Taken from Professor Marcia Langton’s 2012 Boyer lecture, this extract begins to detail the creation of millions of hectares of indigenous managed reserves and the flow on effect into the life of aboriginal culture.
Restoring the land also restores health and self respect and provides community cohesion and purpose.
Recorded at Bellingen Writers Festival 2019
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This is an extraordinary in-depth look at one of Australia’s most important policy shapers. Keating was not served well by some sections of the media which tended to portray him as elitist with arcane interest in antiques- this portrait shows the depth of his understanding of the workings of the national economy and how that leads to social cohesiveness, and the lasting legacy of his economic reforms. Written by Kerry O’Brien, who had unlimited and intimate access over a period of some time.
Recorded at Bellingen Writers Festival 2019
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And what a memoir it is! When you have lived the sort of life that Kerry O’Brien has, close up to the action politically and culturally for over three decades, you have a lot of memories to impart.
Kerry O’Brien is a media giant, and these days, tied to no one station or restriction he has been letting us know where he thinks Australia is headed – and why we should be doing a u-turn.
He also believes that the Labour government headed by Bob Hawke and Paul Keating had a true vision for this country and the foundation they laid down in the 80’s has protected us from the worst of global downturns and led to a more egalitarian society – this is about to change however unless we start to demand proper government.
In this read and interview, Kerry talks about the privilege of getting up close and personal with leading lights of the creative industries. I got the distinct feeling he considered them a welcome relief from the endless parade of politicians dodging the issue!
Next week I will post Kerry O’Brien’s biography on Paul Keating. An in depth examination of an extraordinary politician who has had a profound influence on our lives.
Recorded at Bellingen Writers Festival 2019
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Alana Valentine is a successful playwright and author. She used to present Radio National’s Books program.
This read is from her highly practical book and memoir ‘Bowerbird’ that is full of great advice for anyone wanting to become a better writer whatever media they are applying themselves to.
After all that sterling advice on interviewing I felt slightly intimidated asking Alana questions! Hopefully, I had been ‘paying attention’!
This was recorded at the Bellingen Writers Festival 2019. More great authors posted every week!
Here’s the first of the brilliant authors we collected for the Library, later in the year we will be producing a a whole new series of Podcasts with these authors collected into themed broadcasts.
Robyn Williams’ latest book is subtitled ‘ letters from the brink’ and he has a lot to get off his chest about the state of the world, even his own personal state as he gives us a blow by blow account of his treatment for bowel cancer. In this read he decries how the definition of ‘left wing’ has become a derogatory term, instead of merely reflecting the opposite view to conservative opinion.
I could have placed this read in ‘Science’ or ‘Philosophy’ but in the end placed it in ‘Memoir’ — as it contains so much of his views on life. It may be re-categorised later in the year!
As always his interview is eloquent and erudite and we could have continued discussion much longer than time allowed!
Wai Chim’s wonderful story is based on her own father’s true escape from China to Hong Kong- by swimming across a narrow strait in the dark of night. As she recounts in her interview, it was very dangerous but somehow he survived and went on to prosper in his new home. This is another wonderful author who was part of ‘Storyfest’.
In June the Narratives Team will be attending the Bellingen Writers Festival and we are already lining up some great authors to read for you so stay tuned!
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Graeme Simsion has finally delivered a third and final ( or so he says!) hilarious instalment in his Rosie series.
In this third book, The Rosie Result , Rosie and Don have a 10 year old son, Hudson. And Hudson just might be a chip of the old block. Incensed at the way his son is categorised, Don goes on the warpath.
Because he is so popular here is a special treat for all you subscribers- two readings from Graeme from the book.
The first read is from the opening chapter, with Don reflecting that life is pretty good for him
In this second, longer read , Don begins to fight back at society’s attempt to pigeonhole Hudson.
And for all of you who missed it on Arts Canvass, here is a phone interview with Graeme himself talking about the book’s main underlying topic- autism.
Hear more from Graeme by clicking on his name in our index.
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‘Violet Grace’ is a pen name that hides two authors- husband and wife writing team Kasey Edwards and Christopher Scanlon.
This is a fantastic story for teenage girls as it deals with ‘finding your power’ – and also tries to dispel the myth that a knight in a white charger ( or in this case a unicorn!) is going to arrive and save you.
This book is the first in a trilogy and will certainly provide some fun Easter reading- dealing as it does with the Fae and, as mentioned, Unicorns! Despite the airy fairy sound, it’s a boots and all drama of a young orphaned girl unravelling her past and her lost identity.
I am giving a copy of this book away on air at Bay FM this week PLUS a gorgeous custom made unicorn brooch, the symbol of the ruling house in the parallel Fae land of Iridesca, designed by the authors.
Interview with Kasey Edwards ( one half of Violet Grace)
To hear Kasey read from this book go to the Young Adult section on Narratives. Recorded at Somerset Storyfest 2019
This month Narratives has been recording at Somerset Storyfest in Queensland and will be adding some fantastic new authors in the Young Adult, Young Readers and Children’s picture book sections.
First up this week we have added Felice Arena with his ripping World War 2 boys own adventure story ‘ The Boy and the Spy’.
Interview with Felice Arena
And for the littler kids, here is a new picture book from the fabulous Graeme Base – ‘Jungle Drums’. Graeme read the whole book in our Children’s Books category and here is the interview . And for the fans, Graeme doesn’t think there will be too many more books coming as after about 30 books he thinks he should stop ‘colouring in’ as he terms it!
Interview with Graeme Base
Coming up in the next few weeks we have:
Jane Caro with ‘Just Flesh and Blood‘
Zanni Louise with ‘Archie and the Bear‘
Nikki McWatters with her latest work ‘ Liberty‘
Jodi McAlister with ‘Valentine‘
Wai Chim with ‘Freedom Swimmer’ the true story of her father’s escape from China by swimming to Hong Kong;
Violet Grace with the third instalment in the Chess Raven series ‘ The Girl who Fell’
and Peter Wargent gives us 20 tips for making your children money wise with ‘Wealth Ways for the Young’.
So stay tuned and don’t forget clicking on all our book covers take you to Booktopia if you want to hear more of the story!
There will be lots of new authors ( and probably some old favourites!) added to our site in the coming year.
In the meantime, check out our top thirty authors for February 2019.
This list shifts around each month so if you are an author reading this and don’t see your name here – don’t worry!
Just remember to put our Narratives URL on your social media posts and other websites and this will bring readers here to to enjoy your work.
TOP THIRTY AUTHORS ON NARRATIVES FOR FEBRUARY
Paul Burnam Jennie Jones, Catherine Evans, Amy Andrews, Debra Adelaide, Aoife Clifford, Rachel Johns, Sunil Badami, Cassandra dean, Steve Bisley, Anne Gracie, Penelope Janu, Claire Boston, Diane Demetrie, Kelly Hunter, T.M Clarke, Emily Madden, Susan Lattwein, David Free, Candice Fox, Chris Hammer, Michael Robotham, Susan Perrow, Maggie Mundy, Ali Alizadeh.
The Narratives team will be attending STORYFEST ‘ at Somerset Collge, QLD, on Friday March 22 and we will be posting our collected reads ( and interviews) later this month.
You will notice a new box on each of our pages has been added – we have no sponsors or other funding for the site this year thus far so this site is continuing out of my pockets! As I am a Fine artist /composer in addition to being a radio presenter, they are not deep pockets!
So a little ad for my work is included. If you need some beautiful art in your life just click on the image link to go to my art website .
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