In a move that surprised me as much as anyone else, I’ve been selected as the new Executive Director of the Stella Prize.
My new role was announced today, and I’ll be starting in early August.
In a very short time, Stella has made an important impact on the Australian literary landscape. I feel excited – and privileged – to be selected to lead a team whose work remains so relevant and necessary.
Not sure yet how, or if, my new role will change what I blog about. I guess we’ll work it out as a I go along.
For more details, about my appointment, check out the Stella website.
About the Stella Prize
The Stella Prize is a major literary award celebrating Australian women’s writing, and an organisation that champions cultural change.
The prize is named after one of Australia’s iconic female authors, Stella Maria Sarah ‘Miles’ Franklin, and was awarded for the first time in 2013. Both nonfiction and fiction books by Australian women are eligible for entry.
The Stella Prize seeks to:
- recognise and celebrate Australian women writers’ contribution to literature
- bring more readers to books by women and thus increase their sales
- equip young readers with the skills to question gender disparities and challenge stereotypes, and help girls find their voice
- reward one writer with a $50,000 prize – money that buys a writer some measure of financial independence and thus time, that most undervalued yet necessary commodity for women, to focus on their writing
The Stella Prize runs events at bookshops, festivals and universities around Australia. Stella compiles the annual Stella Count, tracking the number of books by men and women reviewed in our major newspapers and literary magazines.
In 2014, it launched the Stella Schools Program, which aims to inspire change and to empower students – girls and boys alike – by encouraging them to critically engage with their own reading habits and imagine a future not limited by their gender.
Congratulations Michelle, what a wonderful acknowledgement of your contribution to the field. with warmest regards, Jacqui
Thanks Jacqui – really appreciate your support.
Congratulations Michelle, this is wonderful news! Stella will be in good hands.
Thanks Gail, it’s pretty exciting.
Congratulations! What a fantastic role. I hope, one day, something of mine will find its way to your desk :)
Thanks!
Oh woo hoo, Michelle. I love the Stella Prize, as you know I’m sure. More of that awful commuting for you!!?
Thanks Sue. I love the Stella too. And yes, more commuting – but I really don’t mind it too much. I may well catch the train instead, which also isn’t a hardship.
When do you start?
Early August.
Oh, and by Woo hoo, I mean Congratulations and Jubilations!
Well done! What an exciting year you are having. Look forward to hearing from you in spokesperson role.
Thanks Bill. Huge year – and we’re only half way there.
Congratulations Michelle – that’s very exciting news
Thanks – exciting and also a tiny bit terrifying!!