Denise Chapman is a counternarrative storyteller, poet, critical autoethnographer, and academic who lectures in children’s literature and inclusive children’s media at Monash University. She has served as a literacy specialist for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia, Fiji, Singapore, UAE, and the USA. Her counter-hegemonic creative work continues the traditions of her Gullah heritage and explores themes of immigration, Black-motherhood, belonging, and racial literacy. Denise was shortlisted for the Queensland Poetry’s 2022 XYZ Prize, recently exhibited her poetry and interactive digital storytelling in the Volume: Bodies-of-Knowledge project at Brisbane MetroArts, and is a 2023 Mem Fox Visiting Research Fellow.
Appearing In

Friday June 16, 12:30pm
Lunch/Break: Writing for Children & Parents
In this discussion, writers will explore the diverse terrain of children’s literature and underscore the importance of creating inclusive and representative fictional worlds.
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Wednesday 21 June, 9pm
Distraction & it’s (Dis)contents
In an attention economy where textual engagement is constantly subject to the news cycle, the fragment, virality and the scroll, what is it to be distracted, and what makes it compelling?

Sunday 18 June, 6pm
Birthday Party!
Emerging Writers’ Festival and Williamstown Literary Festival are both turning 20, and you’re invited to their birthday party!

Saturday 17 June, 3pm
The Grant Scheme of Things
A session all about grants and funding for writers – do they exist, how do you get one, and what do you do once you do have one?

Saturday 24 June, 8pm
Closing Night: Celestial Bodies
See the festival off with us in true extravagance, gala-style, and witness a dreamy line-up of well-loved writers, artists and inter-galactic DJS.
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