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Simpson named UTS New Writer in Residence

Yuwaalaraay storyteller, performer and author Nardi Simpson has been selected as the Copyright Agency-University of Technology Sydney (UTS) New Writer in Residence for 2022.

Simpson is the author of Song of the Crocodile (Hachette), and over the course of the program she will be working on her second novel The Bellbird. The story centres around the titular Bellbird, a young Koori woman living on the streets of modern-day Sydney. The character is inspired by Dilboong, the daughter of historical figures Woollarawarre Bennelong and Barangaroo.

‘I am so excited to become part of the UTS writing community through the Copyright Agency-UTS New Writer’s Fellowship,’ said Simpson. ‘My heart and mind are full with the promise of relationship, knowledge, connection and words that await me in those buildings. I expect to be listening, thinking and writing furiously and I particularly look forward to the learnings I will receive form the wonderful staff and students at UTS. I can’t wait to take my place in my new writing family.’

As part of her fellowship, Simpson will also give guest lectures and be available for consultation with students in the UTS creative writing program.

Run by the UTS creative writing department in partnership with the Copyright Agency’s cultural fund, the $40,000 New Writer’s Fellowship is open to authors who have published one or two books with a commercial publisher and who have a contract or letter of interest from a publisher for their second or third book. Previous recipients include Anwen Crawford, Bri Lee and Christopher Raja.

For more information about the program, see the UTS website.

Image credit: L Simpson.

 

Category: Awards Local news