If Antarctica were music it would be Mozart. Art, and it would be Michelangelo. Literature, and it would be Shakespeare. And yet it is something even greater; the only place on earth that is still as it should be. May we never tame it.
— Andrew Denton
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to write from the most remote continent on Earth? As an award-winning global media site, we’ve long prided ourselves on representing voices from across the globe. Our roster boasts almost 1200 contributors from bustling metropolises, serene countryside retreats, and even tropical island paradises. But there’s one final frontier that has eluded us for over a decade: Antarctica. Not one from this elusive continent.
The quest to find an Antarctic-based writer has become something of a white whale. We’ve scoured research stations, and connected across social media with various global organizations with teams on the continent. Despite our best efforts, that elusive seventh continent remains unrepresented in our literary lineup.
But why is it so challenging to find an Antarctic author? The answers lie in the unique challenges posed by this icy wilderness. With a non-permanent population of only about 5,000 people during the summer months (dwindling to around 1,000 in winter), the potential talent pool is undeniably small. Add to that the harsh living conditions, limited internet connectivity, and the fact that most inhabitants are scientists or support staff rather than professional writers, and you begin to understand the magnitude of our quest.
However, we refuse to give up hope. We believe that somewhere out there, perhaps in a cozy corner of McMurdo Station or braving the elements at Vostok, there’s a budding writer with a story to tell. A tale of isolation, resilience, and the raw beauty of Earth’s last true wilderness. A bit of poetry perhaps. The topic matters not.
So, we continue our search, driven by the tantalizing prospect of discovering a unique voice that could bring the Antarctic experience to readers worldwide. Who knows? Maybe this article will reach that aspiring writer, huddled in a research station, pen in hand, ready to share their extraordinary perspective with the world.
Are you our Antarctic writer or do you know someone who is? We’re eager to hear from you and complete our seven-continent literary journey! Leave your contact details in the Comments Box below or reach out to me directly via [email protected].
Don’t worry, Dennis.
Given the effects of climate change, Antarctica will be a tropical resort before long. You’ll have all manner of retirees, beach bums, and disoriented Māori — to say nothing of luminaries like Al Gore and John Kerry who’ll, no doubt, own property there — with nothing but time on their hands (not counting their SPF 100 sunscreen). I have to believe at least a few of them will want to write for Bizcatalyst 360˚.
If nothing else, Al and John will want to say, “I told you so.” 🤔
Good point, my friend, as fiction is always welcome 🙂
You know what you want and how differentiate this platform from others respectfully, my friend Dennis. an
I love the idea of the post and I read it with curiosity because its title challenged my understanding.
When I finished reading it I smiled and wished that I were an Antarctic writer.
Vivid writing all through my friend. Thank you
Thank you, my friend. Our search continues!
I love the idea of seeking out an Antartic author and your image of Antartica as a work of art. My only minor quibble about the piece is the graphic. Polar bears only live in the Arctic and Emperor Penguins are prettier!
Good catch, Nick – Penguins are now featured, my friend!