Monday musings on Australian literature: Forgotten writers 8, Jessie Urquhart

While some of the forgotten writers I have shared in this series are in the category of interesting-to- know-about-but-not-necessarily-to-read, others probably are worth checking out again. Jessie Urquhart is one of these latter, though I've not read any of her novels, so don't quote me! However, there are articles for her in Wikipedia and the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Forgotten writers 8, Jessie Urquhart

Monday musings on Australian literature: Ausmus Month

Image courtesy Clker.Com AKA Australian Music Month. The things you learn, thanks to other bloggers! It was kimbofo's post of last Monday that brought this month to my attention, though I now see that our ABC is celebrating it, along with other musical organisations. I should have been aware. Anyhow, as kimbofo wrote, it offers … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Ausmus Month

Monday musings on Australian literature: Nonfiction awards 2024

It's been a very busy weekend, and I have a few posts waiting to do, plus a reading group book to finish for tomorrow, so this post is a quick one. Phew, you are probably saying if you stuck with me over the weekend! Today's topic recognises that our litblogosphere's annual Nonfiction November event, currently … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Nonfiction awards 2024

Monday musings on Australian literature: Fearless reviewing in 1970

I concluded last week's Monday Musings by saying that I wasn't finished with 1970. There are several posts I'm hoping to write, drawing from my 1970 research, but I'm starting with this one simply because it picks up on a comment I made last week. That comment referenced George Johnston, and a review by John … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Fearless reviewing in 1970

Monday musings on Australian literature: 1970 in fiction

Once again it's Karen's (Kaggsy's Bookish Rambling) and Simon's (Stuck in a Book) "Year Club" week. This week, it is 1970, and it runs from today, 14th to 20th October. As for the last 6 clubs, I am devoting my Monday Musings to the week. Despite the excitement and idealism of the 1960s, 1970 Australia … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: 1970 in fiction

Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie Booker Prize listees

In terms of the Booker Prize, it's been a long time between drinks for Aussie writers. By this I mean that Charlotte Wood's shortlisting for the 2024 prize with Stone Yard devotional, breaks the longest drought Australian writers have had in terms of being listed for the prize since its commencement in 1969. It has … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Aussie Booker Prize listees

Finlay Lloyd’s 20/40 Prize 2024: Shortlist announced

And, the interesting literary awards keep coming. In November 2022, I announced the creation of the new 20/40 Publishing Prize by the local-to-my-region independent, non-profit publisher, Finlay Lloyd. A year later, in October 2023, I announced the inaugural shortlist, and soon after that, the winners, Rebecca Burton's Ravenous girls (my review) and Kim Kelly's Ladies’ … Continue reading Finlay Lloyd’s 20/40 Prize 2024: Shortlist announced

Monday musings on Australian literature: literary Magandjin/Brisbane

Last week I wrote a post on "literary outback Queensland", following the route of a trip we had just finished. That trip ended up in Magandjin (or Brisbane), which is very definitely not "outback" so I decided to hold over Brisbane fiction for another post. Concluding the Skylore drone show, 2024 Brisbane Festival Brisbane is … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: literary Magandjin/Brisbane

Monday musings on Australian literature: literary outback Queensland

I started writing this in late August, before we headed off on our outback Queensland trip, revisiting many places from my childhood, as well as seeing some new places. It was while living in Mt Isa, in northwest Queensland that I developed my love of Australian literature and of the Australian landscape. I was 11 … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: literary outback Queensland

Monday musings on Australian literature: A little Longreach interlude

I am still tripping through Queensland, and had planned a more in-depth post for today - in fact, I'd started working on it before I left Canberra on 31 August - but my energy levels have been sapped by having had COVID for the last week, not to mention by our busy touring schedule. Rather … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: A little Longreach interlude