You know how when you go to a conference you pick up all sorts of pamphlets and brochures advertising this and that? Well, at the Writing the Australian landscape conference I attended back in August, just before I went overseas, I picked up an interesting leaflet from Australia's Copyright Agency. The leaflet is titled: Reading … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Reading Australia
The Role of the Arts Critic: a Childers Group Public Roundtable
Last week, I reorganised my Friday Lunch Group's schedule in order to attend a public roundtable on the role of the arts critic organised by the Childers Group. This group, formed in late 2011, describes itself as an "independent arts forum ... committed to the long-term viability and vitality of the arts". It aims to … Continue reading The Role of the Arts Critic: a Childers Group Public Roundtable
Murray Bail, The voyage (Review)
It took me a while to read Murray Bail's latest novel The voyage. I started it before we went overseas but didn't quite finish it, and decided not to carry it with me. So, 8 weeks later, I picked it up and found it surprisingly easy to continue. I say surprising because it is a rather … Continue reading Murray Bail, The voyage (Review)
Monday musings on Australian literature: Writing the Australian landscape (3)
Back in August I wrote two posts (here and here) about the National Library of Australia's conference, Writing the Australian landscape. At the time I said that I would provide a link when the talks became available on-line. Well, they apparently went on-line a month or so ago and the NLA very kindly tweeted the … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Writing the Australian landscape (3)
Dorothy Johnston, Eight pieces on prostitution (Review)
A few months ago I wrote a Monday Musings on the Australian Society of Authors' digital publishing initiative, Authors Unlimited e_Book portal. At the time I decided to try it out and bought Dorothy Johnston's collection of short stories, Eight pieces on prostitution. The collection comprises 7 short stories and a long story or novella. One … Continue reading Dorothy Johnston, Eight pieces on prostitution (Review)
Delicious descriptions from Down under: Murray Bail on composers’ houses
During our recent trip to Europe we managed to follow the trails of a few composers*. We saw statues of JS Bach, CPE Bach, Felix Mendelssohn and Ludwig van Beethoven. We visited Eisenach, where Bach was born and saw the church where he was baptised. We visited Leipzig, where he worked for 27 years and … Continue reading Delicious descriptions from Down under: Murray Bail on composers’ houses
Monday musings on Australian literature: GenreCon
I returned from seven weeks of gallivanting abroad to several emails* about something called GenreCon, which will take place next week from October 11 to 13 at the State Library of Queensland. I hadn't heard of this before, which is probably not surprising as it seems to be a new event. As you've probably guessed … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: GenreCon
Miscellaneous writers on travel
You may have noticed that I didn't manage a Monday Musings last week. Mr Gums and I have just arrived home from our 7-weeks sojourn overseas - so normal service will resume soon, both here and in my reading of your blogs! Today, though, I thought I'd share a small, eclectic collection of quotes about … Continue reading Miscellaneous writers on travel
Monday musings on Australian literature: Qantas flight-length book deal
Some of you have probably sussed that Whispering Gums is not at her usual desk - and you'd be right. I've been travelling since mid-August, mostly in Europe, and will be back home in early October. I had hoped to read some books and write reviews while on the road, but somehow the reviews haven't … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Qantas flight-length book deal
Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – The High Country
This, my third Let's Get Physical post, is once again about a region that's not too far from me - the Australian High Country. When most people think of Australia, they think - at least I believe they do - of deserts and beaches, of red earth and golden sand. But, Australia does have a … Continue reading Monday musings on Australian literature: Let’s get physical – The High Country
Whispering Gums 