 Back in April, I wrote about throwing literary seeds to the wind in the hope a few might germinate into something fruitful. This month I am excited to share that Quadrant Magazine, Australia’s ‘longest running literary journal’ (since 1956), has published my 3000 word story ‘Indicate, Mate’. While the magazine is available to over 6000 annual print subscribers, the website also receives around 1 million hits a year. I am absolutely thrilled to receive this opportunity to be so widely distributed. Quadrant also has an app and in the last week of each month readers can download single copies of current and past issues for about the same price as a cup of coffee.  © Quadrant Magazine, Sept 2019 As well, I am editing another story into shape for an international magazine. When such encouraging acceptance emails bob up in the sea of rejection it spurs me to continue working towards making my ultimate dream a reality - find homes for my novel manuscripts. I have been sharing these short story victories with my students and more of them are showing bravery and having a go at creating their own pieces of prose. I feel a bit emotional when they send through their personal reflections and ask for some feedback.  In the meantime, the middle child requested a birthday camping trip so as the school term races toward another finish line, we headed inland to Lake Moogerah this weekend and discovered a pretty setting somewhat reminiscent of The Castle’s ‘Bonnie Doon’. ‘How’s the serenity?’ You may well ask. We arrived as the sun was setting and got the tent up before needing the torches. The usual 'kumbaya' campers also turned up, yapping into the early hours and cranking up their individual musical tastes for the whole campsite to... ahem... enjoy. None of this bothered me too much as I never leave home without power-tool grade ear plugs. The unscheduled thunder and lightening blew over and we woke to a warm, relaxing day to kayak and fish. Deflating airbeds aside, we have returned home feeling tired yet rested. Next weekend I’ll finally be attending the Brisbane Writers festival and I'm so excited! Can’t wait to tell you all about it.  |
