Welcome to Bookanook Studio
Check out our EXCITING upcoming workshops!
KID'S STORYTELLING WORKSHOP ​​
21st April 2020 (8-12 years)
The Hunter Artisan Gallery and Cafe, 10.00am - 2.00pm
$100 - Use your Creative Kids Voucher!
Includes a light lunch.
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THE POWER OF THE PEN
1st April 2020 6.00pm-8.45pm - 4 week course
The Hunter Artisan Gallery and Cafe $195
Includes tea/coffee and biscuit.
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About
Bookanook Studios was first established in 2018 and is the business of M.J. Reidy (Michelle). Michelle is passionate about using writing and creativity as a tool for personal, political and social change. After a period of illness/disability in 2011, Michelle left her career in mental health and wrote stories, monologues and books as way of transforming her own narrative.
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Michelle formerly worked in the mental health sector for 7 years in NSW and QLD, working as a support worker, counsellor, mentor and manager. In 2006, she graduated from QUT with a Bachelor of Social Science ( Disability services) with Distinction. She has a Certificate 1V in Training and Assessment and an Advanced Diploma in Community Services Management. In her spare time she draws, paints, sews and collects Alice in Wonderland books.
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Her award winning stories have appeared in: Elle Australia, INK3, Award Winning Australian Writing 2016, Backpacker Essentials, Melaleuca Blue, Grieve, Newcastle Short Story Prize anthology, Monologue Adventures Voices of Women Project and the ABC. In 2014, she was a NSW state finalist in Australian Poetry Slam. Her novel 'One Starry Voice' is currently under consideration by an Australian publisher.
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She's super excited to be running creativity workshops on the Central Coast and aims for the workshops to be fun, experimental and informative! Writing and creativity has transformed her life and she's pretty damn sure it'll transform yours too!
Bookanook Studio
Discover Your Inner Creative
Bookanook Studio
Discover Your Inner Creative
Awards/Publications
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M.J. Reidy is Australia's "next writing superstar."
Elle Australia
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Elle Australia's national short story competition winner 2017 - 'Nulliparous.'
Judged by Michael Williams from the Wheeler Centre, Vanessa Radnidge from Hachette and Zoe Foster Blake ( author of The Wrong Girl).
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​"A thought-provoking and potent examination of grief and longing."
Elle Australia
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Longlisted for the Masters Review Summer Short Story Award (U.S.) 2019
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Finalist (Commended) in the Newcastle Short Story Prize 2018
Judged by Miles Franklin award nominee Ryan O'Neill and Isabelle Li. 'Dachshunds on antidepressants'.
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Monologue 'My Secret Affair with Dame Edna' performed at Studio MV, Petersham (Sydney) for the Voices of Women Monologue Adventures Project.
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'One Starry Voice' praised as top 10% out of 1100 entries for The Wheeler Centre's Next Chapter grants. Judged by Benjamin Law, Maxine Beneba Clarke, Ellen Van Neervan.
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​Novella 'One Starry Voice' commended by the judges of Seizure's Viva la Novella prize.
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Winner of the Society of Women Writers National Short Story Competition ''This is How a Voice Sounds.' 2015. Published in INK3 and Award Winning Australian Writing.
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​Winner of the Wyong Poetry Slam heats for Australian Poetry Slam, for monologue 'Post-modern Cinderella.'
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​Australian Poetry Slam NSW state finalist, Sydney Dance Lounge, Walsh bay, Sydney. Monologue titled: 'Sssh'
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​Winner of Melaleuca Blue's short story category 'Ventolin'. (memoir)
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​2014: Awarded Varuna residency, 'a one week intensive studying 'Creative Audio' with ABC producer and documentarian Siobahn McHugh.
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Runner up in ABC's Pocketdocs national competition.
'From a Koel's call to a Hummingbird's flight.' ( memoir)
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Bookanook Studio
Discover your Inner Creative
Opening Hours
Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm
Sat: By appointment
Sun: By appointment
Contact
Chain Valley Bay NSW 2261, Australia
Email:
Phone: 0424 771 075
Instagram: @bookanookstudio
Facebook: M.J. Reidy
