You've probably heard by now that one of the first acts of the new QLD Premier Campbell Newman was to get rid of the state's own literary awards. Of course, the literary community across Australia is pissed off, particularly because the awards have given many emerging and Indigenous writers their break, including Amy Barker, Karen … Continue reading Newman! The Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards axing
emerging writers
Guest review: Sam Cooney on I Can See My House From Here: UTS Writers’ Anthology 2010
I Can See My House From Here: UTS Writers’ Anthology 2010 Reviewed by Sam Cooney University anthologies are often pedestrian and insular. Even worse, at times they smack of desperation - you can almost wring it from the pages like water from hair. ‘Here is my story,’ each writer seems to say. ‘This is what … Continue reading Guest review: Sam Cooney on I Can See My House From Here: UTS Writers’ Anthology 2010
2010 Emerging Writers' Festival in full swing
With the beaming Lisa Dempster at its helm, the 2010 Emerging Writers' Festival, here in Melbourne, is in full swing. So far I've attended The First Word (the opening night), one of the Fifteen Minutes of Fame Sessions (which received a great write-up here by Thuy-Linh Nguyen), the Page Parlour, and last night's Wordstock performance - … Continue reading 2010 Emerging Writers' Festival in full swing
Voiceworks: Budget
Voiceworks is an Australian journal publishing the work of writers under 25. Budget is the first issue under the editorial of Bel Monypenny does steer a less-showy ship, still understandably finding its path. The issue suits the theme design-wise - being lean, and mean (with a teeny-tiny font that didn't make my eyes too happy), but content-wise the issue is still wealthy. The … Continue reading Voiceworks: Budget
One to watch: Jon Bauer
We all know Miss LiteraryMinded likes to read. Sometimes I come across writers in journals, anthologies and online that I know I'll continue to watch. Every now and then I'll throw them a few open-ended questions about their writing and themselves, in order to introduce them to you. Jon Bauer http://www.jonbauerwriter.com On process... There are so … Continue reading One to watch: Jon Bauer
Kirk Marshall's Literary Space – Emerging Writers' Festival special #1
Kirk Marshall says... For my part - and in this forum for intimate, writerly expression - I've got to openly submit here to conceding that for the longest time I've resented the contention that a tactile, geographical environment impacts on the quality of an author's work. I do, however, freely and cordially embrace the notion … Continue reading Kirk Marshall's Literary Space – Emerging Writers' Festival special #1
Loathing Lola – William Kostakis
Pan Macmillan, 2008, Australia, 9780330424165 Courtney Marlow becomes the star of new reality TV Show Real Teens despite the fact that she doesn't watch much reality TV. Her boyfriend, Liam, had encouraged her to audition. Is she following through just for him? And how will she cope with cameras in her face just months after … Continue reading Loathing Lola – William Kostakis
Harvest #1 and Voiceworks #73: Carnivale – Journal Review
A loud established journal and a studious newbie are both aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating. Voiceworks #73 is themed Carnivale and even more-so than previous issues revels in quality quirk as well as showcasing the colourful talents and opinions of Australian youth. In contrast to the oft blunt-ended pieces in Voiceworks, the first issue of … Continue reading Harvest #1 and Voiceworks #73: Carnivale – Journal Review
The Best Unpublished Books – Part Three (Children's/Young Adult)
Body Swap – Jerome Parisse Didn’t you just love those stories when you were a kid where magical things could happen in ordinary circumstances? Things like turning invisible, or wishing on objects? Well Jerome’s Body Swap has this mysterious magical quality that gets the imagination firing. 13 year-old William has moved to Fulton with his … Continue reading The Best Unpublished Books – Part Three (Children's/Young Adult)
The Best Unpublished Books – Part Two
The Ice Age – Kirsten Reed I think, if I’d read this book between the ages of 14-17, it would be my favourite book. Not that it only has young adult appeal. I still found that the laid-back protagonist, who doesn’t seem particularly fazed most of the time to be on the road with a … Continue reading The Best Unpublished Books – Part Two