A Wordy Weekend

This weekend has been all about books and writing. Sure, I still have housework to do, but I rarely have so much time to dedicate to my craft in one weekend.

Yesterday was National Bookshop Day in Australia. Independent bookshops have been doing it really tough in recent years, probably because people are (a) reading less and (b) buying books online or as ebooks. I know it's not always cheap to buy books from an actual bookshop, but can you imagine a world without them? How sad! If you didn't buy a book from your local independent retailer yesterday, how about making up for it next weekend, or during the week if you have the time.

Also, yesterday, I did my first public reading at Whispers: Curiouser and Curiouser, at the State Library of Queensland. I read from my short story, Hoffman's Creeper, which is about a retired botanist and his struggle to keep his most treasured specimen alive. Doesn't that sound curious? By the way, if you happened to take of photo of me, please let me know.

Last night, after a few drinks with my fellow "furious" writers, I caught the bus home - had to wait for nearly an hour but that gave me time to read, The Horror in the Museum, by Hazel Heald... it's scary Lovecraftian fiction - and spent several hours reediting short stories. I got a huge amount of work done.

Today, it continues, I have a meeting with the other committee members of the Australian Horror Writers' Association, and we expect to have some big news for Aussie horror writers and readers very soon. But before that, I have some new fiction to work on... bye for now.

Books From Our Backyard Catalogue

If you hit the bookshops and libraries of Queensland on a regular basis, you're sure to come across a beautiful, glossy print version of this catalogue. If, on the other hand, you're a bit of a hermit, just download a pdf copy and check out all the Queensland books from the comfort of your home. It's right here: Books From Our Backyard

Thank you for supporting Queensland writers!

Associations and Anthologies

As an "emerging" writer, and one who hopes to outgrow that tag one day, being a member of writers' associations is an important way of building a network. Interaction with fellow scribes, as well as editors, librarians, bookshop owners, bloggers and journalists, is invaluable. I am a member of several writers' associations and groups, including the Australian Horror Writers' Association, the Queensland Writers' Centre, and the Short Fiction Writers' Guild... and all three have just launched new projects to promote members' writing.

AHWA:
The Australian Horror Writers' Association is in the process of setting up state communities to encourage the association's members to be more active all around the nation. Queensland is the first state to set one up and I have volunteered for the role of State Leader. With the Brisbane Writers' Festival and GenreCon coming up later in the year, I'm working on getting us involved in activities and promotions to coincide with these events. A horror tour of Brisbane and a membership drive are a couple of ideas that we're working on right now. If you're attending either of these events, stay tuned!

QWC:
On Tuesday the 2nd of July, the Queensland Writers' Centre is going to launch a catalogue of books by writers from the sunshine state. It's aptly called "Books from our Backyard" and will be available in print and as a pdf file. You'll have it thrust at you wherever you go; online, at the State Library of Queensland, at council libraries, and at independent bookshops all around Brisbane. Naturally, Hoffman's Creeper and Other Disturbing Tales will be included. This is a wonderful initiative from the QWC that will give all of the writers whose work is featured a great deal of publicity. Thanks to Sharon Phillips and the crew!

SFWG:
Lastly, the Short Fiction Writers' Guild will launch an anthology of tales written by its members in July. I love anthologies and the variety of style and subject matter they offer the reader, so I am really looking forward to the launch of this publication. It will include a haunting piece by yours truly called, "The House of Shattered Lives". More on that coming soon.

If you want any further information about any of these associations or projects, just leave me a message.