We have been waiting, waiting, waiting for the announcement of the shortlist for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards. The sudden resignation of the Minister for the Arts a couple of months ago seems to have caused a delay in this announcement, which was expected in May. It's one of my favourite awards on the Australian … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Prime Minister’s Literary Awards 2013 shortlist
Author: Whispering Gums
Krissy Kneen, Steeplechase (Review)
Darn that Australian Women Writers Challenge! It has introduced me to a bunch of Aussie women writers I hadn't heard of previously, one of whom is today's author, Krissy Kneen. I may not have read her quite as soon as I have - there are so many I want to read - if it hadn't … Continue reading Krissy Kneen, Steeplechase (Review)
What is literary fiction? A personal manifesto!
I was pottering around the Internet last night, as you do, and found myself on a State Library of Victoria page titled Novels: Finding Literary Reviews and Criticism - and there I saw this definition of Literary Novel: Literary fiction focuses on the subjects of the narrative to create introspective, in-depth studies of complex characters. … Continue reading What is literary fiction? A personal manifesto!
Monday musings on Australian literature: Specialist presses
I've written Monday musings before about publishers, including posts on small presses and university presses. Today I'm bringing you another - about publishers which specialise in a certain "type" of literature. As with my other posts of this type, this won't be comprehensive, but will comprise a selection whose specialties interest me! Here they are … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Specialist presses
Susan Hawthorne, Limen (Review)
Limen is a lovely word, isn't it? It's the title of Susan Hawthorne's recently published verse novel. You probably know what it means, but just in case you'd forgotten like I had, it means threshold or doorway. This Limen though is a verse novel! If you are uncertain about novels in verse, this would be … Continue reading Susan Hawthorne, Limen (Review)
Anna Krien, Night games: Sex, power and sport (Review)
Towards the end of her most recent non-fiction work, Night games, Anna Krien writes: I wish I'd chosen to follow an 'easier' rape trial. She's concerned that what she's written, what she's finding, won't "sit well with feminists or footballers". She might be right, but that would be a shame, because what she's produced is … Continue reading Anna Krien, Night games: Sex, power and sport (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Thoughts on Australian e-publishing
I wasn't sure whether to call this "an Australian's thoughts on e-publishing" or "thoughts on e-publishing in Australia" or the title I ended up choosing. There are subtle differences but almost too subtle for me to tease out here, so I decided to use the shortest title. I was inspired to write this post by … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Thoughts on Australian e-publishing
Irma Gold and Craig Phillips, Megumi and the bear (Review)
Now here's something different at the Gums! I don't, as you'd know, make a practice of reviewing children's literature, though I have done a few cross-over adult-young adult novels. So, when Irma Gold and Craig Phillips' children's picture book, Megumi and the bear, landed in my letterbox a week or so ago I was challenged. … Continue reading Irma Gold and Craig Phillips, Megumi and the bear (Review)
Louis Nowra, Into that forest (Review)
Louis Nowra is one versatile and prolific writer, having written novels, non-fiction, plays and screenplays, essays and even libretti. Into that forest is his latest work. It was shortlisted for the Young Adult Novel prize in the 2012 Aurealis awards and the Ethel Turner Young People's Literature prize in this year's NSW Premier's Literary Awards. … Continue reading Louis Nowra, Into that forest (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Notes on the Sydney Writers’ Festival from a non-attendee
One day I swear I will get to the Sydney Writers' Festival - properly, I mean. I have been to one session once, but that barely counts. Late May, though, tends to be one of my busiest times of the year, so the years pass and I don't get to the Festival. I do, though, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Notes on the Sydney Writers’ Festival from a non-attendee
Whispering Gums 