Having a month off social media was wonderful, I'd highly recommend it. I was able to work on many different projects without distraction (and without comparing myself to others so much). Despite thesis and job-searching stress, my mind felt calmer, and I was able to concentrate for longer stretches. Most of all, as I'd intended, … Continue reading I’m baaaaaack & upcoming events
social media
Online writing at Offset Fest
Just a quick missive, I'll post another author interview in the coming days... The Offset Creative Arts Festival is coming up in Melbourne, and I'm on a panel about online writing. The details are below and places are limited so email john.weldon@vu.edu.au to book. It's free. Write Online Sat 20 Oct, 10am to 11:30am Footscray Community … Continue reading Online writing at Offset Fest
On blogging, social media, reading & writing
I was recently interviewed by David Minh Tran at The Signal Express, a publication by Express Media. He asked me about my long-term blogging life, my thoughts on social media, my short stories, and he asked some very tricky questions about favourite books and authors. You can check it out here. Express Media are a great organisation, I've … Continue reading On blogging, social media, reading & writing
Interview with Paul Murphy, book trailer specialist
In the past few months Paul Murphy has been kindly forwarding me his book trailers. I visited his website, http://www.booktease.com.au, and was impressed by the range and quality of his work in this emerging field. In our visually aligned and keyboard-bound culture, book trailers will increasingly play an important role in drawing readers to the … Continue reading Interview with Paul Murphy, book trailer specialist
Byron Bay Writers Festival 2010 diary, part 1
A sun-drenched and possibly superficial series of blog posts Around 9pm on Wednesday night I rolled into Gold Coast airport. My talented friend Omar Musa was on the same bus into Byron and we decided we should go out and wreak some havoc. Havoc was kebabs and a quiet pub where a young blonde man by … Continue reading Byron Bay Writers Festival 2010 diary, part 1
Alex y Robert by Wena Poon: virtual book tour
I met the talented, vivacious Singapore-born American writer Wena Poon last October, sharing a taxi ride from Denpasar airport to Ubud, Bali, for the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival. In that taxi and during her panels I learnt that Wena was dauntingly 'together' - interweaving careers in writing and Law, travelling the world, and seeming like she … Continue reading Alex y Robert by Wena Poon: virtual book tour
Last weekend’s literary connectivity, and what I’ve been reading lately
On the weekend I was up in sunny Brisbane for the Australian Booksellers Association 2010 conference. It’s a conference for members and friends of the ABA – so, booksellers, publishers, and some librarians and media. I was officially there as a ‘blogger’ – on a panel called ‘Customers, Connections and Communities’, with Andrew McDonald from … Continue reading Last weekend’s literary connectivity, and what I’ve been reading lately
On writing, blogging and social media: an interview from Victorian Writer
After reading A.S. Patric's thoughts on blogging, in an interview he did for Nigel Featherstone at the Canberra Times, I thought I'd reprint a recent interview I did for Victorian Writer, the Victorian Writers' Centre magazine, to add to the conversation. Enjoy! And please share your thoughts in the comments, or via the Facebook fan page, Twitter, your own blogs, … Continue reading On writing, blogging and social media: an interview from Victorian Writer
Buying time: Liz Sinclair on asking for money to write her book
I was very curious when I heard about Liz Sinclair's project 'Help Me Write My Book'. Like many writers, Liz has to work to support herself, and of course, work takes time away from what she's really wanting to do - write that book. My first reaction, honestly, was something along the lines of 'why does she … Continue reading Buying time: Liz Sinclair on asking for money to write her book
Melbourne Writers Festival 2009 diary part four: finding meaning in the media
...in which the audience gasps audibly at the mention of Twitter! Official festival blogger Estelle and I are aptly blogging this morning's session laptop by laptop, sandwich by sandwich, in a cafe overlooking one of the festival venues. Jeff Sparrow spoke to Margaret Simons about Finding Meaning in the Media. Simons is a fellow Crikey blogger, and … Continue reading Melbourne Writers Festival 2009 diary part four: finding meaning in the media
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