Julian Davies

Julian Davies is the publisher at Finlay Lloyd, an independent non-profit publisher dedicated to encouraging imaginative and challenging writing, subtly innovative design and celebrating the pleasures of print on paper in an electronic age. The intention of the press was to encourage the writing larger publishers were too risk averse to support. Julian is the author of seven novels, he has also written various stories, and essays, including Lost Art (2012), a collaboration with Phil Day on cultural dysfunction in the art world. The book, Backlash – Australia’s conflict of values over live exports, (2016) was written in partnership with Bidda Jones, Chief Scientist at RSPCA Australia.
Davies’ novels have been shortlisted for many prizes: Revival House for the National Book Council Award and the Commonwealth Writers Best First Book, among others, Moments of Pleasure for the Talking Book of the Year award, The Beholder for the NSW Premiers Award, and The Boy for the Victorian Premiers Award. The Boy has been translated into French, Dutch and Turkish. Crow Mellow (2014), a social satire illustrated by nearly 400 drawings by Phil Day, is the first in a trilogy of novels. The second in the series is Call Me (2018).

Follow Julian:
​Consensus Education 

Workshop:
Enabling Authentic Student Writing

This session will examine writing and publishing through the lens of student endeavour. Julian Davies has taught and mentored students in both creative and analytical writing in primary school through to senior extension English major works. As a result he can provide insight into the challenges they face and the techniques that can enable them. This is augmented by his work as a publisher and editor where his experience of assisting adult writers realise the best version of their work has helped develop perspective on assisting students develop an overview of their writing projects and assignments.

The session will look at:
  • The role of publishing in producing books suitable for the student cohort, including Finlay Lloyd’s 20/40 Prize.
  • The value of student publishing opportunities to develop skills (an example: Braidwood Young Writers).
  • The importance of simple planning and structuring processes in enabling effective student creative and analytical writing and in overcoming mental blocks and procrastination.
  • The value of processes for encouraging multiple drafting, reading aloud and editorial reflection by students.
  • The role of fresh conceptual frameworks and perceptions in empowering students to write about things that authentically matter to them.