New authors show some backbone by publishing book

Jason Tozer

17 October 2006: This year’s edition of FIRST, the annual collection of creative writing from the University’s students, was launched by author Nigel Featherstone at the Co-Op Bookshop last week.

Titled Vertebrae, the collection of 32 pieces from 26 contributors is an eclectic mix of post-modern writings that explore the ideas of strength and weakness, how they coexist and how they contradict.

Is there a collective noun for first-published authors? Photo: Michelle Khoo

Mr Featherstone, who has just published his first novel titled Remnants and has had 40 short stories published, says the collection is a sign of vitality in the University’s writing community.

“As I read and re-read the collection and let the pieces seep into me I wondered about its purpose - vertebrae is a strong word, but it is also fragile,” he said.

“This book tells us that some of us are still very strong, still very fragile, still asking questions, but most importantly that we are still alive.”

The books editor, creative writing lecturer Francesca Rendle-Short, along with 10 volunteer students spent more than 30 weeks organising, selecting and editing material before publishing the final product.

“Everyone who was involved in the selection had to read all 256 submissions,” Ms Rendle-Short said.

“The selection was made ‘blind’, without knowing the authors’ names, until the last phase of selection, the final shortlist, ensuring the process is unbiased.”

The launch of the collection was not just an opportunity for writers to show their talents but also designers, with graphic design students Jessica Johnson and Kornelia Kaczmarek designing the cover.

Vertebrae is currently available from the Co-Op Bookshop for $12.