Photo - Michael Dahlenburg
South Australian young writers have expanded their numbers significantly in this past 12 months and we should be celebrating this.
The Press Service International young writer program in conjunction with Christian Today provide publishing columns for these young writers (18-30) and these young writers are recruited through recommendations.
In any such ministry vetting becomes an issue where there are limited travel budgets and the process since our 2009 inception has been through recommendations by existing young writers.
They know the system backwards, recognise the week allotments, the 10 Cycles a year, the deadline dates, what Comment writing is about, and what are the taboos. It is much better coming from their connection although an “info pack” is sent to them.
This does not mean that from time to time someone from outside those numbers are not accepted, rather the preferred methodology is through recommendations.
Photo - Amy Manners
SA Young Writers
Michael Dahlenburg
Liana Monaghan
Justin Monaghan
Shannon Munyard
Kristen Dang
Bonnie Dowie
Conor Ryan
Mark Flippance
Amy Manners
Mary lengo
Celebrated roles
Michael Dahlenburg for many years has been the “new young writer” first contact and sends out the info packs.
Kristen Dang revamped the Style Guide (which is part of the info pack) and has become one of the tutors for any of the young writers needing some guidance with their writing.
Amy Manners is the editor for all those young writers in Week 5. There is someone else who sends out reminders and collates the Week 5 articles and then sends them to Amy for editing.
Photo - Liana Monaghan
Special notes
In 2016 Adelaide’s Tim Everton was the Basil Sellers Award young writer winner presented at the annual conference in Sydney, determined by a set of 5 independent panellists from across the country.
Before Tim moved on he had introduced several other young writers.
There have been a few gatherings of Adelaide young writers – there were lunches / dinners in Adelaide city in 2015, Glenelg in late 2016 and North Adelaide in 2017.
To express an interest in becoming a young writer, either contact Dr Mark Tronson at timeout@bushorchestra.com or an Adelaide based young writer, such as Michael Dahlenburg mickdahl@adam.com.au
Photo - Kristen Dang
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He mentors young writers and has written 24 books and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children. Dr Tronson writes a daily article for Christian Today Australia (since 2008) and in November 2016 established Christian Today New Zealand.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at