I am writing talks, packing bags and preparing my chili palate ahead of my departure to Singapore and the Asian Festival of Children’s Content next week (thanks to writingwa, the Department of Culture and the Arts and SCBWI West). I will be narrating for duelling illustrators Soefara Jafney and Gabriel Evans; talking about controversial content in children’s lit with Cynthia Leitich Smith and Mariko Nagai, chaired by Nury Vittachi and talking about obsessiveness, creativity and young people. I cannot wait.
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It’s been four years since the launch of Losing It (see here for a read excerpt from the night). I am delighted it is still getting some attention – most recently on the Stella Prize blog here, by the splendid Danielle Binks.
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Anyone vaguely interested in books, writing and creative industries generally will have noticed the short shrift the latest Productivity Commission’s latest report is getting from anyone vaguely interested in books, writing and creative industries. Tim Winton (who opines about the technocrats wanting to piss all our cultural achievements up against the wall) and Richard Flanagan (who says ‘This is a government that despises books and views with hostility the civilisation they represent’) fire the latest salvos. Write a submission if you will: the link is here.
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In terrible news, the marvellous Gillian Mears has died. The tragic loss of a wonderful woman and unique voice.
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Western Australia has got a good showing in the CBCA Shortlist.
Congratulations to my fellow writers, here and elsewhere. Congratulation to you/us all, shortlistees or not. Doing the work is the thing. Remember this.
