Vitagraph Publishing, a trailblazing independent publishing house, proudly unveils its first edition of Written Off, a new journal dedicated to innovative Australian literature.

At a special event at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, University of Sydney, the Board of Vitagraph Publishing is inviting the literature community to celebrate both the establishment of Vitagraph Publishing, with its commitment to bold and innovative new Australian writing, and Written Off, a literary journal dedicated to elevating writers offering exhilarating and unique new literary perspectives through their works.

Founding Director Ms Augusta Supple says “Australian writers have a literary tradition of innovation, of playful ambitious daring. It is this energy which has led to the establishment of Vitagraph Publishing. During the pandemic people rediscovered their love of reading – returning to classics and seeking out new voices and horizons. Vitagraph Publishing has an opportunity to provide an avenue for adventurous readers to discover the best of Australia’s local talent through Written Off.”

Written Off emerges in response to the critical challenges facing the Australian literary community, as evidenced in the “Literary Journals in Australia” Report, which highlighted a scarcity of publication opportunities in Sydney, including chronic funding shortfalls, precarious employment for writers and artists, and the need for opportunities and platforms to support emerging and established writers.

Professor Anthony Uhlmann, Chair of Vitagraph Publishing, says, “Written Off unapologetically insists on the value of writing as an art. In the language of corporate and marketing elites things that are of limited or negative financial value are ‘written off’. Yet this includes most things that make life meaningful. Written Off is built on the foundations of an understanding of literature that might be termed classical. Plato spoke of two kinds of images. The first is familiar: we recognise it, make use of it, and pass on, like the stop or go of traffic lights. The other kind is unusual and surprising, it stops us and makes us think. Written Off is interested in images of the second kind,” said Uhlmann.

Written Off will serve as a beacon for this literary intent, highlighting the work of writers from broad artistic sensibilities and practices. It will showcase a spectrum of writers, from emerging talents to established voices, united by their creative ingenuity.

Notable contributions in the first edition include short stories from: Miles Franklin Literary Award longlisted author Max Easton; Roanna Gonsalves the winner of NSW Premier’s Literary Award Multicultural Prize (2018) and the Prime Minister’s Australia Asia Endeavour Award; 2011 Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Australian Novelist Gretchen Shirm; and multi-award winning playwright Mary Rachel Brown who recently won the inaugural Suzie Miller Award and has previously won The Lysicrates Prize, The Rodney Seaborn Award, The Max Affords Award, and The Griffin Award.

The launch of Written Off will be celebrated at the Chau Chak Wing Museum in the University of Sydney today, Tuesday 30 April, from 6pm to 8pm, with readings from a selection of writers from the journal’s first edition.

For media inquiries and interviews with Ms Augusta Supple and Professor Anthony Uhlmann, please contact Ted Rose, Senior Publicist on M: 0403 586 901

ABOUT VITAGRAPH PUBLISHING

Established in 2023, Vitagraph Publishing  is an independent, not-for-profit publisher founded in Sydney, Australia. Vitagraph Publishing has committed to providing equitable compensation for all writers, ensuring that at least 50% of the authors published are women. This initiative underscores a deep commitment to fostering gender equity and diversity within Australian literature.

Vitagraph Publishing aims to support innovative Australian writing and creative works, and provide a platform for the voices of Australian creatives. Its core focus comprises of an imprint and the literary journal, Written Off, to be published in-print and online from 2024.

The Vitagraph Publishing Founding Directors not only have experience as creative innovators as writers, but also bring a broad range of professional experience in developing audiences, building sustainable businesses and creating artist-led initiatives.

• Professor Anthony Uhlmann: Western Sydney University Professor, a global literary statesman, champion of Western Sydney writing practice and author. Profiles (westernsydney.edu.au)
• Augusta Supple is an award-winning writer, producer, Festival Director, and respected western Sydney arts and cultural strategist. Augusta Supple
• Benjamin D. Muir is a casual academic at Western Sydney University and western Sydney author. Benjamin D. Muir | Writer | Researcher (benjamindmuir.com)
• Bill Dunbar has a Doctorate in literature from the University of Sydney, is a writer and has had an extensive career in business. Bill Dunbar – Telemachus

More information about Vitagraph Publishing can be found at Vitagraph Publishing – Independent Australian Publishing (vitagraphpress.com) and via LinkedIn.

ABOUT WRITTEN OFF

Written Off Journal is a window into ground-breaking Australian writing and artistry. The edition out today includes works by leading Australian authors including:

JS Breukelaar,	Mary Rachel Brown,
Max Easton,	Antony Elm,
Roanna Gonsalves,	Jessica Chapnik Kahn,
Jack Jeweller,	Monique Lyle,
Benjamin D Muir,	Katharine Pollock,
Paris Rosemont,	Niao Ren,
Gretchen Shirm,	Soren Tae Smith,
and Y.B Wang.

Guest visual artist is Justin Trendall.

For more details on Written Off, visit www.writtenoffclub.com or follow @WrittenOff.Club on Instagram.