I love January... well, I should clarify that statement. I love January minus heatwaves and drought conditions, I usually love January minus floods (although after three years of January flooding I should be use to that too!) and windstorms thanks to ex-tropical cyclones. January is 'brain rest' time for me when I can stop creating [...]
The Cowley Literary Award is a global short story competition that was launched in January 2013. Created by Mike Coward of respected company Australian Art Sales, The Cowley Literary Award is named in honour of Mrs Jennifer Cowley, a highly regarded writer and media consultant (and old university pal of mine) who's many accomplishments include [...]
As an author it can be difficult to garner reviews and when they are received quite often we wish for a more positive tone. Unlike the silver screen, excellent book reviews do not automatically equate to healthy sales figures and in the end let's face it they are merely someone else's opinion. Yet society in [...]
I have always been a huge festive season person, long, hot days, plenty of good cheer (the food and wine kind) and time with family and friends. We're used to big christmases in the bush and with the temperature gauge usually soaring, on-farm jobs are scheduled for mornings so the Christmas week can be enjoyed. This year it [...]
This week we have been moving cattle around. The season is getting progressively worse with little rain on the horizon. Although the summer storms have been making an appearance every week or so they remain stubbornly dry. Gusty winds and bad lightning have everyone worried about fires and with the number that have been burning [...]
Sara Foster joins me today from W.A. to discuss her latest release SHALLOW BREATH. There is nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a well researched novel and you can be assurred that with Sara's latest offering the reader will be rewarded with a quality work of fiction interwoven with fact. Here Sara talks about digging [...]
Well I'm back at my desk - sort of. After 4.5 weeks touring and the odd Absolution Creek event since we're at the pointy end of the year on-property with cattle sales and harvest happening. Today, friend, News Ltd journo and soon-to-be Australian Women's Weekly star Caroline Overington talks about her new book. 'Sisters of [...]
From the cane fields of the Burdekin Shire to the vibrant, historical town of Charters Towers. The last leg of my North QLD visit has been entertaining, fun and hugely interesting. At Ayr I was treated to a close-up of a cane field burning courtesy of John Scott of the Burdekin Library and the delightful [...]
The Absolution Creek tour kicks off next monday 3rd September in QLD. This year I'll be covering a lot of the state just over the border from me and I'm looking forward to visiting some new places. I'll also be travelling through NSW and Victoria, with South Australia deferred to next year when I have a [...]