In which I defend highbrow lit-ra-cha!
literature
Whisky Literature: I’m playing with video again
This is the first in a series called Whisky Literature (combining two loves), where I will muse on literature, discuss recent reads, or read aloud over a dram of whisky. This episode features Ardbeg Uigeadail and the books Deeper Water by Jessie Cole, The Empress Lover by Linda Jaivin, and Tampa by Alissa Nutting, with mention … Continue reading Whisky Literature: I’m playing with video again
#555writers: Lismore to Coffs
With limited time, these blog posts just have to flow from my head onto the screen. Please forgive all unfiltered thoughts, badly chosen words, grammatical errors and digressions of narrative and theme... I want to start with what just happened. I invited the five writers Zac, Craig, Ash, Sam and Nick, and filmmaker Tim, into my … Continue reading #555writers: Lismore to Coffs
The Great Unknown authors: Deborah Biancotti
This is the eleventh post published in conjunction with the release of The Great Unknown, where authors share their experience of writing eerie stories for the anthology. The Great Unknown is available from Booktopia, Readings, Avid Reader, Fishpond (free shipping worldwide) and all good bookstores. You might also want to add it to your shelves on Goodreads. Deborah Biancotti is a regular on genre fiction … Continue reading The Great Unknown authors: Deborah Biancotti
The Great Unknown authors: Chris Flynn
This is the tenth post published in conjunction with the release of The Great Unknown, where authors share their experience of writing eerie stories for the anthology. The Great Unknown is available from Booktopia, Readings, Avid Reader, Fishpond (free shipping worldwide) and all good bookstores. You might also want to add it to your shelves on Goodreads. Chris Flynn is the author of A Tiger in … Continue reading The Great Unknown authors: Chris Flynn
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
The Great Unknown authors: Helen Richardson
This is the ninth post published in conjunction with the release of The Great Unknown, where authors share their experience of writing eerie stories for the anthology. The Great Unknown is available from Booktopia, Readings, Avid Reader, Fishpond (free shipping worldwide) and all good bookstores. You might also want to add it to your shelves on Goodreads. Helen Richardson is a writer and editor who … Continue reading The Great Unknown authors: Helen Richardson
The Waterfall by Margaret Drabble
Jane has just has her second child. She is recovering in bed in her too-warm room, dealing with complex feelings of isolation (experiencing both loneliness and a desire to be left alone). Her husband is gone. Her cousin Lucy and her husband James begin to drop in to look after Jane and keep her company. … Continue reading The Waterfall by Margaret Drabble
Travel update
A 'working holiday' is kind of how we're describing it, though it's hard to explain to strangers the work I'm doing: preparing for a book festival, writing occasional travel blog posts (many of which I can re- or cross-post here), editing an anthology and writing a chapbook. Not to mention the research I want to … Continue reading Travel update
Hungry hearts: Big Ray and Big Brother, guest post by Kylie Mirmohamadi
Michael Kimball, Big Ray, Bloomsbury Circus, 2012, 9781408828052 (paperback, ebook) Lionel Shriver, Big Brother: A Novel, HarperCollins, 2013, 9780732296384 (paperback) Guest post by Kylie Mirmohamadi An armchair, lumpy with indents left by a sitter of some bulk, adorns the cover of Michael Kimball’s 2012 novel about grief and a childhood shaped by the looming presence of an abusive … Continue reading Hungry hearts: Big Ray and Big Brother, guest post by Kylie Mirmohamadi
