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Of Galas and Other Launches

Thursday, 03 January 2013 10:30

A retrospective on November/December

Great book launches in two more states. Initially the trip to Queensland at the end of November for, first, taking part in the IP Publications annual Gala Event, in which four new books published by the house were launched. An afternoon at the Kookaburra Cafe in Paddington, with a lovely outlook over the gardens behind.

Another Great Review

Sunday, 13 January 2013 10:30

The Adelaide Review - January issue - page 22 featured my latest book, under the headline 'Grimmer Tales.' Quote reviewer Nina Bertok: "On the 200th anniversary of the printing of the Grimm Brothers' legendary collection of dark tales, The Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm, Australian author Valerie Volk's twisted adaptation of the classic stories takes the 'grim' factor to another level." ... "She takes much loved children's fairytales ... and completely flips them on their head."

Studio Review To Gladden Heart

Friday, 08 February 2013 10:30

The current issue of the journal 'Studio' gave me such pleasure that I'm reproducing it in full. It's the sort of review that makes one keep writing, even in the most dismal moments of self-doubt.

At The Francis Folk Festival

Tuesday, 26 February 2013 10:30

An excellent weekend at the Francis Folk festival in the south east of SA. In spite of the heat, it was well-attended with some terrific folk music. I had great fun sharing in the running of a poetry workshop, where we looked at bush ballads and what makes them work. And just why they've lasted so well. It was a really good group to work with, and I made a few discoveries as I prepared for it. I'd never realised that 'Clancy of the Overflow' was based on a real-life incident in Paterson's own legal office, when he was asked to write a letter to Thomas Gerald Clancy, at 'The Overflow' station, north of Nyngan. The rest, as they say, is history ... We're trying to expand the poetry component in this very popular folk music festival - so watch this space for next year!

Hallelujah!

Saturday, 11 May 2013 09:30

At last! Almost too good to be true! My web site seems to be functional again, after months of problems with hacking and security issues. Such a lot has happened in this period of time. Among the events was the launch of 'Through the Tunnel' - the anthology launched several weeks ago by the Hills Poets group that meets monthly at Crafers.

Recent Publication

Saturday, 18 May 2013 09:30

Real pleasure to have had several poems published during the last month in the Poets' Corner of InDaily, South Australia's online daily newspaper with an excellent arts review section. One issue published my 'Jasmine' - part of a flower sequence I've been working on every now and again - and several weeks later my villanelle 'Demolition Day' - a response to the sudden departure of fourteen huge old pine trees on grounds that they were 'offensive'. Interesting argument?

It's Happening!

Wednesday, 05 June 2013 09:30

After thirty years as a concept, and three years writing, hard to believe that this book is really about to be printed. But it's true, and 'The Oberammergau Tales' will be published by Wakefield Press in October! Another verse novel, inspired by Chaucer's 'Canterbury Tales' - but this one is a modern story, with a group of travellers setting off on a four day bus tour. Ever wondered about your fellow-travellers in any tour group?

Nearing Departure

Saturday, 22 June 2013 09:30

Hard to believe that in three days we'll be setting off for Adelaide Airport and two days later be in Madrid! Even harder to believe when I look at the pre-packing chaos on my bedroom floor. Somehow all that stuff for over ten weeks away has to be neatly assembled in my case. And weighed ... But it's going to be sunny in Spain, and that's worth all the effort. Meanwhile I've finished checking two stages of proofs on the next book and will have only the final read-through on return in early September.

We're Back

Tuesday, 10 September 2013 09:30

Oh, such mixed feelings! Wonderful to be back after eleven weeks with friends and family. But so hard to say goodbye to the freedom and the fun of being away. After five weeks in Spain, roaming from Madrid to Valencia, then south to all those romantic Andalucian cities- Granada with its Alhambra, Cordoba and its mosque, Ronda, Arcos - then north through places like Caceres and Salamanca, to the end of the pilgrim track at Santiago, all across the north borders of Spain, cooking classes in Arriondas, eating pinxtos in San Sebastian, south again to glorious Segovia with that magical aqueduct. and back to gracious Madrid ... they were weeks to remember.

Splendid Afternoon

Sunday, 15 September 2013 09:30

A very satisfying afternoon at the final event of the Lockleys Seniors Writing Competition on the topic of 'My Hope', with awards in both sections: a Second Place in the Poetry competition and First Place in the Prose Writing contest. This annual event always sets a challenge, in the form of a topic or theme for writers within the local government area, and I always enjoy exploring what can be done with a topic. And the prize money will certainly be useful in paying for four coming book launches.