NT First Nations Anthology

Anthology Speak – The theme is Water; reflections of Country and Kinship.

The NT Writers Centre has gained funding to produce a Poetic Anthology with writings by First Peoples who reside in the NT. The new Project Officer is Ali Cobby Eckermann, a Yankunytjatjara poet who will travel across the desert, freshwater and saltwater regions over the next few months. The invitation to participate in writing skills workshops is extended to all persons across the NT aged 18 years and older.

Ali believes all writing by Aboriginal and Islander people is poetry: the inspiration of thought is expressed by our connection to Country and extends like a conversation. Poetry today is an open form and encourages all facets of writing for the page. Writings from other genres eg fiction, graphics, non-fiction can be considered and discussed. This book will be a collection of voices. So what do you really want to say?

Workshops and discussions will be held in Mparntwe | Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine and Garramilla | Darwin. Groups can request to book a workshop time, which is usually two hours. For large groups it will be appreciated if support staff can assist, and translators too when necessary.

We understand individuals may have certain needs required to assist their participation. Most people write using pen and paper. Some people may want to record their story and have it transcribed, and then edit to a poetic form. One on one private mentoring is also available, usually for one hour, and held wherever the person feels comfortable eg, a cafe, a garden or in your home. Ali will deliver these sessions and transport can be arranged.

The closing date is 30 July 2026. All submissions will enter a judging process. Ali will notify the selected writers. Magabala Books, who are the only independent Indigenous publishing house based in Broome, will manage the publishing contracts and fees. It is expected the Anthology book will be published and distributed by Magabala in 2027. All participants will receive a free copy.

Ali Cobby Eckermann is a Yankunytjatjara poet and artist from South Australia whose work has been published and celebrated around the world. Her poetry collections include little bit long time, Kami and the award-winning collection Inside My Mother and She Is The Earth. Her verse novels are His Father’s Eyes and Ruby Moonlight, which won the first black&write! Indigenous writing fellowship, the Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry, a Deadly Award and was named the NSW Premier’s Literary Award’s Book of the Year. She’s also written the memoir Too Afraid to Cry. She describes herself as ‘a dreamer, a gardener, a reader and a nomad’.