Events, Signings & Gatherings

His recently released second novel Gunshot Road is a follow up to his Ned Kelly winning first novel.

The novel’s heroine is EMILY TEMPEST, the woman least likely ever to pursue a career in policing. Only somehow she’s become the Aboriginal Community Police Officer for the outback (not to mention throwback) town of Bluebush. Allergic to both authority and keeping her big mouth shut, Emily’s immediately at odds with the new boss, Cockburn. And a homicide at the Green Swamp Well Roadhouse just makes things worse. Cockburn thinks it’s a simple case of two old drunks and a hammer. But Emily knew the old drunks in question—and she’s not convinced.

When Emily Tempest sees an injustice or a friend in strife, all you can do is get out of her way. When she sees both? Duck.

Fast-paced, funny, action-packed—and absolutely beautifully written: Gunshot Road is the thriller of the year.

Location : Emerald Hill Library,  Bank St, South Melbourne, (opposite South Melbourne Town Hall)

Time and Date: Thursday 29 July     7:45 pm.

Entry: Free.       Refreshments will be served.

Transport: Trams 1, 96, 112 .   On street parking is free and plentiful after 6:00 pm. 

For further information ring Michael Sabada on 0417 556 143

Technorati Tags: Events and Happenings Adrian Hyland Australia

“Why do we enjoy crime fiction so much these days? Is it because it provides us with a whiff of danger and the challenge of solving problems? Or perhaps it brings us face to face with our own mortality”.

So asks Michael Duffy - journalist, broadcaster and first-time crime author. Michael will be one of the guest presenters at the Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts Open Day on Tuesday 20 July.

The SMSA houses Australia’s oldest lending library and has over 35,000 books available for loan. A large component of this collection is devoted to mystery and crime books and the Open Day will showcase what’s available to anyone interested in this genre.

The Open Day takes place from 11am to 12.30pm and includes authors’ talks, readings, a tour of the library and free morning tea.

Authors appearing on the day are: well-known and award-winning writer Gabrielle Lord (Conspiracy 365); first-time crime author Sulari Gentill whose book ‘A few Right Thinking Men’ has received very favourable reviews; Jonathan Walker (Pistols! Treason! Murder!) who will speak about the “detective as historian”; and Michael Duffy (The Tower).

Other authors appearing during the month include Peter Doyle and Marele Day on 6 July.

Sydney Mechanics’ School of Arts

280 Pitt Street, Sydney

Ph. 9262 7300

Free, but bookings essential

Full program information at: www.sydneymsa.com.au

The SMSA houses a lending library of over 35,000 books; runs an ongoing program of public events and hires out its meetings rooms and theatrette to external users.

For further information please contact Ambra Sancin on 9262 7300 or 0402 2170

Technorati Tags: Events and Happenings

You can think up mysteries worthy of Sherlock Holmes but is your writing reaching its full potential? You’ve got a great story but does it have everything it takes to succeed in the contemporary crime market?

Pam (PM) Newton is an author, teacher, ex-cop and Matthew Reilly’s “writer to watch” for 2010. Join her for a crime course that will blend the theoretical and the practical.

Pam will start by considering recent trends in crime fiction, examining the work of writers such as Peter Temple, Ian Rankin, Sara Paretsky, George Pelecanos, Dennis Lehane, writers who have all pushed the boundaries of conventions and structures of the genre whilst maintaining popular and mainstream appeal. Students will be encouraged to analyse the ways in which these authors both conform to and break the rules of the genre. Pam will help students consider where their work might fit within this ever-broadening crime genre.

Pam will then lead students in an intensive workshop of their writing. Students will use workshopping skills to provide constructive and useful feedback to their peers, which they can then also apply to their own work.

To prepare for the workshop students should read some of the suggested authors (list of novels will be provided) or be prepared to talk about their own favourite author in terms of how that writer works within and without the conventions of the crime genre. Students will work in small groups workshopping their material before discussing as a class what they learnt about their own work from the feedback of others and the process of self-editing and workshopping. The workshop is an opportunity to bring focused critical skills to bear on their own work and other students in a constructive and professional way.

At the conclusion of the course students will have an extensively workshopped piece of their writing, and an understanding of recent crime fiction trends.

Suggested reading:

Dennis Lehane, Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River
Sara Paretsky, Blacklist, Fire Sale
George Pelecanos, Drama City, The Night Gardener
Ian Rankin, The Naming of the Dead, Fleshmarket Close
Peter Temple, The Broken Shore, Truth
Henning Mankell, The Wallander series
Maj Sjöwall & Per Wahlöö, The Martin Beck series

Level: Intermediate/Advanced
Student Requirements: Students to bring five copies of a sample chapter (max 800 words) and a short “back of book” style blurb of their planned crime fiction. They should have done some pre-reading of some recommended authors.

Food: Tea and coffee making facilities will be provided. Course participants are advised to bring their own lunch.

Size: 15 max

Fresh from an Arts degree, P.M. NEWTON joined the police force in 1982. She spent the next thirteen years working in and around Sydney in various departments – Drug Enforcement, Sexual Assault, Major Crime – first as an officer, then as a detective. When she had eventually had enough of meeting people for the first time on the worst day of their lives, Newton resigned from the Job to travel and live overseas, writing about Mali and music before returning to Sydney to write about crime. The Old School is her first novel. http://pmnewton.blogspot.com/

Full price $140, members $100, concession members $85.

NSW Writers' Centre

PO Box 1056

Rozelle NSW 2039

T  02 9555 9757
F  02 9818 1327

E  jdent@nswwc.org.au
W www.nswwriterscentre.org.au

Technorati Tags: Events and Happenings Headlines Australia Pam Newton

Tartan Noir crime queen Val McDermid will present the 2010 Davitt Awards at 7pm Saturday 28/8 at the Celtic Club in Melbourne.

The event is part of the Melbourne Writers' Festival and bookings will be via the MWF website.

Technorati Tags: Events and Happenings Headlines What They're Talking About What We're Talking About Australia Davitt Award