Sovereign Stories

10 years of black&write!

This exhibition is in the past.
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We acknowledge and are connected to the storykeepers who have come before us and those who will come after us.

black&write! Indigenous Writing and Editing Project is an Indigenous-led, national project that inspires people from all walks of life to connect with the rich knowledge, heritage and cultures of First Nations peoples through story.

In this exhibition, meet the authors and editors who have been part of black&write! and discover some truly special First Nations stories.

Stories

Books

black&write! books continue storytelling traditions to celebrate, share and strengthen culture in a wide range of texts from children’s books to adult fiction to poetry. Which ones have you read?

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A collection of the black&write! published books in a pile. The books are sitting on a brown table.

Authors

black&write! fellows are brilliant writers with distinct experiences, voices and styles from across the continent. Together they showcase the strength and diversity of First Nations writing at its best.

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Editors

black&write! editors are all First Nations people. We centre First Nations knowledges and approaches into our writing and editorial practice to create a culturally safe space for authors to write their story, their way.

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Portrait of black&write! editors Grace Lucas-Pennington, Ellen Van Neervan, Yasmin Smith

About the Sovereign Stories artwork

Artist, Kambarni, has created a drawing that reflects ideas of cultural ownership and sovereignty.

The drawing illustrates the connection between land, culture and our people's sovereignty.

Key to this drawing is the smoke wafting and pulling everything together, protecting all to share their stories. Smoke follows through the drawing and signifies people taking ownership of their stories and customs. The smoke protects people and their culture.

Members of the black&write! editing team, 2021.

2023 black&write! Fellowships

2023 black&write! Fellowships are now open. Submit your application by 31 January 2023.

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More from Sovereign Stories

Photo of Adam Thompson who has a beard and moustache. He looks at the camera. Adam is wearing a white shirt and black blazer.

Sovereign storytelling: Adam Thompson on Nan's scary tales and writing as meditation

The Sovereign Stories showcase at State Library celebrates a decade of First Nations writing and editing excellence through the black&write! project. In this series of interviews, we talk to emerging First Nations authors about their memories of sharing stories with family, the creative process, and the power of storytelling in their lives.

Mykaela Saunders takes a selfie in front of a white wall with peeling paint. She wears a black leather jacket and dark lipstick.

Sovereign storytelling: Mykaela Saunders on wild and funny yarns

The Conversation: what is the future of First Nations literature?

This continent has the oldest continuous storytelling tradition in the world. But the Australian literary canon is, let’s face it, overwhelmingly white. And while First Nations literature is increasingly visible in bookshops and literary awards, are things really changing? Have the Black Lives Matter protests affected the publishing world? What role do schools and universities play in showcasing diverse voices? And why should Australians read more First Nations literature?

Watch now

Learn

Explore our wide range of First Nations educational resources.

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More black&write!

Five people sitting at State Library together. They are sitting on the QLDTerrace and are all smiling.

Indigenous writing fellowships and editing internships

black&write! is a groundbreaking national project dedicated to nurturing and empowering First Nations writers and editors through our prestigious Indigenous writing fellowships and editing internships. As innovators in Australia, we have fostered meaningful collaborations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and editors since 2011. Indigenous authors we have supported in their careers include Susie Anderson, Tylissa Elisara, Carl Merrison, Lystra Rose, Nardi Simpson, Claire G. Coleman, Alison Whittaker, Jannali Jones, Jane Harrison, Jared Thomas, Tristan Savage, Teagan Chilcott, Sue McPherson, Ali Cobby Eckermann, Tori-Jay Mordey and Jillian Boyd.

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black&write! Fellowship winners 2023 standing outside State Library of Queensland

black&write! Writing Fellowships

Each year black&write! offers two Fellowships for unpublished manuscripts by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers. The winning Fellows work closely with black&write! editors to develop their manuscripts for publication. We are proud to work with our publishing partner, Hachette Australia.

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black&write! Editing Internships

As part of our writing and editing program, black&write! periodically provides internships to aspiring First Nations editors.

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black&write! is supported by the Copyright Agency's Cultural Fund and the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. We are proud to work with Hachette Australia as the black&write! Fellowship publishing partner.