WesterlyMagazine

This special print issue of Westerly continues the Magazine’s exploration of Australia’s (and especially Western Australia’s) geographic and cultural position within the Asian and Indian Ocean region. While deeply rooted in Australian creative writing, the Magazine has historically situated itself within a broader literary landscape, enriched by influences from Asia, India, West Africa and the Middle East.

Westerly 62.2 is dedicated to opening a creative space to foster these diverse cultural networks, and explore the connections between Australia and our geographic region. It will combine commissioned work, from international writers and organisations publishing in this area (including the China Australia Writing Centre and the Australia-Korea Foundation), with submissions from a general call out.

We are looking for poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction and essays which engage with the connections between Australia, Asia and the Indian Ocean Region, in any genre and from any perspective. We encourage both Australian and international authors to submit. This issue follows a history of westward-looking special issues, available for free download from the Digital Archive. For inspiration, and for the context of Westerly‘s past engagement with Asia and the Indian Ocean, go see:

• Westerly 11:2 Special Issue: Indonesia (1966)
• Westerly 16:3 Focus on Malaysia & Singapore (1971)
• Westerly 21:4 Southeast Asian Issue (1976)
• Westerly 24.3 Indian Ocean Region Issue (1979)
• Westerly 29:4 Focus On Indian Ocean Studies (1984)
• Westerly 38:4 Crossing the Waters: Asia and Australia (1993)
• Westerly 56:2 South/East Asia (2011)

All submissions should observe the theme, and standard requirements apply: