UPDATE: Published this then realised my blog turned EIGHT yesterday! I spent half the day in my pyjamas and wrote 1181 words which just tipped my WEIRD Scottish manuscript over 50,000 (rough) words. Last night I saw Jack Ladder & the Dreamlanders and it rocked; I danced with a whisky in my hands and Jen … Continue reading What the wow
I reached for his hand and felt the bones in it
Two flash stories originally published in The Lifted Brow Digital are available to read online now. X
Spark, flow, sigh: the erotics of body & mind on Killings
Recently, as we sat around having a few drinks after a book launch, the poet Jennifer Compton asked the question, ‘Do you find writing to be an erotic act?’. My instinctive answer was ‘yes’, but I’ve been thinking about it ever since. How did I interpret the question? And why was my answer so sure?Find … Continue reading Spark, flow, sigh: the erotics of body & mind on Killings
Highbrow v Lowbrow: Kill Your Darlings/Digital Writers Festival
In which I defend highbrow lit-ra-cha!
Whisky nights
'I’m compelled to write about the whisky bar. One reason is that my job as a commissioning editor is still so new and exciting, I’m learning so much, and I think I can write about that better down the track. Another reason is that I won’t have the bar job forever, and I want to … Continue reading Whisky nights
Projects and publications, plus an opportunity for online writers
It's been a while since I updated, so I'll shove it all in one post. First of all, Happy New Year! 2014 was an incredible year for me, though it started out rocky (I was unemployed for about two months). The highlights were finishing my doctorate, publishing Captives, and having a story included in Best Australian Stories 2014. … Continue reading Projects and publications, plus an opportunity for online writers
A dystopic vision: The Ark by Annabel Smith
When I first heard about Annabel Smith's project, The Ark, I was intrigued. Here was an excellent literary author (I'm a big fan of her novel Whisky Charlie Foxtrot) tackling not only speculative fiction, but a whole different format. The Ark is about the inhabitants of a sealed seed vault, in a near future where resources are rapidly dwindling. … Continue reading A dystopic vision: The Ark by Annabel Smith
Best Australian Stories 2014, ed. Amanda Lohrey
I've really enjoyed reading this year's Best Australian Stories (which includes my story 'Too Solid Flesh', originally published in Island 137). One commonality I found between the stories, which reminded me of the power of fiction (what it can do), was an emotional complexity that can only be 'shown', not explained. For example, in Julienne van Loon's 'Bring … Continue reading Best Australian Stories 2014, ed. Amanda Lohrey
Submit to Cuttlefish
I'm the flash fiction editor for a new writing and art magazine, Cuttlefish, from Sunline Press in WA. I look forward to receiving your pieces (anonymously) of up to 250 words. The publication will feature one artist's work and also print poetry, up to 40 lines, and longer pieces up to 1200 words. There will be a payment … Continue reading Submit to Cuttlefish
Captives reviewed in Cordite
Jo Langdon has written a beautiful and perceptive review of Captives for Cordite Poetry Review. 'The space beyond the stories is essential, and the words themselves appear with an illusory ease and simplicity.' Read the rest here. Captives is widely available, including from the publisher, Readings, Booktopia, Avid Reader, Fishpond (free worldwide shipping), or your local bookstore. The ebook is available on Kindle, Google Play, iBooks, Kobo & more.
LiteraryMinded 