New longform writing initiative announced
May 5, 2022
Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund is delighted to announce a new partnership with the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas (JNI) and Penguin Random House (PRH) to provide practical experience and mentoring to the next generation of Australian longform writers, culminating in the opportunity to publish a piece in a Penguin Random House anthology.
The Long Lede mentoring program will pair ten early to mid-career Australian writers with ten seasoned mentors to produce 5,000 words of longform writing. The program will see mentees develop their skills in crafting and pitching ideas, conducting research, interviewing subjects, factchecking, structuring and editing. Mentees will also attend a series of masterclasses taught by longform practitioners.
Copyright Agency CEO Josephine Johnston said:
“The Copyright Agency’s Cultural Fund is very pleased to partner again with the JNI and PRH to create and support significant new opportunities for Australian writers. The Long Lede is a timely initiative to develop and nurture longform writing in Australia with guaranteed publication. We look forward to seeing this work connect with readers.”
Mark Ryan, Executive Director of the JNI said: “Longform factual writing plays a vital role in the Australian media and publishing landscape, providing an opportunity for readers and writers to step out of the daily news cycle and examine the world more deeply. JNI believes it is important to develop writers in this space for the benefit of the wider industry.”
Justin Ractliffe, Publishing Director at PRH Australia, said: ‘Penguin Random House has a proud history of publishing narrative non-fiction and reportage. We’re delighted to be partnering with JNI and Copyright Agency to support and nurture a new cohort of writers. This is a lede that won’t be buried!’
Applications for The Long Lede initiative open 11 May. The program will run from October 2022 to April 2023.
To find out more information, and to apply, refer to the JNI website .