Gratitude | The RITP news | 2023 in reading and writing | Some thoughts on resilience for writers

plus... a reminder about my upcoming poetry workshop and a chance to have your say on the arts in SA

A new year message of thanks

Hello, again. I hope 2024 has started as gently as possible for you and yours, and that the changing of the year provided a chance for rest, respite and the drawing of breath and strength.

My year has started with reflection and gratitude – particularly for all those leaning in, showing up and advocating for those who need us – whatever that looks like.

In my case, that also includes all of you who subscribed to this enews, supported my Patreon, invited me to collaborate, chat to your Board or speak at your event, commissioned or shared my writing, bought or read or left a review of my book on Storygraph or Goodreads, or recommended me on LinkedIn. I continue to be gobsmacked and grateful for your generosity and support. Ngaityalya.

The RITP cover reveal and pre-orders

We are THRILLED to reveal the beautiful new cover design for the second edition of The Relationship is the Project, designed by the amazing Reg Abos of Studio Regina.

Just look at that extraordinary list of contributors! Our thanks also go to Aleem Ali and Torika Bolatagici for lending their endorsements for the cover:

‘This should be the go-to book for every community practitioner and budding change maker.’ - Aleem Ali, CEO, Welcoming Australia

‘This book is brilliant and full of sound advice and wisdom from the incredible list of contributors. - Torika Bolatagici, Founder, Community Reading Room

We can’t wait to share this very special book with you all in March 2024. Pre-orders are now open via the NewSouth website.

2023 in reading

With my own book hitting bookshelves and another one in production, I really thought I’d read fewer books in 2023. I was wrong. In fact, I blew my personal reading record out of the water by getting through 236 books last year (exceeding the 212 that I read in 2022).

But please let me be clear: READING IS NOT A COMPETITION. A difficult year required more books to escape an excess of reality, and more comfort re-reads and audio books in particular to help get through more sleepless nights.

In a year characterised by global horror and helplessness, I was particularly grateful for the work of Becky Chambers, Tracy Deonn, India Holton, The Relationship is the Project team, Michelle Tom, Laurie Steed and Alison Flett.

I also read 152 books (64% of my reading total) for the #WeNeedDiverseBooks challenge, 61 books (26%) by Aussie women authors for #AWW2023, and half of Book Riot’s #ReadHarderChallenge (12 books).

You can check out all of my 2023 reading recs on my website.

My 2023 writing year

In a nothing-short-of-extraordinary writing year, 2023 included the launch of my debut poetry collection, completion of the next edition of The Relationship is the Project, self-publication of my grandmother's memoir, neiphling's picture book and family musical, articles in Overland, Meanjin and Westerly, new poems in print and online, and much more.

You can read more about my 2023 writing year on my website.

Resilience for writers: a guest blog on The Writer Laid Bare

Over the last year, I also transitioned from literary-helpmate to trade-published poet. Suddenly, many of my own writing dreams have come true. Seeing my book in a bookshop. Launching it at my childhood library. Hearing authors I adore say nice things about my work. Doing so surrounded by friends, colleagues and writerly comrades from all parts and paths of my life.

This has been both an extraordinary privilege and a sobering induction into the realities of writerly life, much of which I had previously experienced only from one step removed – from the industry’s reliance on an author’s personal ability to hustle to the level of work versus the level of (financial) reward.

Debut writers like me may not really expect to immediately retire to the writerly garret of our dreams on the proceeds of one book. But how can we build and maintain our resilience if the ‘writing life’ we imagined is not only hard, but potentially fictional?

Read more in my guest post for The Writer Laid Bare. (Thanks, Lee x).

Perth Fest workshop next month

WA poets can join me for a tiny little digital poetry workshop on Sunday 25/02 at the State Library of Western Australia in Boorloo/Perth as part of this year’s Perth Festival Writers Weekend (in association with Writing WA).

Bookings are now open on the Perth Festival website.

All of my workshop plans now in one place

On the subject of poetry workshops, if you’re planning one of your own, you can now find all of my poetry and technology lesson plans on my website.

As well as the key themes of Public. Open. Space. and links to the Australian education curriculum, the workshop plans include discussion, reflection and creative activities on:

• Accidental poetry for non-traditional poetry writers and readers.

• The role of digital poetry in 21st Century literature (and whether poems on the page are taken more seriously than those on stage or screen).

• Poetry, technology and creative writing ideas for participants to put their learning into practice (including photo, video and other meme-based, short-form poems).

SA arts sector consultation

The South Australian Government has announced plans to redevelop its long-term vision for the state’s arts, culture and creative sector.

SA artists, arts workers, arts lovers and audiences are encouraged to have your say by:

• Taking a three-minute survey or making a submission before 31 January 2024.

• Registering your interest to attend a workshop or online town hall meeting in February 2024.

Or you can read more on the YourSay website.

Looking for allies for arts governance

Rethinking arts, cultural and non-profit governance will continue as the focus of my work in 2024.

If there are particular governance issues that are irking or inspiring you that you would like me to respond to or add into my research, if you’re interested in revolutionising your organisation’s governance models, or if there's anything that you would like to collaborate on, I’d love to hear from you.

And if my work or writing has been of value to you, I’d appreciate it if you’re in a position to join me as an advocate, ally or accomplice from just $2.50/month on Patreon).