Writers Victoria is launching its new name (formerly the Victorian Writers Centre) and 2012 program tonight. Unfortunately I can't make it as I'll be out in the country for a wedding (of two writers!) but I had a chat with WV director Roderick Poole about the changes... The Victorian Writers Centre has changed its name … Continue reading Writers Victoria: a new name + the 2012 program
launches
Tempeh matters: the launch of Janet De Neefe’s Bali: The Food of My Island Home
This is cross-posted from Southerly, where I am blogging in December. Recently I attended the launch of Janet De Neefe’s new cookbook Bali: The Food of My Island Home. De Neefe moved to Bali 26 years ago after falling in love with the place and with a local man. She has founded two restaurants in Ubud: Casa … Continue reading Tempeh matters: the launch of Janet De Neefe’s Bali: The Food of My Island Home
Brethren is one of my favourite words (but that has nothing to do with Peril, my best books of 2009, Kafka's diary, or an Overland blog guest post)
* This week I went to the launch of Peril, edition 8: 'why are people so unkind'? It featured readings, and a fun, sexy performance by Ladies of Colour Agency that made me want to get up an shake it, baby. Maxine Clarke, who performed her poetry, gives a very warm of a rundown of … Continue reading Brethren is one of my favourite words (but that has nothing to do with Peril, my best books of 2009, Kafka's diary, or an Overland blog guest post)
Crime, ghosts and danger
This song has been the soundtrack to my week. It has moved all its furniture in some already-crammed hallways of my mind and played out on repeat. Particularly the piano solo. And the force of his voice when he sings so roll up and see. And now you get to read about all my schemes and adventuring, … Continue reading Crime, ghosts and danger
Melbourne launch of the Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature
The Red Rotunda at the Cowen Gallery at the State Library of Victoria is filled with silver-haired literary giants, and a young woman enters, sweaty and carrying two bags (she has walked from work). She sees a couple of familiar faces but is too intimidated to talk to them. She clasps a glass of champagne and … Continue reading Melbourne launch of the Macquarie PEN Anthology of Australian Literature
Creative flaccidity
It doesn't happen often, but I'm feeling a bit that way today. And it's frustrating. Because I only really have a few hours on the weekend to work on fiction. I tapped out about 1000 words of 90s novel, but they weren't very inspired. They were limp and floppy. Hopefully next weekend will be better. … Continue reading Creative flaccidity
Numbers, Solitude, Cinnamon Cookies + New Voices
According to my dashboard, this is my 200th post since I started this blog in May 2007. And you know what? In the past couple of years through this blog, my novel manuscripts, my short stories and thesis, and my work, I'm quite sure I have written over a million words. I mean, I probably … Continue reading Numbers, Solitude, Cinnamon Cookies + New Voices
Let's Have a Conversation
Good-weekend lit-lovelies, Check out the crowd in the reading room! You can view some more pictures from The Death Mook launch here. This was absolutely the highlight of my week. I had to have a few wines before reading to deal with the nerves, damn them, and because there was such a big crowd! Dion and Lisa … Continue reading Let's Have a Conversation
The Swing, Bad Seeds, Mook Launch, and the Crunch
Getting back into the swing of things has been slow. Work has been busy, but reading and writing has slowed-up a little at the moment. '90s novel' is taking its time. I'm working on it a bit this weekend, but I have a few other focuses too. Working on some very cool things for the … Continue reading The Swing, Bad Seeds, Mook Launch, and the Crunch