HAVE YOU GOT A BOOK IN YOU?

The City of Fremantle Hungerford Award has become even more enticing with the addition of a writing Fellowship as part of the prize.

Submissions for Western Australia’s longest running and most prestigious award for an unpublished manuscript are now open.

Western Australian writers have just under two months to enter their debut manuscript, with the winner securing a cash prize of $15,000 from the City of Fremantle, a publishing contract with Fremantle Press and a writing Fellowship from the Centre for Stories.

Fremantle Press CEO Alex Allan said for 33 years the biennial award had provided much-needed stimulus for Western Australian writers, creating opportunities for talents like Gail Jones, Natasha Lester, Holden Sheppard and Molly Schmidt to get their first book published

Ms Allan said that the addition of the Centre for Stories Fellowship would see the winning writer undertaking a 12-week long hot-desk residency at the Centre, gaining access to a library of over 3,000 books, a quiet and safe space to work, meeting-room facilities, a stipend worth $1,500 and the opportunity to engage with other writers.

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge, who will announce the winner at a ceremony in October, said the Fellowship was the perfect fit for an award that has helped so many talented Western Australian creators embark on their publication journeys.

The City of Fremantle Hungerford Award is given for a full-length manuscript of fiction or narrative non-fiction by a Western Australian author previously unpublished in book form.

It is assessed anonymously without regard to background, age, identity or ability.

Past recipients of the award are Brenda Walker, Gail Jones, Simone Lazaroo, Bruce Russell, Christopher Murray, Nathan Hobby, Donna Mazza, Alice Nelson, Natasha Lester, Jacqueline Wright, Robert Edeson, Madelaine Dickie, Jay Martin, Holden Sheppard, Maria Papas and Molly Schmidt.

This year’s judging panel is Seth Malacari, Marcella Polain and Richard Rossiter, alongside Fremantle Press Publisher Georgia Richter.

Entry is online and the full terms and conditions are available from the Fremantle Press submittable page: fremantlepress.submittable.com/submit

Entries close at midnight AWST on Sunday 17 March 2024.

Roel Loopers

CANTONMENT HILL CHILDREN’S BOOK

Josephine Clarke, Neil Stanbury(Fremantle Ports), and Paula Amaral.

The launch of a children’s book by the Friends of Cantonment Hill attracted the big guns on Thursday afternoon. Josh Wilson MP and Brad Pettitt MLC joined Fremantle Councillors Ingrid van Dorssen and Andrew Sullivan to launch the lovely Counting on the Hill.

The book was written by Josephine Clarke with wonderful illustrations by Paula Amaral.

Neil Stanbury of Fremantle Ports, that financially sponsored the book, said that 1,000 copies had been given to all Primary and Pre-Primary schools in Perth, including Rottnest Island.

The book is not yet available in bookshops, but can be ordered online at http://www.vividpublishing.com.au

I highly recommend the book, that is set in Fremantle on Cantonment Hill. Order it now!

Roel Loopers

CANTONMENT HILL CHILDREN’S BOOK

The Friends of Cantonment Hill have created and published a children’s book, with sponsorship from Fremantle Ports.

Counting on the Hill will be launched tomorrow, Thursday November 23 at 4pm at the Walyalup Civic Centre. All welcome.

Roel Loopers

A VERY FREMANTLE CHILDREN’S BOOK

Well-known Fremantle couple Shani Graham and Tim Darby have created a wonderful children’s book. Lady Marmalade is about one of the goats at their property.

The illustrations by Tim Darby are outstanding, fun and quirky, so make sure to buy a few books for Christmas presents.

Shani and Tim self-published the book, so the easiest way to buy it is to go to their Ecoburbia Facebook page. Do it now before it is too late!

Roel Loopers

IS TECHNOLOGY REDUCING OUR HUMANITY?

Fremantle author Richard King will be launching his new book Here Be Monsters at Notre Dame University on Thursday June 15 at 5.30PM.

Is technology reducing our humanity, is the topic of the book, so that will no doubt be a very interesting read.

The launch is at the School of Medicine, 38 Henry Street. All welcome.

Roel Loopers

SALES AND MARKETING JOB AT FREMANTLE PRESS

SALT RIVER ROAD WINS FREMANTLE HUNGERFORD AWARD

Fremantle author Molly Schmidt has won the 2022 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award for her manuscript Salt River Road. She takes home a $15,000 cash prize and a publishing contract with Fremantle Press.

Judged anonymously, the biennial prize is in its 32^nd year and is presented to an emerging West Australian writer for their first full-length, unpublished work of fiction or narrative non-fiction.

Fremantle Press publisher and Hungerford judge Georgia Richter said this year’s winning novel is interspersed with beautiful passages of verse – an effective way of navigating the difficult, changeable journey of grief. Richter said: ‘Salt River Road is about the five Tetley kids, who are falling apart in aftermath of the death of their beloved mother. With the family farm in ruins and their father unable to transcend his grief, Rose Tetley is discovered running away from home by Noongar Elders Patsy and Herbert who have their own history with Rose’s parents. This novel focuses on the fabric of small-town life, and the complexity of family and community relationships.’

Schmidt’s coming-of-age story set in regional Western Australia in the 1970s drew on her own experience of losing her father to cancer. She said it explored ‘the reality of a childhood lost to hospital corridors and the gaping hole a parent leaves behind. 

Fremantle Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge said she was delighted that two of the four shortlisted writers lived in Fremantle.

Mayor Fitzhardinge said, ‘Through the Hungerford Award, the City of Fremantle is excited to play our role in growing the arts community throughout the state. To this end, I want to congratulate the 90 writers who entered the competition this year and who understand that getting words on the page and meeting tangible goals like competition deadlines is meaningful work in the pursuit of a dream.’

Tom (T.A.G.) Hungerford was widely admired as a quintessential West Australian writer and identity. He was proud to have this unique award for debut writers named for him and was always a great supporter of new and emerging writers. Former winners include Gail Jones, Simone Lazaroo, Alice Nelson and Brenda Walker, with Miles Franklin winner Kim Scott identified for publication from the Hungerford shortlist.

The award is sponsored by the City of Fremantle and Fremantle Press.

Roel Loopers

P.S. Fremantle Press stated that there was an embargo on this until 11.30pm this evening, but I read the below message on Twitter at 9.30. That makes no sense FP!

@FremantlePress

Congratulations to @molly elizabeth.schmidt, the 2022 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award winner! A huge thank you to everyone who came and celebrated with us tonight.

THE HISTORY OF WA NEW BOOK

The Heritage Council has published a new book A Thematic History of Western Australia by historian Clare Menck, so all those interested in our state’s history go get a copy.

It is also available on line here: https://www.wa.gov.au/system/files/2022-10/Thematic_History_of_WA.pdf

Roel Loopers

HUGE FREMANTLE PRESS COLLECTION FOR FREMANTLE LIBRARY

Fremantle Library has unveiled its extensive new collection of books published by local publishing house Fremantle Press.

The library in the Walyalup Civic Centre has an entire shelf dedicated to Fremantle Press, with more than 300 titles available for loan.

The Fremantle Press collection includes both fiction and non-fiction, ranging from crime and historical novels to autobiographies, art and culture and children’s literature.

Award winning local author David Whish-Wilson said the new collection was a terrific resource.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that if it weren’t for the breadth and depth of Fremantle Press’ curation and publishing of Western Australian stories, whether fictional or otherwise, there would be a huge hole in our knowledge and understanding of what this place means, and who we are as a people.

In addition to the dedicated Fremantle Press shelf in the library, the City of Fremantle also partners with Fremantle Press to present the highly sought-after $ 15,000 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award.

The City of Fremantle’s high-tech new library in the Walyalup Civic Centre is open Monday–Friday between 9am–7pm, and Saturday and Sunday between 9am–5pm.

Roel Loopers

WRITERS WEEKEND AT FREMANTLE ARTS CENTRE

The Writers Weekend is on at the Fremantle Arts Centre this weekend, as part of the Perth Festival.

“Gather with fellow literary lovers to dive into the theme of connection and hear from authors in conversation. Some authors will speak live while others will appear via live stream from across the country and around the world.“

“Over the next two days we’re hosting incredible authors, big ideas and important conversations. Enjoy discussions with some of the biggest names in writing and brilliant up-and-coming stars. Don’t forget the ever-popular Family Day tomorrow, to help younger readers experience the magical power of stories.

Writers Weekend sessions are either free or pay-what-you-can.

If you hear something you love and want to learn more, pick up books from the featured authors (and more!) from FOUND’s bookshop. Find a quiet corner and jump into a good read, with delicious food and refreshments from Fremantle favourites Gage Roads Brew Co and Republic of Fremantle Distillery to keep you going!“

Confirmed speakers include:

• Tim Winton
• Helen Garner 
• Guy Ghouse & Gina Williams 
• Hannah Kent 
• NGANGK WAANGENING, MOTHERS’ STORIES: Aunty Doreen Nelson & Rhoda Marriott AM (Ngangk Waangening, Mothers’ Stories)
• Michael Robotham 
• Lisa Taddeo 
• Judith Lucy
• Sisonke Msimang in conversation with Dr Elfie Shiosaki (Homecoming) & Dr Cindy Solonec (Debesa: The Story of Frank and Katie Rodriguez)

It is on from 10am to 5pm this Saturday and Sunday.

Roel Loopers