MENTORSHIPS FOR MARGINALISED CREATORS

MIRROR MENTORSHIPS – 3 MENTORSHIPS VALUED AT OVER $10,000 EACH

Think+DO Tank Foundation and Scribble have opened applications for the inaugural MIRROR MENTORSHIP Program. They call for Expressions of Interest from writers, illustrators, and literary translators who come from historically marginalised communities and who are developing literary work for children and young people (0-14 years) for publication in English and in languages other than English (bilingual works).

MIRROR will identify, support and mentor THREE talented artists with the aim of making new Australian children’s literature that reflects an increasingly diverse and curious reading public.

This innovative mentorship program lasts for a year and will provide a total in-kind support package to up to three literary artists valued at over AUD$10,000. The package includes:

●      skills development

●      industry networking and market development

●      career-pathway guidance and profile development

●      a financial stipend to support the artist’s practice ($4000)

●      over 40 hours with an industry mentor matched to their needs

●      support from the Think +Do Tank Foundation and Scribble teams, and more.

The program is designed to connect emerging literary artists with industry professionals, and develop market opportunities both within Australia and abroad.  Writers, illustrators and literary translators are encouraged to apply.

Applications will be assessed by a panel of industry professionals including: Miriam Rosenbloom,the founder and publishing director of Scribble; Jane Stratton, the founder and CEO of Think+DO Tank Foundation; Rachel Bin Salleh, the Publisher of the award-winning Magabala Books publishing house; Rebecca Lim, an award-winning author, illustrator and editor; and Freda Chiu, an acclaimed illustrator.

“There is a universality to childhood in some ways, but without a diversity of storytellers and illustrators, we lose the specificity and diversity of how children grow up in the world,” says Miriam Rosenbloom. “The same mirror, the same lens reproduces a reality that become monotonous.”

Jane Stratton explains: “The most powerful lever for a more inclusive and diverse publishing landscape is to widen access and deepen opportunities for historically underrepresented artists to tell their own stories, and to showcase their work in front of both mainstream Australian and international audiences.”

Rachel bin Salleh of Magabala Books, Australia’s leading First Nations children’s publisher, says, “There is an ancient need to be told stories, in all its form and in all its ways. Storytelling needs new opportunities to find innovative voices, and through this, new ways of seeing, thinking, being and existing in this world.” Rachel addresses artists thinking of applying to MIRROR saying, “Your story is important and unique, and this is about creating the fundamentals – a safe space to connect. For you and your story. Connection is a cornerstone of humanity and being able to see who we are through you is one of the greatest gifts we can give to the world.”

Rebecca Lim, celebrated young adult writer, illustrator and editor joins Rachel urging artists to apply. Rebecca says, “If you think you can add to our landscape and give our children a more diverse set of books to read, and beautiful things to hold, and take forward into their lives, please apply.”

Frida Chiu, illustrator, says: “I hope the MIRROR Mentorship can help identify and nurture extraordinary talent who will go on to influence the politics of children’s publishing, paving the way for more exciting role models and stories that are a truer reflection of the diverse and rich backgrounds of Australian children.”

Think+DO Tank Foundation uses the creative arts in many ways to amplify the voices of disadvantaged Australians and to incubate and promote artists who work in languages other than English. The organisation will also be launching a program for multilingual writers later this month called The Writers Room.

Applications for the MIRROR MENTORSHIP are now open. The closing deadline is midnight, 6 May 2022.  Applications are invited from  writers, illustrators and translators creating children’s literature who are from historically marginalised communities, including First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.  Applications can be made here: https://www.mirror.org.au/

MIRROR will also be generating a database of Australian literary artists from historically marginalised communities to assist publishers, art directors and commissioning editors in Australian books and publishing to retain great talent. Announcements about how to have your work featured in the MIRROR Database will be made in May 2022.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body.

Respect and Family – written by Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson

There’s a beautiful line in Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson’s book, family that says, ‘Connecting to ancestors, to who we are, to who we will be.’

For me it encapsulated the beauty and meaning in this book and also the first book in their ‘Place’ series, respect.

Respect and family are simply and beautifully told hard cover picture books depicting the lives and beliefs of our First Nations’ people. They reflect the connection to country and to each other, and the connections within ourselves.

Family is stunningly illustrated by Darug writer, artist and teacher, Jasmine Seymour. The wonderful illustrations in respect were created by Lisa Kennedy, a descendent of coastal Trawlwoolway people of north-east Tasmania.

These tender, thoughtful stories remind us of the importance of respecting others and ourselves and celebrating family. They show us the things to be learned from the past and from finding connections to who we really are.

Each carefully chosen word earns its place on the page, and the beautiful illustrations encapsulate the colour, beauty and natural environment of our country. They show us how family and place make us whole.

Respect and family are the first two books in the ‘Place’ series, published by Magabala Books, introducing young minds to First Nations’ cultural philosophies that Aunty Fay Muir, a Boon Wurrung Elder holds close to her heart.

Evocative, rich in colour and lyrical text, these books are a great way to introduce readers of all ages to First Nations’ culture. They introduce a code and way of life that we can all live by.

Respect comes with fabulous teacher’s notes with links to the Australian Curriculum. These beautiful books belong in every Australian school and home.

We’re very privileged to have Aunty Fay and Sue visiting DeeScribe Writing today to talk about their beautiful new books and Sue shares her tips about collaborating.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS AND THEIR COLLABORATION

Aunty Fay Muir and Sue Lawson in conversation. Photo credit – Geelong Regional Libraries

Aunty Fay Stewart-Muir is an Elder and Traditional Owner of Boon Wurrung Country. She is the senior linguist at the Victorian Aboriginal Corporation for Languages in Melbourne. Fay is working with her own Boon Wurrung language, recording and putting language into the database for future and present generations. She presents language-related workshops to community members who are reclaiming their languages, as well as universities and TAFEs interested in understanding the many and challenging aspects of language reclamation. She also visits schools to educate students about language and culture and to teach language. Nganga is her first children’s book.

Sue Lawson  is an award-winning author who is passionate about encouraging young people’s love of writing and reading.

Her books are recognized for the sensitive way they explore the exciting and heartbreaking complexities of adolescence. Sue’s books have won the Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature and have been short-listed for the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards and the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards.

The books that she creates  with Boonwurrung Elder, Aunty Fay Muir,  celebrate and explore Australia’s First Nations Peoples’ rich culture and history.

Sue Lawson’s books are recognized for the sensitive way they explore the exciting and heartbreaking complexities of adolescence. Her books include the award-winning Freedom Ride, and picture book, Respect, co-written with Boon Wurrung Elder, Aunty Fay Muir. Fay and Sue create books that celebrate and explore Australia’s First Nations Peoples’ rich culture and history.

SUE LAWSON TALKS ABOUT THE COLLABORATION PROCESS

1. What inspired you to write these books?

Fay and I spent time with our publisher, Maryann Ballantyne, talking about a picture book that would celebrate First Nations’ culture and introduce aspects of the culture and life to young children. All of us are passionate about knowledge, and believe that if children have the knowledge that other generations have missed, respect and recognition will follow.

Somewhere in there, the Our Place series was born.

Fay and I were keen to represent a variety of Aboriginal lifestyles and to do that we have a different illustrator for each book. Lisa Kennedy is a Trawlwoolway descendent, and Jasmine Seymour is a proud Darug woman.

2. How did you collaborate? In person, by phone, etc? Anything you’d like to share about your process?

Fay and I work in person, on the phone and via emails and notes. We meet regularly – well we did before Covid – and spend the day talking, (I ask questions, Fay shares, I listen) taking notes and generally bouncing around ideas. I draft our ideas then we begin the edit. Sometimes together, other times we work individually and then come back together to share our thoughts. Fay’s main focus is content and mine is structure and writing. It’s an open exchange of ideas and words.

3. What were the best bits about collaborating?

Everything. I love collaborating. I love bouncing ideas off each other and watching how that initial spark grows.

4. What were the challenges?

COVID. Because of the current situation, Fay and I haven’t been able to do our regular catch ups. Apart from anything else, I miss her company and humour. Apart from that, I thoroughly enjoy collaboration.

5. Any tips for other collaborators?

All the books I’m working on at the moment are collaborations. As well as working with Fay, I’m doing a number of non fiction books with other writers and again, am loving the process. I’m not sure I can offer any tips, as each is different, but equally rewarding. I’m lucky as my collaborators are also friends, so we have a strong relationship already.

Collaborating is just like working with an editor, in that we are all working towards the same goal – producing a great book.

6. Any general writing tips around working on books like these?

When you are the writer working with ‘an expert’, LISTEN. There is gold in the conversations.

7. What are the final two books in the series called and when will they be released?

At this stage there are two being illustrated, and perhaps more to come. The next two have been held up by Covid, but I think they will be out in 2021. Everything is a little unsure at the moment, just like the rest of the world.

Thanks so much for visiting, Aunty Fay and Sue. Respect and Family are available through the publisher’s website or at all good bookstores.