Westerly were dismayed to learn about the proposal to close UWA Publishing (UWAP). We remain committed to supporting UWAP, and as part of our efforts we are pleased to reprint the open letter that appeared in The Saturday Paper along with its complete and impressive list of signatories.
This letter has travelled to the far reaches of the world to collect these signatures, so collating them has been a difficult process. If you signed the letter and do not see your name here, please contact us. Unfortunately, no new signatures can be added at this point.
Thanks to all involved for their support!
We, the undersigned, protest the decision by the University of Western Australia (UWA) to close University of Western Australia Publishing (UWAP). We protest for our wages and the wages of other writers. We protest for designers, printers, bookstores, IT professionals, and other associated industries. We protest for our historians, scientists, workers in politics, academics, and truth seekers. We protest for the emerging writers and academics UWAP consistently provides with first publication, and enables publication elsewhere through recognition, prizes, and events. We protest for the history and current reality of our West Australian First Nations, so recently minted as public discourse, and well attended at UWAP under the exemplary watch of Terri-ann White. We are without doubt this closure will substantially cut down Indigenous voices in writing and the publication of local First Nations’ substantiated and researched history. In turn, competing for limited opportunities with academic publishers outside Western Australia, shutting down UWAP will cut chances for publication of First Nation voices in other states. We protest for our culture and for those not born into it yet. They should have UWAP press to be proud of as we have every reason to be proud of it now.
We accept no economic argument. Money has been found for the arts and for academic research in the past; and it will be found again in the future. That is because we understand the society we live in is a dull and lifeless prison without these things.
We are writers, students, librarians, academics, artists, performers, business-people, and we are the people who take wages and delight from all these pursuits. We are everyone who can read and wants to read well. UWAP is Australia’s second oldest university publisher, a well-organized and effective business, and an asset to us all. If the proposal is executed, every one of us will be hurt, including those that are actively seeking the closure of UWAP because this will be their legacy.
We call on the public to petition the Chancellor of UWA, Robert French, and the Vice Chancellor, Dawn Freshwater, in respectful terms on this issue. We ask everyone to contact local, state, and national political officers to encourage engagement with UWAP, again in the most respectful and considered terms. We seek an amicable solution on this matter at the earliest possible date.
On behalf of #Save UWAP and in good faith, all of the following.
Writers
Kim Scott, writer JM Coetzee, Nobel Laureate Tom Keneally, AO, author, ASA Gold Medal 2019, Booker Prize 1982, Oscar Prof Gail Jones, academic and writer Josephine Wilson, Winner Miles Franklin Award, 2017 Emeritus Professor DJ Haskell, AM, poet, essayist & editor John Kinsella, for the complete demilitarisation of universities, schools, and places of learning Adam Zagajewski (Poland), winner of the Neustadt International Prize for Literature, the Griffin Poetry Prize Lifetime Recognition Award, and the Princess of Asturias Award for Literature, the Bronze Cross of Merit, a member of the order Pour le Mérite for Sciences and Arts and entered into the Legion d’Honneur Heather Rose, Stella Prize-Winning author Nigel Featherstone, novelist / Visiting Fellow, UNSW Canberra Honorary Associate Professor Johanna Rendle-Short, writer and academic, retired Associate Dean Geordie Williamson, Author, Chief Literary Critic, The Australian Dr Toby Fitch, Poet, Poetry Editor of Overland, Lecturer in Creative Writing at University of Sydney Michele Seminara, Managing Editor and Publisher, Verity La creative arts journal Dr Luke Fischer, Poet, writer, scholar Dr Martin Edmond, author & independent scholar, Recipient NZ PM’s Award for Excellence in Non-fiction Dr Glenda Guest, writer, The Commonwealth Writers Prize, Best First Book 2010 Chris Pash, author, Chair, Australian Society of Authors Charmaine Papertalk Green, poet and writer Prof. Anita Heiss, author, academic, University of Queensland Peter Rose, UWAP author Marion May Campbell, novelist, Associate Professor Professional & Creative Writing, Deakin University Dr Charlotte Wood, AM, writer Robert Adamson, poet and author, Co-Director Paper Bark Press, CAL Chair in Poetry, Faculty of Arts and Social Science UTS (2013-2015) Philip Salom, poet and novelist Danielle Binks, Author and Literary Agent, Jacinta di Mase Management Matt Hetherington, Murwillumbah, NSW Jon Doust, author Dr Nadia Rhook, Lecturer, writer, poet, School of Humanities and Indigenous Studies, University of Western Australia Dr Richard James Allen, poet, filmmaker, performer Associate Professor Julienne van Loon, novelist, essayist, Vice Chancellor’s Principal Research Fellow, RMIT University, Honorary Fellow in Writing, University of Iowa Dr Stuart Cooke, Poet, scholar, translator, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing & Literary Studies, Griffith University Professor David Morley FRSL, National Teaching Fellow, Warwick Writing Programme Anne Casey, poet, journalist, Senior Poetry Editor, Swinburne Journals Dr Karen Pearlman, writer, filmmaker, academic, Macquarie University Elizabeth Campbell, poet, teacher Andrew Sant, poet, writer Dr Sandra Renew, poet, editor and publisher, Not Very Quiet Dr Caren Florance, book designer, artist, writer, sessional academic LK Holt, poet Dr Toby Davidson, poet, critic, senior lecturer at Macquarie University John Allison, poet and novelist Judith Beveridge, poet, retired academic David Stavanger, Red Room Poetry, Senior Project Manager, award-winning UWAP poet Chris Barron, poet, archivist Dr Judith Crispin, poet, artist, Poetry Editor of The Canberra Times Professor Christopher Kelen, poet, scholar, publisher Dr Gareth Jenkins, poet, artist, editor Stephen Edgar, poet Dr Judith Bishop, poet, linguist K.F.Pearson, poet, publisher Dr Noelle Janaczewska, playwright, poet, essayist Dr Mark Tredinnick, poet, essayist, teacher Dr Vivian Smith FAHA, poet, retired academic Tricia Dearborn, poet, writer, editor Dr Dominique Hecq, poet, writer, scholar Zenobia Frost, poet, editor, scholar Professor David McCooey, poet, critic, academic Dr Di Cousens, poet, photographer, Tibetologist Sarah St Vincent Welch, poet, writer, editor, image-maker Professor David Brooks, poet, writer, scholar Distinguished Professor Jen Webb, poet, academic, editor for Meniscus Literary Journal and Axon: Creative Explorations (scholarly journal) Judy Johnson, poet Dr Tamsin Kerr, Director, Cooroora Institute Dr Tina Giannoukos, poet, writer, independent scholar, and editor-in-chief at Melbourne Poets Union Dr Kathleen Mary Fallon, freelance writer and academic Associate Professor Maria Takolander, writer, academic Dr Eden Liddelow, writer and editor Dr Robyn Rowland AO, poet, writer, retired Professor Michelle Leber, poet Dr Eugen Bacon, writer, editor Anthony Lynch, writer, editor, publisher Angela Gardner, writer, artist, publisher (lightrappress & foame) Dr Belinda Castles, novelist and Lecturer in Creative Writing, University of Sydney Alison Croggon, writer, editor and critic, Melbourne Dr Jennifer H Crone, poet, scholar, and University of Sydney Library assistant Anne M Carson, poet, essayist, PhD Candidate Susan Fealy, poet and Clinical Psychologist Dr Andy Kissane, poet, writer, Publisher, Puncher & Wattmann Dr Anne Elvey, poet and Managing Editor, Plumwood Mountain journal Dr Michael Farrell, poet, Fellow of Curtin University Ben Etherington, Senior Lecturer Western Sydney University and Edward Said Fellow, Columbia University Dr Susan Pyke, writer and teacher (University of Melbourne) Dr Vanessa Berry, writer, Lecturer in Creative Writing, Department of English, University of Sydney Martin Dolan, poet and PhD candidate Ali Whitelock, poet Dr Peter Boyle, poet and translator, Casual Lecturer with the Writing and Society Centre, Western Sydney University Sue Woolfe, novelist, researcher, Casual Lecturer NIDA, Honorary Associate Sydney University Dr Kyra Giorgi, writer and researcher Mira Walker, poet Sarah Myles, writer, novelist Libby Angel, poet, novelist Dr Sarah Rice, poet, academic, writer Mike Ladd, writer and broadcaster Melinda Smith, poet Anna Rosner Blay, author, editor Lisa Hill, author, literary critic Patricia Sykes, poet, librettist Associate Professor Sarah Holland-Batt, poet, critic, academic at Queensland University of Technology Dr Beth Spencer, author, poet, critic Michelle Cahill, author, editor, critic Vicky Tsaconas, poet, writer Angela Elizabeth Smith, freelance writer & publishing professional Dr Sophie Masson AM, author, Chair, New England Writers’ Centre, Board Member, Small, Press Network, Publishing director, Christmas Press Charles D’Anastasi, poet Dr Jacquie Garton-Smith Medical Practitioner (MBBS UWA 1991; FRACGP 1995) and writer (Four Centres Emerging Writers Program 2019-2020 Participant) Dr Nick Richardson, author and academic, Adjunct Professor of Journalism, LaTrobe University, Melbourne Emeritus Professor Ian Gibbins, BSc (Hons), PhD, former Professor of Anatomy, Flinders University; now poet and video artist Dr. Katy Kell, reader, author, researcher Dr Fiona Burrows, BA (Hons), PhD, CELTA, author-illustrator, UWA staff member and graduate Maureen Freely, journalist, novelist, translator, and Professor Thuy On, Arts journalist and critic, books editor of The Big Issue Alice Stephens, writer Dr Sylvia Martin, biographer and UWA Publishing author Renee Pettitt-Schipp, author, UWA Publishing Sisonke Msimang, writer Rachel Bin Salleh, Publisher and author, Magabala Books Emily Sun reader, writer, human Danijela Kambaskovic, writer and scholar Dr Yirga Gelaw Woldeyes, writer and Lecturer, Curtin University Associate Professor Lubica Ucnik, Murdoch University, author Doug Wallen, Arts journalist for The Big Issue, Books + Publishing and more Meredi Ortega, poet and writer Sue Ashford, writer, academic Coral Carter, poet, editor, publisher Dr Liana Joy Christensen, author, poet, academic, Murdoch University Jenny de Garis, MA (ECU), writer Zoe Deleuil, writer Dr Sarah Drummond, author, PhD (History) Murdoch University Warren Flynn, author, academic, UWA Albany Campus Dr Wendy Glassby PhD, writer Sarah Hay, writer Dr Rebecca Higgie, writer, winner 2019 Fogarty Literary Award Dr J R Jackson, poet, writer and educator Dr Michelle Johnston, MBBS, FACEM. Emergency Physician & UWAP author Norman Jorgensen, author of Australian-based books for Children & Young People Kim Mahood, writer Dr Carolyn Masel, poet, Lecturer Australian Catholic University Dr. Meg Mundell, writer, researcher, wditor Kristina Olsson, author Sally Piper, author Holden Sheppard, author, Deputy Chair WritingWA Barbara Temperton MA, writer, WA Premier’s Book Award for Poetry 2002 Tineke Van der Eecken, writer, Board Member WritingWA Annamaria Weldon, UWAP author Alan Fyfe, writer Ravi Shankar, University of Sydney Dr Michelle Michau-Crawford, UWAP author Richard Francis, author and Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing Melissa Bruce, author, editor, teacher, PEN Sydney Committee Margaret Ferrell, author, editor, reviewer, member of the Society of Women Writers WA.
Academics and Publishers
Anna Moulton, CEO, Magabala Books Kate Rendell, Philanthropy Manager, Magabala Books Gene Eaton, Marketing Manager, Magabala Books Catelyn Dowel, Sales, Magabala Books Margaret Whiskin, Editor, Magabala Books Irene Huang, Financial Manager, Magabala Books Eve Vincent, Senior Lecturer, Department of Anthropology, Macquarie University, Co-editor, Unstable Relations: Indigenous People and Environmentalism in Contemporary Australia (UWAP, 2016) Dr Gaby Naher, Director, Left Bank Literacy President, Australian Literary Agent’s Association Kent MacCarter, Managing Editor of Cordite Poetry Review and Publisher of Cordite Books Dr Dalia Nassar, Philosopher, University of Sydney Dr Catherine Noske, Lecturer, Editor of Westerly Magazine, University of Western Australia John Attridge, Senior Lecturer in English, UNSW Sydney Dimitra Harvey, Poet, Poetry Editor for Mascara Literary Review Dr Paul Munden, Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Canberra, Royal Literary Fund Fellow, University of Leeds, Poetry Editor for Westerly Magazine Russell Grigg, Psychoanalyst, philosopher, writer Dr Richard Eldridge, Charles and Harriett Cox McDowell Professor of Philosophy, Swarthmore College, General Series Editor: Oxford Studies in Philosophy and Literature Nick Riemer, English and Linguistics, University of Sydney Shane Strange, Publisher, Recent Work Press, Poet, writer, academic, Festival Director, Poetry on the Move festival Emeritus Professor Sasha Grishin AM, FAHA, Art Historian, Art Critic and Curator Jennifer Rutherford, Professor, Director of the JM Coetzee Centre for Creative Practice Dr Antonia Pont, Senior Lecturer, Writing and Literature, Deakin University Professor Kathryn Millard, writer, filmmaker and academic, Macquarie University Isabelle Hesse, Lecturer, Department of English, The University of Sydney Sean Pryor, Senior Lecturer in English, UNSW Australia Dr Isabelle Wentworth, teacher, University of NSW Dr Teya Brooks Pribac, independent scholar and multidisciplinary artist Dr Elizabeth King, Research Associate, UNSW Sydney Dr Indigo Perry, memoirist, Senior Lecturer Writing & Literature Deakin University Melbourne James Kane, Lecturer in English, University of Sydney Dr Noel Waite, Senior Lecturer, School of Design, RMIT University Dr Shaun Bell, Educational Developer, Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Education) UNSW Sydney Paul Eggert FAHA, Professor Emeritus, Loyola University Chicago and UNSW Louis de Vries, Publisher, Hybrid Publishers Associate Professor Goetz Richter, musician and philosopher at the University of Sydney, Pianist and music theory teacher at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Sue Terry Litblogger, retired librarian/archivist Stephen Cassidy, Cultural researcher, writer and commentator, Adjunct, University of Canberra Associate Professor Anne Surma, Murdoch University Dr Andrew Broertjes, History Claire Jones, UWA Lecturer, Head of ETAWA (English Teachers Association) Dr Peta Murray, Vice-Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Fellow, RMIT University Dr Stayci Taylor, Lecturer, RMIT University Dr Melody Ellis, Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Dr Rose Michael, Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Dr Brigid Magner, Senior Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Dr Toni Roberts, Program Manager, Bachelor of Communication Design, RMIT University Dr Linda Daley, Senior Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Dr Jessica Wilkinson, Senior Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Dr Smiljana Glisovic, Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Associate Professor Scott Brook, Associate Dean Communication, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Ms Sophie Cunningham, Adjunct Professor, RMIT Ms Fiona Finn, Lecturer, Industry Fellow, research candidate EFM, RMIT University Dr Deborah Wardle, Lecturer and research assistant, Indigneous Education and Engagement, RMIT Dr Jo Jones, Senior Lecturer in Literary and Cultural Studies, Deputy Graduate Coordinator, School of MCASI (Media, Culture, Art, Screen and Internet Studies), UWAP author Dr Caitlin Maling MPhil Cantab, MFA Hou, DPhil Syd Yvonne Patterson, M. Psych (Clin), MBA, UWA Alumni, Retired Director in WA Human Services Policy including Mental Health, Disability & Community Services; Retired Clinical Psychologist Paula Nathan AO, M Psych (Clin), Retired Founding Director Centre for Clinical Interventions Health Department WA; Retired Academic UWA Department of Psychology Dr Raimondo Cortese/Senior Lecturer Theatre, Postgraduate Coordinator, Coordinator, Master of Writing for Performance, Faculty of Fine Arts and Music, Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne James Corby, Professor Dr Matthew Stephens, Research Librarian, Sydney Living Museums Dr James Renwick, Former Lecturer in Music Education, University of Sydney Elisabeth Mulder, Psychologist (retired) Juno Gemes, artist, photographer, Co-Director Paper Bark Press Professor Yasmin Haskell FAHA, Cassamarca Foundation Chair in Latin Humanism, UWA Dr Cecilia Leong-Salobir, Food Historian, Honorary Research Fellow UWA Dr Amit Sarwal, Senior Lecturer, The University of the South Pacific (Fiji) Dr Zarrin S Siddiqui, Assessment Lead, UWA Medical School Dr Andrew Turk Dr Lydia Wells, Lecturer, School of Law, Murdoch University, PhD Australian Literature, UWA Dr Quinn Eades, Tracey Banivanua Mar Research Fellow, Senior Lecturer: Gender, Sexuality & Diversity Studies, La Trobe University Marian Crawford, artist, Senior Lecturer Monash Art Design and Architecture Prof Jennifer Gosetti-Ferencei, Kurrelmeyer Chair in German & Professor in Philosophy, Johns Hopkins University Dr Jessica White, UQ Amplify Associate Lecture Jasmin Korte, PhD Research Candidate, School of Social Sciences Dr Laura Dales, Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies, University of Western Australia Dr Anna Clarke, Historian Dr Simone Lazaroo, Author and Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing, Murdoch University
Associated Industries, Student Representation, and Interested Parties
Nicholas Pounder, Bookseller Natalie Latter, Owner, Rabble Books & Games Sam Baker, Owner, Rabble Books & Games Dr Michael Brennan, Publisher, Vagabond Press George Dunford, Content Director, ArtsHub/Screenhub Meg Wilson, Arts Worker Eamonn Kelly, ESL Teacher Yingjie M. Cheng, PhD candidate, UNSW Luke Robinson, PhD candidate in Film Studies, UNSW Max Bledstein, PhD Candidate in Film Studies, UNSW Sydney Dr Erin Claringbold, Australian literature PhD graduate Ian Morrison, Librarian, Hobart Dr Alicia Marchant, Archivist and Historian, State Library and Archive Service, Libraries Tasmania Tracy Farr, BSc(Hons) UWA 1984, BA UWA 1990 Stefanie Markidis, PhD candidate, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Laura Fulton, PhD candidate, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Ms Lucinda Strahan, Lecturer, School of Media and Communication, RMIT, PhD Candidate Material Ecologies Research Network, University of Wollongong Ms Christine Rogers, PhD candidate and recipient of The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship, RMIT University Ms Isabella Capezio, PhD candidate, School of Media and Communication, RMIT University Jason Rustandi, Student at UWA Shannon Grey Denver Kain, Bachelor of Computing student, Curtin University Stirling Kain, Pelican Magazine Arts Editor, UWA student Jennifer Jackson, Owner, Paper Bird Children’s Books & Arts Sandra van Doorn, Founder, Red Paper Kite Stefen Brazulaitis, Owner, Stefen’s Books Madison Baitz, Bookseller, Rabble Books & Games Lockie Cameron, Owner, Paperbark Merchants Anne Barnetson, Author and Bookseller, New Edition and Rabble Books & Games Jackie Tang, bookseller Marijke McDonald, Bookseller, Boffins Books Beth Kirkland, Visual Artist Josephine Taylor, Daniel Juckes, and Chris Arnold, Westerly Magazine.
Excellent work. Now, is it possible to reprint that article by Professor Robert White? (See ABR). Regards, Joyce Parkes.
We will reach out to them! Thanks!
Although I signed the letter, my name does not appear on the list.
Thank you for your solidarity! It is very much appreciated and spirit-raising for the UWAP team. Terri-ann
Thanks Margaret, I have edited to add it. Please let me know if you would like any revision.
All best,
Kate
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