Highlights
- Created by Anna Manuel and Cel Tria, Pub Scrawl Collective is a group of language-diverse creatives in Australia who dream of publishing.
- The group will hold monthly talks beginning March. A two-day online festival will be held on August.
- Representation is necessary.
A story coach. A children's book author. A creative community.
Anna Manuel and Cel Tria recently established Pub Scrawl Collective, a support group for language-diverse creatives who believe that not only is representation beneficial, it's necessary.
The collective
Anna Manuel [L] and Cel Tria [R] Source: Anna Manuel
Cel is the author of the children's book, 'Francesca, Isa, Dalawa, Sorpresa!'
The two are the co-founders of the newly-established group, Pub Scrawl Collective.
"Pub Scrawl Collective is a group of language-diverse creatives in Australia who dream of publishing, who want to produce books and other media types for children and adults," Anna shares.
Included in the list of creatives the duo seeks are writers, illustrators, graphic designers, editors, broadcasters and bloggers.
"Our objective is to create a space for people who want to write, illustrate or want to be part of the publishing industry in whatever form. It's about connecting with people who are starting their publishing journey, mid-way through it or have already found success," Cel adds.
Cel shares that in as much as the group encourages reciprocated learning between members, the ultimate objective is to encourage creatives to aspire and take action to get published - whether it be through the traditional route or through self-publishing.
"It's important to pass on culture and language to the next generation," Cel shares.
Cel adds, "A blogger from the US picked up the pabitin [a game involving a rack of goodies hanging and participants trying to grab them] bit from my book 'Francesca'. They then introduced the game to their kids and it became a thing. Their kids didn't know about it before; but now they do."
Representation is necessary
Representation is necessary. Source: Golden_Haven from Pixabay
"Representation is important because it’s hard to be what you cannot see. With kids, if they read books and watch TV or go on the internet and they only see people who do not look like them, who don’t sound or talk like them, it will be difficult for them to find their place in the world.
"On the flipside, if that child sees themselves, hears the language they speak, or sees the lives that they lead, it makes them feel like their lives are valued. People acknowledge who they are and what their heritage is. They feel that they are important members of society."
Cel agrees, saying that representation allows people to relate to what they see, hear and read.
"We have these experiences that speak of our challenges, quirks and, even fun stuff like food and games.
"What we hope Pub Scrawl Collective will be is a safe space wherein we can learn from each other and share ideas."
Talks and online festival
Anna and Cel will begin giving free talks every 4th Thursday of the month beginning March.
A two-day online festival is planned for August 27 and 28. While some events in the said festival are free, all funds raised from paid events will be sent to literacy programs in the Philippines.
