I don't have a lot of money to spend on new books these days. But I do like to keep up with new writing and the ideas going round. My solution is to spend money on a few subscriptions to magazines and journals that keep me in the loop. Add to this a glimpse at The Age book pages on Saturdays (minimal info there, alas), a free subscription to Readings monthly magazine and blessed Radio National (especially the splendid Book Show), and I feel I have my finger slightly on the pulse of our local literary culture.
Occasionally I will buy a new book if it's something I really want to add to my collection, and I'd love to be able to buy more new books, but I try to do my bit to support the new book trade by ordering them at my regional library which provides an excellent service. I find many of the titles I want to order in the Australian Book Review which is one of the magazines I subscribe to. Apart from alerting me to books I might want to read, I enjoy the quality of the writing in the magazine's reviews, essays and poetry. My other current subscriptions are to Meanjin, Island and Overland, all of which contain a variety of interesting writing.
I've subscribed to Meanjin on and off over the years and have been drawn back to it under its current editor, Sophie Cunningham. She's doing an excellent job with Meanjin which has been given a very pleasing new look and continues attracting some excellent writers and visual artists. The summer edition has just arrived in the mail and it's a lovely fat issue which promises hours of enjoyable reading.
The issue opens with a short essay by Chris Wallace-Crabbe in the 'Newsreel' section of the journal. Entitled Poetry and the Future, the piece explores the question, What can poetry do?- specifically, what poetry can do in response to the unhappy civic situation we find ourselves in today and a still grimmer future that appears to be opening up. For Wallace-Crabbe poetry's strength and its ability to influence its readers lies in its '...capacity to notice, and not to pass over the local or the familiar'. He offers a poem of his own, The Different Scales of Morning that ends with
Warm Gaia...grown sick of our
Casting the usual vote for selfishness
And flipping credit cards instead of thought.
This poet's keynote to the summer issue of Meanjin felt visceral as I read it on one of the hottest November days ever.
TAR : To Apprehend Relativity
8 months ago
2 comments:
Di,
Given I deliberately rarely read or watch 'the news' these days, I appreciate Eureka Street online (it's free) for a more thoughtful approach to current affairs. Gillian Bouras and Brian Matthews are regular contributors. As well, every Tuesday is Poetry Tuesday. For an example of how it covers issues, here is a link to an article published today called 'Reinventing our gathering places.
http://www.eurekastreet.com.au/article.aspx?aeid=17944
With thanks for your views,
Delia.
The December 2009 newsletter of the Melbourne Writers Festival referring to Australia's best in literary and industry magazines brought you to mind:
Aurealis - Australian Fantasy and Science Fiction magazine celebrates its 20th year of publication in 2010. Aurealis plays a pivotal role in the promotion of Australian speculative fiction. Help celebrate by subscribing (http://www.aurealis.com.au/subscriptions.php), add "20th year" in the voucher field up until 31/12/2009 and we'll send you a free book!
In the summer issue of Australian Book Review, Brian McFarlane names Balibo, Last Ride, Samson & Delilah and Wake In Fright as among the best Australian films of 2009. Subscribe now and receive one of these Iconic Aussie Films on DVD, courtesy of Madman Entertainment! (While stock lasts). Call (03) 9429 6700, or visit http://www.australianbookreview.com.au
A book is a great present, but this Christmas we have another idea. An insider's guide to the book world, Bookseller Publisher Magazine is full of reviews, book news and author interviews for those who like to be one step ahead of the literary crowd. Get 20% off your subscription here. [please link to: http://www.booksellerandpublisher.com.au/articles/2009/12/14296/ ]
Etchings is a diverse and stimulating read for all ages, featuring thought-provoking essays, engaging short stories, inspirational poetry and evocative artwork. Etchings 7: Chameleons centres on ideas of change, with highlights by J.M. Coetzee, Bundit Puangthong and Sallie Muirden. Etchings - the perfect Christmas gift! Visit www.ilurapress.com and order your copy today.
If jazz is the soundtrack to our coolest locales, extempore is your guide to that landscape. 192 pages of fiction, poetry, opinion, anecdote and interviews. Writing by some of Australia's best, photographs of music in the moment, and every issue includes a bonus CD of swinging music - www.extempore.com.au
In 2010, Going Down Swinging celebrates 30 years of publishing. So there's never been a better time to catch up on the history of this fine literary and spoken word journal. Subscription and special offers are all available from our online shop: http://www.goingdownswinging.org.au/shop
Griffith REVIEW 26: Stories for Today presents a bumper collection of outstanding short stories from new and established writers who describe what it means to be Australian in a globalised world. It's a perfect summer read and destined to become a collector's item. Unbeatable subscription offer at www.griffithreview.com - enter promo code GIFT2009.
To celebrate the yuletide, harvest is has a special offer; for only $20 get the latest issue giftwrapped and sent to you, a friend or relative. harvest #4 features some of Australian's most exciting voices! Have harvest twinkle beneath a Christmas tree. Visit harvestmagazine.wordpress.com.
HEAT is Australia's highest-ranking literary magazine, publishing fiction, essays and poetry by writers around the world. It is committed to the exploration of literary forms, and writing that crosses boundaries, genres and cultures. HEAT is currently offering a 50% discount on gift subscriptions to new and renewing subscribers. Mention this offer when subscribing at www.giramondopublishing.com/heat
indigo volume 4 is the perfect Christmas present. It features WA writing selected anonymously by guest editors Amanda Lohrey, Chris Pash, and Lucy Dougan. Submit to indigo if you were born, live in, or once lived in WA for at least three years. Visit www.indigojournal.org.au or join our facebook group.
The latest issue of Meanjin is packed with fantastic summer reads, including Jane Gleeson-White on the power of storytelling traditions, Ben Eltham on the carnival that is the Australian arts festival scene and Charlotte Wood on the ethics of using other people's lives in fiction. We also have great special offers on our website [www.meanjin.com.au] in the lead-up to Christmas, including gift subscriptions and a bargain double-offer with Overland.
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