Me last weekend, taking in some sport during a break at the Short Story Festival #ManOfThePeople

This weekend, the Australian Short Story Festival is on in Adelaide. It's always a great vibe, so get along if you can. I'll be moderating a couple of sessions. On Saturday night, there's a 'Complaint Letters' event that should be good fun. More here: australianshortstoryfestival.com/2025-program/

I would definitely listen to a podcast about the Adelaide-Glenelg tram line hosted by a former Federal MP, entitled -- and imagine this being spoken in the host's distinctive voice -- 'The Fine Line with Christopher Pyne'.

How interesting. Ultimo Books specifically open to subs of manuscripts between 30-40k words (both fiction and nonfiction). Don't think I've seen anything like this from a biggish publisher in Australia before. hardiegrant.submittable.com/submit/33977...

Super proud of my homeboy and 'confident literary talent' @jake-dean.bsky.social, who has been shortlisted for the Richell!

👀 Jump on this, friends!

I do! I do love to see it!!

This, exactly. GenAI, as I'm experiencing it in my working life, is a machine for shifting cognitive burden from one colleague (the AI user) to another (the person who receives, must interpret, and must almost always re-do the work).

It felt like Australian publishing was shrinking with mergers and the shock closure of Meanjin - waiting to see the full story behind that! But there's a few new players bring fresh energy and new books in recent months. With thanks to @jocaseau.bsky.social for excellent editing.

Me in today's 70s wallpaper shirt plugging Lithosphere book launch at Fullers.

I’m on a panel called ‘justice’ as part of this new writers festival coming up on Kaurna yarta SLSA 20-21 September www.eventbrite.com/cc/writers-a...

Ripper review of @roffwrites.bsky.social’s Here are my Demands notaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2025/09/andr...

On grief dreams, planting trees, and figuring out how to talk about loss and death with the toddler (w cameo from Grug)

Really sad to hear the news about Meanjin. Seeing one of my stories in print there, alongside work by ozLit giants, was the first time I felt like a real writer. What we're losing with this closure is not replaceable.

Thanks to @readingsbooks.bsky.social for this review of Here Are My Demands. Worth emphasising that you can buy this very book from Readings *right now* via the magic of internet technology. www.readings.com.au/reviews/here...

New from me: On coffee, names and the magic brewed by your local barista.

Adelaide friends: we are officially launching Here Are My Demands at Ern Malley bar in Stepney on 27 August. Come hear me tee off about the state of the future! All welcome, (free) tickets essential. Details here: www.eventbrite.com.au/e/book-launc...

In 1930, John Maynard Keynes predicted that by 2030, people would only work around 15 hours per week. Sounds great, right? With automation, it’s sort of possible to imagine how we might get there -- perhaps a few decades late. BUT... (1/3)

A reminder that this is tonight! From the comfort of your preferred location, listen to Alex be erudite about satire, and me... also say words.

I will be in conversation with author mate @cothren_alex on 14 August about our new releases. Webinar free for all comers. Join us for books, brains and bromance! (Ps. you don't need a student id to register) adelaide.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Happy publication day today to Alex Cothren and his “riotous collection of ethical fever dreams”! From new Adelaide publisher Pink Shorts Press

Hey friends, my debut novel is out *right now* and you can ask your local bookshop to order it, or else grab a copy here: www.wakefieldpress.com.au/product/here...

It's officially a thing! Get ready, and strap yourself in for a goodly amount of self-promo from this account...

In my happy [cold] place

Looks like equal numbers of Lions and Wallabies jerseys on this flight from Adelaide to Canberra. Game day!! Hope it's drier in the capital...

No doubt forgetting some classics, but: Disco Elysium The Witness Celeste Hollow Knight Braid Civilisation IV Deus Ex Balatro Slay the Spire Papers, Please

Creative Australia is advertising for the inaugural director of Writing Australia. This is a time for transformative, systemic, disruptive thinking and change. And new voices. #auslit #CreativeAustralia #WritingAustralia australiacouncil.pulsesoftware.com/Pulse/job/zC...

First review ($) up for Alex Cothren's fantastic debut: "Each story is simultaneously unhinged & hits close to home in our era of climate change, precarious employment, AI & Trump. The tone is sarcastic & deadpan – if you don’t laugh, you’ll cry" www.booksandpublishing.com.au/articles/202...

The tough life of a writer. Thanks again to the good folk of Moorabool Shire! Until our paths cross again...

Looking forward to announcing the winner and runner up for the Peter Carey Short Story Award tomorrow, and celebrating with everyone involved. There are some excellent stories on the long/shortlist. If you're in the neighbourhood, join us! timesnewsgroup.com.au/themoorabool...

Excited to dive in to these...

It’s here! SALVAGE publication day! Dropped in to Imprints and can confirm there are copies on the table, front and centre 💙📚 Support your local indie bookshop everybody

Dear Google, we need to have a talk.

No exaggeration to say that entering this prize two years ago changed my life. Hachette will be publishing my book, Rat Daniels next year. Can’t recommend it enough (both entering the prize and buying my book)

I’m having three book launches in June. Very grateful to these excellent writers and comrades for joining me! Tarntanya/Adelaide - June 5 Gadi/Sydney - June 12 Naarm/Melbourne - June 19 All the details & booking info here: jennifermills.net.au/2025/04/14/s... Hope to see you there. #SALVAGE

When a politician says we should care about the civil rights of a community and not an individual, you can bet your arse they are talking about a community that only includes poeple who agree with them.

Still from a Danish version of Death In Paradise called “Vånce” about a fish-out-of-water Copenhagen detective sent to Nuuk

Ursula K. Le Guin on the true pain of being a writer

This looks like it could be good fun! Who says AusLit can't be fun??

"How do we reinvent the economy for a world where machines can do not only... the physical labor, but more and more of the cognitive work, and how do we figure out a system for not just having prosperity, but for having *shared* prosperity?" Good chat here: paulkrugman.substack.com/p/how-should...

Great new story by my buddy @jake-dean.bsky.social in Overland today -- mainly concerned with sex and smart watches. overland.org.au/2025/03/wear...

My 3 y.o. has created a game called 'Yum or Numb' which bears a striking resemblance to Hot or Not. The child has declared herself to be Yum. Her mother is Yum. I regret to report that I am Numb.

don't let anyone tell you writing isn't a viable career choice

If you feel like you need more judgement in your life, I've got your back. I will do it! I will judge! Just get your entry in by 13 March.

Same goes for the music and literary industry atm. Years of austerity, risk aversion, and consolidation of publishing houses across the board. I don’t want to live in a world full of games/albums/books entirely made by people who can afford to create for fee.

oooh this should be good!

Want some good news? Here’s something to write home about …

you know what I love: web sites. Fewer apps, more web sites.

AAAAAHHHHHH Our book is real!! So excited for you all to read SOMEONE LIKE ME when it drops in March, @jocaseau.bsky.social and I are so proud of all these incredible writers! www.uqp.com.au/books/someon...

Hello! We’ve officially migrated. In case you’re unfamiliar, you can subscribe to Meanjin—Australia’s literary journal of record—for as little as $5 a month here! meanjin.com.au/subscribe/ Watch this space for more updates—we’ve got a big year planned.