Michael Burge's Blog, page 4

Reading a lot into homophobia

IT’S NOT THE most pleasant of subjects, but when you’ve written a crime thriller about homophobia, it’s likely that you’ve done your research about this insidious form of discrimination. Heck, you’ve probably even been on the receiving end! When I was approached to nominate five Australian books related to the theme of my novel Tank … Continue reading Reading a lot into homophobia →

Blowing away Bob Katter’s bulldust

IN 2018 I WAS asked to give a paper at a Newcastle University conference – Surveilling Minds and Bodies. This was a unique chance for a non-academic, and I embraced the opportunity to present some of the research that went into my debut novel Tank Water (MidnightSun Publishing, 2021), which joined an embryonic wave of literature … Continue reading Blowing away Bob Katter’s bulldust →

Calling out Bob Katter’s bulldust

IN 2018 I WAS asked to give a paper at a Newcastle University conference – Surveilling Minds and Bodies. This was a unique chance for a non-academic, and I embraced the opportunity to present some of the research that went into my debut novel Tank Water (MidnightSun Publishing, 2021), which joined an embryonic wave of literature … Continue reading Calling out Bob Katter’s bulldust →

Impressionist Champion captures the light

AN EXHIBITION OF works inspired by the effects of sunlight is set to brighten the walls of The Makers Shed in Glen Innes across winter. The art of Inverell-based painter Peter Champion, ‘Let the Sun Shine’ features an array of land- and sea-scapes of the New England, Northern Rivers and the eastern seaboard of New … Continue reading Impressionist Champion captures the light →

Creativity is this scientist’s absurd Plan B

SCIENTIST-TURNED-ARTIST James O’Hanlon features in a solo exhibition at New England NSW creative hub The Makers Shed across autumn, with an array of work inspired by exploration, discovery and pushing the limits of perception. According to James, art as been a hobby for most of his career, “an indulgence when I had spare time and … Continue reading Creativity is this scientist’s absurd Plan B →

VIDEO: Take a look at Tank Water

I RECENTLY recording this short interview about the themes and origins of my debut novel Tank Water. Please enjoy, and if you’d like to buy any of my books, please head to my online bookshop.

Digging deep for genres

I RECENTLY read two great examples of #EcoFiction – The Breaking by Irma Gold, straight off the back of Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. These are extraordinary and very different books, and genres aren’t really important unless you’re marketing a title and you need to know where to put it in a catalogue … Continue reading Digging deep for genres →

VIDEO: Dive into the Tank Water trailer

AT LONG last, my debut novel Tank Water is in the world! After a decade’s hard slog on the manuscript, almost two years since I signed the book deal with MidnightSun Publishing, and with the final part of the mountain just ahead, I am approaching the summit. Considering some of the stages of my journey … Continue reading VIDEO: Dive into the Tank Water trailer →

Don’t come home: a sample of Tank Water

JAMES Brandt didn’t look back when he got away from his rural hometown as a teenager. Now, he’s returned to Kippen for the first time in twenty years because his cousin Tony has been found dead under the local bridge. The news that Tony has left him the entire family farm triggers James’s journalistic curiosity … Continue reading Don’t come home: a sample of Tank Water →

The pudding’s in the proof: Tank Water spills onto the page

I RECENTLY EXPERIENCED a series of very sweet ‘just desserts’ while working on the final stages of releasing my first novel, Tank Water. Proofreading is an art. It’s best done as part of a team, and a team is what I was treated to with the polishing of Tank Water, recruited by Anna Solding of … Continue reading The pudding’s in the proof: Tank Water spills onto the page →