Indian poet, essayist, and teacher, Aditi Rao, Hafiz Hamzah, Malaysian poet, editor, essayist and founder of Obscura Malaysia, Hafiz Hamzah, Filipino poet, writer and winner of the 2017 Palanca Grand Prize, Glenn Diaz, Singapore Literature Prize 2018 shortlisted author, Balli Jaswal Kaur, acclaimed Indian translator and poet, Akhil Katyal and Indonesian editor, essayist and fiction writer, Erni Aladjai.
RMIT lecturer in Creative Writing and novelist Sreedhevi Iyer will facilitate WrICE 2020, alongside Malaysian writer and festival director Bernice Chauly (a WrICE 2014 alumnus), Professor of Creative Writing David Carlin, and acclaimed Singaporean poet and essayist Alvin Pang.
Pang, who is also a WrICE alumnus, was recently awarded his PhD as one of the first graduates of RMIT Writing and Publishing’s PRS Asia Creative Writing program.
Iyer said she is looking forward to the collaborative workshopping and festival, as it is a space where writers from Asia and Australia can mingle in the spirit of collaboration and creativity.
“I’d heard of WrICE for years, as a wandering writer – the metaphor is unmistakable,” Iyer sai
“So many friends and colleagues of mine had been a part of it in earlier years, and it gives me immense pleasure to be a facilitator for WrICE 2020, especially in its current digital format,.” Iyer said.
The ongoing WrICE program of research and engagement activities involves Iyer, Associate Dean Writing and Publishing Francesca Rendle-Short, Professor of Creative Writing David Carlin, novelist and RMIT academic Michelle Aung Thin alongside Melody Ellis, Ali Barker and Penny Johnson.
WrICE and research group non/fictionLab are supported by the Writing and Publishing discipline and RMIT Culture.
Carlin said bringing together writers in the Asia-Pacific region for face-to-face collaborative residencies was unique because of travel restrictions.
“This year, we take on the challenge of a fully-digital residency while keeping to the heart of the program: the simple notion that writers can benefit from stepping outside their solo writing journeys to connect with other writers of different cultures and backgrounds,” he said.
The collaborative workshopping will lead into public events as part of Singapore Writers Festival (SWF) 2020.
RMIT academic and novelist Aung Thin will moderate Singapore Writers Festival’s Go So Far But Write So Near panel on 4 November.
In conversation with Balli Kaur Jaswal (SG), Glenn Diaz (PH), and Kyoko Yoshida (JP), Aung Thin will lead a conversation around whether it is easier to write about somewhere near from further away and the challenges and possibilities inherent in a new environment.
Curated by Sing Lit Station for SWF, each event has a Southeast focus.
Audiences from all around the world can view the WrICE 2020 participants, appearing digitally, in the following events as part of SWF:
(All times in SGT. A digital festival pass offering access to more than 130 events can be purchased for S$20)
Go So Far But Write So Near
Wed, 4 Nov, 7.30pm - 8.30pm SGT
Is it easier to write about somewhere near from further away? How does a change of scene affect a writing practice?
Panellists: Balli Kaur Jaswal (SG), Glenn Diaz (PH), Kyoko Yoshida (JP)
Moderator: Michelle Aung Thin
The Southeast Asian Novel Is A Thing
Thurs, 5 Nov, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Is there a "Southeast Asian novel" and is it a genre of its own, distinct from the "Asian novel"? What is and isn't "Asian" or "Southeast Asian" about these novels? How useful are these labels at all?
Panellists: Ameena Hussein (LK), Erni Aladjai (ID), Glenn Diaz (PH)
Moderator: Daryl Qilin Yam (SG)
These Stories Have Old Bones
Sun, 8 Nov, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
How does history influence and shape a text? What are some considerations for the portrayal of SEAsian history and which lens do we use?
Panellists: Aditi Rao (IN), Erni Salleh (SG)
Moderator: Wesley Leon Aroozoo (SG)
More information regarding this year’s celebrations, events, WrICE and Sing Lit Station, can be found at http://wrice.org/.
Story: Callum Mateer, Bachelor of Arts, (Creative Writing) student, and Ali Barker
