Writer and illustrator grants news

The Australian Society of Authors (ASA) and the Australia Council for the Arts are pleased to announce a new partnership. In 2009, the Australia Council's support for emerging writers will be administered by the ASA. The program will be known as The Australia Council's Emerging Writers/Illustrators' Initiative managed by the Australian Society of Authors. The ASA will assess applications and disburse emerging writer and illustrator grants for a total of $175,000. ASA Chair Dr Anita Heiss said: "We already work with emerging writers and illustrators through our successful mentorship program. This provides us with a further opportunity to nurture and support the creation of Australian literature in its many forms." The Australia Council's chair of the Literature Board, Dr Imre Salusinszky, welcomed the move. "We believe that the synergy offered between the Australia Council's funding and the ongoing support for emerging writers offered by the ASA through its mentorships and other professional support - the creation of a "one stop shop" for new writers - will be of enormous benefit for practitioners," he said. Susan Hayes, Australia Council Director of Literature, agreed, adding: "The Australia Council and the ASA have worked together successfully on numerous projects and I look forward to this new development".