Cross-posted on the Stoffers blog. — At the Sydney Writers’ Festival last week I went along to a session on writing and philosophy, and I thought a summary of the insights (and work of the panellists) might be of interest to some of you. The moderator was Joe Gelonesi from ABC Radio National’s The Philosopher’s Zone and the panellists were … Continue reading SWF 2013: writing & philosophy
Sydney Writers Festival
Sydney Writers’ Festival 2013
The Sydney Writers' Festival 2013 program has been announced! The line up is rockin': from Norwegian literary superstar Karl Ove Knausgaard, to actor/author Molly Ringwald, critic James Wood, Tash Aw, Cheryl Strayed, Claire Messud, Diego Marani (to mention a few internationals) and of course a HUGE amount of amazing Aussie authors/poets/journos/critics! Jemma Birrell and her … Continue reading Sydney Writers’ Festival 2013
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
Recently read: The Fine Colour of Rust by PA O’Reilly & What the Family Needed by Steven Amsterdam
I'm fairly time-poor at the moment, but I wanted to at least make a small note about a couple of books I've read lately in preparation for the Sydney Writers' Festival next week! The Fine Colour of Rust, PA O'Reilly, Blue Door, 9780007434930, March 2012 (buy paperback, ebook) I'm a big fan of Paddy O'Reilly's … Continue reading Recently read: The Fine Colour of Rust by PA O’Reilly & What the Family Needed by Steven Amsterdam
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
The epic qualities of outwardly ordinary lives: By Nightfall and Michael Cunningham in Australia
By Nightfall, Michael Cunningham, HarperCollins (Aus pb, Aus ebook, US and Kindle, UK) Over the past few days I’ve been in the audience of four sessions featuring my favourite American author Michael Cunningham. Cunningham’s latest novel is By Nightfall. I've drafted a few posts on it since I read it, but was never able to adequately … Continue reading The epic qualities of outwardly ordinary lives: By Nightfall and Michael Cunningham in Australia
Live from Sydney Writers’ Festival 2011: part one
I’m sitting by the waterfront – Sydney Harbour. Sunstruck. That is, struck by this sunshine. Ill-equipped, in my wool dress. I’ve just seen Geordie Williamson interview David Mitchell, and I was going to go to another session (French Kissing – ooh la la) but the line for it was around the block and I was … Continue reading Live from Sydney Writers’ Festival 2011: part one
Sydney Writers Festival program out now
In case you missed it on Twitter and Facebook (where I do most of my 'festival program' linking as there are just too many to blog about), the program for the 2011 Sydney Writers Festival (16-22 May) has been announced. The blurb: 'The 2011 Sydney Writers' Festival proudly presents some of the world's finest poets, … Continue reading Sydney Writers Festival program out now
Joe Meno coming to Sydney Writers Festival (and some event updates)
The program for Sydney Writers Festival, which runs May 15 to 23, was revealed today. I'm still deciding on whether I'm going to make it up to Sydney for it or not, as I do have involvement in the Emerging Writers Festival here in Melbourne (for which the program is released on April 22). I had a … Continue reading Joe Meno coming to Sydney Writers Festival (and some event updates)
Big fat round-up post + May haiku comp winners
Hey gang. Are you cool? Be cool. Only got about a quarter of the response to this month's haiku comp - doh! The them was 'the richness of the internet'. Thinking I might have to do it only every two months, or perhaps the topic was hard? Nonetheless, there were a few good'uns. The winner … Continue reading Big fat round-up post + May haiku comp winners