Island Storytellers

02/06/2026

A great read.

This month Stella celebrates Rapture by Emily Maguire, longlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize 💥

We sat down with Emily Maguire to discuss character building in historical settings, and the monumental task of researching her novel.

"I got deeply into the chronicles of the war that rages in the background for much of the book. In the end I had to take all this fascinating stuff and run it through the filter of my main character Agnes; if it wouldn’t have been noticed by or important to her, then it couldn’t be in the book." – Emily Maguire (full interview on our website via link in our bio)

We're very excited that Emily is one of the authors featuring in our Stella UK tour! 🇬🇧✨

26/05/2026

Today we acknowledge and recognise members of the Stolen Generations and the families and communities who live with the ongoing impact of those policies.⁠

That trauma is not just part of history, it’s still being felt today. And for that, we say sorry.

Understanding this part of our shared story is an important step in truth-telling and healing. It’s a reminder that including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives matters in our classrooms, in our homes, in our workplaces and in our communities.

23/05/2026

From a darkly comic new novel to a gripping 1950s memoir – Katherine Rundell, Malala Yousafzai, Matt Haig and others appearing at Hay festival pick titles to tempt you

14/05/2026

Congratulations to the Macleay Island Inspirational Writers Group!

WRITER / EDITOR / MENTOR / THE HEALING POWER OF STORY

14/05/2026

Looking for a platform to share your work as a teacher or facilitator of creative writing? We’re inviting proposals for presentations and workshops for this year’s NAWE Online Conference until 24 May. There are three submission categories: Research & innovation, Projects & participation, Professional & personal development. Submissions open to all – not just NAWE members.

12/05/2026

Send a message to learn more

28/03/2026

Please let your budding writers know about this competition:
https://www.whitlam.org/what-matters-writing-competition-enter-now

25/03/2026

Tickets are still available for The Spooky Men's Chorale concert on Macleay Island, May 28th.

Drop deadpan beautiful man singing that might well change your life. They are just a bunch of blokes, but where they take you will blow your mind.

24/03/2026

Early applications are recommended.

APPLICATIONS FOR WOMEN'S CAREER GRANTS NOW OPEN!
The Women's Career Grants provide up to $4,999.00 to help women meet the costs associated with transitioning back into the workforce after six months or more out of work. Applications for the Women’s Career Grants have opened today, Monday, 23 March 2026.

APPLY HERE: https://bit.ly/4bEZwcl

The previous round was oversubscribed, so we recommend you apply as soon as possible.