TOP fantasy author Isobelle Carmody has been named the 2017 ACT Writer-in-Residence today (June 8).

The program, an initiative of the ACT Writers Centre in close collaboration with UNSW Canberra and supported by the Copyright Agency Ltd, seeks to bring Canberra writers of national and international stature who would not otherwise be able to access the state’s resources.

Carmody’s “Obernewtyn Chronicles”, which she began writing in high school, are beloved of young people all around Australia. As well, her short stories and books have been translated around the world.

“We’re so excited about the appeal of Isobelle Carmody’s work to the undergraduate defence force cadets we have on campus, who have come out of school systems where her books are all hugely enjoyed,” says Professor Nicole Moore of UNSW Canberra.

The writers-in-residence have access to the facilities of UNSW Canberra and are encouraged to engage with students and researchers on campus.  Isobelle will be accommodated at the Gorman Arts Centre for one month and immersed in the broader creative community through the ACT Writers Centre.

The ACT community, and ACT Writers Centre members in particular, will benefit immensely from Isobelle’s presence here,” says Sarah Mason of the ACT Writers Centre.

The recipients to follow this year’s winner have also been named today. In 2018, prize-winning non-fiction writer Jane Gleeson-White will spend her time in Canberra researching a novel set during World War II. Then, in 2019, poet Angela Gardner will take up the position. Her project on “Air” is set to include some novel public programs for Canberra – including balloon flying, but no mention has been made of Skywhale as a possible poetic muse.