It’s been nearly three days. You’d think I would have managed to post the news before now. But it took me by surprise, and it’s taken a while to come down to earth.
Last Friday, at the announcement of the WA Premier’s Book Awards,* I was awarded this year’s Western Australian Writer’s Fellowship. My fellow shortlistees were Lucy Dougan, Caitlin Maling, Rafeif Ismail and Carl Merrison, and it was a privilege to be in the company of these wonderful writers.
Congratulations to all the WA Premier’s Book Awards winners and shortlisted authors:
Unlike an award given for a published book, a fellowship is not a prize; it’s a contract. It comes with expectations and responsibilities, and I’m so excited about the work ahead. The fellowship will enable me to make substantial progress on the new novel I’m working on, set in Perth and Coolgardie during the 1890s—a story of emigration and racism and extraordinary social change.
My thanks to the WA Government, the State Library of WA and the judging panel for this unparalleled opportunity.
*The event was live-streamed on YouTube (the feed begins at around 6 minutes).
A few photos, courtesy of the State Library of Western Australia…
Susan Midalia, Jo Taylor, Amanda Curtin, Francine Nababan, Jan Nicholls
Holden Sheppard
Meg McKinlay
Kim Scott
looking up/looking down 
Hearty congratulations – well deserved!
Thanks, Sue!
Amanda, I’m so delighted for you – and also for me as one of your (many) fans as this fellowship brings your new book that much closer to me as a reader.
I also confess to being somewhat envious of you being able to attend an actual awards night with other people in the same room, socialising and having fun. How I long for the day we can do so again in Melbourne.
Enjoy! And heartfelt congratulations.
Oh Angela, we all felt the wonder of being in such a gathering again, but many times during the evening we thought of our friends in Melbourne and were also aware of the disparity. I hope you will all be together again soon.
And thank you so much for your lovely words and congratulations. x
Congratulations Amanda! That’s stunning news. And so well deserved! Warm regards Jo
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Jo, wonderful to hear from you, and thank you!
Thrilled to bits about this! Congratulations!!
Many thanks, Lisa!
Congratulations, Amanda!!!
such a prestigious award and well deserved I must say! A bright moment in these trying times.
Best Wishes,
Wilma Mann
aspiring/emerging writer
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Thank you, Wilma! It’s certainly a high in a year of so many lows.
So, so happy for you, Amanda! May it sustain you during the many hours of research and wild imaginative wanderings ahead. I’m already looking forward to reading the end result!
So lovely of you, Louise. Thank you!
Lovely words Amanda xx
Thank you, dear Von xx
A wonderful recognition, Amanda, and well deserved. Enjoy it to the full (no need to peel you off the sky just yet, I think!) 🙂
Thanks so much, Glen 🙂
Congratulations Amanda!
Thanks, Irma!
Excellent news, Amanda! — and a great incentive for making efficient progress with your novel, to which so many of us look forward with keen interest. Best wishes.
It certainly is the best kind of incentive, Ian! Thanks so much 🙂
Hello Amanda
Thank you for posting, I have just watched the live recording.
Such a pleasure to hear and see your acceptance speech. I am so looking forward to having a copy of your next body of work in my hands.
You gave us in your speech, so much food for thought, such heartfelt wise words. Yes, I had a tear in my eye as I’m sure many others did.
Congratulations on the award.
Rae Hilhorst x
Sent from Mail for Windows 10
Aw, that’s so lovely of you, Rae. Thank you for your good wishes and your wonderful support. x
Congratulations again, Amanda. It’s such wonderful and well-deserved recognition. Go well with the writing — your proposed book sounds fascinating. xx
Many thanks, Robyn 🙂
Congratulations Amanda! A well deserved recognition of your talent. Also I’d like to say how much I enjoy your looking up/looking down posts and admire your excellent photographic skills.
Regards
Moira
Thanks, Moira, and I’m delighted that you’re enjoying the blog. I love taking photos but I think the result is more about enthusiasm than skill! 🙂
Woohoo! so well-deserved. I had all my fingers crossed and I’m very very happy for you. Also, what a fabulous jacket!
Thank you, Annabel! Must have been the crossed fingers that did it 🙂