The next Feminist Writers Festival event is fast approaching – a frank and funny conversation with iconic journalist and staunch feminist Tracey Spicer. Join us on Sunday 4 June at Lismore City Hall, where FWF founder and co-chair Cristy Clark will chat with Tracey about her journey from bogan to boned and beyond. Tickets are available now and selling fast – be sure to let any feminist friends in the Northern Rivers know!
And if you haven’t yet picked up a copy of Tracey’s fabulous memoir The Good Girl Stripped Bare, you can find it at your local independent bookstore or read an extract via the Sydney Morning Herald
Recommended Reading
Biyala Stories – Congratulations to Sophie Cunningham on winning the Griffith Review’s annual Nature Writing Prize for her essay “Biyala Stories”, an evocative account of the natural and social history of Melbourne’s red gums and waterways.
What it means to be a Muslim feminist – Susan Carland talks to Jamila Rizvi about her new book Fighting Hislam, which asks Muslim and non-Muslim readers alike to rethink their preconceptions about sexism and religion.
If good women conform and Gillard was a witch, then I’m ready for a fight – In light of the federal budget’s ‘good vs bad’ spin package, Katharine Murphy looks at the ‘good’ and ‘bad’ women of the current Australian political climate, for The Guardian.
Women in Sport: The Physical is Feminine – Over at The Lifted Brow, Brunette Lenkić explores the history of physicality in footy. Be sure to check out the other pieces from their week-long focus on women’s experiences of sports culture.
The Way Things Work: Writing, Diversity, Australia – Natalie Kon-yu reflects on the ways the writing industry demands the performance of race and ethnicity, for Peril Magazine’s “Work Werk Work” edition.
Fighting sexism isn’t simply ‘identity politics’ – In The Sydney Morning Herald, Ruby Hamad asks why a suspicion of identity politics is used to stymie structural progress for women.
The John Laws skirt saga: why do successful women defend sexism? – John Laws made sexist comments about his female employees while being interviewed on The Project. Van Badham looks into the startling defence of Laws made by some women in media.
The Marketing Was Crap – For the Sydney Review of Books, Terri-Ann White takes a no-holds-barred look at the contemporary publishing industry and the stark reality for writers.
Too Feminine, Too Pretty – Claire White decries the blatant gender bias in criticisms of Sophia Coppola’s films as unfounded, and at a level that male filmmakers would never be subjected to.
Miscarriage is not a shameful secret – For The Age, Kerri Sackville applauds Em Rusciano for openly and bravely dealing with her miscarriage.
Recommended Listening
Griffith Review Millennial Edition – If you missed out on hearing Briohny Doyle, Yassmin Abdel-Magied and Timmah Ball discuss the millennial experience at the Wheeler Centre, the podcast is available now.
Binge Thinking – The delightful Sophie Allan discusses her memoir piece, “Under the Skin: Home, history and love in patriarchy”.
Upcoming Events
June 1, Brisbane: Polish that poetry with award-winning poet Melinda Smith during the Queensland Poetry Festival.
June 2-3, Melbourne: The acclaimed YA reading and writing conference Reading Matters is happening again. Expect talks with authors, illustrators and publishers and a bunch of workshops for young and old.
May 26-28, Sydney: Get in quick to catch iconic journalist Susan Faludi at Sydney Writers’ Festival this weekend.
June 14-23, Melbourne: The Emerging Writers’ Festival kicks off on June 14th with way too many events to list in one place, featuring writers including Jennifer Down, Melina Marchetta, Ellen van Neerven and many more.
June 21 & June 27, Canberra: Two fabulous events are coming up at ANU, with Anna Krien and Julia Baird.
July 1, Melbourne: Public speaking like a pro is within your reach thanks to this masterclass hosted by Yassmin Abdel-Magied. Learn how to slay on stage.
Opportunities
The Overland VU Short Story Prize is open until the end of the month. With a first prize of $6000, it’s worth digging around the desk drawers for that hidden gem! Entries close 31 May. Overland is also on the hunt for fiction for their special winter issue, Our Hour. Submissions close 11 June.
Kill Your Darlings
has a ‘killer’ offer! Subscribe for a month-long introductory taster for only $3.95, including all content and the members only opportunities. Plus you can win whiskey – ‘nuff said. Offer ends 31 May.
Submissions are open for the Griffith Review Novella Project V, with a massive prize pool and publication in the journal. Closes 12 June.
The Jane Austen Project is calling for submissions for a nonfiction anthology dedicated to literature’s leading lady. Closes 15 June.
The National Library’s Creative Fellowships are now open, seeking applicants who can use the library’s extensive collection in innovative ways. Closes 28 July.
What We’re Reading
Let’s face it, June is fabulous reading weather and these new releases will have you covered, with Brodie Lancaster’s smart and hilarious memoir No Way! Okay, Fine; Jenny Valentish’s investigation into female addiction and substance abuse, Woman of Substances; Ashley Hay’s lyrical rumination on the lives of families in A Hundred Small Lessons; Eva Hornung‘s long-awaited new novel The Last Garden; Laura Tingle’s ever-perceptive view on the state of the nation, In Search of Good Government; Inga Simpson’s memoir Understory; and Mary-Rose MacColl’s brave and gripping book For A Girl.
Feminist Writers Festival 