Media quotes: A User’s Guide to a Pandemic
Young Writers
Sania (15), Sydney
“When I read my short story piece, it feels as if I've turned how I felt during isolation into a narrative. It's like another part of me. That's why I felt proud of it.”
Loyola (13), Melbourne
‘Writing for User’s Guide took my mind off the anxieties of COVID times. I loved going through ideas, planning, and thinking deeply about what we were writing. Meeting the other people doing the workshops was great too, even though it was online and not in person.’
Organisations
Lach Carter, CEO, 100 Story Building, Melbourne
‘This book offers a unique window into the remarkable intelligence, fearlessness and humour with which young Australians are coping with the situation.’
‘We hope this collection acts as an authoritative and authentic resource for researchers, journalists and writers attempting to understand life in Australia during the COVID19 pandemic in the times to come.’
Dr Cath Keenan AM, Executive Director and Co-founder, Story Factory, Sydney
‘These are such strange times and we wanted to hear directly from young people about how they were feeling, and what they were thinking. We also wanted to find a way to help them feel connected with others during a period of isolation.’
‘In partnering with fellow writing and literacy organisations across the country we were seeking to forge new connections - between cities, students and through our shared experiences of the pandemic.’
Authors
Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, in the introduction to the book
‘What we have here is one of the more gorgeous things you can ever hope to experience as a human – which is kids just thinking out loud. Kids just building on ideas. I read this writing and thought, ‘Why can’t I write like that? Why can’t I be fearless and lawless and, just, right? Every single time.’
About 100 Story Building
100 Story Building is a centre for young writers in Melbourne. We use storytelling as a tool to foster creativity and imagination. The centre is open to all children but we especially focus on children and young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Our mission is to build their literacy skills, confidence and sense of belonging that are fundamental to future success.
For interviews with young writers (Melbourne) or Lachlann Carter and further details, please contact:
Chetna Mahadik, Marketing Coordinator, 100 Story Building
E: chetna@100storybuilding.org.au
For interviews with young writers (Sydney) or Dr Cath Keenan AM and further details, please contact:
Amy Goodhew-Banks - Marketing and Communications Manager, Story Factory
E: amy@storyfactory.org.au
