Stick Mob: Publishing a Book at Seventeen

Sun 8 May 2022

Alyssa Mason + Lauren Boyle + Declan Miller + Rhianna Patrick

slq Auditorium 2, level 2, State Library

Main Festival

#Performances

#About the event

Duration: 60 minutes

YA (young adult) fiction is rarely written by those it's aimed at. Hear from three young authors about how they created and published their own graphic novels, Storm Warning and Mixed Feelings, while still at high school and about the Stick Mob Studio based in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).

Panel: Lauren Boyle, Alyssa Mason, Declan Miller 
Chair: Rhianna Patrick

#Artists

Alyssa Mason

I was born in Mparntwe – Alice Springs. My family is from the Pitjantjatjara Lands in Central Australia. I started to draw a lot when I was eight years of age. My love of Anime and Shōnen Manga, fantasy, comic books and movies influence how I write and draw. My family and friends support me to follow my dream, which is to create graphic novels and draw ‘amazing’ illustrations.

Lauren Boyle

My family is from Alice Springs – Mparntwe. I now live in Adelaide with my father and younger siblings. I love to write stories about dark fantasy/dystopian fiction and apocalyptic worlds. I have always loved reading and writing as it’s a good way to get my head off things and just relax. My family are from Arrernte and Jingili Lands in the Northern Territory.

Declan Miller

On my dad's side I am from the Arrernte and Anmatyerre Lands of central Australia. My mum was born in Scotland.

I wrote the first volume in my graphic novel series, Mixed Feelings to show the diversity of stories that make up my hometown, Alice Springs - Mparntwe.

Writing graphic novels allows me to create different worlds through my imagination. I am passionate about inspiring people to tell their stories.

Rhianna Patrick

Rhianna Patrick is a freelance Torres Strait Islander journalist, broadcaster and audio content creator with 25 years' media experience. She's worked across news, tv documentaries, national radio programming and podcasts. She's written for Kill Your Darlings, NME Australia, The Australian Music Vault, Rotten Tomatoes and IndigenousX. Rhianna also curates one of Spotify Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander playlists, 'Original Storytellers'.