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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The Small Picture Podcast interviews Fiona McIntosh. Her new novel is Royal Exile, first in the Valisar trilogy.

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On Nightshade Books website, Greg Egan talks about his new book Incandescence. And he shares "The Big Idea" on Scalzi's Whatever Blog.

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Articulate directs us to Pool, "a new social media site developed by Radio National".

Some content that caught my attention include:

Communing with Science Fiction writers

The Tool Kit of a Schlock Romance Writer

Space Comber

Dreamlake (excerpt)

Also note the Letter Vox invitation to "Contribute to ABC Radio National’s Book Show online audio documentary project ‘Letter Vox’. We want you to tell us how you relate to and engage with books and writing sub/culture – as readers, writers and commentators."

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Recent SF related articles on the websites of The Age, Australian and Sydney Morning Herald:

Shirley Barber: Our Fairy Godmother

Dreaming Again Review: Imagination that  deftly defies northern gravity

Children's Book Council Awards: Children's author is on a roll

Nick Harkaway: The future of normal, and On a secret mission

Stephenie Meyer: Blood lust, Vampire's dawn sets readers' pulses racing, and The night of the vampire writer

Lisa Gorton: Mallee-rooted poetry and grounded clouds

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Shaun Tan speaks on ABC Radio National's Lingua Franca.

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The Brisbane Writers Festival has released their program of events. Attendees (and events) of interest for SF readers include: Gary Kemble, Jack Heath, James Frenkel, John Birmingham, Margo Lanagan, Michael Pryor, Paul Collins, and Susan Parisi.

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The Conversation Hour with Richard Fidler repeats an interview with The Pilo Family Circus author Wil Elliot. To get the audio, select the link next to the green headphones icon on the left.

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SF Scope reports that Australia has won the bid to host World Con in 2010!

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Nightlife with Tony Delroy hosted a literary event with Jeanette Winterson at the Sydney Writer's Festival. The audio is available for a short time.

Regarding her latest book The Stone Gods, Winterson says on her website, "People say to me, ‘so is the Stone Gods science fiction?’ Well, it is fiction, and it has science in it, and it is set (mostly) in the future, but the labels are meaningless."

[Direct link to mp3]

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