Launching THE FEELING OF BIGNESS by Helen Parsons

Posted on 17 December 2020 by Maddy Sexton

When Adelaide’s quasi-lockdown hit in mid-November, the launching of Helen Parsons’ The Feeling of Bigness: Encountering Georgia O’Keeffe was momentarily put on hold. We were so thrilled to be able to have a rescheduled launch in early December.

Launched by Jan Owen, and Emceed by Louise Nicholas, the launch was held on the beautiful grounds of St John’s church on Halifax Street, on a balmy evening befitting Helen’s gorgeous poems.

We are delighted to be publishing Jan Owen’s launch speech from the evening here for all to enjoy.

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CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDE: Our top staff picks for Christmas

Posted on 9 December 2020 by Maddy Sexton

Even in a year like 2020, where it seems that every possible chance for fun is cancelled before it can begin, Christmas prevails. Exciting for all, of course, but what do you get for your teen sister-in-law? Your friend who loves travel and history? Your (checks notes) yoga teacher? Read on to find out …

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POETRY SPOTLIGHT: ‘When she washes her hair’ by Steve Brock

Posted on 27 November 2020 by Poppy Nwosu

This week, we shine the spotlight on Steve Brock’s poetry collection, Live at Mr Jake’s.

Relaxed and laconic, Live at Mr Jake’s riffs on a mix of highbrow and popular culture references. Accessible yet literary, this collection celebrates a diversity of voices from Australia and beyond. Spanning four continents, the poems are equally at home in the front bar as they are on the literary trail in Paris or San Francisco. Cool and understated, Brock surfs the cultural interstices of the Latin American influences on his life and work to create a poetic vision transpacific in scope.

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POETRY SPOTLIGHT: ‘Blessing’ by Helen Parsons

Posted on 13 November 2020 by Maddy Sexton

Feeling of Bigness, Helen Parsons

This week, we shine the poetry spotlight on Helen Parsons’ new collection, The Feeling of Bigness: Encountering Georgia O’Keeffe. The sonnets in the collection draw inspiration from Georgia O’Keeffe’s art and life, and her love for the big open spaces – the ‘feeling of bigness’ – that New Mexico offered her.

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POETRY SPOTLIGHT: ‘This Poem Doesn’t Rhyme’ by Kristin Martin

Posted on 23 October 2020 by Poppy Nwosu

This week’s poetry highlight is on the gorgeous South Australian children’s poetry book, To Rhyme Or Not To Rhyme? With poems written by Kristin Martin and illustrations by Joanne Knott, this kid’s poetry collection is charming and fun.

Poems truly are all around us, and in this collection Kristin shares her love of nature and sense of fun on every page. Joanne’s exquisite illustrations bring the animals and natural environment to magical life.

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BEHIND THE BOOKS: Fred Guilhaus on Road Rage

Posted on 21 October 2020 by Maddy Sexton

In this edition of Behind the Books, Fred Guilhaus answers all of our burning questions about his new novel, Road Rage.

Close friends cycle to escape the pressures of big city living. A vehicle cuts them down from behind, causing serious injury. Is this road rage, car versus bike? Or is it a copycat terrorist attack?

Road Rage challenges notions of ‘them and us’, right and wrong. In the revelations of each life’s journey, Fred Guilhaus paints a gripping tale of modern life, with remarkable twists and turns.

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POETRY SPOTLIGHT: ‘This Body’ by Annette Marner

Posted on 9 October 2020 by Maddy Sexton

This week’s poetry spotlight shines once again on Annette Marner’s Women With Their Faces on Fire, a collection which draws on the beauty of nature to explore the experiences of women.

‘In this book you will find a passionate involvement with the land, images of love and friendship, and anger against injustice. These poems chill and delight.’ – Miriel Lenore

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BEHIND THE BOOK: Valerie Volk and her search for Anna

Posted on 15 July 2020 by Maddy Sexton

In a new series on the Wakefield Press blog, we’ve asked authors to write about the background, inspiration, research and work that goes into writing a book.

This week, Valerie Volk writes about her search for her distant relative Anna Werner, who in 1889 left the German town of Lewin to search for her son in the distant colonies of Australia. This search culminated in Valerie’s novel, In Search of Anna, a story that Valerie describes as a journey book, historical fiction, a study of motherhood, a detective novel, and a romantic tale all rolled into one.

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BEHIND THE BOOK: Anne Black on George Isaacs

Posted on 7 July 2020 by Maddy Sexton

In a new series on the Wakefield Press blog, we’ve asked authors to write about the background, inspiration, research and work that goes into writing a book.

This week features Anne Black, author of Pendragon: The life of George Isaacs, Colonial wordsmith. Anne writes about her first encounter with little-known literary icon George Isaacs, and the death certificate that sparked an obsession and a biography.

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GUEST POST: Ed Pegge on star power

Posted on 10 June 2020 by Maddy Sexton

Hilarious, charming and self-effacing, meet Edmund Pegge, one of Australia’s most prolific supporting actors.

Travelling between England and Australia and working on stage, in film and on television for over fifty years, Ed Pegge knows all the tricks and all the trials of a working actor’s life.

In this guest post, Ed writes about the nuances of fame, and the benefits of taking a brief rest every now and again from being a star.

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