Mark's Say, April 2018
After a hiatus of almost 18 years, this month marks the publication of Issue 66 of the journal Australian Short Stories. The first edition of Australian Short Stories was published at Christmas in 1982 and sported a great cover by Michael Leunig and contributors included David Ireland, Frank Hardy, Manning Clark, and Barry Dickins. Bruce and Lynn loved publishing Australian Short Stories, however it wasn’t viable and the last issue came out in 2000.
Following its publication in 2014, Pascoe’s book Dark Emu went on to win a number of awards. Pascoe felt he should use some of this prize money to revive Australian Short Stories. Pascoe and Harwood felt that there were still so many writers out there who aren’t being read. They also felt that to truly reflect Australian culture more space needs to be given to Aboriginal writers. The new issue includes all new stories by Kim Scott, Carmel Bird, Barry Dickins and Archie Weller.
Another milestone this month is the publication of the 400th issue of Australian Book Review. ABR was started in Adelaide by Geoffrey Dutton, Max Harris and Rosemary Wighton. Many years ago I succeeded the late Brian Johns, the former head of the ABC, as chair of ABR’s editorial board. They were big shoes to fill but it was an interesting time and everyone involved was proud of the magazine that was recording the renaissance of Australian writing. Acclaimed writer and poet Peter Rose has been editor since 2001; he’s justifiably proud of the 400th issue which includes special commemorative features, the winning essay for the 2017 Calibre Prize, an article by Beejay Silcox (ABR Fortieth Birthday Fellow) and contributions by many senior writers and critics long associated with ABR. ABR is also announcing an increase to its payments to writers and to its already impressive support for Australian literature.
To celebrate this milestone, Readings will be giving a copy of the 400th issue to customers spending $40 and over – just ask your Readings bookseller. If you are buying online just write ‘ABR’ in the notes field and we’ll include the magazine in your parcel. Included in each issue will be a special subscription offer for Readings customers. Find out more here.
Late last year the Indigenous Literacy Foundation decided to expand its early literacy program to 30 remote communities in Australia. Initial research conducted by Rohan Shinkfield in Warburton, Western Australia, showed that the BookBuzz program increased the children’s engagement with books by up to 100%. Engagement with books is an essential precursor to lifetime learning. The ILF’s BookBuzz program provides communities with the resources to have a significant impact on early childhood literacy. These include a booklet and DVD outlining effective ways to run the program, a range of board books in English or local language, reading mats and a box to pack everything up.
If you feel inspired and want to help, just $400 is enough to set up one playgroup. Readings is donating $2 from the sale of every copy of Black Inc.’s anthology Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia edited by Anita Heiss. This book will be available to buy in-store on 16 April, and you can pre-order online here. You can top this up by donating online here.
