Welcome to the official application portal for Fresh Off The Books: The Pasifika Australian Literary Initiative!

This exciting new initiative seeks to empower some of Australia’s most underrepresented and marginalised communities through the long-lasting development of literacy, critical and creative writing and public recognition. In turn, the initiative will introduce Australian readers and audiences to the beauty, complexity and diversity of contemporary Pasifika-Australian culture and identity, subverting and challenging many of the misconceptions and stereotypes that have negatively impacted Pasifika-Australian communities in recent history.

Under the direction of Tongan-Australian writer, editor and community arts worker, Winnie Dunn, the project will involve a series of writing workshops for the Pasifika community which will culminate in an anthology of Pasifika-Australian writing – marking the first collection by Australian writers of Tongan, Samoan, Fijian, Māori, Hawaiian, Torres Strait Islander and many other South Pacific backgrounds.

Up to twenty successful applicants will be invited to participate in Pasifika-led mentoring, workshops and residencies, culturally safe and sensitive editing expertise, publication, publicity and public speaking and performance opportunities.

The fellowship will include

• 18 online writing workshops delivered between November 2024 (break in December) and May 2025.

• An honorarium of $800.00 for participating in the workshops, and developing an original work of fiction and/or nonfiction, which will be published in an exclusive Pasifika anthology by NewSouth Books.

• Ongoing mentoring from project leader, Winnie Dunn, which will include online and in-person editorial support and expertise.

• Publishing, editing, networking and creative industry support from Sweatshop Literacy Movement, NewSouth Publishing and Diversity Arts Australia.

• Opportunities to participate in media, book launches, performance readings and panel presentations to promote and celebrate the release of the anthology.

 
Eligibility

• Applicant must identify as Pasifika living in Australia.

• Applicant must be over the age of 16.

• Applicant must be available for the entire duration of the fellowship, as well as any subsequent opportunities.

• Recipients must be able to respectfully and effectively collaborate with the mentors and publisher throughout the duration of the fellowship, which includes accepting critical feedback and structural edits.

Important Dates

• Deadline for submissions is 11:59pm AEST, Monday 16 September 2024.

• Successful applicants will be notified on Monday 14 October 2024.

• Online workshops will take place between November 2024 to May 2025.

• The Pasifika Australian anthology will be published by NewSouth Publishing in 2026.​​

About the Editor
​Winnie Dunn is Tongan-Australian author from Mount Druitt. She is the general manager of Sweatshop Literacy Movement and the editor of several critically acclaimed anthologies including Sweatshop Women (2019) and Another Australia (2022). Winnie's debut novel is Dirt Poor Islanders (2024).

Sweatshop Literacy Movement
Sweatshop is a nationally recognised grass-roots organisation that is devoted to empowering First Nations and culturally and linguistically diverse communities through reading, writing and critical thinking. Over the past decade, Sweatshop has mentored thousands of young writers across Australia and published a critically acclaimed catalogue of anthologies and single-authored works in prose, poetry and non-fiction. Sweatshop also produces podcasts, short films, book launches, readings and performances in partnership with writers' festivals and arts organisations throughout Australia. 

About NewSouth Books
UNSW Press Limited is a not-for-profit Australian company. Operating since 1962, it is a controlled entity of the University of New South Wales, based on campuses in Sydney, Australia. UNSW has a strong commitment to publishing Australian research and defining Australian life. Whether a book emerges from peer-reviewed university-funded research, lived experience, literary mastery, or all three, the UNSW team strives to bring stories to Australian audiences and to readers around the world.

Acknowledgements
This initiative is presented by Sweatshop Literacy Movement in partnership with NewSouth Books. Proudly supported by Diversity Arts Australia and the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.

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Application

Please complete this short application form to express your interest. The form is a simple questionnaire that enables the steering committee for this award to learn about you and your practice.