‘Would you like a sonnet with that?’
Writing WA is bringing a range of selected work by WA poets and authors into a hospitality venue near you.
Writing WA is proud to present the Literary Coasters initiative that will showcase the selected works of Western Australian writers on eco-friendly coasters distributed across the state.
The Literary Coasters initiative represents one aspect of Changing the Conversation: Stories in all Spaces, an innovative 2024-25 cross-disciplinary project funded by the WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries.
In early 2025, thousands of Literary Coasters will appear in a diverse range of partner venues, bringing excerpts of prose and poetry to unexpected public spaces from cafes and bookshops to pubs and writers’ centres. Extracts of work from eight published WA authors and poets will feature prominently on these unique eco-coasters, with an aim to inspire readers to engage with WA’s literary heritage in new, creative ways.
Writing WA received 40 nominations from a wide range of published WA authors for this initiative, and have now selected a shortlist of 12 authors. Writing WA will soon invite members of the Australian public to vote on your favourite poetry and prose extracts from amongst this shortlist, to determine the two living poets and two living prose authors who will feature on the coasters. These final four authors will be joined by four prominent treasured WA authors, now deceased, whose work will also each feature on a coaster.
When assessing the nominations, the Literary Coasters Committee were committed to showcasing the dynamic literary landscape of Western Australia, in deference to a Creative Rationale Statement and selection criteria that spans five core objectives: Cultural Impact and Legacy; Diversity of Voice; Artistic Excellence; Cross-Disciplinary Potential; and Engagement with Place. The final shortlist comprised of six poets and six prose authors are a true testament to the immense literary talent we have here in WA.
Voting is free – one vote per person. See here to vote now!
Voting deadline is 12.00pm AWST on Friday 14 February 2025.
Queries: Email Jess at j.checkland@writingwa.org
VOTING OPENS SOON
The Literary Coasters initiative represents one aspect of Changing the Conversation: Stories in all Spaces, a 2024-25 cross-disciplinary project kindly funded by the WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries. The project is designed to build new bridges between writing and other creative fields, offering a series of immersive, often experimental experiences designed to reshape how literature is perceived across the community.