Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Sep 11

‘In This Labyrinth’ by Najwan Darwish is poem of the day:

I said these words weren’t needed
as I was sitting there,
where the road veered sharply,
without thinking for a moment
that it might only be a gentle winding.

poets.org/poem/labyrin...

In this Labyrinth

translated from the Arabic by Kareem James Abu-Zeid

poets.org

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Alison Croggon @alisoncroggon.bsky.social · Sep 4

This is shocking news. Literary magazines - and all the other small orgs now under pressure or closing or gone - are the bedrock of culture and their ongoing costs are barely a blip in any institutional budget. Melbourne University ought to be ashamed www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/04/m...

Literary journal Meanjin to close after 85 years of publishing

Meanjin, a mainstay of Australia's cultural landscape and the nation's second-oldest literary publication, is shuttering after Melbourne University Publishing decided to cease financial support.

www.crikey.com.au

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Charlie Lewis @theshufflediary.bsky.social · Sep 4

Sophie Cunningham:"universities are no longer spaces that support or nurture literature or the arts in this country. Certainly universities have, in the last several years, shown themselves unable to manage robust debates or the complexities of freedom of speech.”

www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/04/m...

Literary journal Meanjin to close after 85 years of publishing

Meanjin, a mainstay of Australia's cultural landscape and the nation's second-oldest literary publication, is shuttering after Melbourne University Publishing decided to cease financial support.

www.crikey.com.au

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 20

Last chance to book! Fundamentals for fiction writers: the Writer's Toolbox. It's a short course with me, starts August 27, live online. Places are limited.
newpagewriting.com/2025/07/29/w...

Writer’s Toolbox (August 2025)

Every craft and profession involves tools we need to use and master so we can make good work. Writing is no different. We know these tools from all our years of reading and experiencing story. But …

newpagewriting.com

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 19

"The obligations imposed upon festival speakers in the Bendigo Writers Festival Code of Conduct are wide-ranging and inappropriate... Authors are engaged by festivals precisely because of their expression of ideas." @asauthors.bsky.social statement.
www.asauthors.org.au/news/author-...

Author concerns about BWF Code of Conduct - Australian Society of Authors

The ASA is deeply concerned about a Code of Conduct provided to authors presenting at the Bendigo Writers Festival.

www.asauthors.org.au

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Anna Featherstone @annafeatherstone.bsky.social · Aug 18

It's taken me a while to get this post together, but hopefully lots of food for thought on the current state of the book market in Australia. Some brilliant tips from literary agents and more for aspiring authors out there. #author #books

annafeatherstone.com/the-australi...

The Australian Book Market August 2025: What Writers, Publishers and Literary Agents are Talking About

L-o-n-g blog post ahead with current (as at August 2025) insights on the Australian book market, book marketing, writing craft, AI, and what literary agents are looking for right now and how to approa...

annafeatherstone.com

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

National Centre for Writing @writerscentre.bsky.social · Aug 11

📣 New podcast!

In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, award-winning writer Val McDermid shares insights on writing contemporary crime fiction, and the importance of learning patience as a writer.

Produced by National Centre for Writing.

🎧 Listen now: buff.ly/kWAhMQP

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 18

You too! An excellent day.

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Jessie L @jessielilley.bsky.social · Aug 15

Support Bookish in Bendigo, official Bendigo Writers Festival bookseller who would have spent months stocking books for the event and have pulled out in solidarity. Call them for your next book order if you can, or even pay it forward for one of their customers.

+61 3 5406 0596

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 16

Funny thing is, we were going to talk a lot about metaphor. The entire panel withdrew.

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Mylee Joseph @mylee.bsky.social · Aug 16

Did you know 85% of Kiwis say libraries improve their happiness and wellbeing?
The results are in from PLNZ’s latest Community Impact Survey — and the data confirms public #libraries uplift us all #impact

New Survey Confirms Public Libraries Are Cornerstones of Kiwi Communities

loveyourlibrary.org.nz

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Jennifer Mills @jennifermills.net.au · Aug 15

Spoke to the ABC for this story on Bendigo writers festival & code of conduct overreach. Festivals should not be policing authors’ speech. @asauthors.bsky.social
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...

Writers festivals on notice after attempt to 'restrict speech' prompts exodus

A Victorian writers festival's code of conduct has set a "dangerous precedent", one author says, after more than 50 writers and moderators withdrew from the event.

www.abc.net.au

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 15

Thank you!

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Michelle Scott Tucker @mst-writes.bsky.social · Aug 15

This 👇🏻 Please support Bookish. It’s a beautiful little shop.

Dr Ronni Googe, of the Mid Rim Network 🍉 @clembastow.bsky.social · Aug 15

Bookish in Bendigo have pulled out as Bendigo Writers Festival's bookseller - this principled move comes at great cost to them as an independent store. If you've been thinking of purchasing a book (esp. one by someone who's also pulled labour from BWF), consider going to them! +61 3 5406 0596

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 15

Yeah, it's one way to get us to talk louder, right? Thanks.

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 15

I always look forward to Bendigo Writers Festival. But not this year.
We are writers. What we do is express ideas freely.
Any attempt to prevent us doing that is censorship, and a dangerous precedent in the arts community.
I have withdrawn and I stand in solidarity with others who have withdrawn.

Graphic that says: It is utterly unacceptable to ask authors, illustrators and journalists to self-censor and avoid controversial topics. For many of us, our very lives are controversial to some people, and we write what we write for that reason. We cannot stop being who we are, or stop talking about why we write what we write. Any attempt to prevent people talking about the genocide in Gaza at this moment, in particular, is outrageous.

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MEAA @withmeaa.bsky.social · Aug 14

While international media remains locked out of Gaza, Palestinian journalists work under fire, starvation and sickness to report the reality on the ground.

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 14

Bookings close soon. Fiction writers, don't miss out!

Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 8

Bookings are now open for my new online short course, The Writer's Toolbox. Fundamentals, for emerging fiction writers. Starts late August.
newpagewriting.com/masterclasse...

The writer’s toolbox

Building blocks for emerging fiction writers I invite you to join me on this four-week online course for writers who are starting out. Each week, in a live class, we’ll discuss a specific bui…

newpagewriting.com

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 11

Stop the killing. Ceasefire now.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...

Prominent Al Jazeera journalist killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza

Anas al-Sharif, known for frontline coverage, died with three colleagues in an attack outside al-Shifa hospital

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Aurealis Awards @aurealisawards.bsky.social · Aug 10

The 2025 Aurealis Awards are open for entry!

aurealisawards.org/2025/08/10/2...

2025 Aurealis Awards are open for entry

We are delighted to announce that the 2025 Aurealis Awards are now open for immediate entry. The 2025 Aurealis Awards, Australia’s premier awards for speculative fiction, are for works created by a…

aurealisawards.org

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Kaleidotrope @kaleidotrope.bsky.social · Aug 9

It can take years to write a story, several more to sell it, and then several more for it to be published. And once it is published, there’s sadly no guarantee the story will find its readers. So if you’re writing stories, you better make sure you’re writing stories that you enjoy.

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Kelly Gardiner @kmjgardiner.bsky.social · Aug 8

Bookings are now open for my new online short course, The Writer's Toolbox. Fundamentals, for emerging fiction writers. Starts late August.
newpagewriting.com/masterclasse...

The writer’s toolbox

Building blocks for emerging fiction writers I invite you to join me on this four-week online course for writers who are starting out. Each week, in a live class, we’ll discuss a specific bui…

newpagewriting.com

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Dr Anita Heiss @dranitaheiss.bsky.social · Aug 4

Hello parents, guardians and care-givers, are you already thinking about book week 2026?

Well, here's some ideas from the Blackwords - @austlit.bsky.social team, because representation matters.

@magabalabooks.bsky.social

#bookweek #mobsky #booksky #kidlit #authors #representationatters

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Professional Writing Academy @profwriting.bsky.social · Aug 4

Starting a novel is exciting, but what happens when the momentum drops?

Our ultimate guide will help you push through the messy middle and finally reach 'The End' of your first draft.

👉 zurl.co/LL9JF

#AmWriting #FinishYourNovel #WritingTips #FirstDraft

How to Finish a Novel: The Ultimate Guide for Getting You to The End of Your First Draft

Starting a new novel is a thrilling feeling, your idea feels fresh and the blank page bursts with possibility. But what happens when the momentum drops?

zurl.co

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Reposted by Kelly Gardiner

Lambda Literary @lambdaliterary.org · Jul 30

We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for the 2025 Lambda Literary Awards! lambdaliterary.org/2025/07/anno...

Announcing the Finalists for the 37th Annual Lambda Literary Awards

This year marks 37 years

lambdaliterary.org

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