Elif Batuman's The Possessed (Aus, US/Kindle) is a personalised, intelligent, humorous exploration of Russian literature; and of academia, reading, and writers - with plenty of travel and adventure. It's the kind of book you devour and dog-ear - where you're learning with delight, being provided insight into authors, stories, countries, languages and lifestyles. I thought Elif would … Continue reading Elif Batuman, author of The Possessed: a ‘responsive’ interview
Interviews + Profiles
Interacting with other literary-minded folk…
On writing, blogging and social media: an interview from Victorian Writer
After reading A.S. Patric's thoughts on blogging, in an interview he did for Nigel Featherstone at the Canberra Times, I thought I'd reprint a recent interview I did for Victorian Writer, the Victorian Writers' Centre magazine, to add to the conversation. Enjoy! And please share your thoughts in the comments, or via the Facebook fan page, Twitter, your own blogs, … Continue reading On writing, blogging and social media: an interview from Victorian Writer
Guest post: Andrew Wrathall interviews Charlaine Harris, the author behind True Blood
Charlaine Harris' successful Sookie Stackhouse series is the basis of the addictive TV series True Blood. Harris is touring Australia in September (Sydney and Melbourne) as a guest at Hub Production’s True Blood events, on the 25th and 26th of September and will then be doing a book tour for Hachette. Number 10 in the Sookie series Dead … Continue reading Guest post: Andrew Wrathall interviews Charlaine Harris, the author behind True Blood
Peter Goldsworthy on Gravel
Gravel Peter Goldsworthy Hamish Hamilton March 2010 (Australia) 9781926428192 Gravel is Peter Goldsworthy's new collection of short stories - amusing and moving - covering a range of predominantly white middle-class characters in conflict with their own egos. But there are also stories exploring erotic awakening (something Goldsworthy did well in Everything I Knew) and others where … Continue reading Peter Goldsworthy on Gravel
Meeting Alex Miller part four: on re-reading, storytelling, and writing as a woman
See also – part one: on the origins of a contemporary story; part two: on wisdom and imagination and part three: on cross-eyed novels, the time we have, and liberties of language. My feature interview with Alex Miller on his new novel, Lovesong (Aus, US), was published in Readings Monthly. You can find it here. … Continue reading Meeting Alex Miller part four: on re-reading, storytelling, and writing as a woman
Meeting Alex Miller part three: on cross-eyed novels, the time we have, and liberties of language
See also – part one: on the origins of a contemporary story and part two: on wisdom and imagination. My feature interview with Alex Miller on his new novel, Lovesong (Aus, US), was published in Readings Monthly. You can find it here. When asked what his favourite is of all his novels, Miller smiled and … Continue reading Meeting Alex Miller part three: on cross-eyed novels, the time we have, and liberties of language
Meeting Alex Miller part two: on wisdom and imagination
See also – 'part one: on the origins of a contemporary story'. My feature interview with Alex Miller on his new novel, Lovesong (Aus, US), was published in Readings Monthly. You can find it here. Miller spoke proudly about his 18-year-old daughter, who told him, when he said he was writing a ‘simple love story’, … Continue reading Meeting Alex Miller part two: on wisdom and imagination
Meeting Alex Miller part one: on the origins of a contemporary story
Recently I interviewed Alex Miller about his new novel Lovesong (Aus, US) for Readings Monthly. As many of you know, Miller is not only one of Australia’s finest authors, but he's one of my personal favourites, so I took this wonderful opportunity to extend my conversation with him to his other works, as well as writing and life … Continue reading Meeting Alex Miller part one: on the origins of a contemporary story
Neon Pilgrim – an interview with Lisa Dempster
Neon Pilgrim Lisa Dempster Aduki Independent Press 9780980335170 October 2009 (Aus, US) Neon Pilgrim is Lisa Dempster's memoir of walking the henro michi in Japan - a challenging pilgrimage, particularly in summer, and particularly for someone who chooses to 'sleep rough' as much as they can - a purer way to complete the walk. I … Continue reading Neon Pilgrim – an interview with Lisa Dempster
Kilts and wine breath: a conversation with my sister about meeting Diana Gabaldon
Some years ago when I was a bookstore girl, I became intrigued by this massive brick of a book called Cross Stitch (Outlander in the US), which many middle-aged women would get flustered over: ‘You haven’t read it?’ they’d ask. I read it, and it was great fun – particularly the raunchy historical Scottish sex, and the … Continue reading Kilts and wine breath: a conversation with my sister about meeting Diana Gabaldon
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