A few years ago I wrote a post about which literary accounts I recommend on Twitter and I think it’s time for another one!
Why? Well, as I say in Trust the Process: 101 Tips on Writing and Creativity:
“…here’s some good news. I would say that emerging writers today find themselves in a terrific position. Many have had the advantage of coming of age at the same time as social media platforms have boomed. Back pre-Facebook and pre-Twitter, word-of-mouth was harder to generate. That’s why the mainstream media outlets were so powerful. They still are, of course, but there are other options, too.
This is why I suggest to students that they consider joining social media, if they haven’t already. Just join one platform to start, maybe two, and spend some time familiarising yourself with them. Don’t quit too early. And for the introverts who worry that being on social media is too much of a ‘look at me’ venture and that they won’t get far with it? That needn’t be the case. In fact, I believe that introverts naturally intuit an excellent social media practice: they listen and reply to others, engage in conversation and don’t over-broadcast.”
Melbourne City of Literature
@MelCityofLit
2018 is the 10th anniversary of Melbourne becoming a UNESCO City of Literature. The City of Literature Office has implemented initiatives, projects and opportunities for writers and organisations over the course of that time and it was wonderful to be a part of that community when I worked there. It will be fascinating to see what lies in store for the next 10 years! Plus, they are excellent gif-users.
Just us sitting waiting for our City of Literature mugs to arrive pic.twitter.com/vlG7kmy3pT
— City of Literature (@MelCityofLit) May 7, 2018
Have you subbed to the @MelCityofLit Reading Victoria email list yet?
If not, you missed my narrative poem set in Footscray this morning.
You won’t want miss any of the other pieces.
Here’s an extract.https://t.co/y5UEkEK4rG pic.twitter.com/VJLZ1i1H22
— Maxine Beneba Clarke (@slamup) May 7, 2018
Definitely worth a follow for notifications on what’s happening in the literary community.
#LoveOzYA
@LoveOzYA
#LoveOzYA stands for Love Australian Young Adult fiction, but it is much, much more than a hashtag. It is a testament to the power of community and the love of reading. As the website states:
“The movement began – as all important conversations do nowadays – online, and rapidly garnered the attention of writers, readers, publishers, booksellers and so many more invested in our national youth literature. We all want the same thing – to draw the attention of Australian teens to Australian books that speak to their experience, and unite the youth-lit community by;
- promoting a united message
- centralising information
- raising the profile of local content”
They’re also excellent live-tweeters at events, like at the recent Sydney Writers Festival.
We have to have the respect for readers to challenge them. Trust that they’ll understand and learn and draw their own conclusions @RandaAFattah #sydneywritersfestival #AllDayYA #LoveOzYA
— #LoveOzYA (@LoveOzYA) May 5, 2018
.@_jesse_andrews_ with writing characters in books you have so much more room for the interior in books than in film. You feel this expansion of the character into a space (me gleaming gems from a very confusing metaphor about clothes) #sydneywritersfestival #AllDayYA #LoveOzYA
— #LoveOzYA (@LoveOzYA) May 5, 2018
Books on the Rail
@booksontherail
One of the things I love about Books on the Rail is how a simple idea can be mobilised into something so powerful. As their website states, “When you took the train, tram or bus today, did you find a book on the seat and assume somebody left it behind? What if they had, but the person they left it for was you?” Everyone is encouraged to join up and leave these readerly treats for someone else. I’ve done it – you can too! I love the personal success that founders Ali and Michelle have had, too – the first book The Book Ninja is out 1 June!
This absorbing, confronting and moving novel asks questions about consent, power, love and fulfilment #booksontherail #bookninjas @bonnierpubau pic.twitter.com/Kw4kG5dQUj
— Books on the Rail (@booksontherail) March 29, 2018
It’s twins! Received the final print of our #bookbaby 🎉💕 In all good bookstores June 1st 👯♀️ #TheBookNinja @SimonSchusterAU pic.twitter.com/PwJrRDCzzr
— Ali and Michelle (@thebookninjas) May 5, 2018
AWW Challenge
@AusWomenWriters
AWW Challenge stands for the Australian Women Writers Challenge. Now in its eighth year, this challenge was born with the aim to redress the gender bias of Australian women’s writing being reviewed in the media, along with raising general awareness through blogging, social media and more. You can read more about it here. Their Twitter account is a good example of this advocacy, sharing news to amplify the message.
Just finished #reading Affection: a memoir of love, sex and intimacy by @krissykneen. Sumptuous prose, insightful and raw-honest storytelling, sexy, revealing and relatable. Beautifully done.#amreading #aww2018 pic.twitter.com/vECmeV3RpA
— Kate Larsen Keys (@tinylittlepoems) May 6, 2018
April 2018 Round-up: Erotica, Romance and Romantic Suspense https://t.co/iX3dfc33RI pic.twitter.com/xBFnQJ8SN6
— AWW Challenge (@AusWomenWriters) May 6, 2018
Books+Publishing
@BplusPNews
Books+Publishing is my go-to for Australian literary industry news, reviews, events, discussion, jobs and much more. For non-subscribers, much of their content is paywalled, however, you can sign up for a free trial subscription. Many libraries and even bookshops often have copies to borrow or browse, so it couldn’t hurt to ask around. I know, for example, that you can walk into the State Library of Victoria to read the latest edition or back issues.
Anita Heiss: A few teachers have already contacted me about Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia. There are teachers notes in the book. Teachers are desperate for resources that they can use within in classroom, so this book will help them immensely. #SydneyWritersFestival
— Books+Publishing (@BplusPNews) May 6, 2018
Stay up-to-date with Australia’s publishing industry by signing up for a free trial to Books+Publishing: https://t.co/vuetujHfOI
— Books+Publishing (@BplusPNews) January 4, 2017
Tell me which literary accounts did I miss? In your opinion, who’s going underrecognised? Believe me, I know it happens.
Oh – one last thing. You can find me here on Twitter.