AustralianReaderdotcom discussion
Introductions
Hi! My name's Glenn. I'm a student at University of New England (UNE), Armidale, NSW who has this year been studying Diploma in Modern Languages but who has decided to transfer, and next year I will begin my BA (at UNE), majoring in English. I live in Melbourne and I'm therefore studying by correspondence. I'm married to a beautiful, young Thai woman named Chong, and we hope to start a family some time soon. To date, my contributions to Oz Reader have been three in number: three poems, with two more scheduled for publication on 20t September.
Hi all, my name is Greg. I live in Rockhampton Queensland. I am a fulltime media officer in the public service.When I'm not doing that I have a secret life as a writer. I've had one story published on OzReader, a tribute piece to Edgar Allan Poe. I will also have a story published on Absent Willow Review on September 17. I intend on publishing as many stories as I can.
My background? Eight years as a journalist for newspapers in Bundaberg, Rocky and Gladstone.
I have a a wife and two daughters.
I can recommend the feminism unit at UNE, as part of the English units. I also majored in English there, and the Communication units are also good value, and I recommend them.
It's a pity that Michael Sharkey is leaving by the start of next year, as he's a great academic and a wonderful person.
Phillip
It's a pity that Michael Sharkey is leaving by the start of next year, as he's a great academic and a wonderful person.
Phillip
G'day, Greg!
I'm always open to considering more of your work if you would like me to.
Phillip
I'm always open to considering more of your work if you would like me to.
Phillip
Hi everyone,I'm Deb and I live in Melbourne. Thanks Phillip for setting up this group. I look forward to chatting with you all about the writing life.
I have two stories on Australian Reader: 'The Caldwell case' and 'The sequined shirt'. I've been a professional writer for a long time across a range of media - drop by my website if you'd like to see what I've done over the years! http://deborahsheldon.wordpress.com
My passion is short story writing and I've got my first collection coming out in January.
Dear Deborah,
feel free to drop me a line when it gets close to publication time, so that I can help get the word out for you, ok? I'd love to give you a hand!
And thanks for joining, and for the chance to publish your stories as well,
Phillip
feel free to drop me a line when it gets close to publication time, so that I can help get the word out for you, ok? I'd love to give you a hand!
And thanks for joining, and for the chance to publish your stories as well,
Phillip
Hi Y'allThanks for setting up this site Phillip.
I'm Yvonne and live in Sydney, but am spending lots of time emailing writing friends in America, mostly from the South. At one time I spent 5years overseas, three of them in Canada, and lately am beginning to feel multi-national(for want of a better word). This past year I've been working on my second novel, which is a sequel to The Ledger available on amazon.com. I've always wanted to write and am grateful that in latter years I have been given the opportunity.
Hey Phillip,Thanks for being so supportive, I appreciate it.
Regards
Deb
G'day, Yvonne!
I'd love to help out with your second novel when it is ready, so please feel free to ask for it when you need it. It is a pleasure to work with you, as well, and I am glad that you are part of the AustralianReader experience.
Phillip
I'd love to help out with your second novel when it is ready, so please feel free to ask for it when you need it. It is a pleasure to work with you, as well, and I am glad that you are part of the AustralianReader experience.
Phillip
Dear Deborah,
it is my pleasure to be supportive, and to help in any ways that I am able to. It might not result in much, but what matters is that I do my best for my friends and fellow writers, at the end of the day.
Phillip
it is my pleasure to be supportive, and to help in any ways that I am able to. It might not result in much, but what matters is that I do my best for my friends and fellow writers, at the end of the day.
Phillip
Hello, friends!
My name's Benji and I live in Sydney, NSW. I'm a high-school graduate and I haven't yet decided what I'm going to do next. I've worked in telecommunications, retail, marketing and promotions and held nearly as many jobs as I have conversations. Margaret Atwood is my favourite author and poet; I love just about everything she's ever said or written. I have a poem called "Entwinement" on Oz Reader, and have had a few others published by Polestar Writers Journal, Microsoft Oz (the Mozzie) and Nimbin-based zine, Beyond the Rainbow.
Thank you, Phillip, for setting up this great group and for doing a bang-up job at maintaining Oz Reader!
Benji
My name's Benji and I live in Sydney, NSW. I'm a high-school graduate and I haven't yet decided what I'm going to do next. I've worked in telecommunications, retail, marketing and promotions and held nearly as many jobs as I have conversations. Margaret Atwood is my favourite author and poet; I love just about everything she's ever said or written. I have a poem called "Entwinement" on Oz Reader, and have had a few others published by Polestar Writers Journal, Microsoft Oz (the Mozzie) and Nimbin-based zine, Beyond the Rainbow.
Thank you, Phillip, for setting up this great group and for doing a bang-up job at maintaining Oz Reader!
Benji
Hello everyone,My name is Richard and I live north of Brisbane, Qld. I'm recently retired so you could say I'm a full-time domestic servant. In my spare time I write. I have two books published and the third should be out in November. I seldom read fiction; I stick to classics and historical works. I'm published by Zeus in Australia and soon by Lachesis in Canada.
I'll probably take some time to get used to this group but I hope to be able to join in soon.
Richard
G'day, Benji!
You could have added that you've met me in person, as well, and that my nose proceeds before me. :)
I am glad that you can join us, and I look forward to seeing more of your work. You're always welcome to submit material, you know!
:)
Phillip
You could have added that you've met me in person, as well, and that my nose proceeds before me. :)
I am glad that you can join us, and I look forward to seeing more of your work. You're always welcome to submit material, you know!
:)
Phillip
G'day, Richard!
I look forward to reviewing your two books, which reviews appearing in November's newsletter. I am actually eyeing them as I write. :)
What are your thoughts on your publishers?
yrs
Phillip
I look forward to reviewing your two books, which reviews appearing in November's newsletter. I am actually eyeing them as I write. :)
What are your thoughts on your publishers?
yrs
Phillip
Phillip wrote: "G'day, Richard!I look forward to reviewing your two books, which reviews appearing in November's newsletter. I am actually eyeing them as I write. :)
What are your thoughts on your publishers?
..."
This brings us to the argument as to what can be considered as 'published'. Zeus is a partnership publisher. I contribute some money up front but then they do everything a traditional publisher would do. I get royalties and can buy books for my use at a discount. They have helped me heaps and I'm now their highest-selling author. So I'm happy with them for my Australian publishing even though some people would say I can't claim to be published because I've made a one-off payment.
My publisher in Canada is having a few problemns. Their main editor has resigned but her condemnation of the company is a recommendation as far as I'm concerned. She says they are hard working and have the highest level of morality in their intentions. They just lack good management. So my books have been delayed in publishing even though they have been fully edited. I didn't have to pay anything to Lachesis but there are still some who would question this as being truely published because I don't get an advance on royalties. I just get royalties every quarter.
So I'm happy to claim I've been published in both cases.
Hi everyone, great idea Phillip, and let me take this opportunity to thank you for all you do for Australian writers. I'm Magdalena and I'm the author of one novel, Sleep Before Evening (working on #2 - slowly...), and a poetry chapbook Quark Soup. I've self-published a couple of smaller chapbooks done in collaboration with a poet friend, and we're currently adding a third to the series. I've been following AustralianReader since its Georgina days and am very proud to be involved which such a progressive and valuable publication.
Hi everyone, great idea Phillip, and let me take this opportunity to thank you for all you do for Australian writers. I'm Magdalena and I'm the author of one novel, Sleep Before Evening (working on #2 - slowly...), and a poetry chapbook Quark Soup. I've also got a full length (BeWrite Books) poetry book coming out in December. I've been following AustralianReader since its Georgina days and am very proud to be involved which such a progressive and valuable publication.
G'day, Richard,
As I am sure that you're aware, there are these options to the traditional image of the advance-paying publisher who doesn't accept payments. And the situations of real life have always been complicated.
For example, Tolkien received a higher rate of royalty from Lord of the Rings, rather than accepting an advancement, and he received higher income as a result.
Further, a number of authors of the early A&R subsidised their publication with payments, and while many weren't successful, culturally important books were published as a result.
Even if we look at vanity publications, so to speak, Lord Dunsany paid to have his first book published, but none thereafter.
The result is that there is, and should be, more complexity as to what constitutes a published work, than what we might initially presume, and we should, as a result, be more inclusive perhaps, more celebratory. (If interested in the topic, ask me what I think of Brennan's The Burden of Tyre in light of samizdat publishing....:) )
As I am sure that you're aware, there are these options to the traditional image of the advance-paying publisher who doesn't accept payments. And the situations of real life have always been complicated.
For example, Tolkien received a higher rate of royalty from Lord of the Rings, rather than accepting an advancement, and he received higher income as a result.
Further, a number of authors of the early A&R subsidised their publication with payments, and while many weren't successful, culturally important books were published as a result.
Even if we look at vanity publications, so to speak, Lord Dunsany paid to have his first book published, but none thereafter.
The result is that there is, and should be, more complexity as to what constitutes a published work, than what we might initially presume, and we should, as a result, be more inclusive perhaps, more celebratory. (If interested in the topic, ask me what I think of Brennan's The Burden of Tyre in light of samizdat publishing....:) )
G'day, Alyson!
It's a pleasure to meet you, and I am glad that you can join us. Feel free to start and/or respond to, a discussion.
Yrs
Phillip
It's a pleasure to meet you, and I am glad that you can join us. Feel free to start and/or respond to, a discussion.
Yrs
Phillip
G'day and welcome, Magdalena!
It's always been a pleasure to work with you, and I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship between yourself and AustralianReader.
Yrs
phillip
It's always been a pleasure to work with you, and I look forward to a long and prosperous relationship between yourself and AustralianReader.
Yrs
phillip
HI everyone, my name is Robin and I have only just discovered Australian Reader. I am having a short story published on the site soon, called The Mango Tree and I'm very excited about it, as I have only been seriously writing short stories for about a year. I am a former freelance writer for newspapers and magazines who has been concentrating on fiction novel writing for the last 6 years. I am as yet unpublished, and am currently working on my third manuscript while my second is winging its way from publisher to publisher. Like any writer worth the ink in her pen, I have over the years earned a large collection of rejection letters!
Also like other writers I love reading, and enjoy mainly contemporary fiction. Some of my favourite authors are Kate Grenville, Nick Earls, Tim Winton, Lionel Shriver, Tracey Chevalier and Nick Hornby. Also Zoe Heller - her "Notes on a Scandal" is one of my all time favourites.
Robin wrote: "HI everyone, my name is Robin and I have only just discovered Australian Reader. I am having a short story published on the site soon, called The Mango Tree and I'm very excited about it, as I have..."Hi Robin,
You've mentioned someting of great interest to me. In Australia we seem to go for the publishers whereas overseas they go first for the agents. Here it is a real Catch 22. It's harder to get an agent than it is to get a publisher. I don't know what we can do about it though. Any thoughts?
I think that a number of small publishers here (overseas too) tend to take unagented submissions, so those of us who aren't big business authors probably will do better looking for a publisher first. If you've won a major award (Vogel, Christina Stead, Newcastle Prize, Age story of the year), had tons of very high level publications, or have a manuscript that is of such originality that you know it will generate a bidding war (dream on...) then an agent who loves it will definitely help you get a better advance/publisher. But few of us are going to interest an agent on the first novel or book -- it usually takes a few publications and an award first, and then an agent will be worthwhile. I'd say for most of us, publication by a small traditional house would be the best first point of call. There are some superb small publishers like Wakefield Press, IP, Transit Lounge, etc - to name just a few - this year's writers yearbook will list them all - who publish excellent, highly regarded work (you generally won't get an advance - that's the way it goes) and take unagented submissions.
G'day Phillip & everyone, my name is David J Delaney & I too have recently discovered Australian Reader & am enjoying reading comments here & on the website. I am classed as a bush poet but enjoy almost any rhyming poetry & the occasional free verse, I am currently the ABC radio far norths 1st ever poet laureate soon to start my 2nd season, I have also self published 2 books of poetry selling throughout Australia, parts of America, U.K. Ireland & Japan. I have submitted one of my latest poems plus a bio to Australian readers and am looking forward to the response.
It's great to meet you all and if you want to see more info on me, google David J Delaney.
Dave.
It's great to meet you all and if you want to see more info on me, google David J Delaney.
Dave.
G'day, Robin & David!
I am glad that you can both join us here, and it's great to see you both!
As it happens, I'm a tad busy at the moment, David, with a couple of essays for publication, one for an American academic journal, one for a book edited by David Brooks; both are about Christopher Brennan, an antithesis to bush poetry if anything.
So I'll get back to you either tomorrow night or Thursday, and that'll be the same with the other submissions pending.
I also second the recommendation for picking up a copy of the local Writer's Market -- I find it indispensible, even if AustralianReader is listed in it. :)
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Phillip
I am glad that you can both join us here, and it's great to see you both!
As it happens, I'm a tad busy at the moment, David, with a couple of essays for publication, one for an American academic journal, one for a book edited by David Brooks; both are about Christopher Brennan, an antithesis to bush poetry if anything.
So I'll get back to you either tomorrow night or Thursday, and that'll be the same with the other submissions pending.
I also second the recommendation for picking up a copy of the local Writer's Market -- I find it indispensible, even if AustralianReader is listed in it. :)
yrs
Phillip
No worries Phillip, I never expect a reply from anyone in the 1st couple of days mate.(-:
Dave.
Dave.
Richard wrote: "Robin wrote: "HI everyone, my name is Robin and I have only just discovered Australian Reader. I am having a short story published on the site soon, called The Mango Tree and I'm very excited about..."I don't know what the answer is, Richard. In workshops I have been to and published writers I have spoken to, opinion is divided as to whether it's more effective to approach publishers or agents first. I figured that for a first manuscript my chances of being accepted by a publisher were just as great (or not so great) as being accepted by an agent, particularly in Australia, where we have a comparatively small literary market. If I were trying for an overseas market, I think an agent would be a must. However I will let you know if I have any success.(I probably won't need to tell you - you'll hear the screams of excitement from wherever you are!
Hope it's okay to add our own books here. If not, slap my hand and I'll remove mine immediately! NB, my publisher (BeWrite - highly recommended) is in the UK and they accepted my book unagented. I had a lot of trouble getting a local agent and have heard similar stories. In any case, good luck Robin. Do let us know how you get on. Things may be different with different genres - my novel is literary fiction - very hard to place with an agent but not particularly difficult for publishers - there are agents that specialise in particular genres and many of those are, from what I understand, more open.
Just following on from Magdalena's comments on publishers/agents...this may be of interest on the distribution side.How Led Zeppelin helped Literature
http://writersworld.com.au/Articles/A...
Guy,
thanks for the link! It has already given me a few ideas to work with.
:)
Phillip
thanks for the link! It has already given me a few ideas to work with.
:)
Phillip
Hi my name is Jess, I'm an editor and writer and of course a voracious reader. I write a regular column for Arts Hub magazine called Writing Bootcamp. It's all about pumping up those writing muscles, creating a lean mean creative machine. Books I've edited recently include Antarctica: Slicing the Silence (which won the Qld Premier's Award-I would say the best MS I've ever edited), 1606, Climate Action, books on vampire fiction, lots of biographies, a book on India, now one on Persia and several books on the fall of Singapore. Life is never boring, I love always learning about new things.
G'day, Jess!
I'm glad that you've joined us, and I'm sure that you have heaps to add to our conversations.
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Phillip
I'm glad that you've joined us, and I'm sure that you have heaps to add to our conversations.
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Phillip
hi - i've yet to introduce myself. I'm Jacqui and I live in Melbourne's inner west. I'm currently on maternity leave with my second child. I'm a writer and reader - have a few things published. I love crime fiction and general fiction.
G'day, Jacqui!
I am glad to have you aboard, and I hope to answer any of your questions that I am able to.
yrs
Phillip
I am glad to have you aboard, and I hope to answer any of your questions that I am able to.
yrs
Phillip
Hi, Phillip and everyone in this group,Short introduction - My name is Stuart, and I live in Melbournes south near the beach. I am the author of: Beyond my Control - One Man's Stuggle with Epilpsy, Seizure Surgery & Beyond.
G'day, Dave, your short stories arrived in the mail, I will be in touch VERY soon, thanks mate.
Mw website has all my details if you would like to take a peek. :-) http://www.beyondmycontrol.net
Great to see you here mate & have a giggle at my stories (-:
David J wrote: "Great to see you here mate & have a giggle at my stories (-:" Seriously Dave, if they are a fraction as good as your poetry they will leave me wanting more!!!!
Hi Phillip, first of all, thanks for the invite and also for sharing your warm, supportive energy with so many people, including myself. I'm a writer, editor, designer and strategic marketing adviser by day and by night ... well pretty much the same thing. I love to design books and edit them as well, but design is my passion. Dave (Delaney), I thought I'd better say HI! It's a small world, eh? :) My latest adventure is a labour of love, Assegai Magazine. For details, check out: http://www.assegai-magazine.com or email me on renee@risingstardesigns.com.au. OK, I'll close for now so the next person can have their say. :)
Well, blow me down with a feather, G'day Renee great to see you here too, I have been in contact with Kelvin & will be presenting his idea to the group today.
Anyone here should check out Renee's site she is a wonderful person with great idea's also if you need insperation get a hold of Stuarts book "Beyond my Control" I have read it twice now & it is a very insperational story from a great bloke.
Anyone here should check out Renee's site she is a wonderful person with great idea's also if you need insperation get a hold of Stuarts book "Beyond my Control" I have read it twice now & it is a very insperational story from a great bloke.
Dave ... that's really sweet, especially from a warm-hearted, genuine bloke like you! :) OK, we'd better stop before the other folks start rolling their eyes. I forgot to say before that bookselling in this country (and really around the world) is no joke, but it's great to see so many people writing, publishing and generally getting out there!
After reading all the posts in this group, I am delighted to have joined.Thanks Dave, for such a warm welcome. I have read your short stories, and I do have a favourite; 'Rolling Wheels' a great insight into life on the road---I laughed out loud with the cardboard cutout! How our minds can deceive us given the right circumstances!
Ciao, Stuart aka http://twitter.com/writer99 If any you are on Twitter, I would love to follow. :-)
I would just like to encourage the silent members of our Australian Reader group to introduce themselves. We're all writers here and we'd love to hear from everybody!
Hello everyone, I've connected with Stuart and Deborah on Twitter and I'd love to add you too if you post your Twitter link. I have a couple accounts, but the main ones are: http://twitter.com/ReneeBarber and http://twitter.com/assegaimagazine (I've added this note as it put the full stop in the URL). Hope to tweet you later!
Great to see some more 'Aussie' tweeps, fabulous networking tool....see you in Twitterville soon. :-)
I ought to get back into Twitter when I can, possible starting in the lunch-times when I have a spare half hour or so every day.
Hi Everyone, I'm Margo and just celebrating the publication of my first book - You Deserve Dessert: Fact, Fiction & Fable, a book of 110 cakes, biscuits and desserts. But no, not recipes. You can feast on poems, articles and mini-stories where cakes become characters. There's a trio of proper tarts and a suave Sacher Torte. Poetry as the sweetener. A perfect present on silk-coated art paper. Check me out - omargo.com.au.(Special price to AustralianReaders - just email)
Huge congratulations Margo,Perfect timing with christmas just around the corner;)
Hey Margo, congratulations on the book and great job on your web site too - it's easy to navigate and has an attractive layout.
For those who don't know by now, I'm the editor of AustralianReader.com. I inherited the site from the founding editor, Georgina Laidlaw, who had done an excellent job, and whom I can only hope to emulate.
In any case, I wanted to give us all the chance to introduce ourselves to each other, and to give some idea of what is happening with the website.
For example, at the moment, I have two features planned for 2009: there will be a special Halloween feature of horror fiction, and hopefully some poetry as well, and the upcoming Summer feature will be writing from WA.
I'd love to hear from you, and to hear about you: I don't know most of you as well as I should, and that should be addressed, no?
Phillip