The Furphy Anthology 2023 has been released.
It contains the sixteen stories short-listed for The Furphy Literary Award 2023.
It was launched at a cracking get-together at the All Nations Hotel in Richmond. Eight of the sixteen short-listed writers were able to attend.
Left to right: Eugenie Pusenjak, Andrew Nest, Deborah May, Natalie Vella, Olivia Wolfe Alison Killick, Allyson Hose with Adam Furphy from The Furphy Foundation.
The winning story, which took the $15,000 prize in the national competition, is by Perth writer, Jen Rowell. ‘Away to me’ has everything. And so does Jen, who was very entertaining with the mic – and throughout the night.
Jen Rewell being very entertaining, with MC John Harms.
Second prize went to Eugenie Pasenjak, from Canberra for her beautifully crafted and topical story, ‘The Drey’, which addresses the issue of homelessness – that can come out of nowhere. We now know that Eugenie and her crew are a formidable Trivia Night outfit so look out if you’re in the Kingo or Olins.
Natalie Vella won third prize for the second year in a row. She came to the lectern (well, the stand-around pub table), like an old friend and told us more about her blossoming writing life and the inspiration for her story ‘The Lucky Country’ which explores the lot of migrant women in a factory in the old Australia of the late 1960s.
Natalie Vella with Adam Furphy and John Harms.
People kicked on. The All Nations looked after us with some excellent nibbles.
Sam and Adam Furphy have the knack of bringing people together and they have found in Furphy Literary Award coordinator Robyn Black, a writer and poet herself, someone who loves people and stories, and getting together, and is super-organised.
Robyn Black and John Harms.
This is the fourth Anthology. The vibe at the launch is indicative of the way a community of writers and readers has emerged around the Furphy Literary Award and the Furphy crew hope to continue to build on that.
Copies of The Furphy Anthology 2023, and previous editions, are available via the Furphy website or in bookshops.
The Furphy Literary Award 2024 opens on 1 Feb 2024 and stories can be entered until 30 April 2024. More information HERE.
BUY THE FURPHY ANTHOLOGY 2023
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Walked there along Lennox Street in the rain, stepping over running gutters.
Sweaty rainy cold beers, speeches, eye-smiles.
Creative people, wonderful night.
Congratulations to Furphy and Jen Rewell and to all concerned.
great summary, JTH
great photos
looks like it was a cracking evening, indeed!
Excellent night, thanks Furphy and J Harms. Enjoyed chatting to the many and varied attendees.