MARION

Text reads: SHELF LIFE: STORIES FROM READERS An in conversation event with Alex Sloan AM and guests. Which books restore you? How has your reading life shaped you? Which books changed the way you see the world? There is a photo of an artwork by Su Blackwell of someone reading a book, made up of pages from a book. The MARION, Tuggeranong Arts Centre, Upstageing ACT, and ACT Government logos are at the bottom.

Join us for a free, special in-conversation event, in which journalist and passionate reader Alex Sloan AM joins lifelong readers Kathryn Favelle and Deborah Stevens to reflect on the books that have shaped their lives.
events.humanitix.com/shelf-life-s...
#UPSTAGEING #UPSTAGEINGCBR

"Howard tied us to America so tightly, it would take a world-altering event to unshackle us. The tragic truth is though, even then, we would probably be on America’s side, even if it meant our own destruction," writes @amyremeikis.bsky.social.

Read more on The Point: https://theaus.in/40My2MZ

!!!!!! ❤️

We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for the 2025 Judith Wright Poetry Prize. Head here to learn more about the poets! overland.org.au/2026/03/anno...

Text reads: CALL FOR ENTRIES. ACT LITERARY AWARDS. POETRY, FICTION, CHILDREN'S, NONFICTION. For writers from the ACT and surrounding regions with eligible books published in 2025.Presented by: MARION.ink. SUBMISSIONS DUE 16 MARCHThere is an opalescent strip on the right side of the image.

Are you an ACT and surrounding regions author who published a book in 2025? There's less than two weeks to make your submission to the ACT Literary Awards!
Find out more: marion.ink/awards-2026

There are six book covers: Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash, Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah, Beginning's End by David Horton, The Shadows of Ghosts by K.M. Preston, Where It All Went Wrong by Amy Remeikis, and Poster Boys by Scott Woodard. There are red stripes at the top and bottom of the image. Text reads: Focus On March. The MARION and ACT Government logos appear at the bottom of the image.

Our March Focus On has arrived featuring books by Madeline Cash, Abdulrazak Gurnah, David Horton, K.M. Preston, Amy Remeikis, and Scott Woodard. Check out these & more: marion.ink/focus-on #FocusOn
@amyremeikis.bsky.social @davidhortonn.bsky.social @scribnerbooks.bsky.social @hachetteaus.bsky.social

Text reads: ANNE EDGEWORTH Emerging Writer's Fellowship Award Awarded annually in memory of Anne Edgeworth, poet, conservationist, director, academic and activist. Up to $5,000 AUD for an emerging writer in the ACT region. Submissions due Tuesday 28 April. There is a photo of Anne Edgeworth at the top of the image. The MARION logo and Supported by ACT Government is at the bottom of the image.

Applications for the Anne Edgeworth Emerging Writer's Fellowship are open now! The Fellowship is provided to an emerging writer in the ACT region and is worth up to $5,000 and is to be used to advance the recipients’ development in the craft of writing. marion.ink/anne-edgewor...

A screen shot of Amazon Best Sellers where Where it all went wrong: The case against John Howard is number one. Thank you from a very grateful Amy Remeikis

Holy fkn shizballs!!!! Thank you to everyone who has embraced this. You’re incredible - and also - not alone. It’s a mess, no one has fixed what he helped break and if anything comes from this, it’s a reminder of what we need to do to fix this

Evelyn Araluen wins $125,000 for ‘politically uncompromising’ poetry at Victorian premier’s literary awards Poet’s second collection The Rot won the Victorian prize for literature and the Indigenous writing category * Get our weekend culture and lifestyle email Evelyn Araluen has won both the $100,000 Victorian prize for literature and the $25,000 Indigenous writing category at this year’s Victorian premier’s literary awards, for her second poetry collection The Rot. Selected from almost 700 books entered for the prize, The Rot won the two awards on Thursday night, having also been shortlisted in the poetry category. The Goorie and Koori poet won the 2022 Stella prize, and was shortlisted for three premier’s literary prizes, for her debut collection Dropbear. Sign up for the fun stuff with our rundown of must-reads, pop culture and tips for the weekend, every Saturday morning Continue reading...

Evelyn Araluen wins $125,000 for ‘politically uncompromising’ poetry at Victorian premier’s literary awards

Congratulations!! 🥂

Text reads: Emma Grey Fall in Love with Writing Romance. Smith's Alternative 76 Alinga St, Canberra 12-4pm Saturday 28 February The MARION and Smith's Alternative logos are at the bottom of the image. Supported by ACT Government. There is a photo of Emma smiling at the camera.

Limited spots remain for Fall in Love with Writing Romance with internationally best-selling author Emma Grey!
Walk away with clear writing goals for 2026, fresh motivation and a renewed commitment to telling stories readers will love.
events.humanitix.com/fall-in-love...
@emmagreyauthor.bsky.social

Congratulations!! 🙌 ❤️

Text reads: Beejay Silcox: Reading Like A Critic. Sharpen your critical eye with Beejay Silcox. Learn to read like a reviewer and turn insight into stronger writing. 10:30am-4:30pm Saturday, 14 March Salthouse Community Centre Haig Park, Henty St, Braddon ACT. Supported by ACT Government. There are photos of Beejay Silcox, Rhett Davis, and the book cover of Arborescence by Rhett Davis.

Join us for Reading Like A Critic with Beejay Silcox!
A critic is more than an incisive reader; they are a bridge-builder, connecting text, history, author, & audience. Step inside Arborescence by Rhett Davis with a trusted critic as your guide. events.humanitix.com/reading-like...

Last chance to apply for Hidden Nerve 2026! Applications close Wednesday 18 February.

Text reads: CALL FOR ENTRIES ACT LITERARY AWARDS POETRY, FICTION, CHILDREN'S, NONFICTION For writers from the ACT and surrounding regions with eligible books published in 2025. Presented by: MARION.ink SUBMISSIONS DUE 16 MARCH There is an opalescent strip on the right side of the image.

MARION presents The ACT Literary Awards annually to recognise and celebrate the achievements of writers from the ACT and surrounding regions.

The 2026 Awards are open to books published in 2025 by writers based in the ACT and surrounding areas.

marion.ink/awards-2026

A photo of Margaret Wild. There are pictures of ten of her books. Text reads: Author Talk Margaret Wild. 3:30pm–4:30pm. Tuesday 17 February. Mura Gadi Gallery University of Canberra Library. The MARION and National Centre for Australian Children's Literature logos are at the bottom. Supported by ACT Government.

Join MARION and The Australian Centre for Children's Literature to hear acclaimed Children's author Margaret Wild talk, with Q&A to follow. Margaret's manuscripts & the artwork from Margaret & Ann James’ picture book, The Midnight Gang, will be on display!
events.humanitix.com/margaret-wil...

Our February Focus On has arrived! It features books by Amelia Dale, Lyn Groves, Helen Hoang, Jacqueline Harpman, Hugh Mackay, and Rie Qudan!
Check out these & more: marion.ink/focus-on #FocusOn
@allenandunwin.bsky.social @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social

A screenshot from Creative Australia's website: text reads: National Poet Laureate: Stage 1 Guidelines. The National Poet Laureate is a three‑year appointment that recognises an outstanding Australian poet whose work and cultural contribution have shaped contemporary poetry and its readership. The screenshot is on a bright pink background.

Do you know a poet whose work has had a profound impact on Australian literature? 🌟
Writing Australia has announced that nominations are now open for the inaugural National Poet Laureate!
Find out more: creative.gov.au/investments-...

A photo of Margaret Wild. There are pictures of ten of her books. Text reads: Author Talk Margaret Wild. 3:30pm–4:30pm. Tuesday 17 February. Mura Gadi Gallery University of Canberra Library. The MARION and National Centre for Australian Children's Literature logos are at the bottom. Supported by ACT Government.

Join MARION and The Australian Centre for Children's Literature to hear acclaimed Children's author Margaret Wild talk, with Q&A to follow. Margaret's manuscripts & the artwork from Margaret & Ann James’ picture book, The Midnight Gang, will be on display!
events.humanitix.com/margaret-wil...

Text reads: Hidden Nerve 2026. Cadance Bell, Michael Brissenden, Isobelle Carmody, Rhett Davis, Angie Faye Martin, Omar Musa, Alice Pung, Hayley Scrivenor, with Beejay Silcox. Supported by ACT Government. The MARION logo is at the bottom of the image.

There are photos of Isobelle Carmody, Alice Pung, Rhett Davis, Beejay Silcox, Hayley Scrivenor, Omar Musa, Cadance Bell, Michael Brissenden, and Angie Faye Martin. Text reads: Hidden Nerve 2026.

There are sixteen book covers: Laurinda by Alice Pung, Girl Falling by Hayley Scrivenor, Arborescene by Rhett Davis, Here Come the Dogs by Omar Musa, Letters to our Robot Son by Cadance Bell, Reading like an Australian Writer by Belinda Castles, Comes the Night by Isobelle Carmody, Dead Letters by Michael Brissenden, Melaleuca by Angie Faye Martin, Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor, Hovering by Rhett Davis, Dust by Michael Brissenden, One Hundred Days by Alice Pung, The Obernewtyn Chronicles by Isobelle Carmody, The All of It: A Bogan Rhapsody by Cadance Bell.

Presenting Hidden Nerve 2026, an online program all about prose.
This year’s presenters are Cadance Bell, Michael Brissenden, Isobelle Carmody, Rhett Davis, Angie Faye Martin, Omar Musa, Alice Pung & Hayley Scrivenor, with facilitator Beejay Silcox.
marion.ink/hidden-nerve...

💘 Canberra - 28 February. Join international bestselling author Emma Grey for our first workshop of the year. Full of love stories, big feelings and better writing. Find out more: events.humanitix.com/fall-in-love... Ages 18+ @emmagreyauthor.bsky.social

There are six book covers: Seduction Theory by Emily Adrian, Dust by Michael Brissenden, A Time for Bravery edited by Anna Chang and Alice Grundy, Ours As We Play It by Kate Flaherty, The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, and Fruits of Exile by Maggie Shapley. There are blue stripes at the top and bottom of the image. Text reads: Focus On January. The MARION and ACT Government logos appear at the bottom of the image.

Our January Focus On features books by Emily Adrian, Michael Brissenden, editors Anna Chang & Alice Grundy, Kate Flaherty, Anna North, and Maggie Shapley! marion.ink/focus-on #FocusOn
@annachang.bsky.social @alicektg.bsky.social @affirmpress.bsky.social @hachetteaus.bsky.social

A photograph of a poster that says "Book shops not bombs", seen at Notting Hill Book Exchange over our break.

We’re back and looking ahead to 2026.

Our reflections on the year to come: marion.ink/news/booksho...

Text reads: We're taking a break for the holidays from 13 December to 13 January. To our inspiring, dedicated members, phenomenal program presenters, generous partners, supporters, and our diverse community of friends around the country and overseas. Thank you from all of us at MARION See you in 2026! The background of the image is black. There is a spring motif on the left and bottom of the text in yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, blue, and teal. The image has a hot pink border.

MARION will be closed for the festive season from 13 December to 13 January.
Thank you for all your support over our 30th Anniversary period!
We wish you all a peaceful holiday period filled with plenty to read and time to write.
We look forward to sharing an exciting new year ahead!

Text reads: International Day of People with Disability. The background of the text is bright blue and the text is white. There are twelve book covers: Late Bloomer by Clem Bastow, Disability Visibility edited by Alice Wong, Stronger by Dinesh Palipana, The Shape of Sound by Fiona Murphy, Me, Antman & Fleabag by Gayle Kennedy, Growing Up Disabled in Australia edited by Carly Findlay, Haben by Haben Girma, Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy, The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang, Being Seen by Elsa Sjunneson, Diving into Glass by Caro Llewellyn, and Sitting Pretty by Rebekah Taussig. They are arranged in a grid: four across and three high.

Today is International Day of People with Disability. One of the many wonderful things about reading is that helps broaden our perspectives. To mark the date, we're sharing a handful of our favourite books written by people with disability.

#idpwd2025

A photo of two cakes with surnames on them. There is a banner behind the cakes with the MARION motif on it, and the ACT Government logo. Paper plates and serviettes surround the cakes.

Thanks to everyone who came along to our 30th Anniversary End-of-Year Celebration last Friday 28 Nov at Gorman House!
Thanks to Capital Brewing for their support and the Gorman Arts Centre team who were brilliant.
🥂Here’s to 30 years of MARION, and many more!
marion.ink/news/end-of-...

There are six book covers: Politics, Pride and Perversion by Erik Eklund, Playtime by Emily Gallagher, The Art of Kaylene Whiskey edited by Natalie King and Iwantja Arts, Royal Gambit by Daniel O'Malley, Workhorse by Caroline Palmer, and The Bolthole by Peter Papathanasiou. There are purple stripes at the top and bottom of the image. Text reads: Focus On December. The MARION and ACT Government logos appear at the bottom of the image.

Our December Focus On is here featuring books by Erik Eklund, Emily Gallagher, edited by Natalie King and Iwantja Arts, Daniel O'Malley, Caroline Palmer, and Peter Papathanasiou!

Check out these & more: marion.ink/focus-on #FocusOn

@danielomalley.bsky.social @anupress.bsky.social

Text reads: MARION's End-of-Year Member Gathering Drinks Sponsor. Thank you! The Capital Brewing Co logo is in the middle of the image. The background is bright pink.

We are delighted to share that Capital Brewing Co is our Drinks Sponsor for the our End-of-Year Member Gathering!

Founded in Canberra in 2016, Capital Brewing Co is one of the largest independent craft breweries in Australia.

Thank you so much to Capital Brewing Co for their support!

Text reads Rewind to '95: MARION Members' Celebration. 5-8pm Friday 28 November. There is a collage of pictures and things from 1995, including Windows 95, the $5 note, Pizza Hut, Buzz Lightyear, and Passiona. The MARION, Gorman Arts Centre, and Capital Brewing Co logos are at the bottom of the image, alongside "Supported by the ACT Government".

Have you got your ticket for our End of Year celebration this Friday?
CJ Bowerbird will be leading an Open Mic, drinks will be supplied, and in the spirit of the old days, please bring a plate to share.
Thanks to Capital Brewing Co. for their support!
events.humanitix.com/marion-30th-...

📣 🍸 Date Change ✨

Unfortunately, due to an unexpected venue disruption, we have rescheduled this event.

Spirited Words with Craig Cormick, will now take place at Big River Distilling Co. on Friday 5 December. We hope you can join us!

Info here: events.humanitix.com/spirited-wor...