UC students share creative work in annual anthology

Amanda Jones

3 November 2016: A group of aspiring writers are now published authors with the University of Canberra’s annual collection of creative works now available on bookshop shelves.

FIRST is an anthology of creative writing produced each year by University of Canberra students. This year’s edition, called Pulling Threads, includes 28 stories and poems chosen from over 100 entries. It is the 23^rd anthology published by the University.

2016 FIRST managing editor Robyn Higgins said that in addition to seeing their work in print, the publication also offers a unique learning opportunity for writing students to put the skills they’ve learnt in the classroom into practice.

“Students lead every stage of the anthology’s production, from calling for submissions to working with designers to produce a finished book. The 2016 FIRST editorial committee has been working since March to deliver a polished and professional anthology which we’re extremely proud of,” Ms Higgins, a PhD student and research assistant said.

More than 110 staff and students helped pull together this year’s anthology, including alumna Leanne Manthorpe, who was a member of the editorial committee, with her work Parent Love also anonymously selected for publication.

The 54-year-old is studying a Graduate Certificate in Professional Writing (Editing) after completing a Graduate Diploma in Librarianship at the University’s precursor, the Canberra College of Advanced Education in 1986.

“I returned to university to learn some new skills to re-enter the workforce and I underestimated what the FIRST experience would teach me. I was able to develop my editing skills and see if I was suited to this kind of work. Where else can editing students involve themselves in a real life publishing project? I’m very grateful for the opportunity and excited to be published,” she said.

Pulling Threads was launched by award-winning Australian author Kaaron Warren at the Co-op Bookshop on campus on 27 October.

The horror, science fiction and fantasy writer said she was thrilled to launch the publication adding that she loved seeing “new, polished work from writers at the start of their careers”.

She urged them to keep on writing noting that well-known authors such as Morris Gleitzman, Garth Nix and Katie Taylor are counted among the University’s successful alumni.

“Writing takes perseverance, commitment and very thick skin but that feeling of being published is just incredible and never fades or gets old,” she said.

Pulling Threads is available for purchase from the Co-op Bookshop and Paperchain Bookstore in Manuka for $15.