IN BRIEF:
McArthur writes with such warmth and generosity about the outback that reading this rural romance is like being enveloped in a great big hug.
The first draft is done! Hoo-freaking-ray! Recently on the blog, I wrote about how it felt to write the words ‘The End’ on a novel I’ve been working on for two years.
Now what?
Now the real work begins.
IN BRIEF:
In poetic prose, Stephanie Bishop tells the story of artist, Charlotte, and her poetry-loving husband, Henry, and their search for belonging in Australia, amid the torment of nostalgia for their true ‘home’.
“Every first draft is perfect, because all a first draft has to do is exist.” — Jane Smiley What kind of crack was Jane Smiley (a Pulitzer Prize winner, no less) smoking when she said this? – was the first thought that popped into my head the other day when this ‘inspirational quote’ came through my twitter feed. My second,…
IN BRIEF:
More than rural romance, this is a smart piece of fiction from Pamela Cook that engages the heart and the mind.
I have to admit, there were a couple of moments in Claiming Noah that brought me to tears. The novel tells the story of Catriona and Diana, whose fertility challenges are just the beginning of a rollercoaster ride into motherhood. The novel explores the issue of embryo donation, but in fact asks the central question – what does it mean…
Monica Dux wears many different hats. She is a columnist with The Age, a social commentator, speaker, and author of ‘Things I Didn’t Expect (when I was expecting)’, co-author of ‘The Great Feminist Denial’ and editor of the anthology ‘Mothermorphosis‘, which I read (and loved) earlier this year. It is the book I wished I read when I was pregnant, and I’m so thrilled…
I’ve told my friend, Simone Pregellio, that she needs to write a book or a blog, ’cause she’s as funny in print, as she is in person. Luckily, she’s too busy being a corporate high-flying communications executive to listen my silly ideas. However, when she told me she was attending this year’s Sydney Writers’ Festival, I had a light bulb…
If you ever get the chance to attend a literary festival, do it! For lovers of writing and reading, a day spent in the midst of books, writers and fellow book lovers is a bit like finding heaven on earth. This year, I set aside a full Friday for the Sydney Writers’ Festival – and was rewarded with a wonderful…
Victorian writer, Melanie Napthine is the winner of this year’s Margaret River Press Short Story Competition for her unsettling tale, ‘Lost Boy’ – after which the anthology of shortlistees is also named. (Shameless plug – my story ‘Glory Season’ is also published in the collection!) It was a genuine thrill to read this story, which is disturbing in the best…