One Book Many Brisbanes: Meet The Authors

As you may have seen in the Brisbane Writers Festival program, I'll be appearing with fellow One Book Many Brisbanes authors Jennifer Barrett, Isabel D'Avila Winter, Rena Frohman and Alexis Hailstones at the Brisbane Writers Festival!

The reading/talk, chaired by Sabina O'Callaghan, will be held at The Studio, State Library Queensland, from 10am to 11am on Sunday, September 21.

Best of all, it's free!

Postcards from the edge (of suburbia)

I'm sending postcards. If you would like one, email me your postal address. (Postal address will be used for nothing other than to send you one random postcard)

Interview in Studies in Australian Weird Fiction

There's an interview with me in the latest edition of Studies in Australian Weird Fiction.

It was conducted quite a while ago, so I can't quite recall what I said. Hopefully something interesting. Hopefully nothing dumb.

You can buy a copy here (and, if you do, can you let me know if I need to apologise to anyone?)

Haunted Australia: Toowong Cemetery

I've just released into the wild a set of photos my wife and I took for the 'Haunted Australia' column in Black Magazine.

If you'd like to read the article, you can pick up a copy of Black from your local newsagents, or from http://www.blackmag.com.au

You can view the photos at Flickr.

(If you have trouble viewing, please email me: garykemble AT yahoo DOT come DOT au)

Help Paul Haines battle cancer

From dragonkat @ LJ:

Paul Haines, a much-loved member of the Aussie specfic commuity is going through a tough time. After being diagnosed with bowel cancer, having sections of his bowel removed and enduring six months worth of chemotherapy, he has recently discovered he has spots on his liver. Paul has met this news by reloading his guns and is going to fight it with two other forms of chemotherapy for cancers like his, combined with a monoclonal antibody called Avastin. Avastin, however is not part of Medicare or the private health system's funding at this stage. It costs $20,000 to do it. Money that he doesn't have.

So we're going to try and help him raise it.

Please follow this link and kick in some cash if you can.

You can also help by joining the Facebook group.

Interview with Shaun Tan

I recently interviewed Shaun Tan about his new book Tales From Outer Suburbia. You can read the interview at Articulate.

Black #1: on sale now

Issue one of Australian dark culture magazine Black is now on sale.

I haven't had a chance to see where exactly it is available, but if you ask at your local newsagents you may be pleasantly surprised.

If you don't have any luck there, every Borders store in Australia should be carrying it.

For those overseas, you can subscribe here.

Issue one features a range of juicy content, including my articles on Heath Ledger's turn as The Joker, the secret life of a Dominatrix, an interview with The Zombie Diaries director Michael Bartlett, and a feature about the ghosts of Toowong Cemetery.

Writing software feature

My feature on writing software is now available in Writing Queensland magazine (exclusive to members of the Queensland Writing Centre).

I went into the research process a sceptic, came out a convert -- I definitely think writing software is worth checking out, given many of the programs offer a free trial period.

I don't think writing software is for everyone, but some will find it useful to strengthen their weak spots.

If you've read the feature and have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below and I'll do my best to give you an answer.

OBMB at Brisbane Writers Festival

A few One Book Many Brisbanes authors, including myself, will be doing a reading/talk as part of the Brisbane Writers Festival later this year.

The event takes place at State Library, from 10am on September 21, 2008.

I'll post more details closer to the date.

Dark Tales vol 12

Received my contributor's copies of Dark Tales 12 yesterday, featuring my short story "All You Need is Love" (described by Dark Scribe as an "eco-terror thriller).

If you'd like to support Dark Tales, you can buy a copy of the magazine here.

It's also worth mentioning that Dark Tales has upped the first prize of its quarterly competition to 250 quid, which is not bad for a 3 quid entry fee.

Supanova Sydney

Went to Supanova in Sydney on the weekend.

Had an excellent time. Finally caught up with Ben Templesmith, after much exchanging of email. Also, finally got to have a good chat with Marianne de Pierres (which I can't believe hasn't happened sooner).

And then of course there were the 'drawcards' - Supernatural heart-throb Jared Padalecki and Firefly/Serenity/Stargate Atlantis star Jewel Staite.

It was an interesting experience for an 'outsider' (ie, someone who has never seen any of these shows).

And I can really see how events such as Supanova work in terms of pulling in new fans - I left on Sunday feeling quite overwhelmed, knowing that there's about a billion hours of TV/movies/comics that I need to catch up on.

Speaking of catching up, I met up with Stuart McKenny, who I used to work with ages ago at Quest Newspapers. At the time he was trying to break through into comics. It was excellent to see he has done just that.

More One Book Many Brisbanes launch photos

I've uploaded some more photos of the One Book Many Brisbanes 3 launch, courtesy of photographer Phil Hargreaves and Brisbane City Council.

View them at the One Book Many Brisbanes 3 launch group at Flickr.

(Don't forget, if you were at the launch, feel free to join the group and upload your photos)

One Book Many Brisbanes 3 launch

Had an excellent time today at the One Book Many Brisbanes 3 launch at City Hall.

It was a great opportunity to meet some people I've been swapping emails with since finding out I was one of the winners, although it would have been good to have more time to chat with the other authors.

Check out the Flickr photo pool here. (If you were at the launch and took photos and don't mind sharing them, please join the group and upload your photos).

There's a possibility some of the authors might be appearing at a local library near you soon, so if I can I'll definitely be getting involved in that -- I'd love to hear some of the stories behind the stories.

Speaking of which, you can now read all of the stories (including "Untethered") here.

You can find out how to buy the book here, or alternatively borrow it from your local library.

The really good news is that Brisbane City Council is going to run the competition again next year.

I would strongly recommend that if you're a writer, you enter. I never thought I would win. I entered because, frankly, with a $6,000 prize, how could I not enter. And look what happened.

Sometimes life delivers happy endings!

Black: turn to the dark side

Finally, I get to reveal where all my spare time has been going lately:

Western Australian publisher Brimstone Press is proud to announce the launch of a major new national magazine - aptly titled BLACK: Australian Dark Culture - that exposes Australia's attraction to the dark side.

BLACK covers pop culture and entertainment with a dark flair: from movies, music, and books, to politics, witchcraft, fashion, comics, gaming, true crime, bizarre medical cases, and much more.

BLACK editor-in-chief Angela Challis describes the magazine as a revelation and one of the few genuinely new offerings at news stands.

"Crime dramas are the most popular shows on TV, horror movies are flooding video stores, and paranormal books are incredibly popular," she said.

"Everyone is drawn to the dark side … and there is clearly a demand for dark-themed entertainment, but until now, there has not been a publication that caters to the enjoyment of all things dark. BLACK will fill this expanding and increasingly popular niche."

BLACK managing editor and political reporter Shane Jiraiya Cummings views the magazine as a vehicle to explore the darker side of the human spirit, as well as pop culture and entertainment.

"Almost everyone loves the villain, and BLACK caters for that, but dark culture is more than just scary movies and brooding anti-heroes," he said.

"BLACK addresses serious social issues that many consider taboo like alternative lifestyles, euthanasia, and political censorship – such as China's ban on supernatural movies and literature in the lead-up to the Olympics, which we're covering in our launch issue."

The launch issue features:

* Heath Ledger as The Joker in the upcoming Batman movie The Dark
Knight: the fateful role that may have led to his death.
* M. Night Shyamalan on his new movie The Happening.
* China's Olympic ghost ban.
* Stephen King's Dark Tower series.
* A glimpse into life as a dominatrix.
* A tour through
Brisbane's necropolis.
* Interviews with Australian authors Robert Hood, Marty Young, and Nathan Burrage.
* … and an AUSTRALIAN EXCLUSIVE! – A new short story by STEPHEN KING (from his upcoming book Just After Sunset).
* Plus competitions, news, fiction, opinion pieces, and an extensive HorrorScope review section!

Contributors to issue one include Gary Kemble, Rocky Wood, Chuck McKenzie, Josephine Pennicott, David Caroll, Leigh Blackmore & Margi Curtis, Mark Smith-Briggs, Bella Dee, Dr Carissa Borlase, James
Doig, and more!

BLACK magazine will be on sale nationwide from July 14.

Further information on BLACK magazine (including subscription information* ) can be found at http://www.blackmag.com.au/


* Australian Horror Writers Association members will receive a subscription discount, so if you are an AHWA member, please email your interest via the link
on the website.

So if it appeals, please ask at your local newsagency. Being a fledgling publication, from an independent publisher, BLACK will need all the help it can get!

The joy of writing

For one reason and another (more on this soon) I haven't had much time for my fiction lately.

Then, last night and tonight, I've found enough time to write a whole chapter of Number 13, the crime thriller I'm working on with British writer Mark Wagstaff and fellow Brisbanite Damon Cavalchini.

I find when time is scare it really gets to me, it's like an itch I can't scratch. And then when I finally find some time to write, it's like a soothing balm. (Okay, enough with the bad metaphors).

On the Vision list recently there was a discussion about the Alphasmart, which is basically a cut-down word processor that you can take anywhere, anytime.

I have to say, if I can get one second-hand, I'd definitely consider it. I love my Mac, but it would be nice to have something cheap that I could just lug around with me -- the electronic version of a notebook and pen, which is what I use at the moment.

Which serves it's purpose, but I find when there's a big gap between long-hand writing and transcribing, it can be a disincentive. And then there's the other issue of actually deciphering what I've written!

Review: 'All You Need is Love'

Issue 12 of Dark Tales, which features my short story "All You Need is Love", has been reviewed by Dark Scribe.

You can read the review here, and buy Dark Tales here.

Kate Eltham's defence of One Book Many Brisbanes

Read it here...

Why arts funding matters

A letter of mine has been published in today's Courier-Mail, responding to a piece by Chuck Brooks earlier this week.

Unfortunately Brooks' letter isn't online, so I can't link to it, but the general gist was that arts funding in general (and the One Book Many Brisbanes competition in particular) is a waste of money.

Here's my response, for those who can't get their hands on a copy of the newspaper:

I'm sure there are many people who would agree with Chuck Brooks' musings on arts grants. Just as there are many people who don't agree with taxpayers' money being spent on deploying troops to Iraq and Afghanistan, health funds being spent looking after chronic smokers, or public monies spent propping up unsustainable industries.

But just like defence, health and big business, the arts is a valid and vital part of our society.

Mr Brooks says most people have never heard of the winners. So rather than judging the stories based on merit, he would have preferred them judged on profile? Why not just commission stories from Nick Earls, Rebecca Sparrow, David Malouf et al?

Because the whole point of One Book Many Brisbanes is to encourage all Brisbanites (in fact, the competition was open to all Queensland residents) to reflect on the place they call home.

It was open to everyone, including the cash-strapped waitresses, taxicab drivers, brickies and labourers Mr Brooks mentions.

The total prize pool of $60,000 works out to just over 3c per Brisbane resident. The total cost to ratepayers: 12c each? Let's be generous and call it 50c each.

As for public arts funding as a whole, a 2005 report (by the Canada Council) puts Australia well down the list of comparable countries, on just 0.14 per cent of GDP.

Hardly a case of enslaving and plundering the Australian people.

If you have ever enjoyed an Australian movie, book, play or CD, thank public funding, because I'm sure if you dig down far enough, at some point in their careers those writers, musicians, directors and playwrights have needed a helping hand.

As for living on the public teat, I can say from a personal perspective that nothing could be further from the truth.

I've been writing seriously for 10 years - for love, not for the money. Most of my stories have been published by small press magazines (run by people who also do it for the love), paying generally $25-$50 a pop.

I write because I enjoy it, not for prize cheques. But I applaud Brisbane City Council for celebrating the craft of writing, and the contribution writers make to society, through One Book Many Brisbanes.

When the anthology is released next month, I invite all Brisbanites to read it (it will be available for Brisbane City Council libraries) and decide for themselves whether it is worth their 3 cents.

Thanks,
Gary Kemble
(One Book Many Brisbanes winner)

Wordpool reading

A big thank-you to everyone who braved the wind and the cold last night for the Wordpool reading at Avid Reader.

It was a great night. We had a full house so hopefully the organisers are happy with how it went.

Ben Law was hilarious. I also really enjoyed the reading by Anthony Lawrence - nothing beats poetry read out by the author.

Baron Field finished off the night with some lovely songs.

For those who couldn't make it, or those who made it but want to hear the ending, you can check out "Untethered" when it is published next month.

Ian Fleming's writing regime

At the launch of the new James Bond novel Devil May Care, Sebastian Faulks says:

"In his house in Jamaica, Ian Fleming used to write a thousand words in the morning, then go snorkelling, have a cocktail, lunch on the terrace, more diving, another thousand words in late afternoon, then more Martinis and glamorous women.

"In my house in London, I followed this routine exactly, apart from the cocktails, the lunch and the snorkelling."

Never mind the cocktails and glamorous women - I'm just envious of anyone who can get through 2,000 words a day.

(Via Articulate - click to see the Bond girl!)