Text Publishing and Writing NSW are proud to announce the 2024 Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship, with support from the First Nations Australia Writers Network (FNAWN) and Booktopia. The prize was established in 2019 to discover and nurture a powerful new Indigenous voice in Australian literature.
This joint initiative will provide a year-long structured mentorship to an unpublished Indigenous writer who has made substantial progress on a manuscript of fiction or non-fiction. The recipient of the mentorship will be paired with a senior Indigenous writer working in the same genre, providing feedback on their manuscript and professional advice. The successful applicant will also receive professional development from Text Publishing and Writing NSW. Since the prize’s inception, two of the mentored writers, John Morrissey and Lenora Thaker, have been offered publishing deals by Text Publishing.
Edoardo Crismani, recipient of the 2023 Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship, says:
I am honoured to have been selected as the recipient of the 2023 Boundless Indigenous Writer's Mentorship, mentored by fellow Wiradjuri writer Tara June Winch, the Miles Franklin Literary Award- winning author, for my time travel novel Finding Billy Brown, a fast-paced story about an AFL player who is hit by a car, only to wake up in the 1930s, where he meets his boxer great-grandfather. This is a pivotal opportunity that will refine my manuscript and amplify my storytelling voice. With the support of Text Publishing and Writing NSW, I am on an inspiring literary journey.
Judi Morison, recipient of the 2022 Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship, says:
Winning the Boundless Indigenous Writers Mentorship has refocused my commitment to exploring the ongoing social issues with which my work deals. The prospect of working with, and learning from, the remarkable Larissa Behrendt, with added support from Text Publishing and Writing NSW, has made the writing journey less solitary and inspired me to ask more of myself as a writer.
Lenora Thaker, recipient of the 2021 Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship, says:
Being awarded the 2021 Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship gave me a confidence boost and enabled me to take my writing to the next level. As an emerging Indigenous writer, having a First Nations mentor the calibre of Julie Janson really helped me develop my writing and understand the business of writing in a way that’s been culturally safe and supportive. Along with the support of Writing NSW and Text Publishing, I feel that I am finally on the road to success.
The Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship will open for applications on Monday 11 September 2023 and close on Sunday 26 November 2023. Submissions will be judged by John Morrissey in consultation with representatives from Text Publishing and Writing NSW. John is a Melbourne writer of Kalkadoon descent whose first book Firelight has recently been published by Text Publishing as a result of his 2020 Boundless mentorship. His work has been published in Overland, Voiceworks, Meanjin and the anthology This All Come Back Now.
John Morrissey says:
The Boundless Mentorship gave me the direction and motivation to produce my first collection of stories. It was an enormous benefit and inspiration to feel that my stories might have a home somewhere. Working with Kim Scott has been an immense privilege as a writer. I would encourage any early-career Indigenous writer to apply for the mentorship.
I am very excited to be judging the 2024 Boundless Mentorship. I can't wait to read the work of fellow new and emerging First Nations writers and see what directions they take with their stories.
Presented by Text Publishing and Writing NSW.
Applications open Monday 11 September 2023.
Applications close midnight (AEST) Sunday 26 November 2023.
For more information on the Boundless Indigenous Writer’s Mentorship, go to writingnsw.org.au
Media Enquiries: Adara Enthaler, aenthaler@writingnsw.org.au
