Festivals and other news
I'll be making my first (post-publication) festival appearance next month at the Perth Writers' Festival. There are many reasons why this is a wonderful thing. For one, I'm looking forward to have an excuse to pop back to Perth in the height of summer. It's been years since I was there for hot weather, so I'll be making the most of Cottesloe Beach. Actually, I may need to buy bathers.
Blue waters aside, I'm excited (and nervous) at the thought of sitting on the other side of the desk at various panels. I've done this a few times before, but that was before I had an actual book to promote or defend or dissect. It doesn't help that there are many highly-regarded authors also appearing at the festival. (Margaret Atwood! China Mieville! Kate Grenville!) I will be trying my best not to look like an impostor. But then, as it's a writers' festival, I kind of figure everyone else will be doing the same thing.
I'm doing four sessions, not all of which have been announced. You can read about two of them here:
http://www.perthfestival.com.au/Authors/Bartlett,-Myke
More details about the festival are here:
http://www.perthfestival.com.au/Perth-Writers-Festival/
I'm also one of the authors chosen by Melbourne's Centre for Youth Literature for this year's Reading Matters program. This is very exciting, even if it doesn't mean a swim. I'll be joining some very talented folk, some of whom have been announced at the link below. If you're in Melbourne and are interested in Young Adult fiction, I recommend you come along.
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/reading-matters-authors
In other news, I recently finished recording an audiobook version of Fire In The Sea for Vision Australia. At this stage, it will only be available to their members, sorry. It was a strange process, reading something that couldn't be changed or edited. I rarely read my stuff once it's seen print and now I kind of remember why. For the most part, however, it was a lot of fun bringing the characters to life. It reminded me that I've missed podcasting. Maybe it's time to go back. Once I've finished the sequel.
Finally, I became a father for the first time nine weeks ago. So far so good. Although I'm sure I used to have more time to write.
Comments
Congratulations...
... on the whole fatherhood thing! Perhaps it’ll give you plenty of inspiration (should you need it) for future writing!
Oh, and glad to hear you’re missing the podcasting thing…
Thank you Shay! I'm sure
Thank you Shay! I'm sure there are plenty of baby-inspired story ideas to come.
I do miss podcasting. Have had a few ideas for the next podcast and hope to have time to put them to work later in the year.
Strong Work!
Very nice, Myke. I know what you mean about feeling like a pretender, hoping no one will notice. I don't know when one accepts their journeyman status, or believes it. I guess if you do think your "in" you had either A) actually be somebody; or B) get over yourself. Seriously, you are a brilliant writer. Your vision and word-craft are frightenningly good. My only concern is that the mass of readers and writers are too 'lowest common denominator' for you. There's a reason there's a MacDonald's on every corner and a Patterson book on (almost) everyones night stand. When you're sitting there, just reflect, "What would Kilby do about now" and you'll shine like the sun. Knock 'em dead!
Thanks Craig!Being knee-deep
Thanks Craig!
Being knee-deep in the first draft of the next book, I'm much in need of such kind words!
I hope your own writing is coming along well.
cheers,
Myke
PS. I do often think about what Kilbey would do. I keep sneaking back to working on S & D when I should be working on the FiTS sequel...
on properties
So, now that you have two properties, S&D and FitS, yes, you are forced, like Sophie, to chose who you will nurture and who you will... well, hopefully not hand-over to the nazis, but at least not support. I think you have something really special with S&D. FiTS is very nice, sequel-worthy, but I think your real calling will be S&D related. YA is important. But pushing-back the veil, exploring universes, and that abarrent personality of you-know-who, well, that's the stuff of dreams. But I am certain of this: whatever you do will be excellent at it. I'm SO jealous ; )