Admirable Artists, Reflective Reviews, Wonderful Writing

ArtsHub: “Gilded”

"Gilded" by Marissa Meyer This book is a treasure: a YA/Adult delve into a fairytale land of mythical creatures, medieval-style life (complete with magic, of course) and a plot that reframes Rumpelstiltskin. In this clever book the author's research into the setting and the narrative style is evident. At 600-odd* pages it's a fantastic escape… Continue reading ArtsHub: “Gilded”

Admirable Artists, Reflective Reviews, Wonderful Writing

Inaugural ArtsHub Review: “Love & Virtue”

"Love & Virtue" by Diana Reid A ripper of a novel, set in the university dorms of a Sydney university and covering topical issues around entitlement, sexual consent and ethical behaviour which have been rife in the Australian press over the last couple of years. If not a game-changer, then definitely a conversation-starter ... or… Continue reading Inaugural ArtsHub Review: “Love & Virtue”

Admirable Artists, Reflective Reviews, Wonderful Writing

Review: “Shackled Freedom”

"Shackled Freedom" by Dasan Ahanu I was asked by Rick Lite from Stress Free Book Marketing if I'd like to review this book. I relish books from outside my experience because that's how I learn about the world from other people's vantage points, those from other walks of life ... and as I'm not a… Continue reading Review: “Shackled Freedom”

Admirable Artists, Wonderful Writing

Inspiring Poetry = Inspired World

OutLoud Secondary Digital Slam! 2020 Final Amanda Gorman This time last year this arrived in my inbox from the Wheeler Centre (a place which does everything writing, for and about writers, named after its patrons Maureen and Tony Wheeler of Lonely Planet fame): Here's that reminder you asked for. Tomorrow from 6.15pm (AEDT), you can… Continue reading Inspiring Poetry = Inspired World

Admirable Artists, Wonderful Writing

Award-winning legal crime?

Remember Samiksha Battacharjee? Having reviewed her YA book I believe she has a great future as an author, and will make a strong contribution to the literary world, especially in the creative space for - and by - young people. Well, Legal Crime has been shortlisted for an award where anybody in the world can… Continue reading Award-winning legal crime?

Admirable Artists, Reflective Reviews, Wonderful Writing

Youngest British YA Author

The book The author Samiksha Bhattacharjee, author of Legal Crime, found me. She asked if I would like to review her recently-released debut novel. It is with great pleasure that I present my review: scroll down past the trailer. https://videopress.com/v/rGWWHwbW?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata Watch the trailer of my interview with Samiksha. Watch the full interview at the end… Continue reading Youngest British YA Author

Self Stretch, Wonderful Writing

Inaugural Poetry Month

August is Poetry Month - in Australia, if not in further reaches. Red Room Poetry, an organisation for students (and teachers), is creating a poem forest: POEM FOREST is a free nature writing prize that literally breathes life back into the natural world that sustains us. Created by Red Room Poetry, in partnership with The Australian Botanic Garden, POEM… Continue reading Inaugural Poetry Month

Self Stretch, Wonderful Writing

World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day 21 March is World Poetry Day, in which UNESCO (which has a wonderful motto of building peace in the minds of men and women) "recognizes the unique ability of poetry to capture the creative spirit of the human mind." Here is my humble contribution to the volume of poetry in the world… Continue reading World Poetry Day