Today's post is the first in a little sub-series of occasional posts containing physical descriptions of places in Australia. This series is not going to be analytical or comprehensive but is intended simply to share descriptions that I like, that make me laugh, or that I think are interesting. My plan is to keep commentary … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – Canberra
Monday musings
Monday Musings on Australian Literature Special: a Book Giveaway
Actually, the exciting thing is that this is not A book giveaway, as I have TWO books to give away. And, not only are there two books, but the books are signed by multiple authors! Intrigued? Then read on … As many of you know this year is Canberra’s centenary. And, if you’ve been reading … Continue reading Monday Musings on Australian Literature Special: a Book Giveaway
Monday musings on Australian literature: Writing the Australian landscape (2)
In this week's Monday Musings*, I plan to continue last week's discussion of some of the ideas that arose from the National Library of Australia's Writing the Australian Landscape conference. But first, I'll recap the two questions posed by the keynote speakers: Day 1, author Murray Bail suggested that only when we are at ease … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Writing the Australian landscape (2)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Writing the Australian landscape
Wide Brown Land (National Arboretum) This weekend just gone I had the privilege - well, I paid to go, but still it was a privilege - to attend a conference at the National Library of Australia titled Writing the Australian landscape. You can see why I had to go ... wild brumbies couldn't keep me … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Writing the Australian landscape
Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists
Back in May, the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH) announced its Best Young Australian Novelists awards. They have been doing this for 17 years, though I only became aware of them a few years ago. They are usually announced at or to coincide with the Sydney Writers Festival. The judges this year were Marc McEvoy, SMH … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Best Young Australian Novelists
Monday musings on Australian literature: Role of Aboriginal literature
Most keen readers have firm views about the value of reading to them. Some, I think, read mainly to escape. Others like to be opened to other ways of being and thinking. Others like the things they learn - yes, even from fiction! And still others love beautiful or interesting language. These aren't the only … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Role of Aboriginal literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: BlackWords
NAIDOC Week, to which last week's Monday Musings was dedicated, officially finished yesterday, but I've decided to bookend it with another Monday Musings focusing on indigenous Australian literature. This post, in fact, also harks back to two Monday Musings ago which talked about the AustLit database - because I want to introduce you to one … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: BlackWords
Monday musings on Australian literature: Indigenous Australian memoirs
As Australians would know, this week - July 7-14 - is NAIDOC week. NAIDOC originally stood for an organisation - ‘National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee’ - but the acronym has now become the name of the week itself. Fascinating how acronyms can take on lives of their own, isn't it? Anyhow, the theme … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Indigenous Australian memoirs
Monday musings on Australian literature: AustLit FREE TRIAL
When I first discovered AustLit (Australian Literature Resource) in the early 2000s I was thrilled. What fan of Aussie literature wouldn't be excited by a database for Australian writers and writing? Created in 2000 by Australia's university sector and led by the University of Queensland, AustLit "aims to be the definitive virtual research environment and … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: AustLit FREE TRIAL
Monday musings on Australian literature: ASA’s Authors Unlimited eBook portal
In her comment on my recent Monday musings about e-Publishing, Australian author Dorothy Johnston, whose novel The house at number 10 I reviewed recently, mentioned Authors Unlimited. I responded that I'd look into it and perhaps post on it. I did and now I am. Never let it be said that Whispering Gums is not … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: ASA’s Authors Unlimited eBook portal
Whispering Gums 