Bookings are now open for Pitch Independent, the New England Writers’ Centre’s major event, giving writers and illustrators the chance to be published by independent book publishers and literary magazines.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Thirteen of Australia’s best independent book publishers and literary magazine editors and one international literary magazine will head to Armidale in early August for a pitch weekend with a difference.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for writers and illustrators in all genres,” the New England Writers’ Centre’s Sophie Masson said.
READ ALSO:
Ms Masson is co-ordinating the event, with New England poets and writers Catherine Wright and John Charles Ryan.
From fiction to non-fiction, children’s books to poetry, illustrated books to prestigious literary magazines, the Pitch Independent publishers and editors represent a wide range of literary forms.
Publishers and editors include Magabala Books from Broome (the oldest Australian indigenous publishing house); MidnightSun Publishing from South Australia; and Dirt Lane Press from Orange, specialists in illustrated books.
Magazines include Meanjin, which has published many prominent Australian writers of the last 75 years; The School Magazine, the oldest children’s literary magazine in the world, founded in Sydney in 1916; and Antipodes, an international journal based in the US, that has introduced Australian writing to American audiences for a long time.
“This is a timely program,” Ms Masson said, “as independent publishing is going from strength to strength, scooping major awards like the Miles Franklin and the Prime Minister's Literary Awards (dominated by small press) and the Children's Book Council of Australia awards. Sales are growing, too, and small/independent presses making big international rights sales.”
Pitch Independent will include a specialist pitch session for poets, and a general pitch day for writers and illustrators in all genres. It will also feature a free public symposium on independent book publishers and literary magazines’ contribution to Australian literary culture; a public book launch; and a display of participating publishers’ books.
An optional pitch preparation day will be held on the previous Saturday.
The event is sponsored by the University of New England, and supported by the Small Press Network,
Bookings open today. Participants may book the full program, or simply the parts of it they require. For full booking, list of publishers attending, program schedule, and price information, visit the New England Writers’ Centre website.