Sydney Launch of 'fourW twenty-eight'

The warm weather didn’t deter Sydney Booranga supporters, with almost 50 people in attendance for the launch of the  fourW twenty-eight at Gleebooks.


Michele Seminara’s speech gave a beautiful overview of this year’s edition, and with many writers in attendance it was a rich afternoon of poetry, prose and conversation, with late arrivals sprawled on the floor at the back.

Many thanks to Gleebooks in Glebe for their continued support of fourW.

All photos courtesy of Michele Seminara





An excerpt from Michele Seminara's launch speech.

"Today I am delighted to be launching this year’s fourW anthology, and give thanks to Editor David Gilbey, as well as those from Booranga Writers Centre and Charles Sturt University, for asking me to launch this important literary journal as it celebrates its 28th year of continuous publication.

Michele Seminara launches fourW twenty-eight

This is a watershed year for fourW. As is the case for many literary journals, the economic viability of the anthology has been brought into question as funding to cover the printing of the magazine has this year been withdraw, and the Booranga Writers Centre Committee explore new ways forward.

This hasn’t stopped fourW twenty-eight coming into being however, albeit in a slightly modified form, and the committee are determined that it won’t stop the anthology continuing into the future. As they explore alternatives such as downsizing the print run, printing on demand, or publishing online, one thing is certain – the creativity and open mindedness that shape the anthology will see it continue to adapt and reflect our contemporary transnational landscape, in form as well as in content.

From Russia to Hong Kong to Sri Lanka, from rural to urban and outback Australia, fourW twenty-eight sees its subjects seeking – internally and externally – for meaning; questing, in all the various ways we do, for happiness, and living in states of connection and disconnection that are by turns helped and hindered by modern technology.

...Australians love to travel the long roads, or blue skies, or expansive seas, or more seldom the circuitous pathways of their own minds in search of that elusive connection to self, others, and sometimes even a higher power. It is these connections which make life meaningful and – dare we say it – passable, if not always pleasurable...One thing is for sure: whatever path you might be travelling, it’s a good bet the far-reaching writing in fourW twenty-eight has got you covered. Because ultimately...we’re all just riding the wave of change as best we can. And, just as the creators of fourW are doing, we’re all watching to see what’s next."


Just a few of the many writers on-hand to read their work from fourW twenty-eight.

Les Wicks

Elanna Herbert

Tug Dumbly

Biff Ward

John Carey

Erwin E Cabucos

Carol Chandler