nonfiction/Lab Project

Present Tense

Present Tense is a series of public events celebrating the rich diversity of writing at RMIT University, supported by Creative Writing at RMIT and non/fictionLab.

Since 2016 Present Tense has formed a vibrant annual series of public events connecting RMIT Writing and Publishing researchers, HDR candidates, alumni and students with community and industry. The events feature award-winning writers in conversation, innovative performative events, lectures from leading international writers and RMIT adjunct professors, and spoken word events in partnership with Melbourne’s diverse writers and artists.

All events are free and provide an opportunity to mingle and chat over refreshments before and after. The series home is the Lecture Theatre in RMIT’s Design Hub. Present Tense is curated by Professor David Carlin, a non/fiction Lab co-director.

Find information below regarding Present Tense news and events. Alternately, follow Present Tense online for updates about the 2018 program.

Please email present.tense@rmit.edu.au with any enquiries.

Related News

November 2018

Perceptions of Poetry

We want to hear your perceptions of poetry! Following our Present Tense 'How to Read Poetry' event last month, Cassandra Atherton, Ali Alizadeh and Jess Wilkinson are developing a project that aims to understand current public perceptions of poetry in...
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November 2018

present tense .2 ‘Un-Lecture: Movement’ Changes the Way We See the Lecture

The Design Hub was packed out again for the second present tense event in the series, Un-Lecture: Movement. The sold out event was curated by Tresa LeClerc and Piri Altraide. It featured prolific multidisciplinary artists Neil Morris (DRMNGNOW), Sista Zai...
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November 2018

present tense Series Kicks Off with ‘Writing the YA that Teens Deserve’

Writers and readers of young adult fiction converged on the Design Hub last Monday night for the first in RMIT's present tense lecture series. The event, ‘Writing the YA that Teens Deserve’ was curated by PWE Program Manager Penny Johnson....
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November 2018

Present tense .5 Faking It: The Problem with Authenticity and Sincerity in the Memoir

With Robin Hemley Are memoir and autobiography always the same, or does memoir belong to neither nonfiction nor fiction? What is the autobiographical pact and what is the authenticity effect? In the final present tense for the year, we'll stride confidently...
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November 2018

Present tense .3 Un-lecture: The Bird Likes to Hear Itself Sing recap

Held at RMIT on Tuesday 22 August 2017, the Un-lecture experimented with breaking the traditional Australian style lecture—and remaking it--creating a lecture where performance, song and word intersect. Featuring prolific local spoken word artists from the African-Australian diaspora, Un-lecture speakers explored...
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November 2018

present tense .3, .4 & .5

present tense .3 Nicole Walker – Save the Planet: Write Nonfiction! The planet is burning. It's probably easier to do as Nero did and practice our fiddling. But say we don't want to fiddle while Rome burns. Perhaps we think it's important...
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