Own trumpet (blowing of)

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By janene, on 23/04/2010

My story about Wendy and Rebecca James, Armidale's writing sisters, is a two-page spread in the Sydney Morning Herald today (Spectrum, p.30-1). The photo of them is lovely but slightly misprinted. Never mind - the words are great!

Also, I was shortlisted for this year's Calibre prize for an outstanding essay. I didn't win but my entry (actually a 6,000 word chapter of my creative nonfiction project) will be published in Australian Book Review later this year.

AND (how come all the good stuff hits you at once?) the lovely Lynda Hawryluk at CQUniversity asked me to be writer-in-residence on North Keppel Island for a writing retreat about memoir and memory. That's in two weeks time (yes, I'm a last-minute fill in)

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Reward for apprenticeship in craft

Submitted by cacroker on Sat, 24/04/2010 - 12:26.

That's why the good stuff happens at once. Now you need the fortitude and confidence to ride out any inevitable down periods (or at least period less illustrious on external indicators). You go girl. Relax and enjoy Keppel. Hope it is not too idyllic and keeps the Muse away.

Congrats!

Submitted by barbarem on Sun, 25/04/2010 - 10:36.

Congratulations Janene. Will you be at the National Library function next Friday? (Don't have names handy at moment, am interstate).

BME

National Library essay-writing session

Submitted by janene on Sun, 25/04/2010 - 13:31.

I'm in Armidale so getting to Canberra is a two-plane affair. Also I'm deep in my exegesis at the moment (well, at least I was before I was sidetracked into developing workshops on memoir-writing for the North Keppel Island expedition). But I would have thoroughly enjoyed the reward/luxury of going to the NLA essay event if I'd been one of the Calibre winners.

national library/calibre

Submitted by barbarem on Mon, 26/04/2010 - 18:52.

It is former winners talking about the craft and the latest winner to be announced. Should be good, but you have to bring your own lunch.

regards

BME

congratulations!

Submitted by brooke davis on Wed, 28/04/2010 - 15:13.

Janene - such fantastic news. All of it! You do all of us Postgrad Writers proud. Is there any way of reading your story if you live in WA?? SMH is a little hard to come by over here, I'm afraid. I am also very much looking forward to reading your essay in ABR. Well done! I am also SO happy to see someone blowing their own trumpet - someone's got to!! Thanks again for the news Janene.

Calibre session

Submitted by barbarem on Sat, 01/05/2010 - 18:56.

Janene,

The essay session at the ANL was really good value. the two winners (you'll have sen the result by email I'm sure) gave their talks and two sets of panels (personal essays and the style of essays) were offered by former winners. Robert Dessaix's talk was bright and sharp as usual. The ABC was filming in the early session but I don't know where that will appear. Most of the tone was the personal essay and its increasing value.

regards

BME

a lovely response

Submitted by janene on Sat, 01/05/2010 - 20:21.

Dear Brooke,

Such unabashed delight - it's lovely - especially after watching the shutters close on a few people's faces when I mentioned my third bit of good news, as though my small successes somehow diminish them or blight their chances. And I have to admit I know this churlish response from the inside too: I've felt green and inferior instead of happy when confronted by a writing friend having a run of good fortune. So thank you for being pleased for me! And thanks to everyone who's said congratulations.

You can read the Herald story online - just as plain text - by searching the Fairfax News Store. All their articles are there, all free, for now at least. Put my name or Rebecca's into:
http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/newsSearch.ac?sy=nstore

Wishing you all the best,

Janene

Calibre session

Submitted by janene on Sat, 01/05/2010 - 20:40.

hi Barbara,

I hope someone was recording the talks for radio - perhaps ABC RN's book show? I would love to hear them.

Robert Dessaix spoke about his essay writing methods at the 2009 Sydney Writers Festival - I seem to remember he delights in digressions and eschews planning, unlike fellow panelist Leigh Sales who said she likes to map out a rough structure after doing some preliminary research, so she can focus her efforts.

(I'm in Leigh's camp)

cheers

Janene.

Congratulations Janene!

Submitted by snapshot on Tue, 18/05/2010 - 20:41.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WOOOOOOOOOOOOwwww Congratulations, Janene.

I look forward to your publication in ABR. Let us know when it will be.

I've just entered ABR's Short Story Comp. Don't know how I will go but at least I will have 'given it a go.' I think 'winning' is also about so many other things too...

Cheers

Ayana

“Life is unpredictable and does not follow the bend of the plot.” – Nelson Algren

James Sisters article

Submitted by snapshot on Tue, 18/05/2010 - 20:45.

Good article, Janene, thanks.

I'll be chasing up books!

Ayana

"Life is unpredictable and does not follow the bend of the plot.” – Nelson Algren

Retreat to the Castle - ABR June issue

Submitted by janene on Tue, 01/06/2010 - 21:36.

For those who were interested in having a look, my Calibre Prize shortlisted essay is one of this month's free reads on the ABR website at

http://www.australianbookreview.com.au/files/Features/June_2010/ABR_June...

janene's essay

Submitted by barbarem on Wed, 02/06/2010 - 11:52.

Congratulations Janene. Very well expressed. It is a difficult time, particularly for a child who doesn 't really understand everything. My grandmother was lucky, pneumonia came to her rescue.

BME

Congratulations

Submitted by Di on Thu, 03/06/2010 - 16:04.

I was so touched by your telling of the story - a difficult topic handled very well - congratulations