A preamble The Canberra Writers Festival is back in 2025, with a new Artistic Director, author Andra Putnis whose biography-memoir, Stories my grandmothers didn't tell me I reviewed earlier this year. The Festival's theme continues to be "Power Politics Passion", albeit not as dominating in promotion as it used to be. The ACT Book of … Continue reading Canberra Writers Festival 2025: 1, ACT Book of the Year
ACT Book of the Year Award
ACT Book of the Year Award 2023 shortlist and winner
This year I attended, for the first time, the announcement of the ACT Book of the Year award, which was held at the Woden Public Library. For some reason our award doesn't get the media recognition or attention that it deserves. Sure, it is not one of the wealthiest literary prizes in the country, and … Continue reading ACT Book of the Year Award 2023 shortlist and winner
Monday musings on Australian literature: the ACT Book of the Year Award
I think it's time I dedicated a post to the Book of the Year Award made in my own jurisdiction. I briefly introduced it back in 2018, and then wrote recently about its 2022 shortlist. But today, I want to document it a bit more thoroughly. (For the record, the 2022 winner has now been … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: the ACT Book of the Year Award
ACT Book of the Year Award 2022 shortlist announced
For some reason - perhaps because I don't write about every award every year - I've only written once before about the ACT Book of the Year Award. It is an award presented by the ACT Government. Unlike most of the state government awards, the award is limited to ACT Writers, and, like the Stella, … Continue reading ACT Book of the Year Award 2022 shortlist announced
Monday musings on Australian literature: ACT’s literary awards
Last week, I attended the ACT Writers Centre's Christmas Party and Awards Night. It was a lovely, relaxed affair - just the sort I like. Not too much ceremony, but much good will and conviviality. I loved seeing writers, and others from our little territory's literary community, mingle with each other, commending each other's achievements. … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: ACT’s literary awards
Whispering Gums 