Culture Quiz: Writing and Publishing
Writing and Publishing is an invaluable part of RMIT Culture. It provides resources, partnerships, and practical experience for students, cementing their chance to move into an industry-relevant job at the end of their degree.
Writing and Publishing also offers support and numerous opportunities to local and international writers through fellowships, residencies and festivals. It provides physical and social spaces for creatives to work on ideas and build strong relationships.
Quiz
1. As is tradition, here is an easy one. What is the name of the student-led publishing studio that works out of RMIT?
Bowen Street Press. BSP produces magazines, books and digital content through various partnerships, including Streat, Rabbit, City of Darebin and more. The studio is powered by students of the Masters of Writing and Publishing program at RMIT which, given the high-quality publications, makes us excited for the future of publishing. Read more about Bowen Street Press here.
2. RMIT Writing and Publishing recently teamed up with a Melbourne publishing house to introduce The Spark Prize, which offers the opportunity to propose a nonfiction book. What is the name of the publishing house?
Hardie Grant. This is a new partnership for both RMIT and Hardie Grant. The prize is for a narrative nonfiction book proposal and has been created to support and encourage new voices to enter the field. To quote Julie Pinkham, Hardie Grant’s Managing Director, “we want to…bring compelling projects to light and give them the best chance for publication”. Read more about this partnership, including the entrance requirements, here.
3. With the effects of the pandemic being felt globally, RMIT partner The Garrett Podcast created their At Home series continuing their podcast work from the comfort of the participants homes. Who was the first person featured on this new project?
Anna Spargo-Ryan. The Garrett have partnered with RMIT Writing and Publishing for many years and, though the recording process has differed, their At Home series guarantees their usual content. Spargo-Ryan boasts a career that encompasses editing for The Island, writing for a multitude of magazines, and publishing two fiction novels. You can hear this podcast on demand on The Garrett’s website.
4. Earlier this year RMIT’s Creative Writing Program Manager, Ronnie Scott, published his debut novel. What is the book's title?
The Adversary. Scott was interviewed by The Australian after the release of his novel, which centres on young people exploring their sexuality and their sociability. Scott’s impressive career has included creating The Lifted Brow, writing contributions to various publications, and contributing to RMIT’s Creative Writing program. This novel is just another milestone. You can read the featured interview here.
5. RMIT collaborator Rabbit, who celebrated their 30th issue earlier this year, is a literary journal that works closely with students and staff to publish their works. What type of content do they publish?
Nonfiction poetry, with content that draws on nonfiction and ‘real-world’ data, which isn’t always associated with poetry. Writers are encouraged to utilise this unusual pairing to think about how poetry can address this kind of material. Head here to read about the nature and purpose of nonfiction poetry.
6. Where did the inspiration for the title Rabbit come from?
Founder and editor of Rabbit, Jessica Wilkinson, says that initially the name came from a personal love of the animal. However, the rabbit has also been used in literature as a figure that can transport characters and the reader into different realms of varying possibilities. While this information isn’t necessarily public knowledge, we thought it was too good to not pass on. To keep up to date with Rabbit, including publishing dates, visit their website.
7. WrICE is an organisation that fosters collaborative relationships between writers from Australia and Asia-Pacific. What does the acronym WrICE stand for?
Writers Immersion and Cultural Exchange program. WrICE brings together 10 writers from Australia and Asia-Pacific for a collaborative residency in Asia followed by an event in Melbourne. WrICE seeks to foster individual creativity, while evolving practice across the sector and across borders. Read more about the program here.
8. RMIT partners with two physical houses that offer annual residencies for writers and artists within the city and the greater Melbourne area. What are the names of these houses?
McCraith House (pictured above) and The Urban Writing House. McCraith House is situated on the Mornington Peninsula, providing a tranquil and serene environment that fosters inspiration and creativity for writers, offering residency programs for writers and artists from Australia and beyond. The Urban Writing House is located closer to the city campus on Stewart Street. Like McCraith, it offer residencies for writers, as well as workshops, one-on-one support and public readings. For more information head here.
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Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.