Mark's Say, August 2017
I’m looking forward to the Melbourne Writers Festival: still going strong, since 1986. It’s director Lisa Dempster’s last MWF, and she and her colleagues have combined their creative talents to make sure her last Festival will be truly memorable. This year’s theme is Revolution. Lisa writes: ‘When systems fall into crisis and we are entrenched in the politics of despair, literature becomes a platform for revolution.’ This reminds me of a conversation I had recently with publisher, Morry Schwartz, about the influence of books: though many books sell relatively small quantities, the ideas in them can reverberate throughout society and often have a profound influence. For the first time, an Indigenous author, Kim Scott, will deliver the opening address. Our bookseller George Delaney reviews Taboo, his new novel, here.
The 2017 MWF will host a fascinating array of guests (including, of course, a stellar range of Australian authors), including one of America’s most respected and prolific novelists, Joyce Carol Oates; in a career spanning 54 years, she’s published over 40 novels, and numerous other books. It’s going to be a challenge for our Festival Bookshop manager, Tom Hoskins, to decide which of her books to stock! I’ve long been fascinated by India, so I’m looking forward to hearing Shashi Tharoor on his book, Inglorious Empire. Tharoor argues that, far from being a ‘civilising influence’, British occupation of India was disastrous for the majority of Indians. Trans journalist Janet Mock will challenge us with her recollections of her personal and professional journey. Dutch academic, Rutger Bregman (Utopia For Realists), offers positive solutions to some of our problems. Readings will be presenting a day featuring new and emerging Australian authors, including Melanie Joosten, Melanie Cheng, Mark Brandi, Jennifer Down and Ryan O’Neill. Over 200 writers will descend on Melbourne for the Festival. You can pick up a program in any of our shops – or browse it online here.
The Copyright Agency collects fees on behalf of authors, from schools and other educational institutions that use copyright material. As well as distributing these fees to creators, through its Cultural Fund, it makes grants to arts organisations and individuals. Last month, it announced grants totalling $1.3 million for 56 projects. I was interested to see that The Guardian will receive $30,000 to increase its coverage of Australian books and profile Australian authors. Sadly, the print media has been slowly downgrading its books coverage; earlier this year, Victoria’s Herald Sun lost its books editor, Blanche Clark. And when The Sydney Morning Herald’s literary editor Susan Wyndham retired this year, The Age’s literary editor, Jason Steger, took on both roles. Both the Age and SMH literary pages have shrunk over recent years. Conversely, The Monthly has announced plans to increase its arts coverage. The ability of the Copyright Agency to continue to make grants like these is currently under threat, under a review of the legislation that covers it.
On a very positive note, the Myer Foundation has announced a $300,000 grant for Writers Victoria to establish the Neilma Sidney Literary Travel Fund, to provide practical support to emerging, mid-career and established writers, editors, agents, publishers, librarians, booksellers and other literary professionals. The fund will give small grants of $2000 to $10,000 to Australian writers and literary sector workers to undertake strategic travel opportunities: for the benefit of their own writing practice or career development, or for the broader Australian literary sector. Initial funding is for a three-year program. Apply online here. Applications close 21 August.
