Mykaela Saunders

At Glenfern mansion, 2019

Warami. Marhaba. Jingi wallah!

My name is Mykaela Saunders and I’m a Koori/Goori and Lebanese writer, teacher and community researcher. I’ve won prizes for fiction, poetry, life writing and research, my writing has been widely published across forms, genres and disciplines, and my projects have attracted funding and fellowships.

I’m the editor of THIS ALL COME BACK NOW, the Aurealis Award-winning, world first collection of blackfella speculative fiction (UQP).

I’ve worked in Aboriginal education in various capacities since 2003, and taught at the tertiary level since 2012. My research explores my community’s past, present and future.

I’m of Dharug descent and I belong to the Tweed Goori community. I live and work with gratitude on the lands of the Dharug, Kulin, and Bundjalung nations – Sydney, Melbourne, and the northern rivers of NSW.

Awards –

Winner

Aurealis Award for Best Anthology 2022, This All Come Back Now
QLA David Unaipon Award 2022, Always Will Be
ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize 2020, River Story
QPF Oodgeroo Noonuccal Indigenous Poetry Prize 2020, Choice Cuts
National Indigenous Story Awards 2020, Fire Bug
GMW Emerging Writers Prize 2019, West Footscray Factory Fire
USYD Sister Alison Bush Medal 2016, Yarning With Minjungbal Women

Runner up

Liminal Nonfiction Prize 2021, Communing With Uncle Kev

Shortlist

Peter Blazey Fellowship 2022, Dear Uncle
QLA David Unaipon Award 2020, Last Rites of Spring
Liminal Fiction Prize 2019, Terranora
Peter Carey Short Story Award 2019, Long Road Becoming

Longlist

Booktopia Favourite Australian Book Award 2023, This All Come Back Now

Grants & fellowships

Macquarie University Fellowship for Indigenous Research 2023
Australia Council for the Arts Individual Project Grant 2022
The Next Chapter Fellowship 2021
Australia Council for the Arts Cherish II Grant 2020
EWF At Home Residency 2020
Creative Victoria VicArts Grant 2020
Grace Marion Wilson Glenfern Fellowship 2019