When I wrote my last post in this Monday Musings series on Australia's writers centres, author Angela Savage, who is also the current Director of Writers Victoria, commented that the centre was celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. She was hinting, in the nicest way of course, that I should "do" Writers Victoria this year - … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Writers Victoria
Australian literature
Monday musings on Australian literature: Growing up [name the aspect] in Australia
With my Japanese trip almost over, I'm posting just a quick - but nonetheless interesting, I hope - Monday Musings this week. Some of you will have guessed what this title refers to; it's to the little recent flurry of anthologies being published in Australia in which contributors write about growing up Asian, or Aboriginal, … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Growing up [name the aspect] in Australia
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian novels in Japan
Here is my second Monday Musings inspired by my current Japanese travels. It is, loosely, a companion piece to one I wrote three years ago on Australian literature in China. That was inspired by an article I found in Trove. This one, however, was been inspired by a program I discovered via Google, called The … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian novels in Japan
Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian writers in Japan
Given I'm currently travelling in Japan, I thought I'd write a couple of Japanese-oriented posts. My first one - introductory, rather than in-depth - is about Australian writers who live or have lived (loosely defined) in Japan. An early Australian writer who went to Japan was Rosa Praed who visited Japan around 1894–95 on her … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Australian writers in Japan
Dominic Smith, The electric hotel (#BookReview)
I admit to a brief feeling of déjà vu when I started Dominic Smith's latest novel, The electric hotel, because it starts by telling us that its protagonist 85-year-old Claude Ballard has been living in the Knickerbocker Hotel in Los Angeles for over thirty years. Not another man living in a hotel like our gentleman … Continue reading Dominic Smith, The electric hotel (#BookReview)
Nhulunbuy Primary School, I saw we saw (#BookReview)
A week or so ago, I wrote a post to commemorate this year's Indigenous Literacy Day. In that post I noted that the book I saw we saw was going to be launched at the Sydney Opera House that day. It was written and illustrated by students from Nhulunbuy Primary School, up on the Gove Peninsula, … Continue reading Nhulunbuy Primary School, I saw we saw (#BookReview)
Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Shortlist, 2019, announced
As you know, I don't announce all literary awards shortlists, but the Prime Minister's Literary Awards have an "interesting" history, so I plan to follow them more closely than I originally did. The press release says that over 500 books were submitted across the 6 categories, much the same as last year in fact. Last year, … Continue reading Prime Minister’s Literary Awards Shortlist, 2019, announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: Teachers in Australian novels
What's brought this on, you are probably wondering, but I can explain. Firstly, my Jane Austen group has, over the years, discussed Jane Austen from the point of view of roles and professions, so, for example, we've discussed professions like the clergy, and roles, like brothers, in Austen, and have enjoyed the research and the discussion. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Teachers in Australian novels
Indigenous Literacy Day 2019
Today, Wednesday 4 September, is Indigenous Literacy Day, which the Indigenous Literary Foundation (ILF) describes as "a national celebration of Indigenous culture, stories, language and literacy". The day is intended to both promote awareness of disadvantage in indigenous communities, and to "encourage the rest of Australia to raise funds and advocate for more equal access to … Continue reading Indigenous Literacy Day 2019
Monday Musings on Australian Literature: Canberra Writers Festival 2019 Recap
Just when you thought it was safe to return to my blog, I'm at it again, talking about this year's Canberra Writers Festival. However, if you are like me you are intrigued about what other readers and festival goers like, so I thought I'd share what the Canberra Writers Festival sent us subscribers. But, I'll … Continue reading Monday Musings on Australian Literature: Canberra Writers Festival 2019 Recap
