It was the second meeting for our new Teen Advisory Board and everyone was enthusiastic and keen to talk about books.

This month we enjoyed a visit from Mira Schlosberg, the editor of Voiceworks, who told us all about the magazine and the work they do. The publication’s objective is to support and nurture young writers, editors and illustrators. People under the age of 25 can submit a piece to one of the quarterly themed issues (the latest theme is drag). All submissions are read by at least three members of their editorial committee and every submission is given feedback, even if it doesn’t make it into the magazine. Voiceworks publishes fiction, non-fiction, poetry and comics, as well as welcoming illustrations and experimental works. Remarkably, everyone involved in the magazine is under the age of 25. Mira told us about the many opportunities available through Voiceworks, not only to be published but also to become an editor, as well as occasional master classes with established authors and editors.

Voiceworks is run by Express Media, which is a non-profit organisation, and it is a vital publication for young people interested in getting involved in the industry. Importantly, Voiceworks is also engaging and interesting to read. The teens asked Mira lots of great questions of and most of them are keen to submit their writing to Voiceworks in the near future. Voiceworks is available for purchase at all Readings shops.

The teens also discussed the book we asked them all to read this month – Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina which our YA Book of the Month for September. Told in two unforgettable voices, this gripping novel interweaves themes of grief, colonial history, violence, love and family. You can read our review of this novel here.