We’ve been making some changes behind the scenes here at Banksia Journal. Our co-founder Lauren has been shifting focus, from editor to financial manager. A shift she feels she can make because of our more exciting change: we now have three new team members!
They have already contributed their proofreading skills to our most recently published stories. And, they have taken the reins of our social media accounts, so expect to hear lots more from them.
So, without further ado, allow me to introduce Isabel Buitrago Diaz, Vinessa Canda, and Taya Dardengo.
Isabel Buitrago Diaz
Hi! I’m Isabel, an aspiring editor and writer with a passion for everything to do with books. I am currently finishing my degree in Professional Writing and Publishing with a specialisation in English and Cultural Studies at Curtin University.
I love to read literary fiction and fantasy and am especially intrigued by the gothic genre. I also enjoy writing poetry in my free time and exploring cultural and social issues through essay form. Aside from that—I am utterly obsessed with cats and have an ever-growing collection of tiny trinkets.
At Banksia Journal, I hope to help shine a light on new up-and-coming writers in Australia, especially those who are underrepresented in the literary industry.
Vinessa Canda
Hi my name is Vinessa! I’m a Filipino writer based in Perth, Western Australia. I am currently studying a double degree in Professional Writing and Publishing and Marketing at Curtin University. I am also studying Graphic Design at North Metropolitan TAFE. I am a creative soul who loves to write and express herself.
Ever since I was a child, I’ve always loved to write. A core memory of mine was collecting notebooks and writing into them, and I would make people read the stories in my notebooks as if it were a book. I’ve also been a reader since I was young, and the books I read as a child shaped my book taste as an adult, hence why I enjoy reading horror, true crime, mystery and magical realism. Anddddd maybe romance as well when I feel like it hehehe.
Asides from reading and writing, my other hobbies are dancing, crocheting, journalling and scrapbooking. You could probably say that graphic design is my other passion hehehe. I’m a really wordy person, and I love learning about typography in my graphic design classes. My favourite fonts are comic sans and abril fatface.
What I hope to achieve in Banksia Journal is to be more exposed in the writing industry, and grow as a professional writer. I also want to contribute to Banksia Journal’s growth into a bigger online speculative fiction journal!
Taya Dardengo
Hi! I’m Taya, a Perth student studying both Professional Writing and Publishing and Marketing with a love of all things books and writing.
I have surrounded myself with books in every way possible, that being my degree and my job. I work as a bookseller at my local QBD and thrive being able to recommend my favourite latest reads to customers (and be paid for it!).
When I am not buried in a book, I challenge myself with long distance running. I had a go at the HBF 12km and have another 10km race coming up. It’s actually surprising how much I am enjoying it.
And finally, a word from Lauren about her shift in focus:
Lauren Hancock-Coffey
Hi! I’m Lauren. You may know me as the co-founder of Banksia Journal. I’m a proud bunny mum to Hercule, and a writer and devourer of historical fiction with a speculative twist. Brittany and I founded this journal to give new speculative fiction writers (and publishers!) in the Australasian region—like us—that first step into publishing.
As former editor of Banksia Journal, I’m taking a step back from that role to focus on our finances as the financial manager. This is due to a combination of life and work circumstances coming together at an inconvenient juncture, but I’ve seen the passion and innovation our new team members bring and have no doubt that Banksia Journal will blossom under their care.
Thanks for being here, and I hope you stick around!
Our next story comes out on 25 October. If you don’t want to miss it, sign up for our email newsletter. In the meantime, if you want to support Banksia Journal, check out the merch in our Redbubble store.
Brittany Lee is the co-founder, and editor of Banksia Journal. She is a writer from Perth, Western Australia, with a BA in Linguistics, and Postgrad Diploma in Journalism. Her work has appeared in AntipodeanSF, Dusty Attic Publishing, and Perth’s Raine Square Story Dispenser. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, knitting, and taking photos of flowers (such as banksias).
You can find her online at brittanyerinlee.com.
Isabel is a Professional Writing and Publishing student and Social Media Manager at Banksia Journal. She is eager to begin her career in the publishing industry and work on personal writing projects once she graduates. She loves to read which is evident by her never-ending TBR pile, and the best part of her day is cuddling with her cats.
Vinessa is one of the Social Media Managers at Banksia Journal, and she is studying Professional Writing and Publishing; Marketing and Graphic Design. She tends to buy more books instead of reading the ones she already has, hence why her TBR list continues to grow. When she’s not reading nor writing, you will find her busting some moves at the dance studio, or on adobe programs creating graphic design-related projects.
Taya Dardengo
Taya is a student from Perth studying a Professional Writing and Publishing degree alongside a Marketing degree. When she doesn’t have her head buried in a book, she still finds a way to be surrounded by them as she works as a bookseller. In her spare time from reading and working, she enjoys challenging herself at long-distance running.
Lauren Hancock-Coffey is the co-founder and financial manager of Banksia Journal. She’s also a writer and devourer of historical fiction with a speculative twist and an avid fantasy RPG-er with more books and games than sense. She’s a full-time editor with a BA in Linguistics and an MA in Professional Writing and Publishing.