2010 History Festival at the NSW Writers Centre 13th March

If you want to write historical novels, non fiction or just hear some inspiring authors, the History Festival is warm, intimate and you can wander in the gardens, speak to the authors, enjoy the day.

I’ll be there, so please say hello to me. I’ve written historical novels too like ‘Shadows of Olive Trees’ about the second rise of feminism in th 1970’s – it’s really about love, family, hope and dreams. History is a great vehicle for the powerful emotions and movements of life. I’m not speaking but speak to me as I’m on the Management Committee of the New South Wales Writers Centre.

Some of the great authors are:

Meenakshi Bharat whose written about the history of Bollywood, as well as Sir Salman Rushie – that’s a contradiction.

Gabrielle Carey who started her career writing ‘Puberty Blues’ and has gone on to writing acclaimed books

Jascquie Kent one of Australia’s best biographers

Camilla Nelson award winning Crime Writer

and many others.

 at NSW Writers Centre Ph: 02 9555 9757

e- nswwc@nswwriterscentre.org.au

Cost is $50 for members; $75 non members

How’s speaking?

Aussie Month in Argentina with Dynamic YA Blogger -The Clock Monkey

The Clock Monkey is a dynamic YA blog from Argentina and it’s AUSSIE MONTH. Drop into Ella’s site and look around. 

Feb 1st: Welcome to The Clock Monkey’s Aussie Month! (Introductory Post)

Feb 5th: Blogger Interview: Holly Taylor

Feb 7th: Book Review: Tomorrow, When The War Began, by John Marsden (EBook Giveaway)

Feb 9th: Aussie Author Challenge

Feb 12th: Author Interview: Goldie Alexander

Feb 13th: Author Interview: Ryan Kennedy & Hazel Edwards

Feb 14th: Happy Birthday Pretty Book! (Aussie Edition)

Feb 16th: Blogger Interview: Steph Bowe

Feb 18th: Author Interview: Chrissie Michaels

Feb 20th: Author Interview: George Ivanoff (Book Giveaway for Gamers’ Quest – International)

Feb 23rd: Book Review: That’s Why I Wrote This Song, by Susanne Gervay (Lyrics by Tory Gervay) *Updated: Book Giveaway – International*

Feb 25th: Featured Author: Meryl B. Tobin (Review by Chrissie Michaels; Poem by Meryl B. Tobin)

Sarah Davis’ I AM JACK Trailer

Sarah is an award winning illustrator and a great friend. We meet at the Sydney Children’s Writers & Illustrators’ Network at The Hughenden.

Check out her website: – www.sarahdavisillustration.com.

She loves I AM JACK and she created this funny, warm and relevant book trailer.

2010 Sydney Kids Writers & Illustrators Network at The Hughenden Starts

HEAPS of NEWS from Network Authors & Illustrators:-

Jeni Mawter has a younger picture book accepted and coming out next year about Kids & their JOY

The fabulous fantasy sisters – Kate Forsyth and Belinda Murrel – have books coming out in June 2010 – Ruby Talisman by Belinda and The Wild King’s Curse by Kate Forsyth and they’re going to launch them together with different publishers – Random Hosue and Pan MacMillan – it’s very cool.

Aleesah Darlison has 5 contracts for 5 books for the next 2 years – I call that major.

Sue Walker’s book ‘Arnie Avery’ to be published by Walker Books is out this year and there’s MUCH more ….

Sadami Konchi with her illustrations for Rigby Publishers; Jenny Hale who is working on her sequel to Jatta – more werewolves expected!!!!

Jan Latta who is going on trek in Kenya with a documentary film team as a wild life photographer

Janice Slater is a renowened music score writer whose writing film scripts and inspiring young people with teaching them music.

Dawn Hort has a fellowship to Canberra for May Gibbs ….  there’s so much energy and support for each other.

David Morris is taking Rotary by storm with his books.

I love it. By the way my ALWAYS JACK (HarperCollins) will be published October 2010. Monkey Baa Theatre for Young People will be touring I AM JACK in 2011.

British High Commission Library, SCBWI India, Scholastic India, Publishers & Indian Authors

India is on the cusp of launching into a new era of children’s writing. 

I had the privilege of being invited by the head of SCBWI India, writer Jyota Singth Visvanath to launch SCBWI India at the British High Commission Library, Delhi. 

Jyoti has been published in the prestigious magazines Highlights and Cricket in the USA, and has had a hugely successful series of non fiction children’s books with sales of 1.5 million books.

I spoke about publishing, writing for kids and young adults with the Sayoni Basu Managing Director of Scholastic India and the dynamic Anita from a significant Indian publisher. There were wonderful Indian authors and illustrators there. Swati Roy Bookseller from EUREKA, The Bookstore for the Young  is so enthusiastic about youth literature.

Siddhartha Sarma was in the audience. His YA novel, ‘the grasshopper’s run’ published by Scholastic is a powerful book set in 1944 exposing the imperial Japanese Army’s invasion of British India. It’s a wonderful book, a sign of the talent in Indian youth writing.

The event was enthusiastic, enquiring and filled with the energy of new ideas and passion for writing.

There was interested discussion on young adult literature and censorship.  While Indian teens were reading Twilight and all sorts of literature, there is difficulty in schools and parents accepting ’search for identity’ YA literature.  I discussed my YA books and opened discussion on ’The Cave’ and censorship.

Dinner with Sujato Sankranti, a Princess of the State of Kerala and Commonwealth Short Story Award winning Writer

Thankyou to Sujata and husband for their hospitality in their home and a fabulous Indian dinner. The white marble floors keep their house cool and beautiful. I loved the Ganesha Hindu Elephant Gods in her home. The God of wisdom and success.

Love Sujata’s  book, ‘The Warp & the Weft’ a collection of short stories published by Srishti India. Meenakshi Bharat, Professor of Literature University of Delhi wrote – Sankranti’s stories are ‘a celebration of the complexities of human existance.’

Sharon Rundle Writer and Editor Australia wrote, ‘they are an absolute delight to read.’ I agree. Sujata will be in Australia for the launch of ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito’ on 21st March at the Hughenden in Sydney.

Sujata is softly spoken, a lecturer at the University of Delhi, and a Princess of Serala. Today her palace is a State Heritage Site. She was born in the palace, but she’s happy that people can visit it and experience the Indian heritage.

Lecturing at the University of New Delhi

Meenakshi Bharat, Professor of Literature at the Sri Venkateswara College in the University of New Delhi, organised that I’d speak to a hall of Literature students. It was wonderful. The students were very interested in what and why I write. They are studying Australian Literature. Their questions and interest were very thoughtful and they were keen to read my books. I left a set in their library. Unfortunately, HarperCollins Australia don’t distribute to India.

The University of Delhi is filled with students in both Western and traditional Indian dress. It’s a modern university. It was hospitable when the principal invited  us to have morning tea with her in her sitting room. There is a great professional search for meaning in India, as well as the serious social issues that confront the country.

Sujata Rao, a Commonwealth short story prize winner and writer; and Sharon Rundle an academic, writer were at the lecture too. They are both involved in the anthology, ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito, published by Picador India. Of course, Meenakshi and I are also involved with ‘Fear Factor: Terror Incognito.’ Meenakshi is both a contributor and the co-editor.

I Love Goa, IASA Conference 2010

Snapshots of exotic Goa, Indian scholars and writers, an experience that I will always remember with special people. Yanthan may be a professor but he can sing like a star and laugh until we all laugh with him. Mridusmita from the state of Assam is studying for her Phd at the Indira Gandhi National Open University with Irene Phalung Awungashi. These beautiful girls will change India with their sense of social justice and they’re great dancers too.

Meenakshi and Sujata Rao who both presented at the IASA Conference, are coming to launch Fear Factor: Terror Incognito at The Hughenden in Sydney 21st March 2010. it’ll be brilliant

The Intellectual Life on the Indian Sub Continent

I’ve discussed philosophy, the state of the world, literature with professors and scholars from Delhi to Chennai to Calcutta to the exotic Northern States of India to Jaipur – and the discussions have been rich in thought and ideas.

This has been different to other conferences without awkward communications. There is a warmth and excitement about engagement of ideas here. The colourful saris, exotic foods and embracing of life were truly joyous.  I especially love the young scholars who are embracing Australian literature. What a privilege to share time with them – especially the enthusiastic joyous intellectually engaging Rembemo Odyou, the beautiful Mridusmita and Irene Phalung A Awungashi – young scholars who want to work towards social justice.

Professor Sareen and Professor Gopal who are the inspiration for this exchange of ideas at the IASA Conference  in Goa are visionary in their fostering of such a positive relationship between Australia and India.

Meenakshi Bharat and Sharon Rundle are also visionaries in their pursuit of publishing FEAR FACTOR TERROR INCOGNITO, an anthology that opens dialogue about terrorism and a way towards peace. What a great place to launch this anthology.

GOA,Indian-Australian Conference,Launching Fear Factor:Terror Incognito

Tropical gardens, coconut palms, beautiful saris, a balmy night and dancing under open skiies to open this conference of friendship, literature and Indian-Australian relations.

The anthology Fear Factor:Terror Incognito with stories by Sir Salman Rushdie,Tom Keaneally … me .. was launched at the IASA Conference in GOA.

The audience included many professors from universities throughout India, the Australian Assistant High Commissioner to India, Indira Gandhi National Open University and the eminent academics Professor Santosh Sareen and Professor D Gopal.

Sujata read from her story in the anthology and I read from Days of Thailand, my story in the anthology. Meenakshi Bharat and Sharon Rundle, the Indian and Australian editors receieved applause and accolades for their commitment to an anthology which opens discussion on terrorism in a real way and connects India and Australia in the commonality to a peaceful world.

Fear Factor Terror Incognito, the Australian edition will be launched by Picador at The Hughenden 21st March 2010