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
Australian literature
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
Detachment, surfaces, excess: No Limit by Holly Childs
Hologram is a new venture publishing novellas by writers under 30. Hologram is associated with Express Media, a fantastic organisation that provides support and development opportunities for young Australians in writing and media. The first book to be published by Hologram is No Limit, by Holly Childs. It’s about Ash, who is stuck in Auckland … Continue reading Detachment, surfaces, excess: No Limit by Holly Childs
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!
Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2014
This year, the Premier's Awards were held at Government House, in a palatial room of cream, blue and mint, complete with thrones. I arrived just as the talking began, on a dry, hot Melbourne night, and found a place to stand and fan my face with the nominee form. In the young adult section, Barry … Continue reading Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards 2014
Maria Takolander’s The Double
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
Carmel Bird Award winner: Alex Cothren
I'm pleased to announce that the winner of the Carmel Bird Short Fiction Award 2013 is Alex Cothren, for his wonderful story 'A Cure'. 'A Cure' stood out for me due to its imaginative speculation on the limits of 'misery' entertainment (and potential abuses of brain-tech), and questions it raises around the effects of saturation … Continue reading Carmel Bird Award winner: Alex Cothren
The Great Unknown: author reveal + comp closing soon
Above: sneak peek at the cover artwork by Michael Vale. It's just one week until entries are due for the Carmel Bird short fiction award, and the stories are coming in thick and fast. I'll be taking some on the plane with me tonight on my way to the UK! What I want to reveal … Continue reading The Great Unknown: author reveal + comp closing soon
Stella, and a digression on envy, work, inadequacy
The Stella Prize 2013, the inaugural prize, was awarded last week to Carrie Tiffany, for Mateship with Birds, which you know I enjoyed very much (here's my Big Issue interview with Carrie from last year). She very generously donated $10,000 of the prize money back to the shortlist, noting that it was a selfish act because it gave … Continue reading Stella, and a digression on envy, work, inadequacy
Love & logic: Graeme Simsion on The Rosie Project
Text Publishing (buy paperback / ebook) This feature interview was first published in The Big Issue no. 425 The main character in the novel, The Rosie Project, has difficulty understanding social cues. 'Wherever Don goes, chaos will follow', says the author, Graeme Simsion. Don Tillman is a professor of genetics at the University of Melbourne, undertaking a … Continue reading Love & logic: Graeme Simsion on The Rosie Project
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