MY POST IS DEDICATED TO ALICE EATHER INDIGENIOUS POET FROM ARNHEM LAND, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA.
In her powerful poem “Yúya Karrabúra” (Fire is Burning), Indigenous poet Alice Eather paints a complex picture of two colliding worlds of which she is a product. In the middle, Alice brings the two worlds together “to sit beside this fire and listen”. Alice was an Aboriginal Australian slam poet, environmental campaigner and teacher from Australia’s Northern Territory.
A moving YouTube video of Alice’s own recital was posted 9th July 2019 and I acknowledge her poetry on ThoughtsBecomeWords 9th July 2024 for NAIDOC Week.
Alice Eather quote “I walk between these two worlds, a split life, split skin, split tongue, split kin. Everyday these two worlds collide and I’m living and breathing this story of black and white.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Eather#
Poster title ‘Urapun Muy’ by Artist Deb Belyea 2024
NAIDOC Week is celebrated in Australia from Sunday 7th July to Sunday 14th July. The acronym NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee. NAIDOC has its roots in the 1939 Day of Mourning, becoming a week long event in 1975, and from the first Sunday to second Sunday in July each year.
I acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands on which I live and work and pay my respects to Indigenous Elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty has never been ceded. It always was and always will be, Aboriginal land. Vale Alice Eather.
This 1908 poem extract from William Blocksidge captures the mood.
“And, interspersed among the spangled sheen, Looks out in differing shades the darkened green— A background whereupon, in outline bold, Stands the rich mintage, silver mixed with gold.”
For all its floridness, this poem is quite cutting and the topics are quite revealing. Our modern sensibilities tend to forget the trials and trauma of establishing a town in a new land. Not to mention the brutality towards convict labour and the rightful Indigenous population. Interestingly this is the year the Victorian Government passed the Adult Suffrage Bill 1908 granting female suffrage for the first time. Women’s suffrage is the right of women to vote in elections. Australia was the first nation in the world to grant women these dual rights.
For those keenly interested in the entire version of this past century’s rather long yet insightful poem from a man whose real estate family is well-known in Brisbane, Queensland, below is a copy from AIC for your reading pleasure. Strong billy tea is recommended with damper and golden syrup if you have it handy.
Brisbane, thou art a city of the sun, A forest queen, a sea-nymph, joined in one! Here Summer loves to spin her lengthened rule, While Winter’s care is but the earth to cool; Here golden wealth, from many a distant plain, Is piled in ships, to swim the billowy main — Here Commerce floods the tides, and minions toil To prove the measure of her mounting spoil!
How often, perched above the hilly bounds That wrap thee as a nest its brood surrounds, Wooing the wind that bears the ocean’s breath, And many a tale to such as listeneth — How often have I lovingly surveyed The scene before my wondering gaze displayed — The lengthening spires, that point the lofty way While yet the soul is idling in its clay; The spacious pile that lifts its stately head; The winding river, to its lover wed; The hills that rise above to kiss the sky; The valleys that within their shadows lie; The shipping crowding on the silver stream; The living threads that through the mazes teem!
And when soft Night, in sable vestment gown’d, Has wrapped her stole thy tranquil form around, ’Tis then, in panoramic splendour viewed, Thou’d be by fond Imagination wooed; For then, fair Brisbane, when thy fading bowers, Tipped with their beacons, turn to fairy towers, Thy beauty scorns the bounds of words, for dumb Are these, and ’neath the burden soon succumb! Now myriad lamps, upon its margin’s crest, With gleaming pennons light the river’s breast; And where the city’s constellation lies The glimmering haze ascends to gild the skies. The villas blazing on the craggy hills Augment the golden flood the night that fills; The bridge displays, above the Garden Bend, Its fiery lines, that in the cluster blend.
And, interspersed among the spangled sheen, Looks out in differing shades the darkened green — A background whereupon, in outline bold, Stands the rich mintage, silver mixed with gold. Now sound (for Night has giv’n the magic key) The pregnant chords of heavenly harmony; And softly floats across, in mingling rhyme, The mellowing cadence of the pealing chime — Such tones as wake the soul’s celestial lyre When pensive memories the theme inspire; And, each with each in concord blending true, With holy rapture flood the heart anew.
Ah, was it but a century ago When thou did’st in the womb of earth lie low, And yet unborn to bear the shame of men, And, rising, throw the burden off again? — When down the hollow gale, that trembling fled, At dusk and dawn, the wailing for the dead In eerie numbers woke the echoes weird, Till, floating down the vale, it disappeared? And was it where those stately buildings stand, Where lofty Art displays her lavish hand, That plenteous game before the huntsmen sped? Or down the maze the dusky dancer led? That round the turrwan, with his magic stone, The sick revived by simple faith alone; Or, failing this, full-toothsome morsels made To tempt their brothers to the festal shade?
Ah, yes, those primal scenes, with plenty crown’d, Made all the wooded valley hallowed ground, Till came the time — ill-omened, true, for them — When, first by truce and then by stratagem, The settlement unfolded in the vale, ’Neath Logan’s iron rule to fret and quail!
What curses now the trembling wretches spend As ’neath the blows their bleeding bodies bend — As, shackled to the rude triangle’s lines, The gory flood th’ adjoining ground defines! I seem to hear again the clanking chain, The creaking treadmill grinding small the grain; And see the convict turn the stubborn clod, Or, ’neath the pine, the sluggard bear the rod.
But why dilate? Those cruel days are done: Time’s ceaseless round has blotted every one: A fairer scene now meets the favoured eye — Thou, smiling city, ’neath my gaze dost lie. What though land-hungry Gipps thought passing fit To cripple where he lacked improving wit! Among the first of Austral fair will stand The one disfigured by his vandal hand!
And while the ages roll their waning round, Till earth’s but mortal mould the shades confound, May Plenty’s best thine every call attend, And smiling Peace her priceless treasure lend! May noble sons thy benison e’er bless, And daughters fair thy tender claims confess; And thus may every tongue conspire to name Thee and thine offspring heirs to Honour’s fame!
Hope you made it this far. William touched on a nerve, quite the fascinating poet. ❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward 2024
The Turrbal and Yuggera peoples have lived in the Brisbane area for more than 32,000 years and their ancestors go back more than 60,000 years. The Turrbal and Jagera people speak Yuggera and their name for Brisbane is Meanjin. Written on Sunday 26th May 2024 National Sorry Day
On Friday I received this exciting email from Hawkeye Publishing and now want to share their encouraging information. Read and get writing!
Hawkeye Publishing is thrilled to announce they are opening for submissions at the end of June 2024. Please read their guidelines below to ensure your submission includes everything required. They can’t wait to hear from you!
Also, if you have read and enjoyed a Hawkeye book recently, please consider leaving a 5-star review on Goodreads. You can find many of my reviews there too. It’s hugely helpful to their authors as it helps them to connect with new readers.
Hawkeye Publishing is opening for submissions.
Attention writers! Please read the submission guidelinesbelow—
Hawkeye Publishing invites you to share your literary creations with them. They are seeking fresh voices and captivating stories. From gripping thrillers to heartwarming romances, thought-provoking non-fiction to enchanting children’s tales. They accept submissions across various genres and styles.
Hawkeye Publishing accepts—
Creative non-fiction (junior reader and adult); Faction (fiction based on a true event); Serialised YA or junior reader fiction; Fiction: romance, mystery, crime or popular; Self-help; Market-sought Memoir; Picture books (they accept author/illustrator submissions).
Whether you’re a seasoned or aspiring author, Hawkeye welcomes your submission. Take a good look at the guidelines below and send your pitch.
In your pitch email, please include (in 200 words) your—
Title; Genre; Word count; If the manuscript has been professionally edited and by whom; Any award credits on the manuscript; Any award credits the author has received for prior work; Author’s marketing reach; Author bio; Elevator pitch—please also include a 300 word synopsis. Hawkeye Publishing asks that your pitch email does not exceed 500 words and that you do not attach any part of the manuscript.
Submissions OPEN at 9:00am AEST Monday 24th June 2024 and CLOSE 5:00pm AEST Sunday 30th June 2024. Note: Outside this time-frame Hawkeye will not be accepting submissions. Send email to:editor@hawkeyepublishing.com.au
Hawkeye Publishing will acknowledge receipt of your pitch, and then request the first three chapters of your manuscript if you are successful in the initial stage of review. If successful in the second stage, they will then request your full manuscript.
There you have it, the ins-and-outs of taking your writing seriously and getting yourself noticed.
A few years ago I was part of a creative writers group named the Duck Pond. Its participants, flourishing new authors, are nicknamed Duckies. Yes, I was one of those Duckies and so was Zanni Louise. As is the way of the world, I faded away but Jen Storer’s Duck Pond and independent Zanni are still creating. Naturally I follow them closely although I’m not writing as much in the way of children’s stories these days. Currently I have discovered the fun in limericks and force them upon my unsuspecting friends. But I digress, this blog post is all about Zanni Louise, her soaring literary career and super-exciting writers trip to sun-soaked Tuscany, Italy. My apologies for the small typeface and random display of images (my technical glitch) but you can still read the exciting highlights in Zanni’s personal newsletter below! ❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward
“A NEW MONTH, A NEW BOOK… AND COME WRITE WITH ME IN ITALY” SAYS ZANNI
Hi! I’m Zanni Louise, living and writing full-time in Northern NSW, Australia. I’m the author of over thirty-five bestselling and internationally published books for kids. My latest middle-grade book Cora Seen and Heard is out this May with Walker Books. This newsletter takes you behind the scenes of my writing life, and keeps you up-to-date with latest books, retreats and courses. A new month, a new book… and come write with me in Italy. This month, I am excited to launch my new book Cora Seen and Heard. Plus, hear about Deborah Abela’s new book, enter a two-book giveaway and register for our Italian writing retreat in 2025.
My new book Cora Seen and Heard has been launched into the world… image how you felt when you were twelve? A while back, I was reconnecting with twelve-year-old Zanni—phew, there was a lot going on in that little brain. Questions like, How come everyone has it sorted? and How can I unify the person in my head with the person in the world? and Does anyone like me? If so, why?! Are they mad? I kept reams of journals full of questions. It wasn’t until years later, I realised so many people wrestle with these thoughts and feelings. I also realised that being vulnerable and embracing my flaws meant I connected with others. Connections have always been one of the most important things for me. Fast forward to grown-up Zanni, who still doesn’t have it sorted but no longer worries so much about it.
Inspiration:Grown-up Zanni came across a picture of an abandoned ballroom by French photographer Francis Meslet and boy, was I moved by this image! I wanted to set a story here. Twelve-year-old Cora moves to an abandoned theatre in a small country town called Caroline Creek, Tasmania, and the poor thing has to wrestle with the headspace of twelve-year-old Zanni. I started writing Cora Seen and Heard in lockdown 2021. To hold the actual book in my hand years later is the dream. To read the lovely reviews, to sit with film producers at Adaptable this month to talk about it, to know it’s in bookshops as of today.
My friend Deborah Abela asks me if there’s any of Zanni in this book. Well, yes. There’s a lot. My thoughts, feelings, personality, blood, sweat (thankfully no tears) and a whole lotta love. Because every book deserves that, at minimum, and every reader does too. So this is my soul laid bared. I hope you enjoy the ride. Have a read of the first few chapters here. Buy the book at any bookstore you’d like to support. Signed copies are available through Book Room Collective and a special 20% bulk discount + free Zoom visit for book clubs and classrooms is available through Gleebooks. Contact Rachel for details.
Cora Seen and Heard Author Zanni Louise—Junior Fiction SYNOPSIS: Cora Lane gets tongue-tied, is often ignored and would rather hide in the library than step onto a stage. However, when her parents decide to renovate an old theatre in small-town Tasmania, Cora realises this is the perfect opportunity for her to reinvent her personality. Cora quickly slips back into her old ways and once again makes friends with the librarian rather than kids her own age. She feels lost, frustrated she’s not the person she wants to be and she shares her deepest feelings with her imaginary pen pal. The last thing she would expect is for her letters to go missing. And now, the real Cora Lane is about to go public—but is she ready?
Introducing The Kindness Project—This month, Deborah Abela launches her brand new book The Kindness Project which is a verse novel about four kids who are flung together to work on a school project and come to understand the meaning of kindness. It’s one of the bravest, most experimental, most moving books I have read in a long time. If you’re in Queensland, please join Deb and I for a joint launch Wednesday 22 May 2024 at Where The Wild Things Are bookshop in West End, Brisbane. A family ticket will get you a book!
Creative Corner with Deborah Abela. Each month, I invite an author friend to reflect on their creative process. This month, we hear from Deborah Abela.THE KINDNESS PROJECT – The Novel that Demanded to be Verse. ‘It all started with a scene’ says Deborah. A young kid called Nicolette kidnaps her nanna from a nursing home—AKA Alcatraz. I thought it would be a light-hearted novel about the love between a kid and her nanna, in the same way I loved my strong, feisty nanna. But, as with all my novels, I started asking questions and everything changed. Who is this kid? Why are she and Nanna so close? Where’s Grandpop? Why is Nanna in a nursing home and why does Nicolette want to kidnap her? What about her friends? And her mum? And most importantly… what is the story really about? That kidnapping scene became just one part of the story. In fact, it’s the inciting incident that hurtles the novel into the second act, where much bigger dilemmas are faced. I’ve written 30 books, all in prose, but this novel demanded to be written in verse, which I’ve never done before. I’ve always LOVED verse novels, but I kept thinking, ‘I can’t write in verse! I have no idea what I’m doing’. But the novel was insistent, so I tentatively started and soon found it freeing and fun! Not only did I have to tell the story in short, sharp verses, getting to the point of each verse very quickly, I also played with form, fonts, font size and verse length, which together, create the feel and meaning of the story.
Signed Book Giveaway! To help Deb and I celebrate our new books, we’d love to invite you to join our competition where we will be giving away a signed copy of The Kindness Project and Cora Seen and Heard. To enter, share our news with a friend or your community and let me know. Entries close midnight 5th May 2024. Australian addresses only please.
So, how about that Tuscan writing retreat? Yes, it’s happening! Spend three days with me in the Italian countryside next April 2025 alongside two wonderful US literary agents, Lori Kilkelly and Ammi-Joan Paquette, and an exceptionally talented Italian illustrator, Gaia Bordicchia. Lori and Ammi-Joan will offer pitch and first page critiques. Gaia will run a workshop, as will I. The location is beautiful. Honestly. I nearly fall over every time I look at the pictures. Held at picturesque Ancora del Chianti, 30 km from Florence, you can relax in your own room, wander the gardens and enjoy the communal areas. Fresh meals will be provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegetarian options available. This could be you! Between workshops and private sessions, you will have ample opportunity to work on your creative projects. We will also facilitate peer-to-peer feedback. The retreat will be held just after the Bologna Book Fair next year, meaning you can travel to Italy for more than one children’s book experience! There are very limited spaces. And honestly, I think this is going to be one of the best experiences of my life. I hope you can join me. Register here.
My favourite date on the Brisbane booklovers calendar: The University of Queensland Alumni Book Fair 2024 with so much to see, do and read.
Friday 3 May 9:00am thru to Monday 6 May 3:00pm2024 This year they have even added a special dining event, favourite foods of iconic writers for lunch and dinner—see below or click forthcoming Alumni Events.
Coming soon: More than 110,000 books, magazines, vinyl records, DVDs and other pre-loved literary goodies will be available at this year’s UQ Alumni Book Fair, from as little as $1, to help raise funds for UQ student scholarships and research. Free events location at UQ Centre, St Lucia campus.
“Gifts of friendship: rare books and manuscript treasures in the Fryer Library“ Friday 3 May 2024 6:00pm–7:00pmAlumni event. Hear from Simon Farley, Fryer Librarian, about a selection of treasures held in the Fryer Library including beautiful, rare books and the manuscript papers of great Australian writers including David Malouf, Peter Carey, Thea Astley, and Oodgeroo Noonuccal. Location: UQ St Lucia campus.
Dine like a literary icon – ‘Patina at Alumni Court‘ Monday 29 April 2024 11:00am to Friday 3 May 2024 9:00pm. An Alumni event to mark the 2024 UQ Alumni Book Fair (3–6 May) and they’re celebrating with the favourite foods of iconic writers, Ernest Hemingway and Emily Dickinson. Available for lunch Monday 29 April and Tuesday 30 April. Available for lunch and dinner from Wednesday 1st to Friday 3rd May 2024. Visit University of Queensland website https://alumni.uq.edu.au/uq-alumni-book-fair
Throughout, there will be diverse music from Mozart to the music of 2024, and a family fun day with free story time sessions, face painting and craft. Those dates again—
Getting here: Casual parking is available under the UQ Centre. Paid parking applies between Monday–Friday, 7am–9pm. Parking is FREE on weekends and public holidays. More information about parking at UQ.
St Lucia campus is conveniently accessible by car, BCC buses, ferries and CityCat. I have travelled by all four options with no difficulty. Of course, my heavily laden book haul slowed me down a bit on the return journey. More information about public transport options.
Please note: You can donate books to UQ throughout the year. Also this information has been retrieved from UQ website so I accept no responsibility for changes to dates, times or information but in my experience events run smoothly. I’ve had some great finds!
Happy reading ❤ Gretchen Bernet-Ward
Everyone around Australia will read this picture book together! Contact your local library to find out details!
Here is my email with additions made to a draft copy received from Greens MP Elizabeth Watson-Brown and sent to The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water:
My email heading “Dugongs and Curlews Don’t Sleep in Beds—Stop Harbour Development”
I urge you to use your powers as the Environment Minister to reject Walker Corporation’s Toondah Harbour project which will destroy globally important wetlands and a refuge for some of Australia’s most unique and threatened wildlife.
A Ramsar-listed wetland is no place to build 3600 luxury residences including high-rise apartments, commercial strips and a 220-berth marina. It is beyond belief that this project is even being considered in the twenty-first century. We have already lost so much biodiversity due to corporate greed.
This project will have significant impacts on matters of national environmental significance: an internationally listed wetland (Moreton Bay), nationally threatened shorebirds including the critically endangered Eastern Curlew, migratory marine species (dugongs and turtles) and the locally threatened koala.
The Eastern Curlew is one of the 22 priority species in the Federal Government’s new 10-year Threatened Species Action Plan. Approving this project would be completely at odds with the Albanese Government’s goal of ‘No new extinctions’. I say save and preserve because there is no rebirth after extinction.
Failing to uphold Australia’s international obligations under the Ramsar Convention to protect this wetland and the species that rely on it, would set a dangerous precedent that could allow damaging developments in other important wetlands in Australia and worldwide.
Critically endangered – How long will this small shorebird be able to continue to fly between Australasia and far-flung countries. A thousand years, a hundred years, or maybe just a few years?
Walker Corp’s claims that a vast high-rise apartment complex on sensitive wetlands would result in ‘No expected reduction in migratory bird numbers’ and ‘Deliver a positive outcome for koalas’ are beyond belief! The construction materials, vehicles and building cement run-off alone could pollute the entire bay area.
Toondah Harbour is in the Redland Bay Cleveland area of southern Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia. There is significant opposition to this building project from the Redlands community and Australia-wide and rightly so. Once that wetland biodiversity goes, everyone and everything suffers—and it won’t grow back.
The health of local residents is already affected, they are upset and deeply concerned about the loss of already threatened wildlife; the impact on local businesses and tourism; and increased road traffic. Every single millimetre of Toondah wetlands must be preserved for a healthy future.
Thank you for reading this letter and considering my views.
Postscript: After I emailed my thoughts regarding saving Toondah Harbour wetlands from massive tourism over-development, I saw this on our Australian Parliamentary website and The Guardian:
THEN—TOONDAH HARBOUR DEVELOPMENT STOPPED! 18/4/24 It’s official! The iconic Toondah Harbour has been saved after Walker Corporation withdrew their application to build a $1.4 billion real estate project on the internationally protected wetland site. This momentous news comes after Environment Minster Tanya Plibersek announced last week that she intended to reject the nature-wrecking project on the basis that removing 58.7 hectares was unacceptable and would affect threatened flora, fauna and migratory birds. Also thanks to the groundswell of communities throughout Queensland and Australia with close to 200,000 people having called on our Government to save Toondah. View Tanya Plibersek’s announcement:
You don’t have to be a budding author or full-time writer, all you need is an interest (or perhaps passion) for the written word and those amazing people who write them. You could be a reader, a part-time reader, a bookworm, a scribbler looking for literary inspiration, a serious new writer, or going with a friend who has a crush on the latest bestseller. There are special events galore and authors from far and wide. Make sure you book early!
“From blockbuster bestsellers to literary luminaries and everything in between, BWF 2024 is an unmissable adventure from beginning to end.”
Brisbane Writers Festival 30 May – 2 June 2024 South Bank https://bwf.org.au/
The main reason I enjoy Brisbane Writers Festival is to hear a good yarn up close from my favourite scribes. One year (I probably wrote a blog post about it) I listened to rugged Aussie legend Bryan Brown, screen actor turned writer. Another time UK author Jasper Fforde on a panel, then independently chatted over a group lunch on the terrace, before attending his final address at the closing ceremony—brilliant!
The following info is just a tiny taste of what’s on offer this year. Click on the link and have a look at the BWF website. For a real blast, read the 54-page online program here. Make a list!
Of course, there are books on sale and you can buy as many books and queue for as many celeb authographs (my new best word) as you have desire and stamina. Believe me, I’ve had some great conversations in those queues, and 😊 selfies, with a good book to read at the end of the day.
SINCE MY VERY FIRST BLOG POST ‘My Name is Lucy Barton’ by Elizabeth Strout book review 6th July 2017, posted at 6:01pm, I have currently written 580 post—as at 26th March 2024—over a wide range of topics, mainly illustrated with my own photographs, and I’ve seen many changes. I even have my own personal favourite blog posts.
In 2024 it’s interesting that the Seven-Year Itch has struck. I appear to have hit a malaise where not enough grabs my interest to write about it. However, although I may feel like slowing down, I will continue to be a voracious reader and write regular reviews here and on Goodreads.
Also, I stress that blogging is an excellent form of written and visual expression and I urge anyone to give it a go! Just do it at your own pace, don’t even follow an agenda. Too many self-imposed rules and deadlines add pressure which goes against naturally allowing yourself the freedom of expression.
Of course, your hobby or favourite subject can take pride of place but it doesn’t have to control a daily blog output unless you thrive on uniformity, regularity, consistency—sounds like hard work to me 😀
Preaching to the converted here but I stress that there are many WordPress templates and layouts to choose from, just give yourself a bit of time to become familiar with the settings and capabilities and soon your decision will make itself clear. I gradually discovered my own writing style and headings, and I use them for comfortable working conditions. My only gripe is the inability to change the designated default font/spacing of draft copies. Each template has its own settings. Although things have become a bit more flexible, I am not a fan of block editor; what I draft-type is not what I get layout-wise.
My website ThoughtsBecomeWords.com is not flashy or intellectual but it works for me. Interestingly I chose not to have a date stamp on my posts. Any person can read your blog anytime without being a WordPress blogger so don’t read too much into timings, Likes or Views. I have made friends through blogging. The big thing is to follow other bloggers because that way you can keep your finger on the writing pulse and learn things from around the world, plus they will also follow you.
I have a particular blogger dear to my heart, Paula Bardell-Hedley in Wales, her Book Jotter site is prodigious, packed with world-wide literary information. Paula created Reading Wales ‘Dewithon’ which features Welsh writers every March for the month of March. I have participated over the years and read wonderful Welsh authors.
Nostalgically, I guess I’ve had my day in the sun; and while blogging is more genuine than politics, pics and fakery on social media, the enchantment is fading for me. Inevitably the pressure of life (and general formatting changes) have turned me into a grump. I think I will cruise along now, enjoying the breeze, occasionally stopping to sniff the eucalypt blossom, and not listen to the raucous competition of the world around me. Been there, done that, over it.
Naturally I will keep popping in to post (maybe even a serialised short story I am working on—stay tuned) but for now it’s on with something new! I have my sights set on a photographic journey so perhaps more local Aussie snapshots will emerge. Two more book review posts to add then it’s irregular posting for me—in awhile crocodile!
Kindly note that I will continue ‘Photo Of The Week’ on my Home Page every Saturday—in the meantime happy writing, happy blogging and see ya later alligator!
This month you can read and review any Welsh authors you like for Dewithon! As you can see from my grandmother’s faded favourite teatowel there has been a bit of Welsh influence in our family. Some of these songs have made me very emotional over the years. And many readers will remember singing favourites in their school choir.
I have been recommended Gareth Williams book ‘Valleys of Song: Music and Society in Wales, 1840-1914′ from University of Wales Press. Quote ‘This enthralling social history focuses on such groups as the fighting choirs of Dowlais and Merthyr that raised armies of supporters, electrified massive crowds and aroused fierce passions.’
But I digress, I have participated in past Dewithons and enjoyed reading Welsh authors I had not previously known thanks to Paula Bardell-Headley aka Book Jotter.
This year 2024 I am reading a crime novel ‘The Silent Quarry’ in an eight book series featuring DI Winter Meadows written by Cardiff-born Welsh crime and mystery author Cheryl Rees-Price. 1.THE SILENT QUARRY 2.FROZEN MINDS 3.SUFFER THE CHILDREN 4.A KNOT OF SPARROWS 5.LIES OF MINE 6.RISE TO THE FLY 7.WINTER’S CRY 8.HARBOUR NO SECRETS (standalone ‘BLUE HOLLOW’)
“I do a lot of walking and, fortunately, living in Wales provides plenty of stunning places to inspire my imagination and feed the world of Winter Meadows.” Goodreads quote from Cheryl Rees-Price
Rather than me expounding how wonderful Welsh authors are, and the books I have previously read, I will give you some links (below) to Paula’s website which is jammed-packed with information and insights. Paula is the nicest, most organised and prodigious book-blogger that I have had the pleasure to read.
Remember those hashtags #dewithon24 and #readingwales24. Reading Welsh authors has broadened my reading awareness, as the saying goes ‘Try it, you’ll like it!’
Thoughts Become Words 