Mirandi Riwoe awarded the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund Author Fellowship

UQP are thrilled to share the news that author Mirandi Riwoe has been awarded The Copyright Agency Cultural Fund Author Fellowship. Non-fiction writer Saskia Beudel has been awarded the sister grant, the Fellowship for Non-Fiction Writing. These are two of Australia's richest grants for writers today, each valued at $80,000. Congratulations, Mirandi!

The Author Fellowship was assessed by authors Bruce Pascoe, Elfie Shiosaki and ABC The Bookshelf co-presenter, Kate Evans.

The Copyright Agency has expressed, "The panel recognises there is great industry interest in Riwoe’s writing and they were impressed with the culturally diverse narrative and characterisations that will explore the values of nationalism, identity, racial isolation and the complexities of belonging for migrant Australians."

Mirandi's awarded work, A Short History of Longans is "a story of several generations of an Irish-Chinese family in Australia. It follows the arrival in Sydney of Maria Connolly, a Mayo Orphan (1850), and John Ah Chee, who travels from China/Indonesia to Queensland to join his uncle (1860), and continues through to contemporary times. A Short History of Longans will examine questions of loyalty and belonging and how ideas or feelings of nationalism can change over several generations but also within one lifetime."

Recipient Mirandi Riwoe says,

“I have been buoyed by the confidence the peers have shown in my upcoming book and I’m even more excited about continuing this project. The Fellowship will ensure I have the necessary time and means to immerse myself in the writing and research of my novel. I could not be more grateful.”

Copyright Agency CEO Josephine Johnston says,

“The Cultural Fund is committed to supporting Australian writers and championing Australian stories and new perspectives on Australian life. The calibre of this year’s applicants once again reflects the extraordinary depth of writing talent we have in this country.”

Mirandi speaks on A Short History of Longans

To read the full announcement, visit The Copyright Agency, here.