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Each year I sum up the wonderful books I’ve read over twelve months. They’re not necessarily published in 2017, but I like to share what I’ve been reading. My tastes generally run to genre fiction, especially noir and weird fiction. [Read more…] about The Best Books I Read in 2017
Last weekend went to one of the biggest writing conventions in Australia: Genrecon. It’s held every two years in sunny Queensland. I had a blast last time I went, so I wasn’t about to miss out this time. The last four months have been tough for me and I came into Genrecon feeling creatively spent. I needed to recharge as a writer. So shenanigans were had, karaoke was sung and they even let me moderate a panel. But first… [Read more…] about Genrecon 2017 Wrap Up
These days a small cut wouldn’t warrant a trip to the hospital, let alone a trip to the local doctor. You’d clean the wound with antiseptic before wrapping it up, leaving it to heal in a couple of days. But 150 years ago, a small cut could be a death sentence, without modern antiseptics to clean the wound. [Read more…] about The Butchering Art by Lindsey Fitzharris Review
I’m really excited to tell you all I’m chairing a panel at Genrecon in November with some fantastic genre fiction authors. Yay! The panel is:
First the book comes out and it feels like everyone’s talking about it. Then the book’s been out for a while, and it seems like people aren’t talking enough. Amy Andrews, Emma Viskic, and Trent Jamieson talk you through the first few weeks of a book’s lifespan and offer tips on surviving the launch and the lull that follows when the release is over and the reviews have all come in.
You can check out the whole program online. Unfortunately the convention is so popular it’s now sold out, so make sure you get on the mailing list for future conventions. I can’t wait to go up to Brissie in November. If you’re attending Genrecon, let me know. I’d love to see you there!
Moving house sucks. And as much I love my book collection, I’ve used the opportunity to give away some of my books.
But how can I give them away? For many of my bookworm friends, parting with a book is like parting with a limb. It’s an emotional, traumatic experience. What if I need that book later?
I used to be like that. I used to keep every single book I ever bought. It got too much – random books purchased on the spur of the moment on the history of Latin America lay dormant for years. I thought I’d read it, one day.
Well, let me tell you, if you haven’t read it already, it’s time to give it away. I came up with some rules for giving away my books to help me break the bond with paperbacks.
After every convention I go to, I try to put some meandering brain thoughts into words, so that everyone can partake of the wonder that is a speculative fiction convention. This year Continuum 13 was the Australian National Science Fiction Convention. Last year I’d been on the committee for Continuum, so this year was an entirely different experience. For one, I wasn’t on seven panels and trying to man the registration desk at the same time. [Read more…] about Continuum 13 Wrap-up