Island Storytellers

23/06/2026

In a conversation with Julian Baggini on why there are so few women in academic philosophy, Mary Warnock once noted that “of all the humanities departments in British universities, only philosophy departments have a mere 25% women members.” That number is even lower in the US.

21/06/2026

Happy Solstice! Here's the Sun putting on its best happy shining face for the special occasion, from the Splendor Solis (The Splendour of the Sun), a 16th-century German alchemical treatise.

More art from the history of alchemy here: https://buff.ly/3iXIgp9

(And if you want to shine some sun on the PDR you can donate to our fundraiser, which will end in JUST A FEW HOURS! https://publicdomainreview.org/support) 🙏

20/06/2026

Indigenous people would have to wait another 60 years for the vote in Australia.

The year was 1902.

Non-Indigenous women had won the right to vote AND also stand for the Australian Parliament 🙌

Australia was one of the first countries in the world to do so. It was an important international example.

This change was brought about by the Commonwealth Franchise Act after years of campaigning by suffragists.

Yet, First Nations activists would have to campaign for another 60 years.

First Nations women (and their male counterparts) secured voting rights for federal elections in 1962.

📷: National Library of Australia an23371784

14/06/2026

Something for your diary in August!
Margaret, Macleay Island Inspirational Writers Group.

09/06/2026

How did alphabet books deal with the letter X before the rise of x-rays and xylophones? Here's some highlights: https://buff.ly/2QlqdJz

02/06/2026

A great read.

This month Stella celebrates Rapture by Emily Maguire, longlisted for the 2025 Stella Prize 💥

We sat down with Emily Maguire to discuss character building in historical settings, and the monumental task of researching her novel.

"I got deeply into the chronicles of the war that rages in the background for much of the book. In the end I had to take all this fascinating stuff and run it through the filter of my main character Agnes; if it wouldn’t have been noticed by or important to her, then it couldn’t be in the book." – Emily Maguire (full interview on our website via link in our bio)

We're very excited that Emily is one of the authors featuring in our Stella UK tour! 🇬🇧✨

26/05/2026

Today we acknowledge and recognise members of the Stolen Generations and the families and communities who live with the ongoing impact of those policies.⁠

That trauma is not just part of history, it’s still being felt today. And for that, we say sorry.

Understanding this part of our shared story is an important step in truth-telling and healing. It’s a reminder that including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives matters in our classrooms, in our homes, in our workplaces and in our communities.

23/05/2026

From a darkly comic new novel to a gripping 1950s memoir – Katherine Rundell, Malala Yousafzai, Matt Haig and others appearing at Hay festival pick titles to tempt you

14/05/2026

Congratulations to the Macleay Island Inspirational Writers Group!

WRITER / EDITOR / MENTOR / THE HEALING POWER OF STORY

14/05/2026

Looking for a platform to share your work as a teacher or facilitator of creative writing? We’re inviting proposals for presentations and workshops for this year’s NAWE Online Conference until 24 May. There are three submission categories: Research & innovation, Projects & participation, Professional & personal development. Submissions open to all – not just NAWE members.