Sixty local writers are about to get into print, with presses running overtime ahead of the launch of the Clarence Valley’s new fiction collection.

‘Stories from the Clarence Valley 2023 – Grow’ will be here soon, according to the Long Way Home’s Claire Aman. ‘We’re launching the book on Monday December 4 in the courtyard at Grafton Regional Gallery from 6pm-7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and celebrate our talented writers.’

The book features entries from this year’s Long Way Home writing competition.

‘This year the competition theme was ‘Grow’ and everyone grew stories,’ said Claire. ‘We loved all the interpretations – a seed sprouting in the earth, regrowth after bushfire, the rich experience of personal growth. There’s an undercurrent of slender hope, dogged spirit. It’s a book for these times.

‘We love it that primary school students, high school students and adults are all part of this eagerly awaited book, each holding their own.’

This is the sixth year of the Long Way Home, a local non-profit collective which encourages people to find their voice through creative writing.

‘We’re grateful for the generous support of South Grafton Community Bank and the Yulgilbar Foundation,’ said Claire. ‘We’re also grateful to Grafton Library and Grafton Book Warehouse. We take our hats off to the hard-working judges – Jess Wood, Roweena Shakespeare, Jacqui Hinshaw, Julie Henry, Meg Rowe and Janelle Brown – who read hundreds of stories between them. We’re grateful to Grafton Regional Gallery for hosting the launch in their lovely courtyard.’

‘We’re proud to have a book written, edited, designed and printed in the Clarence Valley. Printing at Grafton’s Yoohoo McPhee printery means we can feel the texture of the paper and drop in to see the book as it’s being made. This is a great advantage.’

Books will be for sale at the launch. Copies will also be available at Grafton Book Warehouse, The Nook in Yamba, Coldstream Gallery in Ulmarra, and Grafton Regional Gallery.

‘It’s the ultimate Christmas present if you’re looking for a unique, locally sourced gift,’ said Claire. ‘Exquisitely designed by Yohanna Dent, it’s a book that celebrates our connections with each other across our beloved Clarence Valley landscapes.’

Find out more about the Long Way Home on www.thelongwayhomestories.com or on Facebook.