Melanie Myers | Author

Melanie Myers

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24.01.2022 Eeep! I just did this live stream event for the Brisbane Libraries Lord Mayor's Writers in Residence series. It was weird speaking to an invisible audience, and I'm not sure I was particularly coherent at times, but I do thank those invisible people who tuned in, and thank you Brisbane Libraries for hosting me.

23.01.2022 Huzzah! 'Authors for Fireys' raised $500,000. This thing was a huge team effort but most thanks goes to YA Author Emily Gale and Nova Weetman for getting the initiative started and Cass Moriarty for coordinating the Brisbane end of things. Superstars. And big thank yous to everyone who threw in a bid.

23.01.2022 Thank you to all who came to my QSA talk. It was a privilege to be able to talk about my research for Meet Me at Lennon's and, especially, the process of investigating the archives at QSA and how I approached researching and writing about real historical cases of sexual assault and violence. And, apparently, I'm 'very expressive' with my hands and face when talking (or maybe I'm just passionate).

21.01.2022 I’d like to say a huge end-of-2019 THANK YOU to all my readers and friends who’ve supported me this year by reading, buying, borrowing, and reviewing Meet Me at Lennon’s, as well as coming along to my author events and liking this page. I had little idea of what to expect when Meet Me at Lennon’s hit the shelves in September this year, but by far the best part of publishing a book has been meeting and connecting with readers, and the show of support from friends new and old students, mentors, and fellow authors. I truly thank you for all your support and goodwill, and wish you all the best for 2020. (Meet Me at Lennon's vegan chocolate cake by the beautiful and generous Sara Hutchinson)

20.01.2022 I'm super thrilled and honoured that Meet Me at Lennon's has be nominated for The Courier-Mail People's Choice Award 2020. I'm among some fine company and mixing it with the authors on this list is a real buzz. To vote for your favourite book (and it doesn't have to me mine ... ) click on the link below and fill out the form and you could be in the running to win a book pack consisting of this year's nominees (I actually won this prize last year for voting in the CM People's Choice Award!).

19.01.2022 Because we could all do with something amusing right now while we prepare to bunker down in our isolation pods with a year's supply of dry lentils and Netflix (or maybe a book or two).

19.01.2022 A really interesting article about book clubs and the ethics of reading. 'Book clubs may well constitute one of the most widespread forms of cultural participation in contemporary Australia, and existing research on book clubs offers insight into how ordinary readers engage with literary culture and how book talk is used to discuss ethical issues of both personal and public significance. While many book clubs read and discuss literary fiction, as Kimberly Chabot Davis observ...es, they tend to choose realist narratives that provide occasion for emotional and personal introspection, while steering clear of formally challenging or disturbing high literary culture. Meaning is derived through dialogue and negotiated in the shared space of the book club setting through the lens of personal and affective experience. In book club discussions, reading thus moves beyond the book and connects with the concerns of readers’ everyday lives.' See more

14.01.2022 So it's one thing to make the list of nominees for the Courier Mail/QLA People's Choice Award (and, don't get me wrong, I'm super chuffed about that), but to be nominated for THE QUEENSLAND PREMIER'S AWARD FOR A WORK OF STATE SIGNIFICANCE is ... well, pretty freaking amazing. I'm so thrilled and deeply honoured to be on this list. Meet Me at Lennon's has officially exceeded all my expectations. Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors for the 2020 Queensland Literary Awards. Is 3pm too early to celebrate with pink gin?

13.01.2022 I'm just going to leave this here. No pressure but if you've got a spare two minutes to cast a vote for Meet Me at Lennon's in the Better Readings Top 100 that'd be grand. There's also a chance to win Australia's top 100 books (as voted by you) and that'd be pretty super, right? Christmas shopping sorted because everybody should find a book just for them under the big, green tree. OASN: For debut authors these sorts of lists are difficult to crack, as you're up against established popular authors such as Tara Moss, Rachel Johns, Judy Nunn, etc., so every vote counts and it means people get exposed to new authors they haven't heard of before. I say this for all debut novelists (whose novels you may also have enjoyed this year) not just myself. Here's the link: https://www.betterreading.com.au/news/top-100-2019/

12.01.2022 'We can thank female readers for the survival of the novel.' Ain't that the truth? Happy IWD, y'all!

11.01.2022 Please forgive this last-minute ditch attempt to solicit votes (sorry, not sorry!) for the Booktopia Favourite Book Award for 2019. You can actually vote for as many books as you like (that are on the list) so it sure would be nice if you could throw one of them my way. There are some terrific books and I voted for about 20 (including my own )! Closes January 31 (yep, that's tomorrow).

11.01.2022 So, Meet Me at Lennon's is about to get a reprint, which is up there with 'bidding war' and 'six-figure advance' for words authors are very partial to. 'Reprint' though is a direct result of readers buying books, so thank you from the bottom of mine for making a reprint of MMAL's possible.

08.01.2022 If you're on Twitter, a book lover, and wanting to donate to help the Victorian Fire Service, check out the auction going on under #AuthorsforFireys . You can bid on book packs, mentoring sessions, having a character named after you in book, and more. There's lots of booky and writerly goodness going up for auction. I've donated three signed copies of Meet Me at Lennon's to the BRISBANE 8: Emerging Authors auctions. Details below care of the amazing Cass Moriarty, who's been the powerhouse behind organising a bunch of auctions featuring Brisbane-based authors.

08.01.2022 Could not have put this better than the lovely Cass Moriarty, so I won't.

07.01.2022 For aspiring authors currently studying at UQ this is a terrific opportunity. UQP are a wonderful small press who care deeply about nurturing and promoting emerging writers and publishing culturally important and original stories.

07.01.2022 EOI: I'm excited to announce I'll be running a series of manuscript development workshops for the Sunshine Coast Creative Alliance from August to October (click on link for submission details). The program is funded by SCCA and therefore successful applicants will not pay a pretty penny (how good is that?). The aim of this program is to support and nurture emerging writers to help them develop their manuscripts through professional mentoring and advice, workshop exercises and peer feedback. You must be a Sunshine Coast resident and have written at least 20,000 words of a full-length manuscript to be eligible (fiction or nonfiction). EOI close Tuesday 30 June.

05.01.2022 Delighted to be among the Day 6 picks for UQP's 12 Days of Christmas. Thanks, Lou (our new publicity and marketing manager) and Happy Christmas reading to all!

04.01.2022 The wonderful folk at Avid Reader are moving a number of their planned in-store events to Zoom including the Writing War panel with authors Simon Cleary, Nigel Featherstone, my good self and hostess with the Zoomostest Cass Moriarty. I've joined in a couple of online Avid events since this twilight-zone, stay-at-home existence descended and they are good fun. So highly recommend you come join us for this one! There is a $5 cover charge to pay the staff who are running the event and it's bring your own wine and a comfy chair.

01.01.2022 With much thanks to Krissy Kneen at Avid Reader for hosting, Cass Moriarty for her expert steering this discussion and thoughtful questions. And watch a pleasure and an honour to share the literary spotlight with Nigel Featherstone and Simon Cleary.