Two days ago I did something that terrified me. I joined the open mic at a reading where everyone in the room was starkers. Krissy Kneen, a friend and an author I've long admired, was the feature reader. I was one of the last to get up on the open mic—everyone was being so brave, reading … Continue reading An unforgettable festival moment
festivals
Chairing panels and interviewing authors on stage: a few things I’ve learnt
* Please find the 2018 update of this post here. It’s been five years since I first wrote a piece like this, and after seeing the topic come up in an author’s Facebook thread, I figured it was time for an update. I’m sharing what I’ve learnt about chairing and interviewing authors on stage, particularly … Continue reading Chairing panels and interviewing authors on stage: a few things I’ve learnt
Bits & bobs: support the Queensland Literary Awards, MWF blogging
In response to QLD Premier Campbell Newman's axing of the Premier's Literary Awards, a passionate group of people have rallied together to make sure a version of the awards is still going ahead: the Queensland Literary Awards. The judges are hard at work and now they're looking for some financial support so that the winning … Continue reading Bits & bobs: support the Queensland Literary Awards, MWF blogging
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
Sydney Writers’ Festival 2012: tickets on sale
I've attended the Sydney Writers' Festival as 'media' before but this year I'll get to chat with some great authors on stage. I'm chairing three panels in one day, Thursday 17 May. If you see me that night, don't be surprised if I'm drunk or asleep in the corner of the hotel bar. Two of … Continue reading Sydney Writers’ Festival 2012: tickets on sale
Typecasting and narrative voice at the 2011 Emerging Writers’ Festival
The Emerging Writers' Festival, in its usual form, has thus far been about tequila shots and one long drunken conversation about The Wall. Yesterday I went to some actual sessions. Here's a write-up of two of those. Typecast The first session I attended yesterday was all about 'typecasting'. Do the authors on the panel agree with … Continue reading Typecasting and narrative voice at the 2011 Emerging Writers’ Festival
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
A few sessions at Writers at the Convent, 2010
I caught three sessions at Writers at the Convent last weekend – run by Reader’s Feast Bookstore, held at the gorgeous Abbotsford Convent. The session ‘We’ll always have Paris’ featured chef Shannon Bennett (Shannon Bennett’s Paris) and Elizabeth Bard (Lunch in Paris) who is a New Yorker living in that magical city. Bennett is a Melbourne-based chef/restaurateur … Continue reading A few sessions at Writers at the Convent, 2010
Go west! Perth Writers Fest 2010 program released
I've never been to Western Australia. Isn't that nuts? I've been to Europe, I've been to the USA and I've been to Asia, but never the other side of my own country. Lucky for me, the lovely organisers of Perth Writers Festival have invited me along this year. Besides my sessions, I am expecting to catch … Continue reading Go west! Perth Writers Fest 2010 program released
Emerging Writers' Festival photo journal
Chris Currie, myself, Krissy Kneen Please view my Emerging Writers' Festival 2009 photo journal in a public album on Facebook, complete with commentary and links to books and authors (from the 15 Minutes of Fame sessions). I will be posting my talk on cultural blogging from The Revolution Will be Downloaded panel sometime soon.
