Fellowships mark new chapter for QLD writers

Griffith Review, Australia’s leading journal of literature and ideas, is proud to join with the Queensland Literary Awards in announcing a series of Queensland Writers Fellowships. This initiative will also be supported by the Queensland Government through State Library of Queensland and Arts Queensland, and philanthropic funds.

Up to six Fellowships will be awarded each year over two years, 2016 and 2017. This new opportunity for Queensland writers and those writing about Queensland represents a vital coming together of private donors and public funds, opening up new spaces for quality writing about the state. The work produced as a result of the fellowships will be published in Griffith Review.

Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk welcomed the establishment of the new fellowships.

“This further demonstrates the Queensland Government’s commitment to nurture and grow opportunities for writers and continue to build Queensland’s reputation as a leader in the national literary landscape,” the Premier said.

Professor Julianne Schultz AM FAHA Griffith Review founding editor said, “These fellowships will provide a unique opportunity for Queensland writers, and those writing about Queensland to develop their work, be published and reach a national audience.

“This is a crucial step in developing both important work and talented writers. Griffith Review has a proud record as an incubator of creative writing talent in Australia. Over the past thirteen years it has published some 1100 writers, and for many it was their first professional publication.

“Following first publication in Griffith Review more than 200 books have been commissioned and published. Essays published in Griffith Review have also won or been shortlisted for major prizes in Australia and internationally.”

Griffith Review is grateful for the support of State Library, Arts Queensland, and donors, particularly long-term patron Dr Cathryn Mittelheuser AM.

Valued at $5000 each, the Fellowships are designed to enable writers to commence a major project, to further develop work already undertaken, or to facilitate the next stage of a work in progress.

State Librarian and CEO Ms Vicki McDonald said the new Fellowships offer additional opportunities to strengthen the depth of writing talent in Queensland.

“State Library of Queensland supports a culture of reading, writing and ideas in Queensland–creating opportunities for writers to develop their work is vital.”

Applications for the first round of Fellowships will be called in October 2016, with the first Fellows announced in November. Successful work will be published in Griffith Review in 2017 and griffithreview.com.

For further information, please contact:

Luke Stegemann
Associate Publisher, Griffith Review
0475 083 218
[email protected]