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On the Verge of literary excellence

13 December 2006

The people behind Verge: 2006: (from left) Genevieve Crossier (secretary), Travis De Valle (co-editor), Laura Kerton (co-editor), Jeffrey Largier (treasurer), Michelle O'Toole (co-editor), Yvette Kilpatrick (launch committee), Sophie Cunningham (consultant editor). Absent: Simon Neofitou (designer), Jane Adams (publicity), David Dick and James Macready-Brian (launch committee).

Monash University's School of English, Communications and Performance studies has once again showcased its depth of creative writing talent at the launch of Verge: 2006.

The anthology contains 30 short stories selected from over 150 submissions from Monash students in Australia, Malaysia and South Africa.

Edited by Monash creative writing students Travis de Valle, Laura Kerton and Michelle O'Toole, Verge: 2006 also had support from consulting editor Sophie Cunningham. Miss Cunningham, a former Monash student and publisher for Allen and Unwin, has recently returned to Monash University for postgraduate studies in creative writing.

Creative writing coordinator and organiser of Verge: 2006 Dr Chandani Lokuge has seen first-hand the anthology's ability to cultivate the talents of young Monash writers.

"The anthology provides creative writing students with an excellent learning curve in editing and publishing," she said.

"Editors of and authors in the previous anthologies have moved ahead into scholarships for higher degrees in creative writing, to editorships in the wider literary community, as well as to win public short story competitions."

Verge: 2006 was officially launched in November, the evening event attended by over 200 staff, students and writers. Head of the School of English, Communications and Performance Studies Dr Peter Snow and Dr Lokuge welcomed guests. Author Carmel Bird launched the anthology.

"I congratulate not only the writers, but also the editors who have constructed the book with elegance and skill," Ms Bird said.

Guests at the launch included literary critic and former Monash student Peter Craven; former Penguin Books publisher Clare Forster; novelists Adib Khan and Tom Petsinis; poet Jenny Strauss and Age literary editor Jason Steger.