Tasmania, for its size and population, has a flourishing literary culture. Its history offers an eventful literary background with visits from early explorers such as the Dutchman Abel Tasman, the Frenchmen Bruni d'Entrecasteaux and Marion du Fresne and then the Englishmen Matthew Flinders and George Bass. Colonisation coincided with deteriorated relations with indigenous Aboriginal people and a harsh convict heritage. These events in Tasmanian history are found in a large number of colonial sandstone buildings and in place names. Environmentally, the landscapes and changeable weather provide a vivid literary backdrop. Tasmania's geographical isolation, creative community, proximity to Antarctica, controversial past, bourgeoning arts reputation, and island status all contribute to its significant literature. Many fiction and non-fiction authors call Tasmania home, and many acclaimed titles are set there or written by Tasmanians. The journal of letters Island magazine appears quarterly. Tasmania's government provides arts funding in the form of prizes, events and grants. Bookshops contribute book launches and other literary events. Tasmania's unique history and environment gave rise to Tasmanian Gothic literature in the 19th century.
Notable Tasmanian authors and poets
In birth order: Reverend John West (1809–1873), journalist and historian Louisa Ann Meredith (1812–1895), author and illustrator Marcus Clarke (1846–1881), journalist and author "Tasma" (Jessie Couvreur) (1848–1897), author Royal Tasman Bridges (1885–1952), novelist Nan Chauncy (1900–1970), author Clive Sansom (1910–1981), poet and playwright Christopher Koch (1932–2013), author Margaret Scott (1934–2005), poet Amanda Lohrey (born 1947), author Pete Hay, poet Stephen Dando-Collins, author Stephen Edgar (born 1951), poet Lian Tanner (born 1951), author Martin Flanagan (born 1955), journalist Katherine Scholes (born 1959), author Julie Hunt, children's author Richard Flanagan (born 1961), author Liz Winfield (born 1964), poet Heather Rose (born 1964), author Rachael Treasure (born 1968), author Bradley Trevor Greive (born 1970), author Danielle Wood (born 1972), author
Notable Tasmanian books
In publication order: Notes and Sketches of New South Wales, 1844, by Louisa Ann Meredith My Residence in Tasmania, 1852, by Louisa Anne Meredith History of Tasmania, 1852, by Rev. John West Bush Friends in Tasmania, 1860 and 1891, by Louisa Anne Meredith For the Term of His Natural Life, 1870–1872, by Marcus Clarke Uncle Piper of Piper's Hill, 1889 by "Tasma" They Found A Cave, 1949, by Nan Chauncy World's End Was Home, 1952, by Nan Chauncy Tangara, 1960, by Nan Chauncy The Doubleman, 1985, by Christopher Koch View from the Non-Members' Bar, 1992, by Pete HayOut of Ireland, 1999, by Christopher KochGould's Book of Fish, 2001, by Richard FlanaganThe Blue Day Book, 2001, by Bradley Trevor GreiveMain Currents of Environmental Thought, 2002, by Peter HayVandemonian Essays, 2002, by Pete HayThe Alphabet of Light and Dark, 2003, by Danielle WoodThe Butterfly Man, 2005, by Heather RoseSilently on the Tide, 2005, by Pete HayThe Roving Party, 2011, by Rohan WilsonThe Narrow Road to the Deep North, 2013, by Richard FlanaganTo Name Those Lost, 2014, by Rohan WilsonEssays from Near and Far, 2014, by James DryburghThe Mountain, 2014, by Mark ClemensThe Museum of Modern Love, 2016, by Heather RoseThe Field of Dreams, 2016, by Mark ClemensBridget Crack, 2017, by Rachel LearyBruny, 2019, by Heather RoseA Treacherous Country, 2020, by Katherine KruiminkThe Rain Heron, 2020, by Robbie ArnottThe Octopus and I, 2020, by Erin Hortle
Tasmanian Literary Awards
Tasmania Book Prize
Margaret Scott Prize
University of Tasmania Prize
Tasmanian Young Writer's Fellowship
See also
Music in Tasmania
Geography of Tasmania
List of Australian novelists
List of Australian poets
References
Further reading
Robson, L. L. (1983). A History of Tasmania. Volume I. Van Diemen's Land From the Earliest Times to 1855. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. . Robson, L. L. (1991). A History of Tasmania. Volume II. Colony and State From 1856 to the 1980s''. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. .
