Of recent interest from HorrorScope:

The Australian Horror Writers' Association's special Australian publisher showcase transcripts.

The 2008 Macabre Mansion Special Halloween Broadcast.

Carissa's Weblog

Sean Williams is the guest for Adventures in Sci Fi Publishing #62. The podcast starts with a discussion between Sean and this year's winners of the Writers of the Future contest, then Sean is interviewed about "Star Wars, his Ph.D. studies, and why his YA fantasy novels can’t find a home in the U.S."

Carissa's Weblog

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed by Sean Williams is this month's selection for "The Big Book Club". And in October, it's The Six Sacred Stones By Matthew Reilly. The Club is designed to "promote reading, the discussion of books and the promotion of Australian authors". They're giving away 10 copies of the book to a Book Club, and 5 books to individuals.

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The Australian Speculative Fiction Carnival for August was hosted by Nyssa at A Boy Goes On A Journey.

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Odalisque by Fiona McIntosh is available as a free download from Eos Books in September and October. You'll need to sign-up for their newsletter, and have a copy of Adobe Reader, Microsoft Reader or Mobipocket Reader to access the copy-protected ebook file.

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I'm a bit late to find this, but Education Queenslands's Learning Place is hosting an Online Literature Festival for Preps to Year 12s. The program started on the 1st of September and will finish on the 19th, but it may be possible to access archived chats and media. Authors participating include Libby Gleeson, Paul Collins, Jackie French, Anita Heiss, Michael Pryor and Maureen McCarthy and author and illustrator Leigh Hobbs.

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I recently discovered that Sydney Writers' Centre has a podcast. SF authors interviewed include Kate Forsyth, Pamela Freeman, Anna Fienberg and Garth Nix. You can stream the audio or read the transcript by visiting the individual pages, or download mp3s by subscribing to the podcast.

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Sydney Radio Station 2SER's books, writing, and ideas program Final Draft invites you to join them:

"as we explore landscapes infused with myth and meaning. From islands out of Greek legend, to the epics out of own backyards, we find that in any place people call home, great stories can be found. Guiding our journey are story-teller extraordinaire, Arnold Zable, and the consistently delightful illustrator and writer, Shaun Tan."

The program is available for streaming or download.

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Sean Williams joins other writers to answer the question, "How do you think media tie-in novels affect the genre of sf/f?" for SF Signal's Mind Meld feature.

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Speculating Fiction
Sean Williams and Lucy Sussex in conversation with Paul Collins

Panel: Host and author, Paul Collins taps into the imaginary minds of award-winning writers Sean Williams and Lucy Sussex as they discuss their literary careers and what fuels their inspiration in the world of speculative fiction. Sean Williams is the author of 25 novels and numerous short stories for readers of all ages, including several set in the Doctor Who and Star Wars franchises, and a seven-book fantasy series set in Australian landscapes. Lucy Sussex's fiction includes The Penguin Friend (1989),Deersnake (1990), Black Ice, The Revognase and The Scarlet Rider (1996). She has written three short story collections, My Lady Tongue, A Tour Guide in Utopia (2005) and Absolute Uncertainty (2006). She has also compiled three anthologies for younger readers, The Patternmaker, The Lottery (both 1994) and Shadow Alley (1996). She's Fantastical, an anthology of Australian women's non-realist fiction, was shortlisted for the 2005 World Fantasy Award. Paul Collins is one of Australia's leading fantasy and science fiction authors and has published over 120 books in both the trade and education fields.

When: Friday 3 October, 6.30-8pm
Cost: $20, Members $15/$12 Rating: A

Dismantling Science fiction – SF Intensive
with Sean Williams

Weekend Workshop: New York Times bestselling author Sean Williams is also the award-winning author of 25 novels and numerous short stories for readers of all ages, including several set in the Doctor Who and Star Wars franchises, and a seven-book fantasy series set in Australian landscapes. Explore the secrets of his success – and the wonders of the universe – in a two-day intensive workshop for writers of original science fiction and fantasy. Expect the unexpected. BYO imagination! Participants need to email work samples (up to 1000 words). Submissions by Monday September 15 to program@writers-centre.org

When: Saturday & Sunday, 4-5 October, 10am-4pm
Cost: $250, Members $190/$170 Rating: 1+2
TO ENSURE YOUR PLACE PLEASE BOOK BY EARLY SEPTEMBER

ALL EVENTS ARE HELD AT THE VICTORIAN WRITERS' CENTRE, 1ST FLOOR NICHOLAS BLG 37 SWANSTON ST, MELBOURNE. BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL. PHONE 9654 9068

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