Cirrus@Austlit

'An advance from a publisher can sound like a windfall, but the reality is closer to a bet made on an artist’s commercial success—and for most authors, an unstable and unliveable form of income.' (Introduction)

'How do we imagine the inner lives of inanimate objects? Fascinated by stories of objects sent into space, I began to use fictional, speculative and experimental modes of writing to look back at humanity and blur the lines between hard science and human emotion.' (Introduction)   

'It was time to recalibrate my life. After many years as a travelling musician, few income-earning gigs were on the horizon. My girlfriend at the time suggested university study to follow my interests in writing and film as every event company that hired me had something to do with both. I was nervous taking this path because I had no idea if I could do a degree, but at the same time I was excited at the future potential. I signed up for my Bachelor of Media Arts Degree with a major in Film and TV production, minor in Creative Writing, and electives including language and philosophy. The university board told me that the Italian 101 lecturer’s name was, Matteo Farina—a combination of my dad and sister’s names—I took it as a sign to choose that elective class. This decision led to connections that kick started my journey into speculative fiction. While dad was Italian, we never spoke it at home. Spending time away from home in Los Angeles, working for a non-profit helping homeless children and their parents living in shelters, got me thinking about how little I knew about my own heritage and that sparked a quest of embracing my family heritage on both sides, Aboriginal and Italian.'  (Introduction)

'The now-blocked merger, which would have seen a publishing behemoth become even larger, exposed some of the uncomfortable realities of a romanticised industry, and the very real gap between culture and commerce in the sector.'  (Introduction)

Each month we celebrate an Australian debut release of fiction or non-fiction in the Kill Your Darlings First Book Club. For November that debut is Tell Me Again by Amy Thunig (UQP)—a collection of memoir essays in which Amy narrates her journey through childhood and adolescence, growing up with parents who struggled with addiction and incarceration. In recounting her experiences, she shows how the stories we tell about ourselves can help to shape and sustain us. Ellen Cregan spoke to Amy in an Instagram Live conversation earlier this month.' (Introduction)