<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/oct/16/nsw-government-funding-writing-literature-combat-ai-stories-matter>
"It is a sector that delivers $1.3bn annually to the New South Wales economy
and supports up to 22,000 jobs, yet the average writer earns just $18,200 a
year from their creative practice.
To counter this stark disparity, the NSW government is launching the state’s
first ever writing and literature strategy, and has committed $3.2m to support
and expand the sector.
The NSW arts minister, John Graham, said it was a response to urgent pressures,
including low incomes, declining reading rates and the growing impact of
digital media and artificial intelligence on publishing.
“This requires direct action, because there is too much to lose and so much to
gain from a strong literary sector in NSW,” he said in a statement launching
the Stories Matter strategy on Friday.
“We want our stories to be told, we want to be part of the global literary
conversation and we rely on the social cohesion that comes from the nuance and
empathy that books build.”
Stories Matter reflects similar programs operating in Canada, Germany, France
and Scandinavian countries.
The NSW model will include $630,000 to support a public library membership
campaign, including a pilot program to encourage women, girls and LGBTQ+
communities to take advantage of the free services and facilities offered by
more than 360 public libraries across the state.
A $200,000 development fund for First Nations writers and publishing
professionals was also announced as part of the strategy, along with the
establishment of up to four temporary and 12 to 24-month affordable housing
residencies for artists, writers, playwrights and illustrators.
The government will establish a $500,000 literary fellowships fund to support
authors, playwrights and illustrators, and a further $225,000 will fund three
co-funded Writing Australia collaborations – including a program to develop an
international marketing arm to promote sales of Australian writing abroad and
financially support writers who are touring internationally.
A further $100,000 will go to western Sydney literature organisations,
including the delivery of a school-focused program and an emerging writers
academy."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
