First Nations Masterclass with Ellen van Neerven
Presented as part of The Writer’s Process writers’ development program
Led by award-winning writer, teacher and Mununjali author Ellen van Neerven, this small online class for First Nations writers of all genres uses reading as a tool to sharpen artistic vision and ambition. Each week, the group will look at and discuss exemplary extracts from contemporary Australian and international First Nations authors across genres and intersections. These readings will also serve as inspiration for drafting, writing and forming work.
Each fortnight we will examine and unpack a core subject thread: Country, Relative, Vessel, Power and Gesture. In the first session each fortnight, Ellen will present a gathering of ideas, writing and reading built around the fortnight’s subject.
Every second week will be dedicated to workshopping new writing shaped by these practices and processes. Each writer will be asked to produce their own new work to share with the class. Constructive and thoughtful feedback will be provided by the group and Ellen.
This course will be taught by Zoom over a ten-week period, in two-hour blocks from 4-6pm on Tuesdays. The group will use the writing platform WetInk for sharing work and extended discussion.
There will also be an online Q&A session with Kōtuku Titihuia Nuttall (Te Ātiawa, Ngāti Tūwharetoa, W̱SÁNEĆ), the author of Tauhou released by Te Herenga Waka University Press in Aotearoa (2022) and House of Anansi Press (2023) in Turtle Island.
There will be up to eight participants in this class.
DATES AND COURSE FORMAT
The Writer’s Process: First Nations Writing program will start on Tuesday 26 September. There will be a one-week break in the week beginning 23 October. The program will finish on Tuesday 5 December.
Lessons will be taught online over a ten-week period in two-hour blocks from 4pm to 6pm on Tuesdays. The group will use the writing platform Wet Ink to share work and engage in extended discussion.
Please let staff know if you need to miss one or two weeks so that Ellen can facilitate any course material that is missed.
PROGRAM OUTLINE
Week 1: Introduction + Country
Week 2: Country workshop
Week 3: Relative
Week 4: Relative workshop
Week 5: Vessel
Week 6: Vessel workshop
Week 7: Power
Week 8: Power workshop
Week 9: Gesture
Week 10: Gesture workshop
How to Apply
Entry to this course is by application, and is open to First Nations writers only. Writers will be selected based on the creative potential of their work, commitment to craft, openness to collaborating with peers, and the balance in the group.
Course fees (normally $1,500) are subsidised by Varuna and set at $395 for the 10 weeks.
Feel free to call 02 4782 5674 or email rebecca@varuna.com.au to discuss your application.
Applications close on 11 July 2023.
This program is generously supported by the Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund
About ELLEN
Ellen Van Neerven is a writer, editor and educator of Mununjali and Dutch heritage. Ellen has authored two poetry collections, Comfort Food and Throat, one work of fiction, Heat and Light, and a non-fiction title Personal Score: Sport, Culture, Identity.
ABOUT KOTUKU
Kotuku Titihuia Nuttall holds an MA from the International Institute of Modern Letters. She won the 2020 Adam Foundation Prize and was runner-up in the 2021 Surrey Hotel-Newsroom writer’s residency award. Her debut novel, Tauhou, was released by Te Herenga Waka University Press in Aotearoa (2022) and House of Anansi Press (2023) in Turtle Island.