Linda Brucesmith | Author

Linda Brucesmith

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25.01.2022 The dishevelled little owl continues to sit on my shoulder each day. Her new-found common sense continues to make me happy but she SO makes me want to draw and paint! For now, I'll have to be satisfied with these compilations from stock images. Partnered with my small words. And the little owl's own Facebook page, for the time being. And perhaps, an owl story picture book. In partnership with an artist. One day. (Perhaps?)

25.01.2022 Pulling together creative essays, personal memoirs, poetry, and imaginative short stories from more than 50 Australian writers is no mean feat at the best of times. But you did it so smoothly and quickly in the middle of a pandemic, Matthew Wengert, and your boutique Brisbane publishing house, AndAlso Books, deserves a round of applause. Then you took the time to personally present my contributor's copy at the Queensland State Library this morning, with coffee and writerly conversation thrown in. I'm on an inspired cloud! Bouquets to you! AndAlso Books

24.01.2022 RESEARCH DELIGHT #237. As so colourfully reported in the Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald and General Advertiser on April 27, 1865: "Moustache coffee-cups have been sold in stores for many years, These cups have a portion of the top covered with a bridge in which there is an opening whence the beverage finds its way down the throat of the drinker without soiling his hirsute appendage.' (I'd never imagined, but, well, it stands to reason, doesn't it?)

22.01.2022 I tried to find a place where this might fit neatly into the 'Elsewhere' manuscript but, no luck. But one day, when a story features a drawing-room? Perfect! This from the Brisbane Courier of May 2, 1867: 'EGG HATCHING MACHINES, as used by the National Poultry Association and on the Continent, require no watching, are light, free from odour, and may be used in a Drawing-room... Price, with full particulars and instructions, from 4 to 10.’ Courier Mail

21.01.2022 My email to the Female Convicts Research Centre said: "Hello, I am costuming an inmate for a scene in my novel of old Ireland, Hobart (the Cascades Female Factory), and Brisbane and need to know what underwear (undershorts?) were worn by the inmates. It's just this one item I can't seem to find..." To which the wonderful Elaine, replying on behalf of the Centre, responded: "I asked our committee and they came back agreeing that they have never come across mention of underpant...s/undershorts etc. (and they are long time dedicated researchers and authors) and their comments were the convicts probably didn't have any as they came into fashion nearer the end of the 19th century. Also the convicts wore garments provided by the government and probably would not be able to afford any extras..." Bouquets to you, Female Convicts Research Centre, Hobart, Tasmania! See more

20.01.2022 NOTE TO SELF: Working lists are fine. (Better if filed.) But do you really need the doodles?

19.01.2022 Ironic, isn’t it? OUR INSIDE VOICES: Reflections on COVID-19 a book published as a creative response to the COVID-19 pandemicwas unable to have a launch because of Covid-related regulations. Boutique Brisbane publisher, AndAlso Books, had decided to take advantage of Brisbane’s beautiful, virus-killing winter sunshineand the plentiful ventilationand celebrate in a park. They bought drinks, purchased paper plates and plastic cups (no glass or china allowed). They enga...ged a caterer to bake picnic goodies they could serve with due regard to Covid-guidelines. Arts Queensland gave a bit of funding. AndAlso Books paid the Council’s fee to ensure a corner of Orleigh Park, West End, would be available on the scheduled launch date: Sunday 23 August. And then, this morning’s press conference by premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Among the stricter rules effectively immediately: gatherings in parks now limited to 10. The anticipated launch of OUR INSIDE VOICES: Reflections on COVID-19 was no more. Which is a shame, because publisher Matthew Wengert and his marvellous AndAlso Books deserves a good pat on the back for pulling together one of the biggest accumulations of Queensland creative writers in a single volume54including highly imaginative stories by Samuel Wagan Watson, Toni Risson, and Edwina Shaw; lyrical poetry from prose writers such as Nick Earls and Andrea Baldwin; and contributions from artists including photographer Michael Cook, sculptor Stephen Hart, and painters Pat Hoffie and Kathryn Brimblecombe-Fox. OUR INSIDE VOICES: Reflections on COVID-19 is a good booka good addition to AndAlso Books’ ever-expanding list of good books. I was delighted when my little piece was included in the collection simply becausewellthis is a good book. A good book made by a lot of good people. Ah, it’s sad tomorrow won’t be going ahead. But we’ll find another way of giving you the recognition you deserve, Matthew and team. You can bet on that. AndAlso Books

19.01.2022 The day's newspaper editorials gave wonderfully pithy opinions about the character of Sir George Bowen, first Governor of Queensland. This from the Brisbane Courier, July 19, 1866: 'The possession of reticence is not one of Sir George Bowen's virtues; he is a most inveterate chatterbox.' (Which, perhaps, is one reason he conversed so freely with a clurichaun.) @Historical Society of Queensland

19.01.2022 I think, next time, I'll be better at historical research. Not so messy with all the precious details and I'll catalogue as I go instead of afterwards. But still, the citation list for 'Elsewhere' is done. A list of credits and ever-so-grateful thank yous to all the archivists and historians from the Historic Royal Palaces, British Newspaper Archive, National Library of Australia, National Archives of the United Kingdom, Australian Joint Copying Projects, Brisbane City Council, and more. State Library of Queensland

17.01.2022 In 2016, a dishevelled little owl flew into my life and asked me to tell her stories - a little owl who was always slightly unkempt, clumsy, and messy in social situations and life generally. We worked together for a time; she flew away during a chaotic 2019; and then she returned, out of the blue, just before COVID-19 hit. (Just as I was healing from the stresses of a bumbly world and pretending to be everyone else.) When the little owl returned I found she had changed. I co...uldn't write about her in the deprecating way I had been writing about her, anymore. Of course I 'got' what that said about the psychological tidy-up and the general growing-up I must have done while she was gone. (A sweet revelation.) Because, of course, the little owl had been me. So, instead of going back to the little owl that was, I started making illustrations and owl-wisdoms for daily posts on the little owl's own Facebook page. Each illustration is a combination of between five and eight stock images and takes around and two hours to repurpose and produce. The words and pictures have made me think, and the little owl is making me happy. Just as she always has. And so: here's a little tribute to a brave little bird, for shining a fresh light on the process of living, thinking and creating. See more

15.01.2022 The Miles Franklin Literary Award shortlist has just now been announced via this beautiful broadcast. So many people, so excited to witness it live. Wonderful.

15.01.2022 May your reading be glorious. May it inspire your dreams and inform your possibilities. (And may nothing, ever, stand in its way.) Avid Reader Bookshop

14.01.2022 "Good font, excellent use of white space, yes, the leading's just right," said the librarian. "Ah! Lovely signature details! Beautiful publications! Beautiful! Any of these would do." "And then there's this one," said the green jacket girl. "This publisher's mid-range and they're known for nurturing authors. I think they'd be best!" "Have you got your synopsis ready?" asked the first little owl. "The first six versions weren't very good. A good synopsis is very important." "Y...our cover letter is much better," said the second little owl. "But I've found a typo on page 247 of the manuscript." "Don't expect an answer," said the brown-haired boy. "Some publishers don't answer at all." "Have you covered off the issue of Surgeon-Superintendent Browning's key?" asked the first little owl. "SHUSH!" said the spectacle girl. "I've said I'd submit next week and I will, but you're making me nervous." "Quietly does it," said the dishevelled little owl. "What will be, will be." www.lindabrucesmith.com.au/novel

13.01.2022 Here it is! The new book from boutique Brisbane publisher, AndAlso Books, is a major creative document of the biggest story of 2020. I'm touched and proud the AndAlso team saw fit to include my little piece in these reflections on the social and cultural dimensions of the pandemic--creative essays, personal memoirs, poetry, and imaginative short stories from more than 50 Australian writers. 'Our Inside Voices' is now stocked in Brisbane's best bookshops, including Avid Reader Bookshop, Books@Stones, Dymocks Indooroopilly, Folio Books, Mary Ryan's New Farm, Mary Ryan's Books, Music & Coffee, Museum of Brisbane, qagoma store, Queensland Museum, Riverbend Books, and State Library of Queensland. Congratulations to you, AndAlso Books, and all who sail in you. (Looking forward, already, to the launch!) AndAlso Books

13.01.2022 How lovely. The folk at Askance Publishing (Cambridge) are bringing out a print anthology early in 2021 and asked to include 'Oxford Dogs' - a story they published some time ago - in the collection. 'Would I mind?' their email said. 'I'd be delighted!' my email said. And then I read my author's notes over again and all those gorgeous memories of Oxford and its literary festival came flooding back. It was paradise> https://www.lindabrucesmith.com.au/short-fic//oxford-dogs/

11.01.2022 Reading the very same newspaper my Irish characters were reading in the very same Irish town, two hundred years ago, is - well - such a privilege. I have to wonder how much the Lytton crew contributed to this hair-raising Irish achievement, reported in the Wexford Chronicle on January 4, 1837. (Thank you, British Newspaper Archive): ‘It appears from Parliamentary returns, that the average quantity of Whiskey upon which excise duty was paid in Ireland from each of the years 18...26, 1827, 1828, and 1829, was ten millions of gallons. To which if there be added one-sixth for reduction of strength by retailers, and also about two millions five hundred thousand gallons made, but which did not pay duty, we shall have a total upwards of fourteen millions of gallons, costing, at nine shillings per gallon by retail, six million three hundred thousand pounds sterling, and being equal to a yearly consumption of more than two gallons for every man, woman and child of her population.’ See more

08.01.2022 One hundred and eighty years ago today, The Port Phillip Patriot and Melbourne Advertiser said of Governor Sir George Gipps, ninth Governor of the colony of New South Wales: 'His Excellency is ... comparatively free from the crime of favoritism; he is alike discourteous to all.' The Mitchell Library in New South Wales holds this (rather stern) portrait of him (painted by Henry William Pickersgill). For all that, I'll be ever grateful to Sir George for making an authoritative (if somewhat brusque) appearance in my work.

08.01.2022 'The owl prints have arrived!' said the first little owl. 'I'm so excited, I could jump out of my feathers!' said the second little owl. 'They're going to Cairns and Sydney and Melbourne and Perth. Almost everywhere,' said the third little owl. 'Best we get some sleep if we're delivering that far,' said the dishevelled little owl. (Pause)... 'I want one!' said the fourth little owl. 'Oh, behave,' said the fifth little owl. #owlsofinstagram See more

08.01.2022 Visit the little owl at https://www.facebook.com/linda.brucesmith.brisbane

06.01.2022 "If you could do anything at all, what would you do?" asked the dishevelled little owl. "Write stories to set your heart on fire," said the bookish girl. "What would you do?" "I'd read your stories," said the dishevelled little owl. The Owl Pages

06.01.2022 Social media, 1800's-style: 'WINDSOR, TUESDAY.-This afternoon the Queen rode in the park on horseback.' - Saunders's News-Letter (Dublin) (15th November, 1839). The Irish Sun

04.01.2022 This definition of 'love' in an old dictionary sat me back on my heels. I think we could explore, and debate, and mull it over for weeks. (And all without taking a breath.)

02.01.2022 Sometimes books give you whole sections you want to read again. (And again). And sometimes it's just one little phrase that stops you. Makes you smile because it's so complete, so delicate, and evocative, and does the work of an entire page. Like this one, on page 735 of 'The Mirror and the Light,' where Hilary Mantel writes: 'Audley gives him a glance that would peel an egg.' You stop. Read the line over again, set the book down for a minute and smile. And you think, 'God, but you're good, Hilary.' Hilary Mantel

02.01.2022 Bouquets to you, Cameron Trost and Black Beacon Books, for putting together yet another collection of terrifying tales with your 'Murder and Machinery,' anthology, out next year. Thank you too, for including '#Selfie', my story on the darker side of social media. Onward and upward, Black Beacon Books! Cameron Trost Black Beacon Books