Black&Write is a fellowship enabling Indigenous authors the chance to win a $10,000 prize, professional manuscript development from 'black&write!' Indigenous editors and a valuable publishing deal with Indigenous publishing house, Magabala Books.
We asked previous winner Teagan Chilcott, author of Rise Of The Fallen, how the fellowship helped her.
You began working on Rise Of The Fallen in your final year of high school, with a dream prompting the last chapter. Explain that process?
I started off thinking of characters names and it came together pretty easily. I woke up and grabbed my phone and started typing it all out and saving it. It was pretty instant.
What’s the synopsis for Rise Of The Fallen?
Emily is a fire elemental who is manipulated by a Demon into overthrowing the leaders of the demonic realm. At first, his intentions seem honourable but throughout the novel Emily discovers things may not be exactly as they seem with him.
How old are you and what are some themes dealt with in this Young Adult Fantasy novel?
I am 19 and I haven’t read too much into it. It’s a relaxing read or something to have an adventure with.
How has the Black&Write Fellowship helped you?
It’s been great, they helped develop my manuscript. I came away with different strategies on how to improve my writing. It’s great having support from them and then my book gets published with Magabala Books.
What inspires you to write?
Everything. I’ve always loved writing and I feel like I have to write. It makes me happy. I draw on a mixture of culture and society.
What does the future hold?
Rise Of The Fallen is the first book of a series of three. I just want to keep writing as much as I can.
What has the reaction been like from your friends and family?
They’re really happy and very proud of me. They’re also really excited to read the book when it is published next year in April or May.
Application forms are available at slq.gov.au/whats-on and entries close January 31 2013.
