BETWEEN THE LINES 2026

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Between the Lines (BTL) is a facilitated reading program for writers with an active practice. Now in its tenth iteration, BTL returns in 2026, continuing its tradition of rich, writer-focused discussion and exchange. Across four sessions, running from May to October 2026, participants will take part in in-depth conversations about two works of fiction and two of nonfiction, carefully curated by this year’s facilitators—Shannyn Palmer and Zoya Patel.

In 2026, BTL offers a combined fiction/nonfiction stream, creating a unique opportunity to explore a broad spectrum of authorial approaches and literary techniques. The focus is on craft, achievement, and literary context, rather than personal preferences about whether a book is ‘good’ or ‘bad’. Participants will be encouraged to reflect on how each selected work might influence or inform their own creative practice.

Program Details

  • Facilitators: Shannyn Palmer and Zoya Patel

  • Schedule:
    11:30am - 2pm, Saturday 9 May
    11:30am - 2pm, Saturday 11 July
    11:30am - 2pm, Saturday 8 August
    11:30am - 2pm, Saturday 10 October

  • Format: In-person sessions only

  • Location: Smith’s Alternative, Civic ACT

Each session will include ample time for questions, discussion, and peer exchange. Whether you're deep into a manuscript or seeking to refine your reading lens, BTL is designed to sharpen your critical eye and invigorate your writing.

Places are strictly limited.

Who is the Program For?

Between the Lines is designed for writers with an active practice. By that we mean writers who can demonstrate a commitment to writing – this might be through a publication track record, and/or attendance in writing workshops, and/or submitting work to competitions. You do not need to be an established writer; you just need to show that you are committed to ongoing development, and to reading deeply in order to progress technique. Places are limited to maximise discussion and participants will be encouraged to attend all sessions in order to get full value out of the program.

Please review all the dates below to ensure you are able to commit to the program.

Program Fees

  • MARION members: $200

  • General public: $250

MARION offers 2 semi-subsidised places in all programs which provides a 70% discount of program price. No personal details need to be disclosed, just email Katy Mutton via ceo@marion.ink these are available on a first come first served basis.

Application Process

To be part of the BTL program for 2026 click the APPLY HERE button below and complete the application form. Applications will close at 11:59 PM Friday 24 April. Submissions will be reviewed promptly and successful applicants will be provided with a payment link to confirm their place.

APPLY HERE

2026 Reading List

Shankari Chandran
Song of the Sun God, 2022
Ultimo Press (fiction)

Debra Dank
We Come With This Place, 2022
Echo Publishing (nonfiction)

Robert Macfarlane
Is a River Alive?, 2026
Penguin (nonfiction)

Fiona Wright
Kill Your Boomers, 2026
Ultimo Press (fiction)

Meeting and reading schedule

DATE

BOOK

THEME

FACILITATOR

Saturday 9 May

11:30am–2:00pm

Shankari Chandran

Song of the Sun God

Fiction

Zoya Patel

Saturday 11 July
11:30am–2:00pm

Debra Dank

We Come With This Place

Nonfiction

Shannyn Palmer

Saturday 8 August
11:30am–2:00pm

Fiona Wright

Kill Your Boomers

Fiction

Zoya Patel

Saturday 10 October
11:30am–2:00pm

Robert Macfarlane

Is a River Alive?

Nonfiction

Shannyn Palmer

Facilitators

Zoya Patel - fiction

Zoya Patel is the author of No Country Woman (Hachette Australia, 2018) and Once A Stranger (Hachette Australia, 2023). She is the founder of feminist arts and literature website Feminartsy, and former editor of Lip Magazine.

Zoya has previously been the Chair of the Stella Prize judging panel, and has a Master of Fine Arts from New York University. In her spare time, she rides horses and parents a toddler. 

 

Shannyn Palmer - nonfiction

Shannyn Palmer is an award-winning historian, writer and facilitator whose work explores the relationships between story, place and belonging. She is the author of Unmaking Angas Downs, which won the 2023 Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Australian History, the Northern Territory Chief Minister’s History Book Award and the Ernest Scott Prize.

 

 

For more information

Contact creative@marion.ink  

Access to the Between the Lines Facebook page:

All participants will be given access to the Between the Lines Facebook page, where past and present participants share their thoughts. The page is self-administered.