Wheeler Centre to host free series on representation in publishing

The Wheeler Centre, Spread the Word and the Melbourne City of Literature Office have partnered to created a free online event series exploring power, representation and diversity in publishing in Australia and the UK, running from 30 November to 2 December.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves brings together a range of writers, publishers and academics from Britain and Australia across three digital events looking at fiction, children’s and YA and representation, voice and agency. According to the organisers, the series ‘provides a space for reflection and challenge by opening up the conversation on equity and social justice and the stories we get to hear’.

Speakers include Jacaranda Books publisher Valerie Brandes, Magabala Books publisher Rachel Bin Salleh, literary agent Grace Heifetz, Ultimo Press publisher Robert Watkins, researcher Radhiah Chowdhury and Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing publishing director Marisa Pintado, along with writers including Maxine Beneba Clarke and Cath Moore.

‘The Wheeler Centre is thrilled to be part of this important collaboration designed to change the conversation and shift the dial on inclusion and equity in publishing in the UK and Australia,’ said the Wheeler Centre CEO Caro Llewellyn. ‘We look forward to sharing the insights, reflections and creative exchanges between the wonderful writers, publishers, agents and researchers, through written pieces and digital events accessible globally for everyone to watch, enjoy and consider.’

The Stories We Tell Ourselves will further explore the ideas presented in the panels through a special content series featuring three pieces written by independent publishers on the change they believe is most essential to see in their industry, 12 commissioned ‘letters to my past or future self’ written by established and emerging Australian and UK writers, and six 15-minute video dialogues in which an Australian and UK writer will read each other’s letters and discuss the points of connection and difference between their experiences. These pieces will all be published on the Wheeler Centre website on Monday, 29 November.

The three digital panels will be hosted on the Wheeler Centre website, free of charge. For more information, and to register, see the website.

Category: Local news