The forgotten writers I have been writing about vary greatly, and most will stay forgotten because, to be honest, their time has past and not all writing remains relevant. This is not to say, however, that they are not worth revisiting. They are, after all, part of our literary culture, and they paved ways, whether … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Forgotten writers 7, Grace Ethel Martyr
Australian literature
Melissa Lucashenko, Edenglassie (#BookReview)
Broadly speaking, Melissa Lucashenko's latest novel, Edenglassie, does for southeast Queensland what Kim Scott's That deadman dance does for Noongar country in southwest Western Australia. Both tell of the early days of their respective colonies from a First Nations perspective; both are written in a generous spirit but with absolute clarity about the dispossession that … Continue reading Melissa Lucashenko, Edenglassie (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Poetry Month 2024
National Poetry Month - in Australia - is now four years old, and once again it is spearheaded by Red Room Poetry, which is described by ArtsHub as "Australia’s leading organisation that commissions poets and produces live poetry events nationally". ArtsHub adds that this Month is "a festival that celebrates emerging and established writers, as … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Poetry Month 2024
Monday musings on Australian literature: Et toi, France!
With a certain event happening in Paris, and other parts of France at the moment, I thought it would be fun to briefly explore, some literary connections between Australia and France. I say "some" because there's no way I could know, let alone list, all the ways in which our countries have connected over the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Et toi, France!
Myfanwy Jones, Cool water (#BookReview)
When I was a little girl, I was allowed to watch a limited amount of television, and what I loved - yes, you can laugh at me - were the singing cowboys, like Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. We are talking the 60s and I was constrained by what was on at the times I … Continue reading Myfanwy Jones, Cool water (#BookReview)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Forgotten writers 6, Constance Clyde
"Forgotten" is a subjective thing, as I suggested with my fifth post in this series on Lillian Pyke whose reputation as a children's writer has survived in niche circles at least. My next subject, Constance Clyde, like Lillian Pyke, has entries in both AustLit and Wikipedia suggesting some notability, but I had not heard of … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Forgotten writers 6, Constance Clyde
Brigitta Olubas and Susan Wyndham in conversation with Julieanne Lamond
This week's Meet-the-Author conversation with Brigitta Olubas and Susan Wyndham about their book Hazzard and Harrower: The letters was high priority for me - not only because Hazzard and Harrower are wonderful writers, but because Olubas and Wyndham are themselves significant players in Australia's literary community. For those who don't know them, Shirley Hazzard (1931-2016) … Continue reading Brigitta Olubas and Susan Wyndham in conversation with Julieanne Lamond
Monday musings on Australian literature: First Nations Australian short story collections
NAIDOC Week 2024 National Logo NAIDOC Week 2024 finished yesterday, but, as I often do, I am bookending the week with Monday Musings posts. Last week, I posted on First Nations Australian Stella listees. This week I'd like to highlight some recent (meaning 21st century) short story collections. In my admittedly limited experience, First Nations … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: First Nations Australian short story collections
ALS Gold Medal for 2024 announced
It is some time since I wrote about the ALS Gold Medal. This is not because I don't think it's interesting or worthwhile, but because there are so many awards, and I just don't have the time to write up announcements for every award made each year. So, I pick and choose a bit, and … Continue reading ALS Gold Medal for 2024 announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: First Nations Australian Stella listees
NAIDOC Week 2024 National Logo Yesterday was the start of NAIDOC Week 2024. As has been my practice since 2013, I'm devoting this week's Monday Musings to the cause. NAIDOC Week's theme this year is Keep the Fire Burning! Blak, Loud and Proud. Without specifically stating it, this theme responds, I'm sure, to the devastating … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: First Nations Australian Stella listees
Whispering Gums 