Congratulations 
UQP and the University of Queensland’s School of Communications and Arts are pleased to announce that UQ Alumnus Martine Kropkowski is the inaugural recipient of the UQP Writing Mentorship.
The UQP Writing Mentorship was established to share knowledge, nurture creativity and develop culturally important stories, and is open to current students and recent graduates of UQ postgraduate writing programs.
UQP Director Ben James said, ‘the UQP Writing Mentorship advances our strong commitment to Australia’s emerging writers. The entire UQP team is delighted to join with aspiring authors in an innovative, new program to share knowledge, nurture creativity and develop culturally important stories.’
The director of the UQ Masters of Writing, Editing and Publishing program, Dr Richard Newsome, said, ‘the writing programs at UQ offer our students so many specialised opportunities to build their skills. The mentorship with UQP is a unique prospect for a writer at the very start of their career to work closely with an industry-leading publisher to improve their craft. It’s a really exciting concept.’
Martine Kropkowski will receive editorial support and advice from UQP Publisher Aviva Tuffield to develop her literary thriller, This Wretched Self.
This Wretched Self explores the tendency of people to project representations of monsters on others that ultimately reflect their own inner-conflict and shortcomings. The work is set in a regional Australian town and has classic gothic overtones.
Martine says, “I'm thrilled to receive this mentorship and really excited about continuing my project under the guidance of an industry professional. To draw on Aviva’s experience and insights as I develop the project will be an immense help in what’s usually such a solitary process. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity.”
Martine Kropkowski graduated with a Masters of Writing, Editing and Publishing from UQ in July 2019.
Applications for the 2021 mentorship will open in mid-2021.
