From Passion to Pages: Rebecca Higgie's Journey as the Inaugural Fogarty Literary Award Winner 

Rebecca Higgie’s journey to literary recognition reflects the power of storytelling and the support of the literary community. From her academic roots to becoming the inaugural winner of the first Fogarty Literary Award with her book The History of Mischief, Higgie’s path has been shaped by a blend of scholarly inquiry, creative exploration, and a deep-seated passion for narrative. 

Before delving into the world of fiction, Higgie’s academic pursuits at Curtin University and Brunel University London centered on satire and politics. These studies influenced her perspective as a novelist, enriching her storytelling with nuanced insights into societal dynamics and human behaviour. "As an academic, you always need to critique your research materials, and that is an attitude I have taken to my writing," Higgie reflects modestly. 

Higgie’s journey as a writer began early. "I wrote my first little book when I was five years old. It was a story about fairies that I stapled into a booklet and gave to my mother. She never told me that I’d misspelt the word ‘fairy’ on every page, only saying how much she loved it. From then on, I was a writer, penning my first full novel when I was nine (it was rubbish, but what good practice it was!)." 

Despite early confidence in her youth, Higgie’s writing journey faced challenges. "As a young teen, I wrote six novels and a few novellas, but after struggling with Year 11 and 12, I almost gave up writing." However, her passion for storytelling persisted. "At university, when I tried creative writing units, I never did as well as my cultural studies courses. It dented my confidence, but I couldn’t stop telling stories to myself. So, I wrote The History of Mischief, the Fogarty winning book, largely in secret." 

The novel took twelve years to finish, a period during which Higgie balanced her studies, career, and starting a family. A pivotal moment came when she found unwavering support from her husband, Yirga. "My husband Yirga was the first person to read part of The History of Mischief, and his encouragement is what spurred me to finish after so many years of doubt." 

Higgie’s novel The History of Mischief is a rich tapestry of magic, mischief, madness, and mystery. Inspired by her personal experiences and love for history, she explores themes of grief and loss through a magical narrative. "It all started when I turned eighteen and my parents changed their will so I would become the legal guardian of my younger siblings if they both died. I was fortunate that this never happened, but it made me wonder what it would be like to navigate my own grief while suddenly becoming a parental figure to my siblings. From this, the characters of Jessie and Kay were born." 

Higgie's academic background has significantly shaped her approach to writing. "I feel the need to research everything, which enriches my writing but is also very time-consuming. Sometimes, I read multiple books, journal articles or reports to write just one sentence (that may end up being cut anyway). For me, though, this is necessary. It helps me ‘live’ or ‘feel’ my story through having a deeper understanding about what happened during a particular time period, how people felt at the time, or how certain things work." 

Reflecting on her journey, Higgie acknowledges the significant impact of winning the Fogarty Literary Award on her career. "Since I was largely writing in secret, winning the Fogarty instantly skyrocketed me into the WA literary community. Overnight, I was welcomed in, embraced like an old friend. I have made so many connections that still buoy me today." 

Higgie's advice to aspiring writers is to embrace their unique voice and persist despite doubts. "Feel the doubt and write anyway. Don’t write the book you think publishers want; write the book that burns inside you." 

She also emphasises the importance of initiatives like the Fogarty Literary Award in fostering a supportive environment for emerging writers. "The value of this award is that it not only gives you recognition, but it also says, 'yes, the stories of young people are important!'"  

For those curious about her literary tastes, Higgie recommends, "Three books that have resonated deeply with me are Humanity’s Moment by Joelle Gergis, Smart Ovens for Lonely People by Elizabeth Tan, and The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. Each offers a unique perspective and a masterful blend of storytelling that continues to inspire my own writing." 

Looking ahead, Higgie is working on her second novel, a work of adult historical and speculative fiction, and continues to engage with the literary community through workshops and festivals. Rebecca’s journey from passion to pages will hopefully inspire emerging writers and enrich the Australian literary landscape. 

You can see more about her debut book here or learn more about the Fogarty Literary Award!