Two novellas, one night out in Canberra: what can go right?
The past and the present
There are good people in the world. It might be hard to believe, especially in Australia as the conservatives rip the heart and soul out of the nation. But it is true – good people do exist. An example? The very fine folk at Scissors Paper Pen, the ACT-based writing collective that makes things happen. The group’s latest adventure is The Same Page, a bi-monthly (that always sounds a touch rude, doesn’t it, or extra interesting) book club in a pub. Back in April they asked me to be on the panel and we had a robust discussion about Lucy Neave’s quietly affecting novel The Way We Were.
The tables have been turned for next month. Shit. The panel will be discussing dear old Fall on Me and I’m Ready Now, two novellas I know a bit about. I won’t be attending, because if I’m not loved I’m in tears. But also because I don’t have to attend: I’ve secretly set up hidden web-cams in the venue so I’ll be able to watch proceedings from the comfort of my own couch[1]. So, if you live in or around the ACT, if you like a good read, if you like a good yarn, if getting into fisticuffs about literature is your thing, head along to Scissors Paper Pen’s The Same Page night at Smith’s Alternative, 6,30pm, Thursday 19 June. Just remember that earlier point: if I’m not loved, I’m in tears[2].
The near future
While I’ve got you, the third and final of the Blemish novellas is getting close to having its moment in the sun. A couple of things to share. Firstly, we have a title: The Beach Volcano. Secondly, I’ve seen a draft of the cover. It has a picture of me at the beach as a three-year-old with a little red plastic spade in hand and a very fat belly hanging over my little red Speedos. That’s not at all true (like some other elements of this post, as already identified). But the cover is wonderful; it’ll match Fall on Me and I’m Ready Now very nicely. Is there a launch date and venue? No, not yet. Blemish is waiting to see if there’ll still be a fair and decent Australia from which to launch the book. Or whether it might be better to do it in Sweden. Sweden sounds good, don’t you think?
[1] Might not be true
[2] This might not be true either; I’m really quite tough, you know – I shave my head and own a Clash record on LP
Under the counter or a flutter in the dovecote 
9 comments
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May 18, 2014 at 9:16+00:00May
Irma Gold
I love this post. That is all.
May 18, 2014 at 9:16+00:00May
Nigel Featherstone
Oh, thank so much Irma. I do hope your writing is going extra well.
May 20, 2014 at 9:16+00:00May
Tristan
a) I’m so pleased novellas I and II continue to get some love.
b) Really like the title of novella III.
c) A fair and decent Australia? We can only hope.
May 21, 2014 at 9:16+00:00May
Nigel Featherstone
a) Thank you so much. And you’re not the only one.
b) Thanks again. I do hope it works for readers.
c) I hope, I hope, I hope, as so many people do.
June 2, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Jun
whisperinggums
Well, I’ll put this in my diary and see if I can make it. (I wonder how late one can leave the RSVPs?). Thursday is a committed night for me so it may be difficult but I can be there I definitely will. Hmmm … that doesn’t quite make sense … but I’ll do my best. It’s a lovely initiative that is worth supporting. Glad to hear the third novel is coming along – and am excited about the cover.The other two are very stylish.
June 3, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Jun
Nigel Featherstone
Hi Sue, yes, Scissors Paper Pen are doing wonderful things for literature in the region (and beyond). I’d love to be there too, but it’s probably best that I’m not! But it does make such an interesting, vibrant, energetic evening. I hope all is well with you.
June 3, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Jun
whisperinggums
Yes, all is well. It’s just that the last couple of months have been somewhat chaotic with travel etc. pal not hunker down for a little while now.
June 3, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Jun
whisperinggums
Oh, and it will try to get there … Problem is we haven’t seen the friends we have our Thursday commitment with since mid April. They went away as we got back and aren’t back until around 10 June. If they’re free on the 19 th it will be hard to say no. But we’ll see. Did they have a good turn out at the last one?
June 4, 2014 at 9:16+00:00Jun
Nigel Featherstone
Yes, it was a terrific conversation. And Smith’s really is the perfect venue for something like this. A glass of wine, a lively chat – how perfect. (unless the book one’s written is lambasted)