Lefa Singleton Norton's Blog

The Pun: comedy newsletter

This Melbourne Comedy Festival, I’m supplementing my reviews in The Age with a regular newsletter containing reviews, news, opinions and coverage of the festival.

You can sign up for updates here.

Not sure what to see at the MICF? Here’s how to make it a two-course comedy feast

My first feature article in The Age has been published – and it made the front cover of M Magazine!

The babysitter has been booked. The group chat has finally settled on a night where everyone is free. Date night is in the calendar.

You’re heading out to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and I’m here to tell you that the only thing better than a night out seeing your favourite comedian is taking a chance on finding a new favourite and getting a one-two punch by catching a comed...

Top reads for 2024 for the young readers in your life, from babies to teenagers

Excited to have this published on ABC Arts today. What a joy to be able to recommend some of the great books released in 2024. My biggest problem was, predictably, whittling it down to this list.

Give the gift of engaging stories, books that will be fun to read with your little ones all year round, and a way to encourage the creativity that comes naturally to kids.

One special request from me… please head to your local bookstore if you’re going to purchase books! Without them our publishi...

Tea & book pairing: Gunflower

Matching this gorgeous Dragon Phoenix Oolong with a re-read of some of the powerful stories from Laura Jean McKay’s short story collection Gunflower. Both are bracing, clear and strong. Perfect together.

Story in a Teacup

Every bibliophile knows the only way to improve a good book is by reading it while drinking a perfectly brewed cup of tea. So I’m super excited to have my own literary blends of tea, with the launch of Story in a Teacup, which blends the magic of literature into every leaf and sip.

Each of our blends is carefully crafted to capture the essence of a literary masterpiece. From bold, adventurous flavors inspired by Hemingway’s works to contemplative notes reminiscent of Jane Austen’s genteel...

The Age 2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival reviews

I’m reviewing Melbourne International Comedy Festival for The Age again this year. Here’s the round-up of my published pieces:

Anna Piper Scott | None Of That Queer Stuff

Piper Scott treads masterfully into delicate territory to tease out entertaining truths. As she reassesses which labels she’s shedding and which she’s acquiring, sometimes grudgingly thanks to her partners, the trust she builds with her audience means any jibe about a particular sexuality or gender is taken with the affec...

Clunes Booktown Festival

It’s been a week since we were at the Clunes Booktown Festival with mobile bookshop On the Road Books and our soft-launch of my literary tea blends Story in a Teacup.

It was such a busy two days we barely had time to take photographs but here are a few snaps. Thank you to everybody who came by to buy books, taste teas and purchase them to enjoy later.

The crowds at Clunes are always so lovely, it’s great to chat about books (and tea), meet folks we talk with online, get to know other booksellers a...

On the Road Books 2023 Roundup

It was a huge year for our little traveling bookshop! We went from the city streets (Melbourne) to the country (Wye River), attending festivals (Clunes Booktown Festival) and markets (Fitzroy Mills) and delivering books to your doorsteps.

I get so much pleasure from finding new homes for books that I know readers will treasure. It is a practical way to combine my environmental activism with my passion for Australian literature and reading. It’s been lovely to find other people who are as ...

The Age 2023 Melbourne Fringe Festival Reviews

It’s Fringe Fever time in Melbourne and I’ve been reviewing shows for The Age. I was particularly pleased to be able to cover so many disabled performers for the festival; our sector is going from strength to strength.

Reviews on The Age:

Rainbow History Class with Rudy Jean Rigg and Hannah McElhinney

Rainbow History Class is in session, and teachers Rudy Jean Rigg and Hannah McElhinney have the room in their sway.

The Age, October 12 2023

Adam McKenzie: Hacked

Computers...

National Young Writers’ Festival 2023

I have returned from National Young Writers’ Festival 2023, proud as punch of what our team put together.

I was one of three board members able to attend the festival in person. Here we are pictured above (Lex Hirst, myself and Michael Daley), having a blast at Newcastle Library where a majority of the events took place.

Being a board member during the festival was mostly a case of being an enthusiastic cheerleader, which feels like a huge honour. We get to experience the events and be...