In March 2016, my husband and I went on a holiday together to Tasmania for five nights. It was the first time we’d left our young children for more than a night. My parents stepped up to mind them. The occasion was my 40th birthday and Tasmania was a ‘bucket-list’ destination. The scenery, the food, […]
The Story Behind the Story: ‘By Proxy’ Read More »
When people tell me they don’t read or like short stories, I tend to feel a bit sorry for them. And, if I’m honest, a little superior. Perhaps even a little defensive. That’s possibly the wrong approach. As the wise and thoughtful editor, Laurie Steed, says in his introduction to Shibboleth and other stories (Margaret River
Meet Jo Riccioni: Author & Winner of the Margaret River Press Short Story Competition Read More »
Imagine you’re at the start of your creative writing life. You have a short story. You have no idea if it’s any good. But you send it off anyway to a national, well-respected short story competition – the first one you’ve ever entered. You wait and wait. Then the results come in and you nearly
Meet E.C. Thorpe – Winner of the Stringybark Short Story Award 2015 Read More »
Is there a more complex creature than a young girl? Desperate to fit in, yet also stand out (only in the right way, of course). Too cool to hold hands with a parent, yet yearning for love in all its forms – familial, platonic, and romantic. Such a rich confusion of thoughts and emotions. Such
IN BRIEF: A short story collection which is rich with pathos and sparing with words. As a writer, Murray Middleton is wise beyond his years, and humble beyond his generation.
Reflections: ‘When There’s Nowhere Else to Run’, by Murray Middleton Read More »
IN BRIEF: Tegan Bennett Daylight puts her extraordinary writing skills to full use in a short story collection that powerfully captures the messiness of life and the awkward transition to adulthood.
REVIEW: ‘Six Bedrooms’, by Tegan Bennett Daylight Read More »
Victorian writer, Melanie Napthine is the winner of this year’s Margaret River Press Short Story Competition for her unsettling tale, ‘Lost Boy’ – after which the anthology of shortlistees is also named. (Shameless plug – my story ‘Glory Season’ is also published in the collection!) It was a genuine thrill to read this story, which
Meet Melanie Napthine, author of ‘Lost Boy’ Read More »
In this age of email and text message, it’s lovely to receive something in the post that isn’t a bill. It’s more lovely when that thing is a parcel. It’s even lovelier still when the parcel contains a beautiful book which has one of YOUR short stories published in it. I first started writing ‘Glory
From Rejection to Publication: How a short story found its home Read More »
IN 140 CHARACTERS OR LESS: Children take mothers to dark places. This book of twisted fairy tales will help you see the light.
REVIEW: ‘Mothers Grimm’ by Danielle Wood Read More »
IN 140 CHARACTERS OR LESS: This Valentine’s Day, forget chocolates and fragrance. Give your partner the gift of insight with this thoughtful short story collection.
REVIEW: “Australian Love Stories” edited by Cate Kennedy Read More »
