Touring Program Introduction

The Asialink Literature Touring Program aimed to raise the profile of Australian books, writing and publishing in the Asian region and to increase understanding of Asian markets for Australians. Since 1998, the Program has been taking leading Australian writers and illustrators to countries around Asia, as well as exhibitions of Australian books. The tours were designed to coincide with major cultural or industry events such as book fairs, conferences and festivals. This provides a broad scope for engagement with Asian writers, the publishing industry, government contacts, the media and, most importantly, local readers.

The program finished in early 2007 due to funding constraints

"This was really one of the highlights for me; that is, the discovery that my writing could really reach young Indians and touch them." Isobelle Carmody Left: Tashi 2005 Company,World Children's Book Festival, Seoul
2006 overview

2006 saw an evaluation of the Touring Program and a further commitment to meaningful cultural exchanges between Australian and Asian writers and readers. In February, the Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) hosted 'words and pictures from the south' - an art and book display of Australian children's picture books curated by Melbourne's Books Illustrated and originally exhibited in Tokyo as part of the 2005 Touring Program. The exhibition also travelled to the Taipei Public Library and the popular Eslite bookstore.

In June/July, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Geraldine Brooks (Foreign Correspondence, Year of Wonders) and the highly acclaimed author and screenwriter of Looking for Alibrandi, Melina Marchetta, participated in a tour to China. They undertook speaking engagements at Chinese universities and arts venues in Beijing and Shanghai and attend the Australian Studies Conference in Inner Mongolia as special guests. Working together, Asialink and the People's Literature Publishing House, saw the publication of Year of Wonders and Looking for Alibrandi in local Chinese editions. Returning to China in September, in collaboration with Austrade Beijing and Australian publishers, Asialink organised a display of contemporary Australian books at the Beijing International Book Fair, as well as holding meetings to discuss translation rights to Australian books with Chinese publishers and agents.

The Touring Program further consolidated its links in South Korea with a return to the Seoul Children's Book Festival in August, featuring Australian books and authors in storytelling sessions and workshops. A comprehensive display of children's and young adult books, as well as performances by Imaginary Theatre complemented the author activities.

In January/February 2007, Australia was Focus Country at the Kolkata Book Fair. As part of DFAT's Australia International Cultural Council initiative, prominent Australian authors featured at the Fair and also take part in public and industry events in New Delhi. The tour coincided with the publication of Indian editions of the authors' works.

India Tour 2006 [pdf, 196kb, 1page]

		*"Keeping on top of all the overseas rights markets is a challenge for any publisher. I’m really glad Asialink is focusing on key markets in Asia on our behalf."* Stephanie Johnston, Wakefield Press
Kim Gamble and Anna Fienberg, World Children's Book Festival, Seoul

Luke Davies, New Delhi World Book Fair

Doris Pilkington Garimara, Helen Liu Qiao, People's Literature Publishing House and Sean Kelly, Cultural Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Beijing

Past Asia Literature Touring Programs