Popped into the annual Wings over Illawarra airshow today at Albion Park airfield. I used to fly out of there to Melbourne before some pinchpenny airline accountant canned the option. It cost more than flying out of Sydney, but the 36-seater planes and the accompanying experience were pure Casablanca every time.I’m researching for a story partially set in the restoration hangar so I took the opportunity for a good snoop round today.
big jet plane
Yesterday, as a guest of the Queensland Writers’ Centre, I flew to Brisbane to be a panelist as part of their One Book Many Brisbanes short story masterclass program. Fellow speakers were Overland editor Jeff Sparrow and writer Peter Ball. The audience were newbies; fresh faced and attentive. Tutors included hoary old pros Angela Slatter and Trent Jamieson.I was invited to share my Cosmos fiction editorial insights. I think I did OK and I only got carded once for swearing. Jeff and Peter made some interesting observations about the literary end of the short story universe – I probably learnt as much from them as did the audience.I admit to having to repress the urge to get up on the table and shout GO HOME EVERYONE! WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO YOURSELVES? WRITING IS A VAMPYRIC CURSE THAT WILL SUCK THE HOURS FROM YOUR DAYS AND THE MARROW FROM…
google fu to you too!
Today’s short story research saw me investigating motorcycle stunts, mining explosives, Che Guevara and submarine torpedoes! can’t see how I can possibly fail with this one!
very cosmic!
The first Cosmos story chosen and edited by me has just hit the news stands! Issue #37 features Thoraiya Dyer’s awesome ‘Breaking the Ice’, a dystopian tale dealing with refugees, climate change and damn fool crazy schemes worthy of the Bondiest Bond plot ever. To my mind, it’s a perfect fit for the magazine. A talented new writer on the rise.
recommended!
I’m thrilled to report that my Sprawl story ‘All the Love in the World’ made the Locus recommended reading list. Sprawl itself clocked a mention in the original anthologies section, as did fellow Sprawlites Peter Ball and Angela Slatter. Angela scored twice, with one of her Sourdough stories also making the list. Couple of Margo Lanagans, a Nix, a Broderick and a McMullen amongst the shorts/novelettes too. Dowling, Egan and Strahan in collections/novels. Go Aussies!It’s still stinking hot although it did rain today — on my head while I was walking to the station this morning. Not that I’m complaining. Last night we went to see Billy Connolly performing live at the WIN ent cent. A funny, funny man. Go see him live if you ever get the chance.