9781922079763 Text Publishing August 2013 One of the best contemporary short story collections I've read, Takolander's fictions are intellectual, dark, strange and often dystopian. The tone is of casual realism, but what's described is beyond that: fantastical, nightmarish or just off; my favourite kind of fiction. If you like Kafka or Beckett, or MJ Hyland … Continue reading Maria Takolander’s The Double
absurd
The Great Unknown authors: Ali Alizadeh
This is the fourth in a series of posts leading up to the release of The Great Unknown, where authors share their experience of writing eerie stories for the anthology, and give you an idea of what to expect (and, I hope, look forward to). The Great Unknown is available to pre-order from Booktopia, Readings, Fishpond (free shipping worldwide) and all good … Continue reading The Great Unknown authors: Ali Alizadeh
Fragments from the Sydney Writers’ Festival 2012
‘As a writer, what you leave out says as much as what you put in.’—Jeanette Winterson — Lying in the hotel room—white walls, painted beams and sheets—feeling sick with nerves, scribbling questions in the margins of questions. Jeanette Winterson, so far away from me in the Opera House that I cannot make out her face. … Continue reading Fragments from the Sydney Writers’ Festival 2012
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
Soul-scorching voyage (bring it on!)
This is absolutely the best article I’ve read for a while on contemporary issues in writing – the way it’s talked about, taught, and so on: ‘A Writing Career Becomes Harder to Scale’, by Dani Shapiro. Shapiro says: ‘the decisive factor is what I call endurability: that is, the ability to deal effectively with uncertainty, … Continue reading Soul-scorching voyage (bring it on!)
Response to A.S. Patric’s ‘Questionnaire’
I was thinking about A.S. Patric's recent post on the Overland blog all of yesterday afternoon. I thought I'd have a go at responding to his piece, just off-the-cuff. Note: the words in bold are Alec's. Are we more disconnected? I know how late my crush goes to bed. Are we more superficial? Skin is a surface. Does … Continue reading Response to A.S. Patric’s ‘Questionnaire’
Adventures of the badge with the face of Albert Camus #1
Shop assistant: Who's that? Me: Albert Camus. SA: Who? Me: He's a philosopher. SA: What? Me: A philosopher. *shop assistant stares blankly* Me: He's a writer. SA: Oh. Does he write poetry? Me: No. SA: What does he write? Me: Philosophy, fiction. *very long pause* SA: Ha,ha, I'm such an airhead!
