Every writer has a beginning story - be that the start of their publication journey or the kernel of a new tale This month’s The Victorian Writer magazine features a bunch of writers’ personal experiences with starting something new, including mine. My article In the Beginning charts my path from baby writer to published author.
Click HERE to get your hands on the current edition. It’s jam-packed with insightful articles by lots of great writers, editors and industry folk.
Pretty damn chuffed to have my short story, A Twist of Smoke, sitting alongside such a fab collection of others.
Grab yourself a copy and read tales by Mark Smith, Justine Hyde, Mirandi Riwoe and competition winner, Kit Scriven, as well as lots more.
Thanks to Michelle Cahill and Margaret River Press for such a beautiful anthology!
Go to SHOP to get yourself a copy.
Virginia Woolf once famously wrote, ‘A woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction.’
In July/August, I am running a three-part course, Women in Literature, as part of the CAE’s Poetry and Literature series.
The course will examine the lengths women authors have taken to ensure a writerly life, and how depictions of women in literature have changed over time.
For more information or to book, please go to Women in Literature.
Come join me and fellow authors, Louisa Deasey and Elizabeth Coleman, at Brunswick Bound’s First Chapters event this Friday June 7th at 7pm for author readings, wine and the chance to chat books and writing. It’s also a great opportunity to browse Brunswick Bound’s well stocked shelves after-hours (a rare treat)!
To book, click on: FIRST CHAPTERS AUTHOR EVENT
Flash fiction refers to stories that are 1000 words or less.
Writing flash takes far less time than creating longer forms, such as short story or novella, and is a great way to hone your creative writing skills.
But don’t be fooled, less words doesn’t make it easy to master… Creating a great flash fiction piece requires tight writing and good sense of narrative structure. But when it’s done well, it’s a joy. A bite-sized story can lift your spirits in the moments it takes to read, and can be passed quickly onto family and friends to do the same.
To try your hand at writing flash fiction, why not enter the Bath Flash Fiction Award, which requires pieces up to 300 words max. long.
For more information about flash fiction, click HERE
To enter the Bath Flash Fiction Award or for competition details, click HERE
Happy writing and good luck!
A BIG thanks to Lois from Turn the Page bookstore and to The Island Story Gatherers for hosting a literary soiree at Bimbadeen Farm Cafe on Philip Island last Sunday. It was a wonderful afternoon of food, wine and conversation.
For a fabulous array of books, check out Turn the Page bookstore HERE and for great eats at a relaxing farm location, check out Bimbadeen Farm Cafe HERE.
Book reviewer, Theresa Smith, and I dig deep to chat all things books and literature in this recent interview. We may also veer into shoe territory… because everyone knows, a good conversation is never complete without the mention of dancing shoes.
To read all about it, click HERE.
Click HERE to check out Theresa’s other wonderful reviews and interviews.
I caught up with Mrs B from Mrs B’s Book Reviews this week for a virtual cuppa and chat about all things books and life. She also reviewed Small Blessings:
‘Emily Brewin’s much anticipated second book, really is a blessing in disguise. Thicompact book manages to condense a number of emotive themes all within the one novel. Reflective, contemplative, relatable and life affirming, Small Blessings is a book that I consumed in less than twenty four hours.’
Click HERE for sneak peak at our conversation and HERE for Mrs B’s fabulous review. Be sure to check out the many other author interviews and reviews she has on her website while you’re there.
Thanks Mrs B for the great company and convo!
Book blogger and wordsmith, Jackie Smith, interviewed me recently about the ‘nitty-gritty’ of writing a book and the story behind my new novel, Small Blessings (released in Feb this year).
‘In this interview, [Emily] and I discuss the nitty-gritty of the novel, from the inspiration behind the story, how switching from historical fiction to contemporary made a difference to her writing, and how she balances it all with two children and a career in education.’
Click HERE for a peek at our full interview, and be sure to check out Jackie’s other insightful author interviews while on her website.
Join me and the wonderful folk from Turn the Page bookstore for an afternoon of wine, nibbles and literary chats this Sunday the 31st of March at Bimbadeen Cafe on Philip Island.
Small Blessings was The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald’s pick of the week recently.
Read all about it in Kerryn Goldsworthy’s wonderful review, below!
My publisher, Allen & Unwin, recently asked me to write a piece for International Women’s Day using this year’s theme - #BalanceforBetter
Lately, I have been thinking about the power that comes from allowing ourselves and those around us to be vulnerable. But being vulnerable in the age of social media can be difficult. My International Women’s Day piece discusses this, and the humanity that comes from letting our guards down.
To read this and the wonderful insights of other A&U authors, click HERE.
Things Made From Letters…
I recently wrote about four books that changed me for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.
It took me a good while to whittle my way down to such a small stack of favourites, but the task made me appreciate the profound impact books have had, and continue to have, on my life. They’ve provided escape, sanctuary, adventure and the chance to connect with ideas I might never have encountered otherwise
A good book is one that transports me to another place and brings me back a little wiser and a little more openhearted.
To check out my four, click HERE
Small Blessings is Allen & Unwin’s book club pick of the month!
To celebrate, they are giving away a Book-Club-In-A-Box pack, which includes ten copies of the novel, wine and snacks. The pack is perfect for existing clubs and for those new to the game.
For your chance to win a pack, click here.
Good luck!
I was thrilled by this recent review of Small Blessings by Theresa Smith Writes. It is honest and heartfelt, and shows a real understanding of the book. It also left me quite teary… in a good way.
Thanks Theresa!
To see more great book reviews, go to: Theresa Smith Writes
Small Blessings was launched into the world at Readings bookstore last Wednesday with the help of talented Melbourne broadcaster, editor and writer, Mel Cranenburgh, and the creative director of Move. Create. Dance, Anne Gollan. It was wonderful to see so many friendly faces in the crowd and at the signing table. Most definitely, it was a night to remember!
Small Blessings launch at Readings bookstore in Carlton.
Melbourne has an array of brilliant bookstores, and yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting some of them to sign copies of my brand spanking new novel, Small Blessings. It was lovely to meet so many passionate booksellers and to see my book finally on the shelves. Thanks to Readings, Collins Booksellers in Moonee Ponds, The Avenue Bookstore, Jeffreys Books and Dymocks for having me.
Visiting The Avenue Bookstore
I am sharing my journey to publication, complete with hot tips, at Coburg Library on February 11th from 7-8pm. It’s a free event.
Go to: https://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/libraries/library-events-and-activities/readmore-project/Journey-to-publication-/ to book your place.
Well, the day has finally arrived… my new novel, Small Blessings, hits stores and I couldn’t be more thrilled!
A HUGE thank-you to all the wonderful folk who have helped make this happen - Annette Barlow and the team at Allen & Unwin and my agent, Gaby Naher. Not to mention my fabulous family and friends. The book wouldn’t be here without the hard work and support of you all.
Visit your local bookstore to get your hands on a copy, or go direct to Allen & Unwin here.
Enjoy, and let me know what you think, via my contact page.
Perth Tonight’s, Chris Ilsley, interviewed me last week to discuss the motivation behind the characters and plot of my new book, Small Blessings.
Click here to listen to the full podcast interview.
