Blacklight: Ten Years of First Nations Storytelling

by Hannah Donnelly (Editor), Jasmine Seymour (Contributor), Steven Lindsay Ross (Contributor)

Blacklight: Ten Years of First Nations Storytelling is a definitive anthology of writing produced entirely by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander creatives from Western Sydney and beyond.

This powerful collection showcases forty-eight short stories, vignettes, poems, essays and artworks which have been developed over the past ten years as part of the nationally renowned literacy movement known as Sweatshop.

Featuring original works by Jasmine Seymour, Steven Lindsay Ross, Jazz Money, Ali Murphy-Oates, Travis De Vries, Dr Jo Anne Rey, Yuin Mumbulla, Maxine Edwards and many more!

Edited by Hannah Donnelly.

Genres: Indigenous

Paperback

Published May 1, 2022

Reviews

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was drawn to this by the incredible cover art at the public library and then realised the book was on display with other books that had never been borrowed where the library was seeking to encourage people to borrow them.
The collection of pieces as a whole was special and I found the following to be highlights:
Steven Lindsay Ross - Liminal [fragment of a dream]
Maxine Edwards - Blak Joy and Proximity to Blakness
Riley Ingersole - Just Broken
Phoebe Grainer - Gnum Gnum

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sucked into reading this and the stories that were being told inside reminded me of my own childhood and family - both the good and the bad parts.

[Yva · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, with so many authors, it's impossible to like everything written.

Highlights:
Liminal - Steven Linsday Ross
Blak Joy - Maxine Edwards
Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Pen - Kane Harrington
Small Things We Do - Colt Currell
Boragee & Gnum Gnum - Phoebe Grainer
Proximity to Blakness - Maxine Edwards

[Alli_aye · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eclectic collection, there’s some excellent pieces. Was impressed by the inclusion of younger writers too. Seriously cool cover art