Announcing the PNG Attitude writers’ fellowships

KEITH JACKSON

IT’S A THOUGHT THAT’S BEEN BUZZING around my mind for some time now. And I believe that, in this case, it’s a good thought.

The idea is: how do we (in the PNG Attitude sense of collective ‘we’) adequately recognise and reward those Papua New Guinean writers who – over the last 3-5 years – have made this blog the ‘go-to’ place that it is.

Writers who have, I might add, contributed hugely to our readers’ knowledge and understanding of present day PNG.

The thought reached resolution at Neutral Bay's Oaks hotel yesterday as I was having lunch with Ingrid and our son Ben, who's been an occasional contributor to these columns. (The picture is of the three of us in Hanoi two years ago.)

So here’s the proposal. (And, yes, it involves money.)

PNG Attitude wants to be able to pay Papua New Guinean writers who are regular contributors to this website.

To give you some names: Martyn Namorong; Emma Wakpi; Leonard Roka; Francis Nii; Charlotte Vada; Reg Renagi; Erasmus Baraniak; Joe Wasia; Lapieh Landu; and Sil Bolkin.

As well as Jimmy Drekore; Nou Vada; Bernard Yegiora; Michael Dom; Jeff Febi; Samuel Roth; Ganjiki D Wayne; Poyap Rooney; Paulus Ripa; Don Tapio; Manuai Matawai; Sioni Ruma; John Wali….

And the rest.

There are about 20 names there and I could easily double that. And, when we start paying, I'm sure we’ll quadruple the number of eligible writers.

The point is this. We want to encourage (and reward) original, quality, Papua New Guinean writing and perspectives on this blog.

For so long as we’re not taking ads (another unresolved argument I’ve had with myself), we need to rely on readers to provide the support.

Here are the brief and easy guidelines for our new fellowships:

You will sponsor a writer (who we will select on your behalf) for $500 a year

The writer’s task will be to provide at least two articles/poems/stories to PNG Attitude each month

The sponsor (you) will be credited (if that’s OK) alongside each published piece

We will pay each writer the $500 (no admin charges at the Attitude)

The outcome of this project, we believe, will be the initial development of a system of paid-for freelance writing in PNG.

The returns for the writers, something like K80-100 ($40-50) an article at best, will not be a King’s ransom. But the compensation will at least be something, which I am reliably informed is mostly better than nothing.

And when that bank transfer for $500 arrives in the account, it will be a bit of a blast for the writer. Reward and recognition; what we all want.

So drop me an email here telling me you’re in for $500 and I’ll let you know how to proceed.

And, of course, I’m good for the first $500. I hope we may be able to secure 10-12 fellowships for 2012-13. That'd be a good start.

Dig deep (or ask your organisation, club or work colleagues to dig deep). Thank you.

Comments

[Bea Amaya]

I have a suggestion to add to your great idea, Keith.

For some people who might not be able to contribute this amount but still want to support good writers, here's what I suggest.

Get with a few friends, members of a club, create an employee group, or something like this and pool your resources and lend your support.
___________

Great idea, Bea. Readers should feel to use the Comments feature on PNG Attitude to swap notes and form groups, if desired - KJ

[Bernard Yegiora]

Keith I salute your creativity.

Offering incentives will stimulate a new level of interest in writing about PNG.