I do make New year's resolutions. Last year I vowed to travel to Europe and move to Melbourne. Although these things were planned in November and December, I resolved to follow them through, and I did. The year before I resolved to write more, and 2007 was when I wrote Smoke & Dancing. It can … Continue reading A LiteraryMinded New Year's Resolution
Commentary
Literature that Rocked My World in 2008
Blood & Tinsel - Jim Sharman. I said: 'The memoir is highly absorbing entertainment and has the potential to appeal to different ages and audiences, from those who will recognise suburban Australia, punk London, and hippie-era Tokyo, to those that only know Sharman through cult associations. Blood & Tinsel is an interesting and unique story of … Continue reading Literature that Rocked My World in 2008
Poetry Readings, Launches, and Parties Galore
This week was again full of events, book buying, inspiration, parties, and somehow reading and writing amongst it all. Here's a bit of a round-up: Rebecca Clare Page launched her chapbook full of short-sweet gems Teacups and Birds.You can email her for a copy - rebeccaclarepage [at] hotmail [dot] com. Here's a sample ((c) Rebecca Clare … Continue reading Poetry Readings, Launches, and Parties Galore
Sunday Driver! *Shakes Fist*
Hello lovelies, not long now until Christmas! I get to go for a wonderful break (which will still include reading and blogging, don't worry) in the land of the Big Banana, Coffs Harbour. Can't wait to see my sister, my folks, my Nanna, and bestie Tania. Lots of beach time, and possibly a 'prop' party … Continue reading Sunday Driver! *Shakes Fist*
You Caught My Attention
I enjoyed this article on 'Late Bloomers' in The New Yorker. Makes me feel less rushed (for a little while). Hayden Carruth is a poet who passed away recently. Here are two poems I like: 'Agenda at 74' and 'Economics'. Cute, yes? Christmas is coming up. Books are great presents, especially for children. Literacy is … Continue reading You Caught My Attention
Nick Cave, Cate Kennedy, Paul Jennings in 2009
2009 will bring many delightful literary goodies. I am privileged to know of them as I wrote an article for Bookseller+Publisher entitled 'The Ones to Watch 2009' - it's in the Summer issue, which has just come out. One on children's books will be in the March 'Junior' issue (which I'm currently working on). I can't reveal … Continue reading Nick Cave, Cate Kennedy, Paul Jennings in 2009
Stylish Book Trailer
... for young adult novel Gone, by Michael Grant, who wrote the 'Animorphs' series. This is the first good book trailer I've seen. A development in the literary world I'm keeping an eye on. Obviously, it has a budget. But the concept is still quite simple. It has definitely got me intrigued. I also read the … Continue reading Stylish Book Trailer
Story To… and Random Stuff
I have a wee poem 'Tinsel Dreams (Tram Moment 1)' in the new Story To... zine, which is available in print and as a FREEBIE online. Click on Issue 2: Pod People here. Note that I wrote this poem after going to Varuna. There is a bit of stream-of-consciousness thought ramblings about mentor Peter Bishop, … Continue reading Story To… and Random Stuff
Sketch – this Thursday
Come along and hear me read (possibly sexually explicit material!) Also reading will be Kirk AC Marshall and Amy Jackson, who you might remember from my 'Best Unpublished Books' posts. Sudeep Lingamneni's photography is also in the issue - and I'll be posting some more of his photos soon that are from our manuscript (short … Continue reading Sketch – this Thursday
Go Nam!
Nam Le has won the $140,000 Dylan Thomas Prize, for a writer under 30. And how well-deserved! Read all about it from the ABC, or The Oz, or perhaps what we printed in WBN today (subscription required). And do revisit my 'responsive' interview with Nam. This is so exciting, when you love a writer's work - because a prize … Continue reading Go Nam!
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