I've just returned from a wonderful UK mini-tour for A Superior Spectre, which is now released there by Saraband. My first reviews, in the Daily Mail and The Herald Scotland (both linked here), have been positive, thankfully, and I'm still processing all the events, and the people I met and hung out with along the way. The Edinburgh International … Continue reading Readings Prize shortlist and A Superior Spectre out now in the UK
Events
Wild Gestures by Lucy Durneen
I launched Lucy Durneen's Wild Gestures on 11 January at Buck Mulligan's Irish whiskey bar-bookshop. This was my speech. * Lucy Durneen’s Wild Gestures is a stunning collection of stories, so full of insight on the unconquerable spaces between people, the missed or never possible opportunities, the mistakes that couldn’t be otherwise, the yearning for things we … Continue reading Wild Gestures by Lucy Durneen
An unforgettable festival moment
Two days ago I did something that terrified me. I joined the open mic at a reading where everyone in the room was starkers. Krissy Kneen, a friend and an author I've long admired, was the feature reader. I was one of the last to get up on the open mic—everyone was being so brave, reading … Continue reading An unforgettable festival moment
Highbrow v Lowbrow: Kill Your Darlings/Digital Writers Festival
In which I defend highbrow lit-ra-cha!
Memories… Tim Eddy’s film of the #555writers tour
Find all #555writers posts here.
Bodies, effort, straws: The Special by David Stavanger
I had the pleasure last night of launching The Special by David Stavanger, winner of the 2013 Thomas Shapcott Prize. The book is published by UQP and available now. David and I didn't know each other beforehand, but connected through words (in emails, but mainly through our work) and it was a wonderful night, with much warmth. … Continue reading Bodies, effort, straws: The Special by David Stavanger
MWF 2014, Flashing the Square, Memory Makes Us
Melbourne Writers Festival has been fantastic so far. Stimulating keynotes from Helen Garner and Chris Hadfield, and I really enjoyed yesterday's panel 'Crossing Cultures', about cultural hybridisation. There were some great insights into contemporary China from Zhang Tianpan: contemporary China is very complex, but also very simple. There are many commonalities with the West—'we all … Continue reading MWF 2014, Flashing the Square, Memory Makes Us
Appearance on Jennifer Byrne Presents: Envy
I was honoured to be a guest on Jennifer Byrne Presents, an offshoot of the First Tuesday Book Club, to discuss one of the seven deadly sins, envy, along with Greg Sheridan, Lyndon Terracini and Kate McClymont. The show aired on 19 August on ABC, and will be available for a limited time on iview. There's also an outtake … Continue reading Appearance on Jennifer Byrne Presents: Envy
#555writers: Grafton to Lennox Head
This'll be a short one. It's the fifth day of the five writers, five towns tour. We were all heartened to see Sam looking perkier this morning, after a good rest at the Quality Inn in Grafton. As for the rest of us... I think by the time we separate we will be both relieved … Continue reading #555writers: Grafton to Lennox Head
#555writers: Coffs to Grafton
This morning Zacharey Jane interviewed Craig Sherborne and myself in the Coffs Harbour Library. The crowd was fantastic, and asked lots of intriguing questions. Coffs all up was WONDERFUL. I'll never say a bad word about my home town again. Maybe. Poor Nick Earls is right now performing his Word Hunt talk at the Grafton … Continue reading #555writers: Coffs to Grafton
