Jacqui Brown: Screw You, Mrs Bennett
Today's guest in the attic, Jacqui Brown, is warm, vivacious and humorous, all of which is evident in her writing. Jacqui's one of the group of writers I met while at Varuna who helped make my stay so special. I hope you enjoy her post—there's nothing better than...
Claire Varley: Realistic Fortune Cookies for the Discerning Writer
Varuna Writers House is possibly my favourite place to write. It's writerly history seems to shroud and uplift you as soon as you enter, and it's location in the Blue Mountains, with majestic views from every window and a national park on the doorstep, further aids...
Pam Cook: Finding the Courage to be Yourself
I'm delighted to welcome well known and well loved Australian author, Pam Cook, to the attic today. Many of you will know Pam from her four published books, as well as the Writes 4 Women podcast she hosts with Kel Butler. Pam is about to publish her fifth book, but...
Michael Trant: Just Do It
My friend and fellow Allen and Unwin stablemate, Michael Trant, joins me in the attic today. Mike's one of the most likeable, funny and down-to-earth people I know, and all of that comes across in his piece today. I love what he has to say about just getting the job...
Ashley Kalagian Blunt: Going Where the Writing Takes You
One of the reasons I love hosting this series is because every writer is different — in the way they approach their craft, their sources of inspiration, how they set up their writing days and how they structure their writing lives. Certainly, there are common threads...
Robyn Cadwallader: The Angel Among the Chaos
I'm always deeply grateful to the writers who contribute to Writers in the Attic. Their words never fail to give me something to think about, or bestow a nugget of wisdom or just make me feel less lonely on this torturous journey to a novel. Robyn's piece did all of...
Leah Kaminsky: If We Could Talk to the Animals
Writing as an Act of Courage I'm delighted to welcome Leah Kaminsky into the attic today. Leah is incredibly accomplished, being both doctor and author, and a multi-award-winning one at that. She writes with intelligence and compassion on enormous and haunting topics,...
Portland Jones: Why I Run
My friendship with today's guest began back in 2014 when we were both shortlisted for the TAG Hungerford Award. Her book, Seeing the Elephant, was later published by Margaret River Press. Its poignant story and the lyricism and beauty of the prose have stayed with me...
Cassie Hamer: After the Launch
I suspect every author who's ever been published will relate to today's post. Publishing a book isn't all champagne launches and book signings and glowing reviews. Those moments happen, and they're incredible, but there are the thorny times, too—the times where you...
Amanda Curtin: On Knowing Your Own Name
I'm honoured to be joined in the attic today by Amanda Curtin. Not only does she know how to turn a beautiful phrase, and not only is she one of the most beloved writers in the country, and not only have I long admired and respected her work, but she's also one of the...
Alice Nelson—Losing the Key: Letting Go of Our Novels
Gosh, I have some amazing writers visit the attic! I get such joy out of reading the sometimes heartfelt, sometimes practical, but always different and always special pieces that authors pen for this series. Today, I'm thrilled to share another beautiful piece, this...
Varuna 2019
So I've returned home from Varuna, a writers' house in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains of NSW. I've spent time at Varuna before (see here and here), back in 2014 when I was the recipient of a residential fellowship, so I knew it was exactly what I needed at this point...
Annabel Smith: Finding (the Right) Reasons to Write
So very happy to have Annabel Smith grace the attic with her presence today. She was one of the first authors I met when I started writing and she has more wisdom about books, writing and publishing in her little finger than I'd hope to attain in a lifetime. Annabel...
12 Tips on Giving a Good Author Talk
As a published author, you're expected to speak at writers festivals, libraries, book clubs and to writing and community groups. But, if you're anything like me, the notion of public speaking might fill you with terror. I'm not, by nature, a public speaker. Speaking...
Kelly Van Nelson: From Blank Canvas to Colourful Dreams
Today, I welcome Western Australian poet and fiction writer, Kelly van Nelson, to the attic for a Q&A. Kelly's powerful poetry collection, Graffiti Lane, celebrates freedom of speech and the underdog rising against all odds. Her poetry and short stories have...
