In the first of our interview series with contributors to Flashing the Square, an anthology of microfiction and prose poems, we interview Berkeley-based Australian author, Kirsten Tranter. 1. What inspired you to write the prose poem/microfiction which will appear in Flashing the Square? Turing Test Study Guide was inspired by thinking about the Turing Test, … Read More
interviews
Vivienne Plumb: on short fiction
Vivienne Plumb, an Australian currently living in New Zealand, is a playwright, poet, and fiction writer. She has held several residencies, including one in 2004 at the University of Iowa and the 2006 Massey University writers’ residency. She holds a Doctorate in Creative Arts at the University of Wollongong. This week, on the eve of … Read More
Spineless Wonders Asks Claire Aman
1. Who are the short fiction authors you admire (Australian or otherwise, alive or dead)? My favourite short fiction authors include Gillian Mears, Patrick White, Elizabeth Jolley, E Annie Proulx. 2. What is the most memorable short story you have read? And why does it stand out for you? The most memorable short story I’ve … Read More
Spineless Wonders asks Maree Dawes
In this interview, editor and poet, Rhiannon Hall talks with West Australian poet, Maree Dawes about her writing and its influences and about her verse novel, brb: be right back. When did you develop an interest in poetry? I used to write poetry as a child, continued through high school and early days of uni … Read More
Amanda Lohrey Selects series: Interview with Claire Corbett
Claire Corbett author of Hostile Takeover What inspired you to write this story? I’d been working in the NSW Cabinet Office, which provided policy advice to the Premier. It was a unique and intensely hierarchical workplace and I wanted to capture the sense of intrigue and behind-the-scenes machinations before my deep understanding of it faded. Our … Read More
Amanda Lohrey Selects series: Interview with Belinda Rule
Belinda Rule author of The Road North From Toodleton What inspired you to write this story? The first thing was that Olga Lorenzo assigned Marilynne Robinson’s Housekeeping in Novel 2 class (at RMIT), which for me is one of those books that is playing the violin in a minor key inside your chest cavity and you … Read More
Spineless Wonders asks … Maree Dawes
1. What inspired you to write the verse novel, brb: be right back? My usual inspiration is to be immersed in something .. the day.. history…music..art or the environment and write about that in my journal. I write really freely in my journal complete with spelling mistakes. I imagine being other people and write as if … Read More
The Great Unknown: Alex Cothren
The Great Unknown Q & A with Alex Cothren Our first interview with a contributor from The Great Unknown anthology is with Alex Cothren, whose story, ‘A Cure’, won The Carmel Bird Award 2013. See the judge’s comments on his winning story below. 1. What did you enjoy/find challenging about writing to this particular brief … Read More
The Great Unknown interviews
We are very excited to be publishing this collection of stories edited by Angela Meyer. Inspired by such TV shows as The Twilight Zone, Outer Limits and the X Files, these are stories set in Australia which explore the uncanny, spooky and downright weird. You can read more about how the book came about and … Read More
Amanda Lohrey Selects series: Interview with E. Ratnam Keese
E. Ratnam Keese, author of The Fence What inspired you to write this story? In writing ‘The Fence’, which is based on an actual event —conflict over the demolition and installation of a fence between two properties— what inspired me was the theme that finally emerged: that to love is to be supportive. This philosophy is … Read More