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StormNT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL DARWIN 24–27 MAY 2018 Browns Mart Exploring the margins outside

ntwriters.com.au PROGRAM The NT Writers’ Centre brings you NT Writers’ Festival WORD WORDSTORM PROGRAM STORM in Darwin and in Alice Springs 24–27 MAY 2018 on alternate years. We also offer year-round workshops, support and opportunities for writers. Membership is $55/$45 conc. per year Darwin: 08 8941 2651 Welcome from Alice Springs: 08 8952 3810 Lauren Moss Our patrons: Tessa Pauling and Ted Egan As the Northern Territory’s Minister for Our life members: Sandra Thibodeaux, Mary Anne Butler, Tourism and Culture, it’s my pleasure Marian Devitt, Steve Holliday, Helen Pavlin (dec), to welcome you to Wordstorm: the NT Dr Allan Skertchly (dec), Andrew McMillan (dec). Writers’ Festival 2018. The NT Writers’ Centre has been supporting writers and aspiring writers for nearly 20 years, and has a reputation TICKETS Contents of presenting literary festivals with a focus online via www.ntwriters.com.au on Northern Territory and Indigenous Tickets will also be available from the Tickets 2 Australian voices, as well featuring festival box office during the days of the Welcome 3 writers from around Australia and our festival, located at Browns Mart. Special Events 5 neighbours in South East Asia. The special Weekend Pass offer is Thursday 8 This year the festival will gather $100/$80 NTWC members, is only Friday 9 storytellers in the tropical beauty of Official Festival Book Seller available by online purchase while stocks Saturday 10 Darwin. 1/30 Smith Street Mall and last, and allows you to see all 12 panel Program Planner 14 It’s an opportunity for Darwin audiences weekend pop-up at Browns Mart discussions and book talks at Browns Sunday 18 to appreciate a showcase of literary during the festival. Mart Theatre, but does not include the Workshop Program 20 talent which the Northern Territory www.bookshopdarwin.com.au special feature events. Author Bios 22 Government is proud to support.

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 3 Toplines: Songs and how they Welcome from were written, with Stevie Jean and Special Tom E. Lewis Sally Bothroyd The connection between poetry and The NT Writers’ Centre began as a events song is interconnected, but is the writing community writing program, and this process the same? year marks 20 years as a registered At the margins of Delhi with This event pairs young Darwin organisation. literary blogger and author songwriter and Triple J Unearthed talent Its mission is to support writers from Mayank Austen Soofi Stevie Jean with veteran performer Tom all walks of life across the Northern Come and walk the hidden streets of E. Lewis Territory, and to promote our unique and Delhi with an expert raconteur, while Led by MC Sam Carmody (also a rich history of literature and storytelling enjoying pizza under Darwin’s dry season songwriter as well as award-winning for the benefit of readers across Australia. skies. The bar will also be open. novellist), they’ll trade songs and the We attempt to achieve our mission Sally Bothroyd Since 2007, Mayank Austen Soofi has stories behind them in this special through a variety of programs, but a Executive Director been collecting hundreds of stories evening of musical discovery. NT Writers’ Centre taking place in Delhi, through writing large part of our activity is showcased in Night and photography, for his acclaimed blog Friday, May 25, 7.30pm the annual NT Writers’ Festival. event The theme of this year’s festival is: The Delhi Walla. Every day, Mayank Browns Mart Theatre Exploring outside the margins. It’s our walks around the city with his camera Price $25/$20 NTWC members hope to inspire people to use and and notebook to track down the part of writing as a method of exploring life. extraordinary that exists in the seemingly As Territorians, we often feel we’re living mundane aspects of urban lives. By outside the margins. Australia, however, The Wordstorm Festival team exploring and documenting the streets, loves stories about outsiders and their Festival director: Sally Bothroyd buildings, houses, cuisines, traditions experiences, so in this respect, our stories Assistant creative producer: and people of Delhi, his work is also are not marginalised. Fiona Dorrell an attempt to give the megalopolis The NT Writers’ Centre could not Festival co-ordinator: Oanh Nguyen an intimate voice, and to capture the operate without the continued support of Production Team: Robbie Hoad, passing of time in this otherwise restlessly the NT Government, and the Australia Kristy Schubert changing city. Council, and we thank all our funders School program co-ordinators: Mayank is a special international guest at and sponsors for their commitment to the Clare Atkins, Oanh Nguyen, Wordstorm, thanks to a grant from the Fiona Dorrell Territory’s literary culture. Federal Government’s Catalyst fund. School program authors: We also value our membership, and hope Sandra Kendell, Megan Jacobson, our many Top End members are able to Thursday, May 24, 8pm Night Phillip Hall event come and enjoy this year’s festival. Poster Design: Tarz McDonald, Tina Tilhard The Browns Mart Courtyard Thanks also to the NT Writers’ Centre Price $30/$25 NTWC members Artwork from Kingwood Country by board, led by Professor Martin Jarvis, Pennyrose Wiggins (includes pizza by Alfonsino’s) Alice Springs program manager Program Design: Tina Tilhard Fiona Dorrell, and festival co-ordinator Bookkeeper: Hamish McDonald Oanh Nguyen.

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 5 Literary brunch with Exploring poetry beyond the page Michelle de Kretser This evening of poetry, images and Join award-winning novelist Michelle de soundscapes is inspired by the landscape Free Kretser for a Top End literary brunch. of the Northern Territory. ‘I so much admire Michelle de Kretser’s Alice Springs poet Leni Shilton’s Walking Children’s formidable technique – her characters with Camels – The Story of Bertha Strehlow is feel alive, and she can create a sweeping set in the Central Desert in the 1930s. Program narrative which encompasses years, Phillip Hall’s book Fume was inspired and yet still retain the sharp, almost and written during his years living in Kim’s Cubby – and hallucinatory detail.’ Hilary Mantel Borroloola. workshops for children More details page 16. Both these have been published by Kim Caraher was a Darwin author who Saturday 9am–12noon UWA as part of a groundbreaking poetry wrote many books for children. Darwin City Sunday, May 27, 10am series. The NTWC, together with Kim’s 9am: Sam Caraher Wharf One, 3/19 Kitchener Dr, Together with visuals and soundscapes by family and her fellow author Diane 10am: Sandra Kendell Darwin Waterfront Darwin-based filmmaker Caro Macdonald Lucas, present Kim’s Cubby whenever 11am: Paul Seden Price $70/$60 NTWC members and other special guests, this will be an Wordstorm is held in Darwin in honour unforgettable evening. of Kim’s legacy. Sunday 10.30am–4pm Thanks also to support from Strehlow It’s a chance for story lovers young and Darwin Civic Park Research Centre. old to meet the Northern Territory 10.30am: Derek Pugh writers who are inspiring kids with their Night 11.30am: Leonie Norrington Saturday, May 26, 8pm books and, we hope, promote a lifelong event 1pm: Diane Lucas Brown’s Mart Theatre love of reading. 2pm: Marita Albers Price $25/$20 NTWC members Supported by the Caraher family, and 3pm: Diane Lucas the Darwin International Airport.

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 7 Festival’s opening ceremony Shilton has woven Bertha’s tale in poetry THURSDAY Come and help launch the 2018 NT FRIDAY of stark beauty, threaded through with a Writers’ Festival: Wordstorm. deep love of the unforgiving desert. 24 May Meet some of the guest writers, as well as 25 MAY Northern Territory Library Book launch: Derek Pugh: Escape some local literary talent. Lunchtime author talk: Alice Pung 5pm–6pm Cliffs: The First Northern Territory The evening will include a taste of some Alice Pung is a writer, editor, teacher Free Expedition 1864-66 of the writers whose work will feature and lawyer based in Melbourne. Born This is a true story of greed, courage, during the festival. a month after her Chinese parents exploration, murder, wasted efforts, life We’ll also be asking a special guest fled from Cambodia to Australia as Toplines: Songs and how they and death struggles, insubordination, to reveal the short list of the biennial asylum seekers from Pol Pot’s Khmer were written, with Stevie Jean incredible seamanship, and extraordinary Territory Read Book Awards for Rouge Regime, Alice has used her and Tom E. Lewis See Special events, page 5 bushmanship, amid government bungling published NT authors! shared family’s experiences to write and Aboriginal resistance, during South stories that captivate all readers. She Night 7.30pm Australia’s first attempt at colonising their 6pm–7.30pm has won numerous awards including event Northern Territory in 1864. Browns Mart courtyard the 2007 Newcomer of the Year Award Browns Mart Theatre Free in the Australia Book Industry Awards Price $25/$20 NTWC members 5pm for her first book Unpolished Gem. Her Wild Words Browns Mart courtyard At the margins of Delhi with next book Her Father’s Daughter won the The NT Writers’ Centre’s monthly Free literary blogger and author Western Australia Premier’s Book Award spoken word ‘open mic’ event has been Mayank Austen Soofi for Non Fiction. Laurinda, Alice’s first moved from the last Sunday to the last See Special events, page 5 novel, was published in 2014 and was one Friday for this special festival month. of Readings’ Top 100 bestselling books Night Everyone’s welcome to try out a new 8pm for the year. The Browns Mart Courtyard event (or old) poem, rant or rave in front of a friendly live audience. Price $30/$25 NTWC members 12noon–1pm (includes pizza by Alfonsino’s) Darwin City Library Night 9pm Free event Happy Yess Price $5 (box office only, no online sales), Book launch: Leni Shilton Performers free Walking with camels – the story of Bertha Strehlow (UWAP poetry series) Award-winning playwright Mary Anne Butler will help Alice Springs poet Leni Shilton launch her extraordinary verse novel about Bertha Strehlow, the young woman who followed her new husband Ted Strehlow into the desert of Central Australia in 1936. Drawn from Bertha’s diaries and years of research, Leni

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 9 Writing men in Australia YA Literature: helping young SATURDAY Author talk with Michael readers explore the world 1pm–1.45pm Mohammed Ahmad and Panel discussion Browns Mart Theatre 26 May Sam Carmody Alice Pung’s literary career began with Price $15/$10 NTWC members Beyond the margins of the Michael Mohammed Ahmad is at the her memoir Unpolished Gem, and she later Colour lines and culture wars: newspaper forefront of the vibrant literary scene took on the YA genre with Laurinda. Literature’s new frontier Panel discussion that grew in the multicultural melting Megan Jacobson grew up in Darwin With newspapers struggling to maintain pot of Sydney’s western suburbs. He dreaming of being a writer. Her first YA Panel discussion It’s a hot-button issue that caused relevancy amid the rise of social media, founded Sweatshop, a literary movement novel Yellow was published after a stint controversy at the Brisbane Writers’ meet the writers trying to communicate devoted to empowering culturally writing for TV and she still works as a Festival in 2016: Can an author from news stories in new ways. and linguistically diverse communities journalist. Her second novel is The Build-up a dominant cultural background write Featuring: Darwin journalist and author throughout Australia through reading, is set in the Northern Territory. stories that involve characters from Christopher Walsh (Crocs in the Cabinet); writing and critical thinking. His new Barry Jonsberg is one of Darwin’s most other walks of life? What’s the line Buzzfeed correspondent, commentator novel The Lebs has been hailed as successful authors, with eighteen published between writing fiction and cultural and podcaster Amy McQuire; Indian “confronting and compelling”. novels and numerous awards to his name. appropriation? journalist, author, instagrammer and He’ll talk with Darwin author Sam His most recent novel is Game Theory. To discuss this issue, Claire G. Coleman, blogger extraordinaire Mayank Austen Carmody, whose debut novel The Windy an indigenous author whose debut Soofi; and Indonesian writer and lecturer Season won the Readings Prize for New 12noon–12.45pm sci-fi novel Terra Nullius imagines a new in media studies at Macquarie University Australia Fiction in 2017, about the issues Browns Mart Theatre dawn in Australia; Marie Munkara, Intan Paramaditha. they’ve faced in writing about young Price $15/$10 NTWC members men growing up in Australia, “toxic whose memoir Of Ashes and Rivers that Run to the Sea recounts her first-hand 10am–10.45am masculinity”, violence and racism. Podcasting: Storytelling’s experience of Australia’s past assimilation Browns Mart Theatre shifting landscape policies; Michael Giacometti, whose Price $15/$10 NTWC members 11am–11.45am Feature panel with Amy McQuire Browns Mart Theatre Podcasting as a form of telling stories has short story puts a spotlight Price $15/$10 NTWC members risen to huge popularity, borne on the on the borderlands of black and white, new technology of smart phones. and Leonie Norrington, whose writing Amy McQuire is a podcaster and reflects her early life, raised in Aboriginal Buzzfeed correspondent based in communities in the Northern Territory. Rockhampton. Her podcast Curtain explores the justice system and issues 2pm–2.45pm around Aboriginal incarceration, while Browns Mart Theatre also detailing the case of Kevin ‘Curtain’ Price $15/$10 NTWC members Henry. Henry has been in prison for 25 years for murder, but has always maintained his innocence. The podcast has uncovered what it believes to be serious flaws in the police investigation and at trial, in a town well known for its racial divisions

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 11 SATURDAY In conversation with Steven Oliver Book launch: Exploring poetry beyond the page 26 May Steven Oliver is known for his flamboyant Michael Giacometti, See Special events, page 5 character in Black Comedy, the ABC’s hit My Life & Other Fictions Exploring short story collections sketch comedy. But he’s also a slam poet, (Spineless Wonders, 2017) 6.30pm–7.30pm and small press dancer, singer and playwright. Inspired and written in Alice Springs, this Brown’s Mart Theatre Book talk: Intan Paramaditha and Steven Oliver will talk to award-winning collection of stories casts a spotlight on Price $25/$20 NTWC members Michael Giacometti Darwin playwright Mary Anne Butler the borderlands of black and white, desire Mainstream publishers have long steered about his varied writing and performing and fate, life and death. away from publishing short stories, but career, and the part he’s played in putting Michael Giacometti has been a computer Australian Poetry’s Big Read Gala with the rise of the small publishing more indigenous characters on Australia’s programmer, a trekking guide, an arts Seven poets read for seven minutes each. companies, more collections are being TV screens. worker, a bus driver. In 2008 he pulled a Hear from some of our visiting poets, as published in Australia. cart weighing twice his own body weight well as some home-grown talent. Intan Paramaditha is an Indonesian 4pm–5pm across the Simpson Desert, becoming Steven Oliver, Michael Mohammed writer currently based in Sydney. She Browns Mart Theatre the first (and only) person to complete an Ahmad, Ellen van Neerven, Leni Shilton, is the author of the two short story Price $15/$10 NTWC members east-west crossing, solo and unassisted. Phillip Hall, Kaye Aldenhoven and collections, Sihir Perempuan (2005) His work has appeared in many literary Daniel Townsend. and Kumpulan Budak Setan (2010, with Eka journals and anthologies, and he also Hosted by Sandra Thibodeaux and Kurniawan and Ugoran Prasad). won the NT for Poetry in supported by Australian Poetry. Her new collection Apple and Knife has 2012 and 2017. been translated into English, and Night 8pm–9pm published in Australia by Brow Books. event 5.30pm–6pm Brown’s Mart Theatre Michael Giacometti wrote his short story Browns Mart Courtyard Price $20/$15 NTWC members collection My Life and other Fictions during Free his years in Alice Springs, and it’s been published by Spineless Wonders. The stories investigate the frontiers of dream and reality, identity and history, and traverse karmic centuries of desire and fate, suffering and transcendence.

3pm–3.45pm Browns Mart Theatre Price $15/$10 NTWC members

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 13 Presentation by CBCA NT Book launch Gathering Sticks: Lighting up small SUNDAY Judge Di Elson The Last Time by Sharon Haste fires By Margaret Heffernan Presented in conjunction with the NT Tragedy destroyed her family’s future. A A life in transition from traditional 27 May branch of the Children’s Book Council trip through time may be the only way to culture to a very different world Literary brunch: In conversation of Australia, the NT judge of the CBCA get it back. This new release from IAD Press in Alice with Michelle de Kretser Awards Di Elson will talk about her role Charli Richter took her bright future Springs is a memoir that looks forward, as We’re delighted to welcome Michelle as judge, the judging process and the for granted. But when the teen survived well as back. de Kretser to Wordstorm for the first joys and agonies of choosing the six best the car crash that killed her mother and Gathering Sticks was constructed as part of time to discuss her fifth novel. This Life to books for her category. brother, her life changed forever. After narrative therapy with Gerard Waterford Come is a series of interwoven stories that This talk is perfect for teachers of all the police discover the tragedy was and Frances Coughlan. cast a critical eye on Australian society grades, parents, librarians and all those no accident, Charli becomes the only Margaret Heffernan is responsible for while also taking readers to Paris and interested in children’s books for all ages. plausible suspect. The Last Time is an developing the written form of Arrernte, Sri Lanka, described by British author edge-of-your-seat young adult mystery. in collaboration with linguist Gavan Marcel Theroux as “narratives about 11am–12noon Sharon Haste is a Darwin author. She is Breen. Margaret developed the Arrernte love, betrayal and motherhood in a novel Happy Yess a nurse and a midwife and has Master ortholography at Batchelor where she that explores the violence storytelling Free degrees in writing and midwifery. received her diploma in linguistics, then does to truth”. went on to teach at IAD. Michelle de Kretser will be ‘in conversation’ 12.15pm–12.45pm with local writer Varunika Ruwanpura. Browns Mart Courtyard 1pm–2pm Michelle de Kretser is a writer, editor and Free Browns Mart Theatre critic. Her novels include The Rose Grower, Price $15/$10 NTWC members The Hamilton Case, and The Lost Dog, which won the NSW Premier’s Book of the Year Award and the Christina Stead Prize for Fiction, and the 2008 ALS Gold Medal. The Lost Dog was also longlisted for both the Man Booker and the Orange Prize. Her next novel, Questions of Travel, received 14 honours, including winning the 2013 Miles Franklin Literary Award.

10am–12noon Wharf One, 3/19 Kitchener Dr, Darwin Waterfront Price $70/$60 NTWC members

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 17 SUNDAY Listening between the lines Double book launch Comedy Debate 27 May Panel discussion Toni Tapp Coutts’ best-selling memoirs Critics: Excrement or Guardian Can oral history preserve the knowledge have been adapted for young readers with Angels? Exploring the ‘emerging writer’ people previously held in stories, songs, My Outback Childhood (Hachette). Ernest Hemingway once said: Critics are scene songlines and art? Graham Wilson is a Sydney writer who men who watch a battle from a high place, Booktalk: Claire G. Coleman and Some Northern Territory elders are grew up in the Northern Territory. He’s then come down and shoot the survivors. Harriet McKnight concerned that their knowledge can launching a print version of his Aristotle said: There is only one way to In the near future Australia is about to no longer be transferred by traditional memoir Arnhem’s Kaleidoscope Children. avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, experience colonisation once more. What means, and are using collaborative and be nothing. Artist Ai Weiwei believes have we learned from our past? A daring writing processes to preserve their culture 4pm–4.30pm that: Criticism is, in the Chinese context, debut novel from the winner of the 2016 for the future. Browns Mart Courtyard a positive, creative act, and Malcolm X black&write! writing fellowship. Terra Senior Arrernte woman Margaret Free famously said: If you have no critics you’ll Nullius (Hachette) was also shortlisted for Heffernan has written her memoir likely have no success. the Stella Prize. Gathering sticks: Lighting up small fires (IAD Territory tales: getting noticed by If writers work outside the margins, then Darwin-based author Harriett Press) in collaboration with Gerard the mainstream critics are those scuttling in the blind space McKnight’s debut novel Rainbirds (Black Waterford and Frances Coughlan. Panel discussion which lies even further beyond. Do critics Inc) is a powerful and lyrical novel about James Gaykamangu is a Yolgnu man Publishers are mostly based in Sydney paralyse and annihilate us, or do they urge love, grief and loss, one that examines from Milingimbi, East Arnhemland. He is and Melbourne, so how do Territory us on to do better, ultimately making our personal tragedy as set against global and an artist, as well as a speaker on cultural writers get noticed? Are there benefits to work stronger in the long term? environmental responsibilities, and how knowledge. His book Striving To Bridge being an artist on ‘the margins’? Darwin comedian Amy Hetherington wil we negotiate our often-conflicting ideals. the Chasm: My cultural learning journey, was To discuss this issue are: novellist be the MC for Wordstorm’s traditional written with collaboration from Penny Courtney Collins (The Burial); best-selling closing event: The Comedy Debate. So 2pm–2.45pm Taylor. memoirist Toni Tapp Coutts (A Sunburnt strap yourself in for wordsmithery at its Browns Mart Meanwhile writers from the Western Childhood and My Outback Life) award- finest, as two teams of authors test their Price $15/$10 NTWC members tradition also face difficulties in writing winning playwright Mary Anne Butler lexicons to the limit to prove a point – Northern Territory history. Charlie Ward (Broken); and emerging children’s author and garner as many laughs as possible. wrote A Handful of Sand: The Gurindji and illustrator Paul Seden (Crabbing with Struggle after the Walk-off using a variety of Dad). 6.30pm–8pm sources including one hundred interviews. Browns Mart 5pm–5.45pm Price $15/$10 NTWC members 3pm–3.45pm Browns Mart Browns Mart Price $15/$10 NTWC members Price $15/$10 NTWC members

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 19 your own work with Introduction to Ecopoetics ‘Good writer’ masterclass with Ellen van Neerven with Phillip Hall Michael Mohammed Ahmad WORKSHOP Editing is an important part of the Ecopoetry is nature and place literate. It In 2016, award-winning author and PROGRAM writing process, but a good editor is hard informs, provokes and inspires. But is it director of Sweatshop: Western to find. The truth is that your work’s first solely an activist poetry? Sydney Literacy Movement, Dr Workshops will only go ahead with editor needs to be YOU. This workshop Learn about the features of ecopoetics Michael Mohammed Ahmad wrote a sufficient numbers. Please book early: aims to guide you on methods of turning and its place within nature poetry more highly controversial and widely acclaimed www.ntwriters.com.au a critical eye to your own writing as you generally. essay for the Sydney Review of Books go through the drafting process. ‘Wilderness’ is Post-Romanticism’s terra called ‘Bad Writer’, which examined Kickstart your memoir with Ellen van Neerven is just as active nullius. How do we tune ecopoetics to the some unhealthy attitudes towards Toni Tapp Coutts an editor as she is a writer. She was priorities of postcolonialism? creative writing within the Australian How to get started, or get back to the a previously Senior Editor at the Phillip Hall is a poet and educator, now literary industry. The essay also detailed memoir you started years ago. This is a black&write! Indigenous Writing and based in Melbourne. His published works some of the practices and skills developed fun interactive workshop that will help get Editing project at the State Library of include Sweetened in Coals (Gininderra in the Sweatshop Writers Collective, words on the page. Queensland, and she continues to work Press), and Fume (UWAP). which Ahmad has been running for the Toni Tapp Coutts is a Katherine-based with emerging Indigenous writers and past decade. In this workshop, Ahmad writer who has written two best-selling editors. She edited the 2014 digital Sunday, 27 May, 9am–12noon now offers a Sweatshop-style masterclass, memoirs: A Sunburnt Childhood and My collection of Indigenous writing, Writing Frog Hollow Conference Room which will give participants a first-hand Outback Life. The first has also been Black. She is the award-winning author Cost $80/$70 NTWC members experience of the kind of full-intensity adapted for young readers My Outback of Heat and Light (UQP, 2014) and Comfort creative writing model involved in being a Childhood. Food (UQP, 2016). ‘good writer’. The workshop will include a series of creative writing and reading Saturday, 26 May, 9.30–11.30am Saturday, 26 May, 9am–12noon exercises and live critical discussions. Frog Hollow Centre for the Arts, Happy Yess Conference Room Cost $80/$70 NTWC members Sunday, 27 May, 2–5pm Cost $50/$40 NTWC members Happy Yess Cost $80/$70 NTWC members

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 21 appeared in journals including Griffith Review, a ‘Territorian’ all his life. He has had a long Gerard Waterford is a social worker and Meanjin and Southerly. A Handful of Sand is his career in education and in a number of counsellor with Central Australian Aborigianl 2018 FESTIVAL first book. contexts: from large urban senior schools, Congress in their Social & Emotional Wellbing to tiny remote homeland centre schools Program. He co-authored Alone on the Soaks: The Christopher Walsh is an investigative AUTHOR BIOS in Central Arnhem Land, and several Life and Times of Alex Kruger (IAD Press, 2006), journalist and author based in Darwin. His International schools. He now teaches part and helped Margaret Heffernan with her Alice Pung is an award-winning writer, first book, Under the Electric Sky: The Legacy of time and writes, and has published five memoir Gathering Sticks: Lighting up small fires. editor, teacher and lawyer based in the Bill Lynch Shows was shortlisted for best books. One of these, Tambora, took out the Melbourne. She is the bestselling author literary non-fiction at the Atlantic Canada Graham Wilson is a Sydney-based writer Territory Read Best Non-fiction Award for of Unpolished Gem and Her Father’s Daughter and Book Awards in 2011. He is also the co-author who largely publishes online. In his non writing 2016. Current projects include a young adult the editor of the anthologies Growing Up of Crocs in the Cabinet: An Instruction Manual on life Graham is a veterinarian who work in novel, Schoolies, and the history of the Second Asian in Australia and My First Lesson. Her first How Not to Run a Government. He is the former wildlife conservation and for rural landholders. novel, Laurinda, won the Ethel Turner Prize at Northern Territory Expedition. senior political reporter for the NT News, and He lived a large part of his life in the Northern the 2016 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. has won numerous NT Media Awards for Diane Lucas came to live in Kakadu in Territory and his books reflect this experience. Amy McQuire is Buzzfeed’s Indigenous his coverage of Northern Territory politics. 1983. Her connections with Indigenous Harriet McKnight’s work has been Affairs reporter and has worked as a He is currently the Investigations Producer/ people and country, and having children, shortlisted for several prizes, including the researcher on John Pilger’s film Utopia. She is Journalist with ABC Radio Darwin. has greatly influenced and inspired her Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize. She lives the co-host and writer of the podcast Curtain. life and writing. She has published five Claire G. Coleman is a writer from Western in Darwin and works in several of the NT’s children’s books, and a CD of songs and is a Barry Jonsberg lives in Darwin. His YA Australia. She identifies with the South Coast remote Indigenous communities. Rain Birds is contributing author to, A Natural History and novels, The Whole Business with Kiffo and the Noongar people. Her family are associated her debut novel. Field Guide to Australia’s Top End. Diane’s books Pitbull and It’s Not All About YOU, Calma! were with the area around Ravensthorpe and take you for a walk into places. Her website is Intan Paramaditha is an Indonesian writer shortlisted for the CBCA awards. It’s Not All Hopetoun. Claire grew up in a Forestry’s www.dianelucas.com.au now based in Sydney. She is the acclaimed About YOU, Calma! also won the Adelaide settlement in the middle of a tree plantation, author of the two short story collections, Sihir Festival Award for Children’s Literature where her dad worked, not far out of Perth. Ellen van Neerven is a Mununjali person Perempuan (2005) and Kumpulan Budak Setan (2010, and Dreamrider was shortlisted in the NSW She wrote her black&write! fellowship-winning from the Yugambeh language group of South with Eka Kurniawan and Ugoran Prasad), from Premier’s Awards. Being Here won the QLD manuscript Terra Nullius while travelling East Queensland. Heat and Light (UQP, 2014), which the stories of Apple and Knife are drawn, Premier’s YA Book Award and was shortlisted around Australia in a caravan. a collection of interlinked short stories, won as well as the novel Gentayangan (2017). She is a for the Prime Minister’s Award. My Life as an Courtney Collins is a novelist and several awards including the NSW Premiers Alphabet won the Gold Inky, the Children’s lecturer in film and media studies at Macquarie screenwriter, based in Ngukurr and Katherine. Literary Award for Indigenous Writing. Peace Literature Award, the Territory Read, University. Her debut novel, The Burial, is being adapted Comfort Food (UQP, 2016), a collection of Children’s Literature/YA Award and the as a feature film with the support of Screen poems, is her most recent release. She is James Gaykamangu is a Yolgnu man Victorian Premier’s Literary Award and was Australia. Her second novel The Walkman Mix currently working on two plays. from Milingimbi, East Arnhemland. He is shortlisted in the Prime Minister’s Literary an artist, as well as a speaker on cultural will be released soon. Frances Coughlan is a social worker Awards, the CBCA awards, the WA Premier’s knowledge. His book Striving To Bridge the Daniel J Townsend was born on a and counsellor with Central Australian Book Awards and the Adelaide Festival Chasm, was written with collaboration from tiny island on the edge of the world, the Aboriginal Congress. Together with Gerard Awards. His latest book is Game Theory (Allen Penny Taylor. & Unwin). descendant of a convict girl and her employer. Waterford, she’s worked with Frank Byrne to Poet, folk musician and dilettante historian, author Living In Hope (Ptilotus Press), and with Jo Dutton is the author of three novels: On the Charlie Ward is a writer and historian, he has been singing stories ever since. Daniel Margaret Heffernan to author Gathering Sticks: Edge of Red, Out of Place, and From Alice with Love. based in Darwin. He worked in the Gurindji now lives and creates in Darwin, drawing Lighting up small fires (IAD Press). communities of Kalkaringi and Daguragu Kathy Mills is a Darwin poet, songwriter inspiration from the relentless weather, between 2004 and 2006 and then as a Fred van’t Sand is a Darwin-based poet and campaigner for Indigenous rights. She unhurried locals and ancient stories. researcher with the Stolen Generations’ who’s been active in spoken word and slam is also the keeper of knowledge and stories Linked-up program in Alice Springs. Now Derek Pugh grew up in the Australian poetry for many years. In 2015 he represented passed down to her from her parents Jack an oral history interviewer with the National Capital Territory, but moved to the Northern the Top End at the poetry Slam Campionships and Polly McGinniss, and other members her Library of Australia, Charlie’s work has Territory in 1982, so he claims to have been in Sydney. family and community.

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 23 Kaye Aldenhoven is passionate about Breen. Margaret developed the Arrernte Delhi: The Delhi Walla - Portraits, Delhi Food, Age: Australian Muslim Stories. His debut country, NT plants, NT birds, NT history, ortholography at Batchelor where she received Delhi Hangouts and Delhi Monuments. His latest novel, The Tribe, received a 2015 Sydney her family. Kaye has read her work in India, her diploma in linguistics, then went on to book Nobody Can Love You More, published in Morning Herald Best Young Australian Thailand, Wollongong, Ubud, Tasmania, teach at IAD. Her memoir Gathering Sticks: 2012 by Penguin Books, deals with the life of Novelists of the Year Award. Mohammed Newcastle, and Shoalhaven. She has published Lighting up small fires is the result of many years a ‘kotha’, Hindi for brothel, in Delhi’s largest received his Doctorate of Creative Arts at three collections – Skin, Botanica Erotica and In of work. red-light district, G. B. Road, which is home Western Sydney University in 2017. His my Husband’s Country. Kaye has twice won the to 5000 sex workers. latest book is The Lebs. Marie Munkara spent her early years on NT Literary Award for Poetry. Bathurst Island, and now lives in Darwin. Her Megan Jacobson grew up in Darwin and Michelle de Kretser was born in Sri Lanka Leni Shilton is a poet, teacher and first novel Every Secret Thing won the David the far north coast of New South Wales, and emigrated to Australia when she was 14. researcher. She grew up in Papua New Unaipon Award in 2008 and the NT Book but now lives in Sydney, where she works in Educated in Melbourne and Paris, Michelle Guinea and Melbourne and has lived in Alice of the Year in 2010. She has published two TV news production at the ABC. She has has worked as a university tutor, an editor Springs for over thirty years. She has a PhD in children’s books RustyBrown and Rusty and Jojo a degree in journalism and has worked as a and a book reviewer. She is the author of The creative writing. She has twice been awarded and her second novel A Most Peculiar Act. Her question writer for TV game shows, and as Rose Grower, The Hamilton Case, which won the the poetry prize in the NT Library Awards, memoir From Ashes and Rivers That Run to the Sea an in-house script storyliner and script editor Commonwealth Prize (SE Asia and Pacific and in 2015 was shortlisted in the University was published in 2016. for several Australian television dramas. region) and the UK Encore Prize, and The of Canberra Poetry Prize. Her writing Marita Albers is a Darwin-based visual Her short stories have been published in Lost Dog, which was widely praised by writers is published in journals and anthologies artist. She exhibits and teaches, and also the Sydney Morning Herald, aired on such as AS Byatt, Hilary Mantel and William in Australia and internationally. Leni is a illustrated the children’s book Mermaid in ABC radio, appeared in the UTS writers’ Boyd and won a swag of awards, including: founding member of the Ptilotus Press, a small Humpty Doo, written by Sarah Body. anthology I can see my house from here and in the 2008 NSW Premier’s Book of the Year publishing initiative which promotes Central the Review of Australian Fiction. Her first Award and the Christina Stead Prize for Australian writing. Her first book of poetry Mary Anne Butler is a Darwin-based novel Yellow was shortlisted in the Older Fiction, and the 2008 ALS Gold Medal. Walking with Camels – the story of Bertha Strehlow playwright whose plays have been described Readers category of the 2017 CBCA Book The Lost Dog was also shortlisted for the was released by UWAP in February 2018. as ‘poetic, evocative and muscular’. Credits of the Year Awards and her second novel The Vance Palmer Prize for Fiction, the Western include Half Way There, Highway of Lost Hearts, Build-Up Season was shortlisted for the Australian Premier’s Australia-Asia Literary Leonie Norrington is a multi-award Broken, The Sound of Waiting, Alice in Wonderland 2018 Ethel Turner Prize for Young People. Award, the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize winning north Australian author. She writes [adaptation] and Cusp. Awards include the (Asia-Pacific Region) and Orange Prize’s for children and adults in both fiction and Michael Giacometti is the author of the Victorian Prize for Literature, Victorian Shadow Youth Panel. It was longlisted for non-fiction. At the moment she is a PhD short story collection My life & other fictions Premier’s Literary Award for Drama and NT the Man Booker Prize and the Orange Prize candidate at Charles Darwin University (Spineless Wonders 2017), and Portraits of Book of the Year. Nominations include the for Fiction. Her last novel, Questions of Travel, working on a historical novel set in Arnhem country: haiku for central Australia (LongShort Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting [for both received 14 honours, including winning the Land during the 1600s when Aboriginal Press 2017). He has twice won the Northern Broken and The Sound of Waiting], Stage AWGIE 2013 Miles Franklin Literary Award. people traded with people from Makassar on and Griffin Theatre Award. Mary Anne is a Territory Literary Award for Poetry. a regular basis. Leonie was born in Darwin, four-time winner of the NT Literary Awards Formerly of Alice Springs, he now lives in Paul Seden is descended from the Wuthathi and grew up at Barunga community in for Best Script, a 2016 Sidney Myer Creative Launceston. and Muralag people of North Queensland. southern Arnhemland. Being brought up He grew up in Darwin, loves to draw and tell Fellow, 2016 Asialink recipient, 2014 Churchill Michael Mohammed Ahmad is an within a mixed culture environment, Leonie stories and has a passion for sport and the Fellow and 2015 Regional Arts Fellow. She Arab-Australian writer, editor, teacher and is interested in the places where cultures holds an MPhil in Creative Writing and an outdoors. His books include Kick with My Left community arts worker. He is the founder and languages meet, especially how people MEd in Arts Education, and is a co-artistic Foot and Crabbing with Dad. and director of Sweatshop, a literacy use language and story to bridge cultural director of Knock-em-Down Theatre. movement in Western Sydney devoted to Peta Smith is a Darwin-based textile artist differences or to make statements about their Mayank Austen Soofi is a Delhi-based empowering culturally and linguistically and printmaker, with 37 years experience as a separateness. She writes in a mix of English, Indian writer, blogger and photojournalist, diverse artists through creative writing. practising artist and educator in the Northern Kriol and Indigenous language. who writes popular columns for Hindustan Mohammed’s essays and short stories have Territory. Her hand-made, illustrated book is a Margaret Heffernan is responsible for Times and Mint on culture, food and literary appeared in the Sydney Review of Books, true story set in Far North Queensland about developing the written form of Arrernte, landscapes of Delhi. In 2011, he published The Guardian, Heat, Seizure, The Lifted two young kids who find themselves sharing in collaboration with linguist Gavan four alternative guidebooks to the city of Brow, The Australian and Coming of their house with a wild Children’s Python.

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 25 Phillip Hall worked for many years as a Steven Oliver is a descendant of the Toni has recently published the bestselling teacher of outdoor education and sport Kukuyalanji, Waanyi, Gangalidda, memoir, A Sunburnt Childhood – Growing Up throughout regional New South Wales, Woppaburra, Bundjalung and Biripi peoples. in the Territory which recounts the many Northern Queensland and the Northern He studied at the Aboriginal Music Theatre characters and events that shaped her early Territory. He now resides in Melbourne’s Training Program and then at WAAPA. life. Her follow-up memoir My Outback Life Sunshine where he is a passionate member Steven is the former Assistant Artistic Director tells the stories of living in the wild NT Gulf of the Western Bulldogs Football Club. at Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts Country in the 1980s–90s. May 2018 will His publications include Sweetened in Coals, and has worked with Yirra Yaakin, Kooemba see the release of My Outback Childhood, an Borroloola Class, and (as editor) Diwurruwurru: Jdarra Theatre, La Boite Theatre, Jute adaptation of the first memoir for young Poetry from the Gulf of Carpentaria. His latest Theatre, Kite Theatre and the Queensland readers. book is Fume (UWAP). Arts Council. He is also known for his spoken Varunika Ruwanpura is a journalist and word work with millions of views online and Rob Smith is a broadcaster, best known for writer. She has worked in print, magazine is a published poet and playwright. Steven is a the ABC radio show ‘Tales from the Tinny’. and online journalism in Australia and Sri creative force behind ABC’s hit comedy sketch He’s also the author of the Tales from the Lanka. She has written three children’s show, Black Comedy. Tinny book Get a Mullet Up Ya! (Harper Collins). books, and a travel memoir on her migration Stevie Jean was born and raised in the from Sri Lanka to South Australia. She is Sam Carmody is a writer and award-winning Northern Territory. She is both a solo artist currently undertaking a Master of Philosophy musician. His first novel The Windy Season, was and front woman for band GAIA with whom researching Australian journalists’ nonfiction shortlisted for the 2014 Australian/Vogel’s she has opened for bands such as The Cat writing through the University of Adelaide. literary Award, and won the Readings Prize for Empire, The Angels,Grinspoon and Icehouse. new Australia fiction in 2017. He is currently She has also been nominated for the NLMA living in Darwin and lecturing in creative 2017 for the NT Best Live Voice. writing at the Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Higher Education. Tom E. Lewis is a veteran of the Australian stage and screen with a career spanning four Sandra Kendell is a Darwin author and decades in film, television, theatre, music and illustrator of children’s picture books. She cultural development. He is Artistic Director creates stories that celebrate some of our most of the Walking With Spirits Festival and fascinating native animals. Sandra is the author founding Director of Djilpin Arts Aboriginal of five published children’s books. Corporation. Tom has played didjeridu all Sandra Thibodeaux is a poet and over the world for acclaimed jazz duo THANKYOU’S: playwright. She has published four collection Lewis & Young (1990 to 2001). His debut Thanks to the NT Writers’ Centre board: Professor Martin Jarvis OAM, sof poetry and in 2011 was Australian Poetry’s CD Sunshine After Rain won Music Release Dr Adelle Sefton-Rowston, Toni Tapp Coutts, Michelle Coleman, Nicola Pitt, Poet-in-Residence. She has written over a of the Year at the 2006 NT Music Awards. Fred van’t Sand, Christian Bok, David Ketley and Carolyn Mison-Smith. dozen plays that have been staged as part of He produced Muyngarnbi, which had six Thanks also to all the staff at Browns Mart. festivals across Australia and Indonesia and nominations in the 2008 Music Awards, Thanks to local media for supporting our events. broadcast on Radio National. taking out “Best Traditional”. His 2014 CD release Beneath the Sun has met with critical Thanks to Amy Sambrooke, and to the Varuna House for lending Amy to us. Sharon Haste is a Northern Territory acclaim across the country. Thanks to Anna, Sean and Angela from the Bookshop Darwin for their author based in Darwin. She is a nurse and a enthusiasm and support and in providing the pop-up book stall. midwife and has Master degrees in writing and Toni Tapp Coutts, the eldest of ten midwifery. She has spent a good deal of time children, grew up on Killarney Station Special thanks to our wonderful volunteers, participating writers, panel facilitators, surrounded by young people at work and home south-west of Katherine. Her memoirs the Darwin community, and all the members of the NT Writers’ Centre. and loves their energy and ideas. The Last Time recount her unique childhood growing up is Sharon’s first novel and she has published two with larger than life figures like her father Bill Cover and internal artwork from Kingwood Country by Pennyrose Wiggins, other books in e-form. and mother June. A well-known Territorian, 2017 acrylic and oil on found car boot.

NT WRITERS’ FESTIVAL WORDSTORM PROGRAM 2018 #wordstorm 27