I reviewed The Rosie Effect, Graeme Simsion's follow-up to The Rosie Project for the Weekend Australian. It's a warm read, and a successful sequel. Following is an extract from the review. — As with the first book, these incidents are humorous and cause cringing; the reader observes the miscommunication, the unravelling, and longs to step in as an … Continue reading Review of The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion in The Australian
Angela Meyer
Bodies, effort, straws: The Special by David Stavanger
I had the pleasure last night of launching The Special by David Stavanger, winner of the 2013 Thomas Shapcott Prize. The book is published by UQP and available now. David and I didn't know each other beforehand, but connected through words (in emails, but mainly through our work) and it was a wonderful night, with much warmth. … Continue reading Bodies, effort, straws: The Special by David Stavanger
MWF 2014, Flashing the Square, Memory Makes Us
Melbourne Writers Festival has been fantastic so far. Stimulating keynotes from Helen Garner and Chris Hadfield, and I really enjoyed yesterday's panel 'Crossing Cultures', about cultural hybridisation. There were some great insights into contemporary China from Zhang Tianpan: contemporary China is very complex, but also very simple. There are many commonalities with the West—'we all … Continue reading MWF 2014, Flashing the Square, Memory Makes Us
Appearance on Jennifer Byrne Presents: Envy
I was honoured to be a guest on Jennifer Byrne Presents, an offshoot of the First Tuesday Book Club, to discuss one of the seven deadly sins, envy, along with Greg Sheridan, Lyndon Terracini and Kate McClymont. The show aired on 19 August on ABC, and will be available for a limited time on iview. There's also an outtake … Continue reading Appearance on Jennifer Byrne Presents: Envy
Flash fiction is like a good dram
Cross-posted from the SA Writers' Centre blog. I wrote this post ahead of my flash fiction workshop at the SA Writers' Centre in Adelaide (this weekend: 22 June, book here). I also have workshops coming up at Writers Victoria (see also my interview), the Tasmanian Writers' Centre, and at Byron Bay Writers' Fest! On my desktop … Continue reading Flash fiction is like a good dram
Interviews in The West Australian and Tincture
In the West Australian: 'I thought of (Captives) as a pillbox of stories,' Meyer says. 'There are different coloured pills - a pink one and a blue one and a yellow one—and they produce different effects and maybe you can't take too many at once. And they're a little dark and a little strange. But … Continue reading Interviews in The West Australian and Tincture
LiteraryMinded is seven; Captives is born; writing-work balance
I missed my blog's birthday. For the first time. You can imagine why. Something else I've written has just been released, my tiny book of short fictions, Captives. Actually, there's more to it than that. I haven't felt like I've had a proper chance to let publication wash over me, that now when I say to … Continue reading LiteraryMinded is seven; Captives is born; writing-work balance
Flash fictions: key words and after-images, on Booktopia
On the Booktopia blog today, I discuss flash fiction and short fiction; my own and others' stories, intentions and possibilities. Here's an extract: In a short story, every word must count. What is left out is as important as what is left in. The writer must create and maintain a particular tone, or mood, and create … Continue reading Flash fictions: key words and after-images, on Booktopia
Signing a contract for an unfinished manuscript, on Writers Bloc
Click here to read my piece on Writers Bloc about signing the contract for Captives before it was finished, and the ensuing writing process (while travelling). Here's an extract: I wrote a few of the stories around sessions at the Edinburgh International Book Fest, including a couple which are postmodern or referential. This reflects the fact that, like the narrator … Continue reading Signing a contract for an unfinished manuscript, on Writers Bloc
Captives available for pre-order!
In her first book of fiction, writer and literary journalist Angela Meyer demonstrates her gift for painting vivid pictures with a few adroit, restrained brush strokes. —Jennifer Peterson-Ward, Books+Publishing You guys... My first fiction book is being published in May: Captives. It's a petite, dark collection of flash fiction, with a cover and layout beautifully designed by Sandy Cull. … Continue reading Captives available for pre-order!
LiteraryMinded 