Stories everywhere: The guy in the ACMI cafe shares my love of David Bowie, and they make a mean ham toastie. The title of the session Oranges are the Only Fruit alludes the the Orange Prize, which guests Anne Michaels and Kate Grenville have both won. Peter Clarke was a generous and intelligent chair, steering … Continue reading Melbourne Writers Festival 2009 diary part two: Grenville, Michaels and the 'engine of curiosity'
It begins! Melbourne Writers Festival 2009 diary part one: champagne, the city, Mieville's guns, Amsterdam's awards and Schlink's guilt
Thursday 20/8 The elevator ride up to the Text Publishing par-tay on Thursday evening was devastatingly long (I'm a semi-claustrophobe, to add to my other semi-disorders). I met up with Kathy Charles beforehand (a Text author) to discuss my launching of her book, Hollywood Ending. The champagne flowed, the conversations were half-chewed like the piece … Continue reading It begins! Melbourne Writers Festival 2009 diary part one: champagne, the city, Mieville's guns, Amsterdam's awards and Schlink's guilt
Queensland Poetry Festival special: Elizabeth Bachinsky
The Queensland Poetry Festival runs from 21 to 23 August. Graham Nunn has helped me to select three poets to feature on LiteraryMinded in the weeks leading up to the festival. Revisit number one, A.F. Harrold; or number two, Hinemoana Baker, if you like. Enjoy! Elizabeth Bachinsky is the author of three collections of poetry, Curio … Continue reading Queensland Poetry Festival special: Elizabeth Bachinsky
The real possibility of joy: an interview with Josephine Emery
Josephine Emery's The Real Possibility of Joy: A Personal Journey from Man to Woman is released in September from Pier 9. It's a compelling, poignant, fascinating, honest memoir. And as a writer, screenwriter and former director of the literature board at the Australia Council for the Arts, Josephine Emery really knows how to write. I … Continue reading The real possibility of joy: an interview with Josephine Emery
Crime, ghosts and danger
This song has been the soundtrack to my week. It has moved all its furniture in some already-crammed hallways of my mind and played out on repeat. Particularly the piano solo. And the force of his voice when he sings so roll up and see. And now you get to read about all my schemes and adventuring, … Continue reading Crime, ghosts and danger
Queensland Poetry Festival special: Hinemoana Baker
The Queensland Poetry Festival runs from 21 to 23 August. Graham Nunn has helped me to select three poets to feature on LiteraryMinded in the weeks leading up to the festival. Hinemoana Baker is number two. Revisit number one, A.F. Harrold, if you like. Enjoy! Arts Queensland Poet in Residence 2009 Hinemoana Baker's writings have … Continue reading Queensland Poetry Festival special: Hinemoana Baker
Recent awards shortlists, book launches galore, and some mid-week links
* Awards galore this week! You've probably seen them already, but I thought I'd throw my two cents in on a couple of recent shortlists (click through to reviews/interviews/mentions previously featured on LM). The Age Book of the Year shortlist is out. Readings has reported it. I've read three of the fiction, but unfortunately none of the poetry or … Continue reading Recent awards shortlists, book launches galore, and some mid-week links
Eric Garcia's The Repossession Mambo
9781921372810 Scribe 2009 (Australia) (and Harper US) In the near future, artificial organs (artiforgs) can be bought to save a person's life - or simply enhance life's quality. From kidneys to central nervous systems, the expensive artiforgs can be bought on credit, and if you miss too many payments, they can be repossessed. When we … Continue reading Eric Garcia's The Repossession Mambo
Melbourne launch of the Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature
The Red Rotunda at the Cowen Gallery at the State Library of Victoria is filled with silver-haired literary giants, and a young woman enters, sweaty and carrying two bags (she has walked from work). She sees a couple of familiar faces but is too intimidated to talk to them. She clasps a glass of champagne and … Continue reading Melbourne launch of the Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature
Queensland Poetry Festival special: A.F. Harrold
The Queensland Poetry Festival runs from 21 to 23 August. Graham Nunn has helped me to select three poets to feature on LiteraryMinded in the weeks leading up to the festival. A.F. Harrold is number one. Enjoy! A.F. Harrold is an English poet and performer who does things with words that aren't always normal. Although, … Continue reading Queensland Poetry Festival special: A.F. Harrold
LiteraryMinded 