Researchers at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in Bathurst have edited a new book of selected letters by Australian writer Kate Llewellyn.

First Things First is an anthology of the letters (1977 to 2004) of one of Australia's leading contemporary writers, edited by academics Dr Ruth Bacchus in the CSU School of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Dr Barbara Hill in the CSU Division of Student Learning.

Dr Bacchus and Dr Hill said, "It was a pleasure and a privilege for us to be able to sift through decades of correspondence to produce First Things First. The book provides a fascinating insight into one notable Australian writer's life, and her friendships and conversations in letters with a range of other writers and artists over decades."

Poet and author Kate Llewellyn has been a visiting writer at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga and Bathurst in the past.

"I had done workshops with Kate previously when I was teaching creative writing here and also writing my Masters thesis," Dr Hill said. "Kate approached us with the idea for this anthology in 2001, so it's a joy to see the project through to such a satisfying end.

"The book's Foreword is by Marion Halligan, another living literary legend, who is an old friend of Kate Llewellyn's. Marion has been closely involved in the work around this book, as has Kate's agent Tim Curnow, and some of her letters are included in the book."

Kate Llewellyn's other notable publications includeTeeth and Other Verses (1975),Trader Kate and the Elephants (1982), The Waterlily: A Blue Mountains Journal (1987), The Mountain (1989). Her most recent book is A Fig at The Gate (2014). Read more about Kate Llewellyn here.

First Things First is published by Wakefield Press. It will be launched during the Adelaide Writers' Week (Sunday 28 February to Thursday 5 March) as part of the 2015 Adelaide Festival. Author Kate Llewellyn will then visit Bathurst for another launch of this and her recently published book, A Fig at The Gate, organised by Books Plus at 6pm Monday 27 April at The Oxford Hotel, William Street, Bathurst.