First, let me apologise for the recent lack of fully formed blog posts. From next week I may have a bit more time for that (staying in the country). I'm giving my paper in a couple of days in London and have been super busy with work, sightseeing and drinking too much. I promise I'll … Continue reading Review of The Meowmorphosis by Franz Kafka & Coleridge Cook in the Australian
The Invention of Paris: A History in Footsteps by Eric Hazan reviewed for Bookslut
My review of Eric Hazan's The Invention of Paris: A History in Footsteps (translated by David Fernbach) can be found in the July issue of Bookslut. I completed the review while in Paris a few weeks ago. It begins: 'I'm sitting in an apartment in the twelfth arrondissement of Paris, and because I've finished Eric … Continue reading The Invention of Paris: A History in Footsteps by Eric Hazan reviewed for Bookslut
Spineless Wonders: new publisher of Australian short fiction
Spineless Wonders is a new publishing company, founded by Bronwyn Mehan, which specialises in short fiction from Australian writers in any genre and in print, digital and audio formats. Their publications will include single author collections and novellas, an annual anthology published in conjunction with a national writing competition as well as special collections focusing … Continue reading Spineless Wonders: new publisher of Australian short fiction
Guest review: Greg Westenberg on The Geometry of Flight by Angela Smith
Pulse Publications, 2010, 9780646540443 In naming her poetry collection The Geometry of Flight Angela Smith, like Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade, ‘chose wisely’. More wisely, more selflessly, than perhaps she realised. She has given multiple doorways to her work with the single phrase: porticos that set the reader’s path through the work, paths that … Continue reading Guest review: Greg Westenberg on The Geometry of Flight by Angela Smith
Shakespeare and Co., Paris
Despite seeing Notre Dame, the Panthéon and the Conciergerie today, and unexpectedly falling in love with stone, spiral staircases, there was another highlight I thought you'd appreciate: visiting one of the world's most famous and truly delightful bookstores, Shakespeare and Company. The shelves are crammed with old and new books, the staff (I heard only … Continue reading Shakespeare and Co., Paris
Going abroad
Tomorrow G and I fly to Europe for a 10 week stint. I'm presenting a paper at the London Film and Media Conference, and I'll be working on my thesis as we travel, but there will also be lots of time for art, food, people, absinthe... and of course, literary tourism. The agenda includes: France, England, … Continue reading Going abroad
Short story 'Instinct' published on Verity La
Just a quick note to let you know that a short story of mine, 'Instinct', has been published over on Verity La. It's an odd little piece about a young animal-loving guy (also animal-like himself) who is dissatisfied with his job and life. I hope you enjoy it. You can find some of my other … Continue reading Short story 'Instinct' published on Verity La
Guest review: Raili Simojoki on The Amateur Science of Love by Craig Sherborne
Text Publishing, June 2011 9781921758010 (trade paperback, ebook) Reviewed by Raili Simojoki If you’ve read any of Craig Sherborne’s writing, you’ll know not to expect a rosy-eyed view of the world. The Amateur Science of Love follows the grim journey of a love affair gone wrong. Colin leaves the unglamorous environs of his parents’ farm … Continue reading Guest review: Raili Simojoki on The Amateur Science of Love by Craig Sherborne
Writing on writing: guest post by Harry Bingham
I've been a professional writer for more than ten years, but it was only recently, when asked to produce a How to Write book by A&C Black/Bloomsbury, that I came to think systematically about this craft of ours. I mean 'systematically' in two different dimensions. First, there's the whole area of technique. How, precisely, … Continue reading Writing on writing: guest post by Harry Bingham
Some of my short stories available as ebooks
I decided to extend the life of some of my short stories that have been published in journals/magazines over the last few years, by publishing them digitally. It's a bit of a (fairly safe) experiment in self-publishing and the world of ebooks. I'm loving reading on my Kobo eReader, and I've made these stories available … Continue reading Some of my short stories available as ebooks