Catching up in the Antipodes

A lot to report since April, so here goes.

I was invited to participate in Vanessa Gebbie´s Grist Mill where I drafted two chapters of a cosy crime story.

I had four micros accepted by Pure Slush: one in the anthology Cow, and one in Work and the other in Marriage, both books in the Lifespan series, as well as a fourth in the Snatches of an Aria in Music Folio 1.

So having landed in Sydney, I participated in literary speed dating without the time zone problems I had last time round participating from Vienna, but was unable to interest an agent or publisher in Ambergris.

I had Ambergris looked at in Canada – so now I have feedback from four professionals – two women and two men. I must really go through it all carefully and weigh the pros and cons and give it a last trad try before giving it to Flo Do Books. 

The Bookery in Lane Cove was good enough to take three copies of All the Beautiful Liars on consignment. Last time I looked, one copy had been sold. I had entered the book in comps in Australia, but sadly got nowhere.

My book loot from Sydney is quite eclectic: Shirley Hazzard´s Collected Stories, Paddy O´Reilly´s Other Houses, Lily Brett´s Old Seems to be Other People, Eloise Grills’ Big Beautiful Female Theory, and Michael Winkler´s Grimmish. I caught Winkler´s gig on self-publishing and it was extremely frank and helpful, so that may be the way for me to go.

Was proud to have brought a “story” to WordCity Literary Journal about a young Afghan photographer, his work, and his dreams. 

Ahmad has so many wonderful photos that he shares on Instagram, and I am working with Josh Lee of Leopard Publishing on a photo book to help finance Ahmad´s dream of becoming a photo reporter focussing on the country he loves.

We just had a wonderful weekend in Melbourne seeing old friends and their dogs and taking in an exhibition on light shared by the Tate Gallery.

So, until next, I leave you as always with onwards!

p.s. Also found at Readings in Melbourne