Another night of restless sleep. Do other authors experience this just before their novels are released? Or, more to the point, is being able to sleep at night part of the problem with oz lit sector? Let me expand: 1/

What keeps me up at night? A sense of responsibility. Wondering/worrying if I've applied a high degree of ethics, truth and respect to my writing. Did I research, verify? Did I ask enough people for advice/feedback? Did I ask the right people? Did I reflect on their words? 2/

Could something I wrote be misinterpreted by non-Indigenous people? Have I written something that reinforces myths & untruths, rather than break them down? Have I used trauma for the white gaze? Am I respectful? I've done hours and hours, years even, of self-questioning. 3/

And then, as we've seen this week, the centuries old tradition of non-Indigenous writers sprinkling their writing with stereotypes & myths, fetishizing First Nation peoples, continues. And they continue to get published, win awards & grants, offered space at writers festivals. 4/

Because non-Indigenous readers don't question/understand this lack of cultural respect. Because publishers, award judges, reviewers & others in sector don't question the ethics of supporting this type of writing. Because writers don't stay up, sleepless, questioning themselves.5/

We've witnessed 200+ years of colonisers, settlers & visitors producing writing that unquestioning perpetrates myths, stereotypes, fetishism, racism & untruths about First Nations peoples, histories and cultures. And, as we've seen, these incompetent writers are not all white. 6/

So I'm tired. Tired of a sector (that I'm part of) that profits off writing that is not ethical or culturally respectful. However I'm not tired of staying up late at night, questioning myself, my writing and contribution to the sector. In fact, I suggest more writers do this. 7/

Look, I'm no expert. And I need to ensure I'm not doing harm, stepping out of line with my own writing. I need to walk the talk, too. But rather than deflect, ignore or run, I suggest writers listen, reflect, seek help and commit to producing competent, respectful work. 8/

And publishers, event/festival managers, award & fellowship judges, grant panels etc think about who is being silenced when you promote culturally disrespectful, harmful and nonfactual work. This won't stop until there's no longer any profit in this type of writing. 9/

Together we can do this. So I invite you all (writers, publishers, reviewers, event managers, grant peers, literary judges) to have a few restless moments. Stay awake; think about your role, your influence: what can you do to make oz lit responsible, ethical and respectful? 10/10