whoozqueen

According to an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, one major Australian publisher will no longer be taking on new Australian authors.

"Any new titles - and we expect to be extremely selective about new acquisitions - will fit squarely in our philosophy of publishing to grow our backlist, and will spring from existing relationships with [our] proven Australian authors," said the letter.

Last year Simon & Schuster published 24 fiction and non-fiction books. Local authors, including Posie Graeme-Evans and historian Jill Bruce, will remain on its list, the company said.

Mr Attenborough's letter is set against a backdrop of publishers reducing the number of books they publish, especially fiction, as more readers turn to non-fiction or international bestsellers. Some publishers will only sign up first-time authors they believe can deliver at least 7000 books, more than what an established novelist could expect to sell in a year.

Im very disappointed in this attitude. If publishers publish only what they consider a 'safe bet' then only a tiny amount of the writing talent that is out there will ever be seen. I believe that diversification and promotion of new talent (perhaps at a smaller scale than 'blockbusters', and using bookcrossing and other popular book clubs) is key to developing good writers.

Self-publishing or publishing on the internet will be the best method of promotion for new, and perhaps even existing authors, in the future. I mean where else, who else, is going to give people the opportunity? That's why Im enjoying being involved in Borderlands. We're publishing good stories, with a mixture of established authors and complete newbies to the field. With any luck, more funding, better distribution, and a bit more planning, we'll offer more and more content as time goes by.

I know from my own experience as a freelance writer that the opportunities to be published in Australian magazines are few and far between. Most of the content in women's magazines is either drawn from overseas writers (ie, only 5% of Australian Cosmopolitan is locally written) or celebrity news feeds posing as content. A huge part of the magazine itself is advertising (at which point I digress and comment that the advertising industry would be better off taking smaller adverts with a link to a comprehensive, interactive website).

Gah. S'all wrong wrong wrong. Australian magazines should have more content written by locals. Australian publishers should be seeking out new talent and helping them to become established writers. *sigh*

Fashion, Turn to the Left

Meanwhile, the fashion industry in Australia is doing the right thing, becoming more inclusive of emerging designers. David Jones and Myer, in their competitiveness, have added small collections of new designers which will expose them to the public. What I'd like to see is new plus size designers being included in that fold - the current collections at Myer suck hairy goat balls. I mean really, horizontals and tacky florals? Pluh-leeeeease. What's so fricking hard about getting it right? Honestly, I talk with or overhear customers every day say how frustrated they are with that area of the store. I would LOVE to see some new designers who want to work in plus size fashion, featured at Myer or David Jones.

Hmmm, come to think of it, I do have an exit interview on my last day. If the opportunity arises, I will pass on that feedback. Its a small thing, but a necessary thing.

Speaking of which, I need to buy new clothes for work. Im going to put a bunch of stuff on layby at work, whilst I still have the 25% discount. Shoes, a couple of tops to go under jackets, tailored pants, perhaps even some make-up. I've been cleaning out the wardrobe lately, getting rid of outdated stuff, worn out, faded, you name it. Anything that Im not fully committed to wearing in the near future. I am over you, denim dress. Goodbye, slighty wrong shade of red outfit.

I want a neatly co-ordinated new wardrobe, with dark chocolate and black as my basics. Sage green, raspberry, denim blue, lavendar as the highlight colours. I need some wrap-around tops, V necks, kimono style tops and tailored pants. At least, now that I'll be working in an arts organisation, I can be a little experimental with the accessories!

Greg Proops


Which 'Whose Line is it Anyway?' actor are you!?
brought to you by Quizilla

The Idea

Ever wondered how many people read your journal/blog? How many of them actually digest that information? Ever been curious as to whether or not your entries are reaching the masses? Ever wondered how far the things you say propogate?
The Goal

Meme Meme! is about finding out the answers to these questions. It is, quite simply, a quiz. You fill out some data on a form, and it gives you a link to post in your journal. This link is to an image that is automatically generated whenever someone loads it. The link will show you the effects of your journal on the world. Neat, huh?

The Ghods luff me.

I have 22 hours of work next week (Yoikes!) for my final week at Myer, which should tide me over nicely until I get my first pay. I might even be able to put some career clothes on layby in the meantime. Huzzah!

Secondly, I went to the shoe dept to see if my work shoes were still on sale/available. Being a larger size, (10.5), I tend to miss out on shoes unless I get in quick. Particularly on a style that has been around for a season. All I was hoping for was that one pair could be found of the style that I wear to work, so I could have a new pair for my new job.

I was happy enough that the size I wanted was there, but I was completely blown away by what happened next. The sales assistant noticed that my shoes were split on the heel. "Oh, we had another pair come in like that this week, let me go and check if we can do anything about this..." she said. I shrugged, not really worried if it could or not, but thought I might get something of a discount.

I got the shoes replaced, for free. Yes! Walked out of the shop with brand spanky new shoes!

I've had the most awesome week. New job, new shoes, all I need now is a haircut and colour and my life will be complete.

Interviews are over. I think that I have an excellent chance of getting the job.

Reasons why....

a) I used to work with a respected Multicultural Officer/jazz performer that they know.
b) I can help them on a choral project that they need to put together and were impressed by the advice that I gave them in the interview.
c) I can help them on another project, promoting WA jazz musicians online.
d) My performance and multicultural experiences impressed them.
e) My admin abilities and experience with a wide range of computer packages impressed them.
f) They apologised profusely about the pay ($28k per annum) and mentioned that they were pushing to get it up to $30k.
g) Everyone in the office is my age and older, and I wore *exactly* the right outfit for the place.

They seemed pretty enthusiastic about the extraneous skills that I could offer. We basically skimmed over the admin stuff.

The low pay is a disappointing feature of this job. Most govt jobs here of a similar nature start around the $30-32k mark, with an average of $35k. It would mean returning to the pay level that I was at in 1998.

Ah well, a job is a job, and the good thing about this office is that there are two events organising positions within it that I could move into at a later date. Another interesting point - apparently everyone in this small office has only been there for the past four months or less. So, if money was a problem for one of the others, I could move up the ranks into their position.

I'll find out by the end of the week if I got the job. Im quite positive about it - the only thing to prevent that would be someone who had more of a book-keeping/MYOB background. From the resumes that I briefly glimpsed, there are five of us up for the role.

Pete said that his interview seemed to go well. The company apparently has 80 software engineers in these huge teams, working on projects, and the team that Pete would join would be about 12 members. They're hiring a few people at a time, initially on a contract basis, that have the potential to become permanent roles.
*crossing fingers*

Both Pete and I have interviews tomorrow!

My Voo is for the position of Admin Assistant at Kulcha, the multicultural arts promotion organisation. I'll be happy to be working in a performing arts organisation if I get it, and perhaps look at move into a more PR position further along.

Pete's Voo is for a C++ contract, three months, on a Linux platform, so he's happy as well.

(Am typing over cat which refuses to move, so am speaking in short tongues. Bicep hurts, ow.)

Much luck needed!!!! First voo in months that I've had!

What Finding Nemo Character are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

I *like* Pelicans. Can't help but look at them in awe when we scoot down the freeway to visit Pete's mum on the weekends. We are so lucky in Australia, to have such beautiful birds.

*********

Had one of those experiences in the store today, in which Customer decides that due to your retail assistant status, you must be of lesser intelligence. That I remembered her name, half an hour after speaking to her, boggled her mind. Seriously. Like it was some frickin' Miracle of Baby Jesus happening before her.

After the second patronising comment, I replied that I had a couple of uni qualifications, the other person serving her was studying a Masters in Speech Pathology and Does Madam Use FlyBys? Most of the people I know in a sales capacity at Myer are actually studying part time, Madam. Funny ol' thing retail - never can tell who is doing the job on first appearances, can you? Gosh, that shut her up. Nice as peach pie from there on in. Yeeeeeeesh. Job does not equal mental capacity, people.

**********

Shiv and I are going to find some wool tomorrow, so I can make her some fingerless gloves. Basically, the idea is to knit a rectangle shape, fold and sew into a tube, leaving a space for the thumb to poke out. I found a website that had some great ideas involving this very idea, with plaid belted bits added. Sounds terrible, but its kind of quasi-punk. Definitely a Shiv Thing.

Still working on Fiona's scarf, playing around with another item in warm-toned very bright Pink/Purples. Not sure who that will go to! I think it will end up being a very long skinny scarf. Found some excellent free knitting patterns online tonight, which have inspired me to try to find cotton chenille. I could make face-cloths, a tote bag or other bits and pieces. Am currently using the multi-toned brown scarf as a turban/hat. Keeps my head nice and warm!

**********

Had a pretty good Wednesday night, with Guy and Julie (newly engaged, Big Boomba Ring!) and a pot luck dinner of roast lamb, vegies and my fabulous potato salad:

Jodie's Potato Salad

About 3 potatoes per person.
Gherkin relish or Diced Gherkins.
Diced raw Mushrooms.
1 chopped brown Onion.
Lean Bacon.
4 boiled eggs.
Potato salad dressing of choice.

Dice up enough potatoes for four people (about three medium potatoes each).
Boil the potatoes in slightly salted water for 15 minutes.
Chop up the bacon, onion, and dry fry until crisp.
Dice the eggs.

When the potatoes are done, rinse in cold water.
Throw back into pot, and gently fold in the bacon/onion/eggs/mushroom.
Top with potato salad dressing and 4 diced gherkins or 2 dessert spoons of relish.
Fold into salad gently.

Serve - hot or cold! Fend off Peet from Eating Everything.

You're a Dialogue/Character Writer!


What kind of writer are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

This is hilarious. The main thing that I struggle with in my fiction writing is dialogue. I have had my fiction work published, despite feeling as if my dialogue is never quite authentic enough. My dialogue always feels too prententious, too structured. Im probably being too hard on myself. I know I am.

One of the problems that I have always had is being able to say, "This work is Done." I really should go back to writing fiction again one day. I enjoy the process, but fear the rewards of being published. Nothing in the way of subject matter is really piquing my fancy at the moment.

Its so hard to write as an Australian, with an Australian voice. Most of the time, I would rather insert a foreign perspective/language into my work. This is probably why I am drawn to reading mostly science fiction/fantasy/horror - you can create your own world and have characters speaking in an entirely new accent.

Speaking of which, if you haven't read China Mieville's Perdido Street Station, smack yerself about the head thusly ...*whack whack*... and then get a copy. Quite honestly, it is the best SF/F that I have read over the past five years. Can't wait to see the novel become a movie. Fabulously dark. Beautifully developed characters and storyline.

You are Shetland Wool.
You are a traditional sort who can sometimes be a
little on the harsh side. Though you look
delicate you are tough as nails and prone to
intricacies. Despite your acerbic ways you are
widely respected and even revered.


What kind of yarn are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Generate your Anime Style by Jena-su
Name:
Hair:	Naturally multi-coloured.
Clothes:	Dark and sexy. With randomly placed belts. Lots and lots of belts...
Powers:	Shape Shifting
Special Features:	Unusual, yet natural markings
Sidekick:	A small fairy that can get real annoying, real fast.
Attitude:	Mysterious as all hell.
Weapon:	Bow and arrows
Created with the ORIGINAL MemeGen!

Shiv and I saw an exhibition at PICA called Cosplay on Friday, before I went off to a meeting. I love Japanese streetwear, its so interesting and creative. Nice little exhibition, we even meet the photographer. I would have like to have seen some actual clothing on mannequins, however.