Inga Simpson's Blog
June 4, 2019
Henry Lawson Festival
This June long weekend I’m heading back to my home town of Grenfell � the birthplace of writer Henry Lawson � as of this year’s . I grew up on a property near Grenfell and attended the Henry Lawson High School, so it is quite an honour to follow in the footsteps of Patrick White, Tara Moss, Eric Rolls, Dick Smith, James Dibble, Judy Nunn and Colin Roderick. As a kid, I looked up at the writers and celebrities launching the festival from the back of a truck in the main street. This year it will be me.
The festival has a strong arts and literature focus, and has long featured the Henry Lawson short story competition. I’ll be busy visiting art and photography exhibitions, an awards night and a local concert. But there will be a chance to say hello and have a book signed near the official festival stall on Saturday afternoon. I’m looking forward to catching up with old and new friends � and being back in the landscape that shaped me (and my writing voice).
May 19, 2019
Beautiful Sentences
“She wasn’t doing a thing that I could see, except standing there leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together�
~ J.D Salinger.
On Saturday 1 June I’ll be teaching a workshop on writing beautiful sentences at the . It is one of my favourite workshops to teach, for the focus it allows on single sentences and phrases � the first building blocks of story.
We’ll be looking at the nitty-gritty of sentences � from construction to polishing: grammar and structure, the importance of clarity and precision, the emotional weight of an image, and conveying truth and story. Hopefully we’ll find a little beauty too.
March 14, 2019
Castlemaine State Festival
Later this month I’ll be participating the (22-31 March), a stunning bi-annual arts festival, which this year is focussing on sustainability, nature and rural living.
I’ll be teaching a nature writing workshop on Friday 29 March. You can still book in
On Saturday 30 March, I’ll be talking with Jessie Cole and Thomas Wilson about the changing face of nature writing. You can find more information and book in
And, on Sunday 31 March, I’ll be talking with comedian Hayley Butcher and Melissa Cater about the realities � funny and otherwise � of making a tree change. You can find out more or book in .
Looking forward to exploring Castlemaine and seeing some of you there!
June 13, 2018
Mudgee Readers Festival: 10-12 Aug 2018
This August I’ll be travelling back to Wiradjuri country for the Mudgee Readers Festival. I’ve visited Mudgee a few times, for its lovely wines, including some of our first organic vineyards. But this time it is all about books! Well, maybe not quite all. I hope to try a few nice reds, as well as participating on the following panels.
Stories in the Landscape: Chaired by the fabulous Jane Rawson, Jessie Cole, Paul Collis and I will discuss the ways our respective landscapes inform our work. Details .
A Writer’s Work: James Colley, Kate Wild and I talk about the jobs we do when we aren’t writing, and the jobs we had before we picked up a pen. How our work informs, influences, and � occasionally hinders our writing lives. Details
Comfort Reading: What reading provides solace in an increasingly alienating world? Which books do we return to again and again? Chris Womersley, Andrew P Street, Laura Elizabeth Woollett and I share the stories that keep us feeling nourished. Details .
March 1, 2018
Newcastle Writers Festival sessions
I’ll be talking about Understory at several sessions at the Newcastle Writers Festival next month, as well as leading a masterclass at the University of Newcastle for creative writing students.
I’m particularly excited about the session on Writing the Landscape with the wonderful (The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart) and Lia Hills, chaired by Geordie Williamson. Landscape as at the heart of everything I do, but it is a real thrill to be on stage with Holly for her first ever festival session and to see the world embrace her, and her beautiful book, which is about to hit the shelves. And there is no one I would rather chair this session, because it turns out that Geordie and I have a childhood landscape in common.
NWF is a small, friendly festival and most of the sessions are FREE. This year’s guests include Bruce Pascoe, Jimmy Barnes, Gretel Killeen, and Eddie Ayers. Details of my sessions below:
:
an interview with Keri Glastonbury
11.30am 7 April
City Hall
Free
with Holly Ringland & Lia Hills, chaired by Geordie Williamson
10am 8 April
Free
with Melissa Lucaschenko & Wendy James, chaired by Conor McCarthy
1.30pm 8 April
Free
June 13, 2017
EWF Sessions
I’m proud to be one of the Ambassadors for this year’s Emerging Writers Festival (EWF) in Melbourne, which starts today. It’s a great festival if you can get along, with lots of industry tips for aspiring and emerging writers. Weekend tickets are really good value.
This year’s ambassadors were apparently selected for “telling stories others won’t.�
“Our ambassadors are women who change things. They break barriers. We’re thrilled for them to mentor the next generation of writers,� says Artistic Director Izzy Roberts-Orr.
I’m looking forward toall of the sessions, but particularly talking aboutWriting the Environment with Anna Krien, Tony Birch and Sally Abbott.
10am Sat 17 June
EWFAmbassadors (Anna Krien, Melina Marchetta, Rebecca Do Rozario, Michelle Law and I) share the tips and tricks we wish we’d had when we started out. More
3pm Sat 17 June
Askme the big questions, the little questions, the good questions. Now’s your chance!Details
11am Sun 18 June
With: Anna Krien, Sally Abbott, Tony Birch and me
In a world on the brink of ecological collapse, what responsibility do storytellers have to speak for the planet? What role (if any) can good nature and science-focussed writing (both fiction and non-fiction) play in pulling us back from the edge? Panelists discuss the writer’s role in educating, provoking conversation and changing attitudes through storytelling. Details
4pm Sun 18 June
: Writer, Editor and Publisher � Inga Simpson with Kate Stevens, Robert Watkins.
I’min conversation with my editor and publisher, which is an opportunity to hear about all aspects and perspectives of the publishing process. (And possibly how difficult I am!) More info
May 22, 2017
Understory events
I have a number of events coming up to celebrate the release of Understory on 30 May.
It’s a chance tohelp launch Understory‘s passage into the world, hear a bit more about the writing of the book –and have your copy signed and stamped with a special copper “tree woman� stamp.
5.30 pm 6 June � Kim Mahood launches Understory @
free with wine and nibbles but please register online
6.30pm 7 June � Author Talk with
@ Camperdown Commons, Newtown
$5 with wine and nibbles,tix
6pm 8 June, Author Talk with
Noosa Parks Environment Centre, Noosaville
$15 with wine and nibbles, plsbook here
10am, 9 June � morning tea @
Free event, and a free seedling with each purchased copy of Understory!
6pm, 9 June –Kari Gislason launches Understory @ , WestEnd.
Free, with wine and nibbles but pls register
May 1, 2017
Miles Franklin longlisting
WHERE THE TREES WERE has beenlonglisted forthe 2017 Miles Franklin Literary Award. WTTW is a personal book for me, and as a lifelong student of Australian literature, I’m grateful that ithas been recognised in this way.
Congratulations to all of the other longlisted books and their authors.What a nice looking pile!
The shortlist will be announced 18 June.
April 26, 2017
Re-release day
My three novels � Mr Wigg, Nest and Where the Trees Were � have just been re-released in a new format. A bit like a nice matching box set. And they’re reasonably priced, at $19.95. You can buy them at a special rate .
Their re-releaseis a bit of an appetiser for the 1Junepublicationof my eco-memoir, Understory: a life with trees, which you can pre-order .
Details soon on launches and events in Canberra, Sydney, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
August 23, 2016
the end of the garden
I’m chuffed to have my short story, “The End of the Garden� in .
The storywas inspired by Sarah Blasko’s album What the Sea Wants, the Sea Will Have, during a week on the far south coast of NSW.
Also in this issue is “Marilyn’s Feast� by my pal, Melissa Ashley (author of the soon to be released The Birdman’s Wife).
You can read a preview of both below.
Book available at
