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March 11, 2018 by Simon Sweetman

NZ Festival Writers & Readers: Bloody Difficult Women

Bloody Difficult Women Circa 2, Circa Theatre Friday, March 9 This Writers & Readers session, dubbed Bloody Difficult Women, featured Annaleese Jochems (author of Baby) and Kirsten McDougall (author of Tess and also The Invisible Rider) in conversation with fellow novelist Catherine Robertson. A spirited discussion emerged, though Robertson was far too dominant, bringing the […]

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March 22, 2017 by Simon Sweetman

Authors I Admire: # 15 Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway is one of the great voices of American literature. His raw, gritty take on life was developed through his work as a journalist and war correspondent and his short stories and novels are filled with his, now widely mimicked, take on minimalism and realism. Hemingway cloaked emotional drama in his stories by using […]

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May 13, 2015 by Simon Sweetman

How to Write About Music: Excerpts from the 33 1/3 Series, Magazines, Books and Blogs with Advice from Industry-leading Writers

How to Write About Music: Excerpts from the 33 1/3 Series, Magazines, Books and Blogs with Advice from Industry-leading Writers Marc Woodworth/Ally-Jane Grossan (eds). Bloomsbury Academic The always worth checking out, usually excellent 33 1/3 series (pocket-sized loved letters to classic/interesting albums, usually by authors of note and/or excellent music writers) is something of an […]

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September 21, 2014 by Simon Sweetman

Authors I Admire: # 11 Will Eaves

I’ve never read a book like Will Eaves’ The Absent Therapist. I didn’t know anything about the guy before I read it – still don’t know much after. But I know he’s an author I admire. I know that much. And I know that his sick, sinister, hilarious world is one I want to visit […]

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September 18, 2014 by Simon Sweetman

Authors I Admire: #10 Anthony Loyd

“War” opined Boy George, “is stupid. And people”, he went on to say, “are stupid”. It was the early 1980s and there was a naivety in those lyrics that made them seem almost cute, particularly with the Day-Glo pop beat in the background. Sometimes the simplest, most obvious statements have a resonance – and for […]

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September 17, 2014 by Simon Sweetman

Authors I Admire: #9 Elmore Leonard

It’s just gone by – the anniversary of Elmore Leonard’s death, just the other week. A reminder. Shit he was great. And I thought most about Leonard in terms of his work ethic – the work too, sure. But that was a result of the ethic, of turning up and hitting those keys. Leonard’s last […]

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September 12, 2014 by Simon Sweetman

Authors I Admire: #6 Roger McGough

He’s a poet – but if you’re going to split heirs I’ll still consider him writing royalty, an author, a songwriter, a poet. He has written books for kids and adults, an autobiography. He’s a broadcaster too. And yes, that splitting heirs/hairs pun-attempt was an off-beat tribute I guess. (Way off). But you could never […]