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Blak and Bright

@blakandbright

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Australia’s premier organisation dedicated to showcasing and elevating Blak literary voices.
Our writers festival returns 3—6 Sept 2026!

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First Stories Collective at Brisbane Writers Festival!

What does the future of storytelling look like when First Nations voices lead the conversation?

This panel explores cultural authority, publishing, readership, literary infrastructure and the power of stories within public memory and national identity.

Bringing together leading First Nations writers, the discussion will examine the opportunities and tensions facing the sector, and what it’ll take to build a thriving and self-determined literary future for generations to come.

With Melissa Lucashenko, Anita Heiss, Lenora Thaker and Bebe Oliver.

📅 Friday 9 October
🕛 5–6pm
📍 Fairfax Studio
🎟️ Free

Get your tickets at @briswritersfest now! by @blakandbright

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6 days ago

𝐘𝐏𝐑𝐋 𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 @blakandbright 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐋𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐥, 𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞.

As part of the partnership, we recently hosted two events across Lalor and Watsonia Libraries, bringing writers and our communities together through poetry, storytelling and conversation.

We were joined by @dakotafeirer , author of Arsenic Flower, at Lalor Library, and @tony_birch_writer (The White Girl), @clairegcoleman (Terra Nullius) and J. M. Field @so.said.red (The Eagle and the Crow) at Watsonia Library, in a conversation chaired by @_jamesparr.

This video captures some of what happened at Watsonia.

Partnerships like this help us create space for First Nations voices and perspectives, while connecting our communities with contemporary Australian writers and their work.

Explore the featured authors and their books through the YPRL catalogue. by @blakandbright

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14 days ago

Postponed! This masterclass will now be happening at a later date, please stay tuned.

Our Blak Writers Group Masterclass for September will be hosted by Torres Strait Islander and African American writer Jasmin McGaughey!

Just beginning in the industry as a writer? Jasmin will speak to her experience starting as an author and editor, with a conversation open to questions! Following this will be a workshop on how Jasmin begins a new project, depending on the target age of the audience and the timeline set. Think writing prompts and finding inspiration from the bookish world 📚

By mob for mob—if you're not already part of this free online group, please register via the link in our bio. by @blakandbright

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21 days ago

After leading Blak & Bright through extraordinary growth and change, our Artistic Director & CEO, Bebe Oliver, will step down on 27 November 2026.

During his time at the helm, Bebe has transformed Blak & Bright from a biennial writers festival into a year-round national First Nations creative organisation, creating new spaces, opportunities and platforms for Blak writers and storytellers across the country and internationally.

He’s led with fierce belief in our people and our stories, a willingness to challenge what a literary organisation can be and an ambition for Blak & Bright that’s changed us forever.

Thank you, Bebe, for your imagination, the dangerous ideas, for backing Blak voices loudly and without apology, for everything you’ve poured into this place, and for leaving it ready for whoever comes next. by @blakandbright

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a month ago

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a month ago

Join the First Stories Collective now.

Head to the website link at our bio to sign up and learn about exciting updates!

Registration is now open for Blak creators from every corner of the country, across all genres and storytelling mediums to join the Collective.

Supporters of the Collective are encouraged to stand alongside Blak creatives through financial in-kind and advocacy support, to help build the infrastructure First Nations literature deserves, resource Blak-led opportunities and sustain long term sector change.

Sizzle reel created by @dayvisheyne by @blakandbright

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a month ago

👀 What's this? We've got the last remaining stock of our limited EVERY:WHEN Tees!

Head to our website to get yours 👕 by @blakandbright

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a month ago

4 days, 33 events, 54 storytellers, countless supporters and attendees.

Last week, our 2026 Blak & Bright Writers Festival took over Naarm and surrounding towns, bringing EVERY:WHEN to a vast audience. From panels and workshops to children's events, performances and endless yarns, our festival was full of Blak joy, truth-telling, and the sense of community we uphold through amplifying First Nations voices.

Thank you to our supporters, our funders, team, board, volunteers, and everyone who made this possible 🖤

Keep checking in, as our next event is never too far away.

Let us know in the comments: what was your favourite moment of the festival? 👇🏽

📸:
Joshua Howlett
@graceauldphotography
@byjoshdeane by @blakandbright

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a month ago

It was a pleasure to speak to Rachel Bin Salleh, Jared Thomas and Anita Heiss about the state of First Nations publishing in this country at @blakandbright. Three people that have had such an impact on storytelling and the story of this place. Forever grateful for their work. by @blakandbright

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a month ago

Sunday 6 September events! Swipe to see the last of our festival's deadly programming.

It's not too late to get tickets to the last events of the day. Don't miss out 👀 by @blakandbright

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a month ago

We love partnering with @amplifybookstore as our 2026 festival bookseller - the team is incredible (and the books aren't too bad either 😉). Today is the final day of our festival so if you've been waiting to buy your favourite Blak books to avoid carrying them around the festival, make sure you get 'em today!!

Thanks again to the Amplify team for doing such good work and promoting our Blak festival artists 🖤 by @blakandbright

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a month ago

Saturday 5 September events!

We've enjoyed a deadly day full of incredible events 👇🏾

• We Who Saw First
• Critical Yarn
• Future Maker
• Once Upon Our Stories
• What Is Left Will Stay
• Tomorrow Rising
• Her Story Now
• Write Way Forward: Tomorrow
• Survival of the Tongue
• Rainbow Revolution
• Not Straight But Sovereign

But it's not over yet! Check in tomorrow for Sunday's events and get your tickets on our website. by @blakandbright

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a month ago