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Conversations with Marianna Shek
Marianna Shek was one of the writers I approached when I decided to profile writers on (or should the preposition be ‘in’? Do you appear in or on…) this blog because I really wanted to continue the conversation that we started in Melbourne. I was immediately drawn to Marianna’s creative passion and energy. When you read this profile, you’ll find out just how multi-talented Marianna is. We could have easily ended up with a novella-length interview if we’d allowed ourselves, but we decided to leave that for another day. Marianna has no immediate plans to travel to Perth, nor I to Brisbane, so we will have to make do with Skype…
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Quote for today: Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) biochemist and one of the ‘big three’ sci-fi writers in his lifetime. He coined the term ‘robotics’ and was a ‘special space consultant’ for the Star Trek TV series. He wrote in “The Cult of Ignorance” in 1980: Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through out political and cultural life, nurtured by the false sense of notion that democracy means that my ignorance is as good as your knowledge.
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Writers, academics and artists protest against the closure of UWAP – Open Letter
“It devalues our local writers and shows a lack of interest by the university in the literary culture of WA.” https://watoday.com.au/culture/books/dull-and-lifeless-backlash-grows-at-uwa-move-to-dump-print-publishing-20191122-p53d7m.html [UWAP authors Nadia Rhook and Annamaria Weldon] We, the undersigned, protest the decision by UWA to close University of Western Australia Publishing (UWAP). We protest for our wages and the wages of other writers. We protest for designers, printers, bookstores, IT professionals, and other associated industries. We protest for our historians, scientists, workers in politics, academics, and truth seekers. We protest for the emerging writers and academics UWAP consistently provides with first publication, and enables publication elsewhere through recognition, prizes, and events. We protest…
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Yona Diamond Dansky – Educator, Writer and Illustrator
Yona Diamond Dansky is a Philadelphia based writer, artist, lifelong educator, mother and grandmother with many stories to share. Moshu Worries , Yona’s first children’s book, draws upon her three-year-old grandson’s journey when Yona’s daughter was diagnosed with cancer. I approached Yona for an interview because this is the book I wish my child had when I was diagnosed with a blood cancer. Most adults struggle to get their heads around a cancer diagnosis, so you can imagine how hard it is for children. How do you explain that a parent’s sudden hair loss， lack of energy and absence from the house for long periods of time？ “When Mom gets a serious illness,…
