Same Same But Different

Regular Newsletter New Format

Oct 14, 2024

Hello…

…to the new subscribers, as well as those who have been with me for a while.

I’m excited to have moved my newsletter to Substack to make things easier for myself, and more exciting for you!

By combining both my mailchimp, and my patreon into one place, I’ll be better able to stay on top of it and you’ll be freer to move back and forth between the free monthly newsletter and the paid subscription content more easily going forward. It’ll also be much easier for me to offer free sample posts etc when I get myself around all all this works.

I called it Booklore because I wanted a name which was bookish and when I was searching through options, that one jumped out…

[ book-lawr ] noun. facts and information about books, especially about authors and circumstances of publication.

That definition is taken from the very academic ‘Dictionary.com’, but to me tied my love of folklore and fairy tales, in with my obsession with books, and that I’m writing about my life, books I read, and any circumstances of publication about my books… it worked well. 💚

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone who subscribed to my newsletter thanks to the competition I offered in my interview with The Orange & Bee.

Everyone who subscribed before the end of September went into the draw to win all six books with my writing in them (including the four I edited).

A photo of six books stacked, showing their spines with mirrorball hanging potplants in the background. The titles are: Avast, Underdog, Borderlands, Out-Side, Kindred, and Everything under the Moon.

So, congratulations to Emma! You’ve got a lovely bundle of books coming your way. 118 pieces in total for you to discover with only a handful of authors appearing in more than one! What a delicious tasting platter of writing and art!

Slice of Life

I’ve been super busy with a billion different things (at least, that’s how it feels).

At the beginning of October, Teague and I went away with (almost) all of my immediate family to celebrate my parent’s 50th Wedding Anniversary (actual anniversary in December). So this meant twenty eight of us descended upon a holiday park in Canberra (the midpoint for most of us, and the home for one family) for four days of spending time together.

We visited Floriade, which I’d not visited in years, and we saw many flowers, which (I believe) is the point.

A photo of many, small pink flowers, blurring into the distance.

It was really lovely being able to spend time with my parents, siblings and niblings playing board games and doing bush walks.

One of my favourite art things at Floriade was the gnome painting competition. There were a few that jumped out at me as being particularly great, but hands down the one that has stayed with me longest is this one:

A photo of painted gnomes on a lawn. There is a sign which reads, "Category 4: 14 to 17 years". The focus gnome is painted wearing all black with a pale white face, black lipstick and clown tears. it is holding a bunch of dark red flowers.

‘Sad Teen Goth Gnome’ was an opportunity missed for Snow White!

Literary Goings On

I spent this past weekend doing some *exciting* plotting with Q-Lit! So watch this space (and their socials) for some very BIG news coming soon.

But as far as what’s coming up, there’s quite a few things!

Queenscliffe Literary Festival runs from 18th-27th of October and I’ll be on a panel on Sunday 27th of October at 11:30am. It’ll be called Shipwrecks and Sea Myths and I’ll be chatting with Shivaun Plozza and Andrea Rowe about all the ways the sea inspires us as writers and creators. It’s taking place at Queenscliffe’s iconic Maritime Museum.
On Friday 8th of November at 6pm I’ll be giving an author talk at Shepperton Library as part of Goulburn Valley Pride’s Out In The Open Festival. Join me there to talk Trans Pirates, Queer Fairy Tales, and anything else book related you like! It’ll be casual and fun.
The following day (Saturday 9th November) I’ll have a stall at the festival’s Carnival day in Queens Gardens, Shepparton. So come along, enjoy the delightful queer festivities, and say hello!
On Wednesday 13th of November at 6pm, I’ll be giving an author talk at Croydon Library in celebration of Trans Awareness Week. If you’re out east (or want to travel there), I’ll see you there!
On Friday 15th of November at 1pm, I’ll be part of an Online Panel organised by the Australian Society of Authors discussion on: The importance of community building for authors. This is a topic close to my heart, so I can’t wait to chat with Adolfo Aranjuez, Jaclyn Crupi and Jodi Wilson about it all! This panel (unlike the events listed above) has paid tickets, $50 for ASA Members, and $100 for non-members. Also, being an online panel, if the time doesn’t work for you, I believe ticket holders will be sent a link of a recording to watch afterwards.
I’m also on a panel at the Children's Editorial Program, Picture Book Intensive in October, but as that’s an industry thing, it’s not exactly one you’d likely come to, but I’m excited for it nonetheless. Really digging deep into the nitty gritty of how picture books are sold into (and received by) their various markets with an audience of the very editors and publishers who make them is exactly how I’d like to spend an afternoon. the fact that we’ve got an hour on this topic alone is certain to prove insufficient.

I also thought it might be helpful to include other events that I’m attending (or wish I could attend) in the next month or so, to help spread the word about other, non-Michael focused things (OMG, Michael, stop talking about yourself!)

This Thursday, 17th of October at 5:30pm, the CBCA Vic Branch is hosting A Celebration for Creators, sponsored by Ford St Publishing. It’ll be held at Bargoonga Nganjin Fitzroy North Library and will include the presentation of the prestigious Albert Ullin Award to its next recipient.
I’m going to ‘In Place’, which is a contemporary, First Nations led circus running as part of Fringe Festival from 16-20th October. I’m excited to see it. Part of the set decoration is an Australian native plant which Teague babysat for 12 months as part of community inclusion in the performance!
There’s Ability Fest happening on Saturday 19th October, which looks like a lot of fun!
Tuesday October 22nd at 6pm is the Readings Prize Awards Night. Always nice to celebrate new Australian Writers!
I’m also seeing GODZ through Fringe. It runs from the 9th-26th of October and looks to be silly and sexy fun.
The Splendid Anna Battese is launching her latest book in the series: PD McPem’s Agency for Mysterious Mysteries at The Younger Sun in Yarraville on Saturday 2nd of November at 4pm. We love a mystery! We love a Book Launch!

Lastly, and CERTAINLY not least, is this incredible exhibition:

An image which reads "Through Space and Time A group exhibition by the artists of Arts Access Victoria's Future Reset - Maker Space program". there is a colourful collage of planets and swirls and beneath that reads "Ash Hem, I See the Universe, Collage, 2023."

Teague has been working with Arts Access Victoria to curate an exhibition created by and for young Deaf and Disabled artists. This has been his baby for the last few months and it’s incredible to see the art all coming together.

It runs from 30 Oct 2024 - 24 Nov 2024 at The Library at the Dock Gallery but the exhibition launch is happening Thursday 31 October, 6pm-7:30pm. You can attend in person or online, and it would be incredible if you’re able to join us for the celebration!

More Info and to RSVP

Finally…

Now that I’m on substack, I won’t list the AWESOME goodies I offer on my patreon every single newsletter, because a) it no longer exists, and b) those goodies are available here. So just this once, here’s what you can get for the price of shouting me a cuppa once a month (or less!):

Book reviews and recommendations
Writing Samples from my works-in-progress and insights into my *process*
A bit more banter and behind the scenes of the ‘World of Literature’ from my perspective
A specially curated, thematic playlist of music I’ll put together
The opportunity to comment on posts and ask specific questions, offer playlist suggestions, ask for personalised recommendations

You can expect these special posts at the beginning of each month, and the free newsletter like this one mid-month. I have no intention of spamming you because these take a lot of work and I’m tired.

And finally, because Substack makes it so easy for you to tell your friends what delightful content you’re reading, if you think this is delightful and others might also think as you do, be sure to tell your friends, colleagues, family, neighbours, pets, and even your enemies (maybe a lovely newsletter might build bridges?!?)

Share Booklore

If you were to do that, I’d love your work as much I love the work of this EMO teenager:

A close up crop of the aforementioned Goth Gnome.

Till next time.

💚💚💚

Michael

michaelearp.net | Michael’s Walk: The Podcast | Books and Writing