Dina’s Spring Newsletter Written on Larrakia Country Greetings all from balmy Darwin! The Darwin Festival 2022 Lighting the Sky at the Darwin Festival Tourists who poured in to revel in the warmth of the Dry were treated to the wonderful sights and sounds of Darwin’s festival season. Perhaps the most memorable was Lighting the Sky with drones in brilliant colours depicting the Dreamtime stories of our First Nations people, the Larrakia People. NT Writers Festival Held in late June, the Writers Festival was a highlight for Darwin’s writers and readers. The theme, Balarr (Letting in the Light) was reflected in events featuring such luminaries as Hannah Kent (Devotion), Larissa Behrendt (After Story), Delia Falconer (Signs and Wonders), and John Saffron (Puff Piece) and too many more to mention here. A highlight was the participation of the First Nations Australia Network, sisters Jackie Huggins and Ngaire Jarro (Jack of Hearts) with their celebrated CEO Yvette Holt. Set in the lush grounds of the Museum of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) the NTWF22 was a treat for Territorians and visitors alike.Letting the Light InI was excited to take part in the panel, Letting the Light In with two other NT authors, Karen Manton and Renée McBryde. The panel was a powerful one, discussing the shared themes of motherhood, intergenerational trauma and healing as seen through the lens of three very different authors and stories . Pictured L to R: Karen Manton, The Curlew’s Eye, Renée McBryde, Unravelling Us, and Dina Davis, A Dangerous Daughter Photo: NT Writers Centre After the panel, Renée McBryde interviewed me about how the Festival theme, Catching the Light, is relevant to A Dangerous Daughter. Thanks to Bronwyn Druce of Red Kangaroo Books, and Samuel Druce, filmmaker, for organising this interview.  Watch now (4 min) Varuna Alumni Lately, I’ve been taking part in meetings with other Varuna alumni by Zoom. We meet on weekday mornings to share thoughts on our work, then write for an hour or more. Not only is this a much needed discipline, it is also a wonderful support for isolated writers. Thanks to Varuna for this generous service. NT Literary Awards It was an honour to be a finalist for the Poetry Prize in the recent NT Literary Awards for my poem, Forgiveness. Congratulations to all winners, especially Dave Clarke for his poem, Velocipede. Forgiveness   When my father abandoned me, A twelve year old child On the far side of my world I forgave him.   When my parents, in their ignorance, Ordered my brains to be fried, When all I needed was love I forgave them.   When my family, slaves to tradition banished me once more For marrying out, I forgave them.   When they turned all photos of me To the wall, Said prayers for the dead, I forgave them.   You could call me a forgiving person, Maybe to a fault.   When my so-called friend Called me a fraud and a fake, Not an authentic person, Spiritually materialistic,   Spat more toxic words Aimed to wound if not kill My forgiving nature Failed me.   I’d committed the crime Of turning the worm Of failure to success, And she did not forgive me.   © Dina Davis 2022 What’s next? Here’s a short clip from a recent interview with author and literary judge Suzanne Leal asked, “Dina, what’s next for you?” Perhaps the real question is what’s next for Ivy… Watch now (1 min) Book Club talks If your book club has chosen to read Capriccio or A Dangerous Daughter,  I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. Both my books are available as paperbacks from the following bookshops:  Harry Hartog’s Bookshop, Bondi Junction, NSW The Bookshop Darwin, Darwin NT Red Kangaroo Bookshop, Alice Springs, NT Buy Online https://www.amazon.com/Dina-Davis/e/B07GGNGCJ2 Copyright © 2022 Dina Davis, Author, All rights reserved.  You are receiving this email because you have expressed interest in my books.  Our mailing address is: Email: dina.davis@icloud.com Facebook Page: Dina Davis, Author Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.