Exciting News: I am a 2025 SA Literary Fellowship Recipient
I am absolutely thrilled to share that I’ve been selected as one of the two Emerging Writers for the 2025 SA Literary Fellowships, an incredible program offered by Writers SA and the State Library of South Australia.
This fellowship is in its second year, continuing to provide meaningful support to writers at various stages of their careers, from emerging and mid-career to First Nations voices. This year, I’m honored to be in the company of such talented writers:
Emerging Writers: Kate Marie Lewis (that’s me!) and Piri Eddy
Mid-Career/Established Writers: Helen Edwards and Jennifer Mills
First Nations Writer: Alexis West
About the Fellowship
The fellowship provides recipients with a cash prize, up to three months of residency at the State Library with a dedicated desk, and access to the Library’s incredible collections. It’s a chance to dive deep into research, be inspired by the rich history and archives, and develop literary works in a truly unique setting.
My Project
For my submission, I proposed a picture book project centered on the grey-headed flying fox colony in Adelaide, blending natural history with engaging storytelling for young readers. These fascinating creatures are vital to our ecosystem, and I’m excited to explore their world in a way that captivates and educates. I’ll share more about this project and my creative process in a future post—stay tuned!
Celebrating Children's Literature
One of the highlights for me was discovering that my friend and fellow kid-lit writer, Helen Edwards, received one of the mid-career fellowships. It’s wonderful to see children’s literature recognised at such a high level. I can’t help but imagine that someone on the judging panel is a fan of stories that ignite young imaginations!
Gratitude and Excitement
I was genuinely surprised and deeply grateful to receive this fellowship. It’s an extraordinary opportunity to grow as a writer and bring my project to life with the support of such a prestigious program. I’m excited to make the most of this residency and see where this journey takes me.
Thank you to Writers SA and the State Library for supporting local writers and creating opportunities for creativity to flourish. And congratulations to all the other fellowship recipients—I’m looking forward to seeing the amazing work we’ll all create.