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Bundyi: Changing how First Nations stories are told

Bundyi, a Wiradyuri word meaning ‘to share with me’, is a new First Nations imprint from Dr Anita Heiss and Simon & Schuster. In her role as Publisher at Large, Anita Heiss commissions across fiction and non-fiction. Focusing on cultivating First Nations talent in the book industry, Bundyi’s publications are written, edited, and designed by First Nations people. 

Join Anita Heiss and author Tasma Walton for a free Q&A session, which will celebrate Bundyi, provide inspiration to First Nations authors, and demonstrate to our local community of authors, illustrators, editors, and publishers why Bundyi’s work is so vital to the Australian book industry. 

Anita and Tasma will discuss:

  • What inspired Anita to create a First Nations focused publishing imprint.
  • Why it’s important to have First Nations professionals involved in the creation and publications of First Nations stories.
  • How Bundyi has been received within the Australian publishing industry.
  • How approaches to First Nations stories have evolved in the publishing industry.
  • How the increased awareness of ICIP protocols has changed how publishers approach First Nations storytelling.
  • What Tasma’s publication experience with Bundyi was like, and what it means as a First Nations author to work with an all-First Nations publishing team.
  • What Anita hopes to achieve with the establishment of the Bundyi Writing Prize.
  • How Bundyi is working to establish the next generation of First Nations creators and publishing professionals, and address the underrepresentation of First Nations writers in Australia.

There will be time for further questions from the participants.

We are pleased to be able to offer free access to this event in celebration of NAIDOC Week. This year’s National NAIDOC Week marks 50 years of the week-long celebrations. The 2025 theme, The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy, celebrates achievements of the past and the bright future ahead. Find out more about NAIDOC Week and how you can get involved here.

Who is this for?

  • First Nations authors wanting to learn about how Bundyi is addressing the underrepresentation of First Nations writers in Australia
  • First Nations illustrators, editors, publishers, and book designers seeking information about the professional opportunities Bundyi offers
  • Authors of all backgrounds, working in all genres who would like to celebrate Bundyi and its work within the Australian book industry
  • Illustrators, editors, publishers, and book designers of all backgrounds who would like to celebrate Bundyi and better understand how its work and ambitions will change how First Nations stories are told by Australian publishers

About the Presenters

Anita Heiss
Anita Heiss
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Tasma Walton
Tasma Walton
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Can't make it to the live session?

No problem! Everyone booked in to this event will be emailed a link and passcode to access the recording afterwards. This recording will be available to view for 10 days after the live session. This also means that if you wish to revisit the session after attending it live to take further notes, you can do so!

After 10 days, the link will expire and the recording will no longer be available to view.