We were pleased to attend the ACT Book of the Year Award held at Tuggeranong Library on Tuesday 6 August! The Award was announced by Tara Cheyne MLA, Minister for the Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.

Huge congratulations to MARION Member Chris Hammer, who was awarded the ACT Book of the Year for his novel, The Seven (Allen & Unwin). We also wish to extend our congratulations to the authors whose books were Highly Commended: Untethered by MARION Member Ayesha Inoon (HarperCollins), and The Measure of Sorrow: Stories by MARION Member J. Ashley Smith (Meerkat Press), as well as those shortlisted: The Great Gallipoli Escape by Jackie French (HarperCollins), Sleeplessness by Lifetime MARION Member Paul Hetherington (Pierian Press), and Tiwi Story: Turning history downside up by Mavis Kerinaiua and Laura Rademaker (UNSW Press).

In Chris' acceptance speech, he underlined the importance of financial support for artists and practitioners. Ensuring that writers are properly remunerated is one of MARION’s core principles.

It is always fantastic to celebrate the rich literary ecosystem that is here in the ACT and surrounds.