Vintage, 9781741668254 March 2012 (buy paperback, ebook) This article was originally published in The Big Issue no. 402. Deborah Robertson’s latest book started out as a completely different project. The author of award-winning, bestselling novel Careless (2006) and the earlier short-story collection Proudflesh (1997) left her teaching position at Murdoch University—eventually relocating from Fremantle to … Continue reading The isle of man: Sweet Old World by Deborah Robertson
Miles Franklin Literary Award longlist 2012
The Miles Franklin longlist has been announced. You can find it here. I've read four of the books (Wood, Miller, Mears and Jones) and thought they were all wonderful. I have a few more of the longlisted titles in the 'tower of hope'. Congrats to all the authors, I'll write something more when the shortlist … Continue reading Miles Franklin Literary Award longlist 2012
Sherlock Holmes squashes Watson’s pea: a diversion
I've just come home from an exhausting, wonderful, trip to Sydney, Coffs Harbour and Bellingen. Thanks and hello to the NSW Writers' Centre and my lovely class members from last weekend; and the organisers, authors and attendees at the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival. The trip was particularly rewarding for me as I got to … Continue reading Sherlock Holmes squashes Watson’s pea: a diversion
Best Australian Blogs 2012 Competition: enter now
I was very happy to be asked to be the judge of the Words and Writing Category again this year in The Sydney Writers' Centre's Best Australian Blogs Comp. The category winner last year was Bothersome Words. You can check out the other 2011 shortlisted* blogs (from the Word category) in this post. The other categories for … Continue reading Best Australian Blogs 2012 Competition: enter now
Bellingen Readers and Writers Fest 2012 special: The Lake Woman by Alan Gould + The Rip by Robert Drewe
In the lead-up to the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival, I’ll be putting up a series of (short) reviews of books I’m reading in preparation. The Lake Woman, Alan Gould, Arcadia, 9781921509346 Alec Dearborn is an Australian in British service in WWII. In his first moments of war he parachutes from an attacked plane (over … Continue reading Bellingen Readers and Writers Fest 2012 special: The Lake Woman by Alan Gould + The Rip by Robert Drewe
On blogging
In the lead-up to my 'Blogging for Beginners' course this weekend for the NSW Writers' Centre, I answer some common questions I get asked about my blogging life...
Thoughts on Shakespeare and Anonymous
Are you a Stratfordian or an Oxfordian? For a long time I’ve avoided the debate around Shakespeare’s ‘true identity’. Partly because, like many people, I enjoy the romantic idea of the enigmatic genius. And partly because any debate around authorship (I believed) could potentially take away from the focus on, and the enjoyment of, the … Continue reading Thoughts on Shakespeare and Anonymous
Bellingen Readers & Writers Fest special: A Common Loss by Kirsten Tranter
In the lead-up to the Bellingen Readers and Writers Festival, I’ll be putting up a series of (short) reviews of books I’m reading in preparation. A Common Loss, Kirsten Tranter Fourth Estate, 2012 9780732290825 (paperback, ebook) This is a fabulous, understated thriller and character story. A group of friends, who met in college, catch up … Continue reading Bellingen Readers & Writers Fest special: A Common Loss by Kirsten Tranter
20 classics #11: Malone Dies by Samuel Beckett
I’m reading 20 classic, modern-classic or cult books. Read more about this project here. See the other classics here. Why did I want to read it? I adore Beckett’s plays Waiting for Godot and Endgame. Masterpieces. When was it published? Originally published as Malone Meurt in Paris and first in English in 1956 (author’s own translation) by Grove Press. … Continue reading 20 classics #11: Malone Dies by Samuel Beckett
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore
Book lovers, you'll be moved by this year's Oscar-winning animated short The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr Morris Lessmore. It's a delight. via @ReadingsBooks
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