Centre for the Young Writers in the City residency program is an inspiring instalment, and one we are particularly passionate about as we continue to support emerging Tasmanian artists.” Writers will each receive $300 for their residency, in which they will write an essay, non-fiction, or fiction piece of between 1500-2500 words, or 20-50 lines of poetry. The pieces will be published on the Tasmanian Writers Centre Website, and presented in a free public readings session at the Devonport Regional Gallery as part of the Tidal Festival on January 23.
The residency is facilitated by the Tasmanian Writers Centre in conjunction with the Devonport City Council, and with a grant from Tasmanian Regional Arts.
Learn more about the venues and keep up to date on the program on our website: https://www.taswriters.org/young-writers-city-devonport/
Meet the Devonport Young Writers in the City …
Kate Elphinstone Residency: Devonport Regional Gallery
Kate Elphinstone is a Tasmanian-born writer. A graduate of the University of Tasmania with degrees in Arts and Law, Kate works in communications to fund her addiction to independent magazines and an ever-growing collection of books. Her writing can be found in the Word Players Anthology.
Skye Cusack
Residency: Rooke St Mall
Skye Cusack is 18 going on 30. In her short but ambitious life, she is chasing careers in the areas of administration, dentistry, aged care, acting and writing (it is because of this that Skye has never seen iconic movies Pulp Fiction and The Matrix). Skye enjoys reading and writing all forms of literature, but contemporary pieces are her favourite.
Jane Beeke
Residency: Bass Strait Maritime Museum
Jane Beeke spent her childhood in rural and remote communities across Tasmania, Western Australia and New South Wales, before moving to Sydney to study Archaeology. Jane still lives in Sydney with her husband Alex and daughter Emmeline. She works as a museum guide and enjoys telling stories about the past.
Kyle Perry
Residency: Spirit of Tasmania
Kyle is a recent graduate of the Australian College of Applied Psychology. He is also a wannabe novelist, currently seeking an agent. He recently acquired a new car, and no matter what button you press on the radio it just keeps turning the volume up.
Lauren Hay
Residency: Sea FM
Lauren Hay has completed her first year of study in professional and creative writing at university. She started writing on the North West Coast as a hobby when she was 10 years old. Lauren is a competitive poet but also enjoys short- and long-form writing