Prologue: One Year Ago “There are too many ghouls in the forest. We need you,” said Kolya. The poor kid was exhausted and pale. Silvie gave him a second fruit bun, figuring there was no harm in a little petty crime. The buns weren’t selling; besides, it was depressingly likely that she’d have to […]
The Heir and a Spare Read More »
Today is a muggy Melbourne day that threatens with sunshine and rain, yet inside St Kilda café Galleon, fans sweep cold air and Ella Fitzgerald croons smooth and slow from the radio. Today, I’m meeting writer Bram Presser, who arrives on the dot of 3.30, folds a bookmark into ‘The Standing Chandelier’ by Lionel Shriver,
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A seed, lovingly pressed into the earth. A child’s first experience with a deep and unconditional love. My most treasured possession. Fur fabric worn smooth over years of clutching. Dull black glass eyes and a crooked frown. Endless needlepoint scars from patchwork, healing rips and tears from being loved so hard. Neither children nor new parents are original
I meet Justine Sless for an early morning cup of tea at a café that’s just waking up. Justine has a packed schedule: she’s Creative Director at the Jewish Comedy Festival, she’s working part time at a non-profit and she’s writing her thesis. Today is one of her busier days, but she can spare an
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Earlier this year, Tania Cañas, Arts Director at RISE Refugee in Melbourne, wrote an article ‘Diversity is a White Word’ that subsequently exploded on social media, igniting discussion across the arts and in literary journals (Koubaroulis, 2017; Aranjuez, 2017; Iyer, 2017). —– It was spring of 2016 and on the promise of safe spaces, diverse women
‘Her’ begins in 1909 and spans ten years. We meet the protagonist when she is three years old, “a tawny-headed, scab-kneed, fearless scrap of a girl”. She is sold for nine shillings and sixpence to a shadowy and foreboding scrap merchant and his brood of bought slaves. She is nameless. The book explores a dark
Garry Disher on writing ‘Her’ Read More »
Your much-loved and award-winning novel ‘The Bone Sparrow’ was about a child in a refugee camp. ‘No Stars To Wish On’ was based on institutionalised children of Australia’s Forgotten Generations. ‘The Ones That Disappeared’ is about three trafficked children searching for freedom and hope. When you get an idea for a book, what come first –
Zana Fraillon on writing ‘The Ones That Disappeared’ Read More »
‘Soon’ is the story of the death of a haunted town, and the plight of the people who either won’t or simply can’t abandon all they have ever had. You spent six years driving around Australia in a homemade 4WD truck, writing letters home about the people you met along the way. Did any of these
Lois Murphy on writing ‘Soon’ Read More »
Your debut poetry collection ‘The Agonist’ won the Arts Queensland Thomas Shapcott Poetry Prize last year and has been described as ‘full of the beautiful music of fracture and repair’. The poems are embedded in the body and in the relationship between the physical and the essence of the self. When did you first come
Shastra Deo on writing ‘The Agonist’ Read More »
‘Half Wild’ is based on the real life of Eugenia Falleni, a transgender person who captivated Sydney in 1920 when, living as Harry Crawford, he was arrested for the murder of Annie Birkett, his wife. How did you come across this fascinating tale? I first came across Falleni’s story when I visited the City of
Pip Smith on writing ‘Half Wild’ Read More »
