Short stories, features and poems from our writing community.
Benjamin Law's work draws on the personal, whether he’s tackling subjects such as growing up Asian-Australian in Queensland, exploring the LGBTQI experience throughout Asia, or taking on the critics of the Safe Schools program. He speaks to Nic Brasch about his uncanny knack for writing life.
Stories to escape
Before computers, when we used pens, I had a boil-like bump on my fuck-you finger from pressing the pen too hard. That was even before I wrote my first piece of fiction, a runaway story where I took shelter in a Brotherhood bin.
Ahead of our Ask... about YA Publishing seminar in November, The YA Room's Sarah Robinson-Hatch writes Why YA?
Five years ago I would never have expected to be working full-time in publishing, let alone supporting two amazing agents at Australia’s largest literary agency. Every day is different and as an assistant you get to see the nuts and bolts of publishing – from reading first drafts and giving editorial feedback to being privy to overseas rights and film deals and the nitty gritty of contract negotiation and royalty statements. I feel really lucky to do the work I do and be paid for it, which means I can genuinely look forward to going to work every day.
Reporting on a spate of police deaths in custody or a nation’s attachment to the death penalty, and writing poetry, blog posts or social media comments – these are some of the radical activities which triggered harassment, violence, and incarceration for women on PEN International’s imprisoned writers list
Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff are the biggest thing in Australian literature right now. Together, they have written the ‘Illuminae Files’ series, a brilliant, ground-breaking piece of science fiction for young adults. The first two books, ‘Illuminae’ and ‘Gemina’ were critically-acclaimed international bestsellers; the third, ‘Obsidio’, which has just been published in Australia, is set to be likewise. The Garret Podcast’s Nic Brasch spoke to Amie and Jay about their unique working partnership.
CS Pacat writes about the development of her graphic novel series, 'FENCE', and in particular, her relationship with artist Johanna the Mad.
Celebrated YA authors Cath Crowley, Simmone Howell and Fiona Wood spoke to Writers Victoria about collaborating on their latest novel, 'Take Three Girls'.
In her debut true crime book ‘Waiting for Elijah’, award-winning investigative journalist Kate Wild examines the events around the police shooting of a mentally ill man, 24-year-old Elijah Holcombe, in June 2009.
You started investigating the fatal shooting of Elijah Holcombe as part of a segment for the TV show ‘Four Corners’. When did you know you wanted to investigate the story more deeply with a full-length book?
It’s 8.45 on a Monday morning, and I’m in the car stopped at traffic lights. All around me people are on their way to work - walking, riding, driving. I notice a feeling creeping up on me, a sadness, like I’m missing something. The light turns green and I turn right, pulling into the carpark of the rehabilitation unit. I put my disability permit on the dashboard and get my walker from the back of the car. Slowly I make my way inside to reception. As I wait, my feeling of longing grows. Then it occurs to me: I miss Monday mornings and the start of the working week.
