First-time novelist on the international stage at Ubud

The winner of the 2011 Kuril Dhagun Indigenous Writing Fellowship, Sue McPherson, was inspired to write her first novel, Grace Beside Me, for her two teenage boys.

Sue is from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast and was born to an Aboriginal mother from Wiradjuri country, the largest tribal area in New South Wales, and grew up with her adopted family on a property near Batlow, also in New South Wales.

“I was thrilled to be invited to come to the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival to take part in panel discussions and to launch my book. It’s a terrific opportunity to meet other writers from around the world - particularly from Indonesia – to share ideas and experiences,” Sue said.

The International Program Director at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, Ms Jeni Caffin, said she was thrilled that Sue could join the impressive line-up of international writers at the festival.

“Sue is the first winner of the Kuril Dhagun Indigenous Writing Fellowship to come to the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival, where her book will be launched in front of the international literary community,” Ms Caffin said. “We plan to invite future winners of the fellowship to the festival as our guest to join with their international peers.”

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty said he was pleased the Embassy could support the launch of Sue’s novel, Grace Beside Me.

“The Ubud Writers and Readers Festival provides an opportunity to showcase the breadth of contemporary Australian literature. Sue is an example of the high calibre of writing talent that continues to emerge from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities,” Ambassador Moriarty said.

The Kuril Dhagun Indigenous Writing Fellowship is part of the State Library of Queensland’s black&white project. The black&white project aims to foster a significant Indigenous writing community in Australia. The work of the winners is published by Magabala Books.

WHAT: Launch of Grace Beside Me, written by Sue McPherson

WHEN: 4.30pm Saturday 6 October 2012

WHERE: Three Monkeys Restaurant, Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud

Media Enquiries:
Vicki Miller, First Secretary (Cultural) tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 959 0304