Bella’s doing NCEA English, and she needs to read and then write essay responses to poems and short stories. I’m ridiculously proud-happy I could give her a copy of Va and say, HERE YA GO. CHOOSE SOMETHING FROM THIS ANTHOLOGY OF WRITING FROM 38 MOANA WOMEN.
I didnt have those choices when I was in high school. Or when I was doing my university degree in literature. And so yes, I’m a bit emotional that I could be a part of changing the #reading world for my daughter.
Today I am proud to have dreamed a Va dream together with my brilliant co-editor Sisilia Eteuati. Thankful for all the fierce fabulous Va writers who entrusted their words to us. So appreciative of those who helped make this dream happen, with their money, time and encouragement.
This past week we have been paying out royalties to all the Va writers. FOR THE SECOND TIME. It’s not a lot of money, but anyone who works in publishing will tell you that for a book with 38 writers, it’s almost impossible to get any royalties paid out at all. (Its also not an easy process because Va writers live across the oceans and all over the world!) One Va writer who is a pioneer legend in Pacific Literature – actually said to me that this is the first time she’s ever been paid royalties for her work. Theres a whole conversation to be had about power in publishing, about WHO makes the decisions, WHO does the work telling the stories and then WHO gets the money… 😒😡 – but I’ll leave that for another day.
Today is for being #proudHappy. That hey, I helped make that. ❤
Lani Wendt Young 