BOORANGA NEWS
NEWSLETTER FOR BOORANGA WRITERS’ CENTRE OF
WAGGA WAGGA WRITERS WRITERS INC.
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
Book Launch: fourW twenty
Once again, at Booranga we will be wrapping up our year of activities with
the launches for the annual anthology of poetry and prose, fourW. 2009
marks the twentieth year fourW has been published, and this places the journal right amongst some of the longest running in Australia.
This year’s issue has been carefully edited by Booranga President David
Gilbey and offers a wealth of fantastic writing, from the Riverina Region,
from across Australia, and indeed with a handfull of pieces from around the
world.
Local contibutors include Claire Baker, Joan Cahill, Louise D’Arcy, Jane
Downing, Kelly Shaw and others. There will be poems and stories from
past Booranga residents Scott Monk, Ivy Alvarez, and Sarah Holland-Batt,
as well as work from writers well known from publishing with fourW over
many years, such as Les Wicks, Mark O’Flynn and Daniel King.
As a response to the great turn-outs in the past years fourW twenty will this
year be launched in three major centres - Wagga, Melbourne, and Sydney.
Wine and food will be on offer, as well as readings by local contributors.
Booranga would like to thank Charles Sturt University’s Department of Humanities and Social Sciences for supporting the production of fourW twenty.
fourW twenty - Wagga Launch: Saturday 21st November, 2.30pm, Wagga City Library (to be launched by Professor Carmen
Moran, Head of CSU Department of Humanites & Socail Sciences)
fourW twenty - Melbourne Launch: Sunday 22nd November, Carlton Courthouse Theatre, 349 Drummond Street Carlton (to
be launched by Dr. Christine Ferrari)
fourW twemty - Sydney Launch: Saturday 28th November, 2.30pm, Gleebooks (to be launched by Peter Minter)
Booranga Writers’ Centre (McKeown Drive) 2009 Office Hours:
Staff will be in every Monday (9am - 3.30pm), Tuesday (9 - 11.30am), Thursday (9 - 11.30am).
For enquiries (with a quick response) email us: [email protected]
Or alternatively email our director directly: [email protected]
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BOORANGA NEWS
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
Poetry Reading:
Jane Carnegie
2009 Calendar of Booranga Events
Jane Carnegie began to write poems a few weeks after her mother
Margaret Carnegie died in 2002: a surprising mixture of humour
and sadness and sharp observation came pouring out.
November
Jane has prepared a new poetry manuscript entitled The Carnegies of Kildrummie
and hopes to test run it with the generous
people of Wagga. With a gift for the gab (on occasion, and when energy permits,
since a legacy of polio has left its mark) she hopes to regal the audiences with tales,
read aloud a few poems and take questions from the floor.
Saturday 7 November, 11:00am, In the Margaret Carnegie Gallery,
Wagga Wagga Art Gallery
7th - Poetry Reading by Jane
Carnegie
Launches for fourW twenty:
Admission is Free! (includes morning tea)
21st - Wagga Library, 2.30pm
Australian National Poetry Slam
NSW Final
Anyone who came along last month to the Wagga heat of the poetry slam would have
seen what a great variety of works can be considered ‘performance pieces’, and also
how many people actually got involved.
The winner of the Wagga heat was Zohab Khan, and I (Derek Motion) was lucky
enough to come in second. As such Zohab abd I will both be competing in the NSW
final this month. It’s sure to be a good evening featuring 20 of the best performers
from around the state, so if you happen to be in Sydney Friday 13th November, do
come along to the State Library.
Further details can be found on the State Library’s website:
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/events/events_talks/events/Australian_Poetry_Slam_
NSW_State_Final.html
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22nd - Carlton Courthouse Theatre, Melbourne, 2.30pm
28th - Gleebooks, Sydney, 2.30pm
JULY - AUGUST 2007
BOORANGA
NEWS
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
Tenx10 wants your plays!
After the huge success that was the first ever Tenx10 play festival, SoAct are
once again seeking submissions of ten minute plays for Ten x 10 in 2010.
Plays can be sent directly to festival co-ordinator Mick Radatti:
[email protected]
The submission cut off date is 30th of November.
You will need to provide two copies of your play, one with writers details and
another without any details. The plays need to be about 1600 to 2200 words to
fit in to the 10 minute format.
The festival is on the 14th 15th and 16th May 2010.
Booranga Spoken Word Project
Thanks to a cultural grant from Wagga Council, Booranga has now initiated a performance poetry group, a group that will meet
once a month to share new material - to focus on the written and poetic aspects of their work, but then to also spend time working on
performance techniques. So far we have had two successful meetings, and these are workshops unlike the normal writers’ workshops.
The 6 participants have been prompted to write material specifically to be performed live, and when workshopping this material we
have focussed both on the content, and on the way it is delivered, the way writing can be edited to suit a performance ideal. There has
been a poetry tutor and a drama / performance tutor engaged to work with the group, and the expected outcome is a group performance finale in early 2010. More intensive workshops will also be run with our first writer-in-residence for 2010.
We have made the group decision that there should be no reason people cannot come along and join at any point, so please contact
Booranga to express your interest in participating (contact details on front page).
Workshops are free, and due to fourW committments and Christmas, we are planning for the next meeting to occur early in
January 2010. If you express your interest your email will be added to the group list and you will be kept in the loop.
It is anticipated that these workshops will run on a Sunday once a month for the next 6 months, or indefinitely if the interest is there.
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BOORANGA NEWS
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
Recent Booranga Events
Writer-in-residence: Rhyll McMaster
Booranga’s final fellowship writer for the year was of course poet and
novelist Rhyll McMaster. Rhyll is pictured here at her final speaking engagement, a reading on 22nd October at the Wagga City Library attended
by 30 enthusiastic members of the public. But prior to this Rhyll availed
us of her time admirable, speaking to a number of classes at Charles Sturt
University (classes in both creative writing and Australian Literature),
travelling over to Albury to speak to members there about writing and
publishing, and attending our Booranga
Monthly Writers’ Meeting, where she provided useful feedback and also shared one
of her new pieces. Rhyll tells me she was
extremely happy with her time here. A Booranga resideny offers a good level of community engagement, but also allows our residents solitary time to work on their own projects. Rhyll had recently
received a major Australia Council grant to work on her second novel, and while here she managed to
get the first words of this book written. We’ll all have to look out for this one in the coming years, and
if you haven’t got a hold of Rhyll’s first novel Feather Man yet, make sure you get a copy from your
local bookshop. You will not be disappointed.
As usual, the Booranga Writer-in-residence program is supported by Arts NSW, Wagga City Council,
and Charles Sturt University’s Visiting Artist Program.
Author Talk: Alex Broun
Wagga theatre company SoAct brought playwright Alex Broun to the region in September (thanks
to a CASP grant), and on the 25th he gave a special one-off talk in the Wagga Library. A small but
enthusiastic crowd of local theatre supporters and Booranga members heard Alex give a thorough
explanation of all that is needed to get involved in writing short plays.
The crux of Alex’s advice was ‘Anyone can do it’. As he said, the hardest part is often just writing
the first words. If you are interested in writing 10 minute plays there are currently many opportunities in Australia to have your work produced, especially the Tenx10
Examples of 10 minute plays can be found on Alex’s website: www.alexbroun.com.au
And some details of production opportunities can be found here: www.shortandsweet.org
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JULY - AUGUST 2007
BOORANGA
NEWS
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
Booranga for 2010
As always, the Booranga Writers’ Centre relies on a funding decision from the NSW Government before we can finalise our next
year’s activities. We are fairly certain this funding will be given at least into 2010 (based on a public statement to this effect by Premier Rees), and as such look forward to bringing you a full and varied program. Some aspects are yet to be set, but in 2010 we will
be doing the following:
- Canberra-based screen-writer, theatre-writer, and noted performance artist David Finnegan will be coming early in the year as our
first writer-in-residence.
- We will be bringing a Children’s author, a poet, and a novelist to the region, all with appropriate skills and experience to benefit our
members.
- We will be continuing our succesful local events: the monthly writers’ workshops, the spoken word group, the HSC Night, the
fourW booklaunches, + the many other events that come up during the year.
Also on in the Region...
The Vagina Monologues
By Eve Ensler, directed by Rohan Maloy.
Playing at the Riverina Playhouse.
Behind The Curtain Theatre Company Presents, The Vagina Monologues playing at the
Riverina Playhouse.
The Vagina Monologues is made up of a varying number of monologues read by a
varying number of women. A recurring theme throughout the piece is the vagina as a
tool of female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality. The production will also feature locally written poetry and stories by women, addressing the
issues raised in the play.
The performance on Saturday November 14 at 2pm will be a benefit performance
where 20% of ticket sales will be donated to V-DAY and to local women’s group
Wagga Birth Choices. On the day Patrons will be invited to arrive at 1pm to a complimentary glass of wine and information and speakers about Wagga Birth Choices, before seeing the show at 2pm.
Shows Start at 8pm on November 12, 13, 14, 19, 20 and 21, with 2pm shows included on Saturday November 14 and 21.
Tickets to the show are $28 for Adults, $23 for concession holders, $18 for students and $23pp (plus a free glass of champagne) for
bookings of 10 or more. Tickets available at the Civic Theatre Booking Office or at the Door.
Patrons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a guardian.
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BOORANGA NEWS
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
Olivia’s Choice
Booranga News won’t be out again until 2010, but do consider using the time to work on something to send to Olivia
Markham for Olivia’s Choice! Poetry, short-stories, essays...the choice is yours! This edition’s piece is inspired by Olivia’s prompt from the last edition, and includes her response at the end.
(Send contributions of creative writing for Booranga News to [email protected] and place ‘Olivias Choice in
the subject line). In every Booranga News Olivia will be giving you prompts for new writing, as well as her feedback on
your own submissions.
The “Occupation” Box - contributed by Booranga member, Jo Wilson-Ridley
‘I attend a course on Fridays’ I explain to the secretary at my son’s school.
‘A course!’ she exclaims raising her eyebrows, ‘In what?’
‘A writing course’ I proudly reply.
‘And what will that lead to?’
I’m stumped by her question, expecting the usual banal response.
‘Well…’ I stammer ‘I’m hoping to be a published author - one day.’
Her eyebrows raise further, the ends of her lips curl slightly and her head pivots as if she’s aiming for a better view of an abstract
painting.
‘Oh. Well - that’s great. Good on you.’
I slink out of the office.
Yes. Good on me, repeats the wounded voice in my head.
I did promise this year, finally, to dedicate myself to writing.
If writing was my dream, and if I wanted to make a serious attempt at it, I had to stop thinking and talking about writing and just get
down to the business of doing it.
And this meant a genuine attempt at all of it: joining a writers’ centre, finding a writing group, reading the “How to” books, attending the workshops and most importantly – WRITING – producing work.
I admit while undergoing my apprenticeship, it does appear to the unsuspecting outsider as if I’m skiving off my husband, lolling
about with Home Duties.
An opinion shared by the electronic voice on the Family Assistance Phone line.
I rang to adjust our income estimation. It’s taken an inevitable noise dive since I abandoned the regular “paid” work.
‘If I’ve heard you correctly’ the tinny shrill repeated down the line ‘You’ve estimated your income as zero? Is that correct?’
The humiliation of repeating twice your zero earnings was enough motivation to hit the computer with renewed enthusiasm for the
work in progress.
Zero income is not entirely correct but the accountant informed me with a smirk that until the winnings exceed my costs the ATO
classify my stint with writing as a mere ‘hobby’. Given I didn’t bank my winning cheque it could hardly be considered income accrued.
The deadline of competitions does help to ward of that empty feeling of “what am I actually achieving” in the absence of a regular
pay cheque.
But at what point do I actually call myself a “writer”?
When I’ve won more competitions?
When I finish my first manuscript?
When my first book is published?
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JULY - AUGUST 2007
BOORANGA
NEWS
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
It feels a little fake to call myself a writer when I’m still undergoing the apprenticeship.
However, after the encounter with the electronic phone assistant who skipped the day they were programming diplomacy, I’ve decided to take a more positive approach adopting the type of platitudes promoted for those wishing to influence people and move up
the corporate ladder. With mantras such as:
‘Act for the position you want and you shall receive it.’
Sounds like a commandment.
And so the day came recently, filling out my son’s pre-school enrolment form, I procrastinated over the “Occupation” box. And took
the leap….
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Re: The “Occupation” Box by Jo Wilson-Ridley
Bravo Jo! Fending off your inner critic to fill in the “Occupation” box is one way of acknowledging your ambition as a writer.
Don’t be too disheartened that your writing is considered a “hobby” and it has not paid you yet.
The writing life has many rewards but initially serious cash is not one of them. It takes time, hard work, requires self-discipline and
the ability to handle disappointment.
As legendary singer Tony Bennett said on his 80th, “If you’re going to do something all your life, make sure you like it.”
Keep going Jo! One day you’ll have something to show your accountant.
Continue reading Olivia’s Choice. More, in the next column.
By Olivia Markham, Olivia’s Choice
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BOORANGA NEWS
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
PUBLISHING, COMPETITIONS and OPPORTUNITIES
Theatre / Screen
Production opportunity: 2010 season of “Favourite Shorts”
Noosa Theatre 2010 National ONE-ACT
Playwriting Competition
1st Prize
$1,100
2nd Prize
$700
3rd Prize
$450
The Armidale Playhouse Inc invites the writers of your group to
submit short stories and/or play scripts to be considered for our
2010 season of “Favourite Shorts”.
Submissions of play scripts and short stories up to 30 minute
duration* can be sent via email to scripts@armidaleplayhouse.
org.au or to Favourite Shorts 2010, Armidale Playhouse Inc, PO
Box 368, ARMIDALE NSW 2350.
All details and conditions can be found in the entry-form,
downloadable from:
Closes Friday 18 December 2009.
http://www.noosaartstheatre.org.au/_CMSImages/noosaartstheatre/OAP%202010/ENTRY%20FORM%20&%20
RULES%202010.doc
Entries Closing Date: 15TH NOVEMBER 2009
Stage Presentation: Mid June 2010
Poetry
Patrick White Playwright’s Award
Australian Book Review Poetry Prize
$20, 000 award for a full-length, unproduced play.
Prize of $400 for a single poem no more than 100 lines.
For all details visit:
Visit website for full details and entry form:
http://www.sydneytheatre.com.au/about/artists/PatrickWhite-Playwrights-Award
http://home.vicnet.net.au/~abr/New%20Competition.htm.
Closing Date: 16th November
Closes 1st December
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JULY - AUGUST 2007
BOORANGA
NEWS
EDITOR: DEREK MOTION
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2009
PUBLISHING, COMPETITIONS and OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunity: Five Bells
Overland Judith Wright Poetry Prize
Five Bells, the newsletter of the Poet’s Union, is currently accepting submissions of poetry on any theme.
One of the most prestigious prizes for emerging writers in
Australia. A prize of $3000 for a poet who has not yet had work
Articles are sought on the theme of ‘poetry of space’.
commerically published.
Contact [email protected].
Visit www.overland.org.au for details and entry form.
Closes 7th December
Prose
Hal Porter Short Story Competition
Prize of $1000 for short story.
IP Picks Awards for Unpublished Manuscript
Contact [email protected].
IP Picks (publishing company run by David Reiter - Booranga
visitor in 2009) runs an annual competition with categories for
Best Fiction, Best Creative Non-fiction, Best Poetry, Best First
Book and Best Junior Fiction or Non-Fiction.
12 word competition
Prize is publication of your manuscript.
A national, online 12-word story competition for 15-25 year old
Australians.
Visit www.ipoz.biz/IP/IP_picks.htm.
Launching at 12words.com.au on 1 August with a 12word story
slam. Prizes for the best story on the day. Prizes include Random House writing mentorships valued at $1000. Everyone is
welcome to register and write a story; however only people who
are aged between 15 and 25 at the time they register are eligible
to win a prize.
Closes 1st December
Closing: 1 December.
http://12words.com.au/
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BOORANGA WRITERS’ CENTRE
APPLICATION FOR 2009 MEMBERSHIP
Booranga (trading as Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc.) was formed in 1987 to assist and promote local authors and their
work. The group holds regular readings at local venues, conducts writing workshops, offers fellowships at Booranga, the Riverina Writers’ Centre at Charles Sturt University, and published an annual anthology, fourW, under the imprint of fourW press,
and is active in promoting writing and writers throughout the Riverina.
MEMBERSHIP PERIOD 1ST JANUARY 31ST DECEMBER 2010
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP ($33) or CONCESSION ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP ($22)
6-MONTH MEMBERSHIP ($17)
GROUP MEMBERSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE
MEMBERSHIP ENTITLES YOU TO...
- Copy of fourW twenty Anthology
- Regular newsletter (bi-monthly) & e-list mailouts
- 10% discount at Book City, Wagga
- 10% Discount at Angus & Robertson Bookworld,
Wagga
- 10% discount to RTC performances
- Member discounts to readings, performances & workshops
- Invitations to writing events & get-togethers
- Access to a network of writers, book enthusiaists &
other writers’ centres for information & friendship
- Use of Booranga Writers’ Centre resources, such as
library and computer
Note: Student Membership ($11) is now also available
for students under 21 years of age. Student members
will receive newsletters & discounted admission to
reading etc. but will not receive a complimentary copy
of fourW nineteen.
Please fill out and send application form to:
Wagga Wagga Writers Writers Inc. Booranga Writers’ Centre,
Charles Sturt University, Locked Bag 588, Wagga Wagga NSW 2678, Phone/Fax (02) 69332688
Name:
Address:
Telephone:
Email:
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Enclosed is: $............. cheque/money order FOR: single / concession / student / 6-month membership (please circle)
undeliverable return to:
POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA
Booranga Writers’ Centre
Locked Bag 588
Wagga Wagga, NSW, 2678
POSTAGE PAID
AUSTRALIA
WWWW & the Booranga Writers’ Centre are supported by: