Title: The Lost Summers of Driftwood Author: Vanessa McCausland Genre: Fiction Publisher: HarperCollins Australia (2020) This book was provided by NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia in exchange for an honest review. From the outside, it seems as though Phoebe has it all. A successful job at luxury champagne company Joet et Halo, a relationship heading for…
Tag: Shelley Carter
Review: A Constant Hum by Alice Bishop, by Shelley Carter
Title: A Constant Hum Author: Alice Bishop Format: Short stories Genre: Fiction Published: 2019 A Constant Hum is a collection of short stories all relating to the Black Saturday bushfires that tore through the Victorian bush in 2009. Split into three sections, Prevailing, Southerly and Northerly, the book brings the reader increasingly closer to the…
Take your Nonfiction to the Next Level by Shelley Carter
Image from Canva Free Stock Images Writing long-form nonfiction can be difficult; there is a fine line between cramming as much interesting information into a book or article, and the resulting work coming out drier than a Gingernut biscuit. Originally, my field of study was journalism, and my lecturers often shared bits of advice that have stayed with me up…
Review: Catching Teller Crow by Ambelin & Ezekiel Kwaymullina, by Shelley Carter
Title: Catching Teller Crow Author: Ambelin and Ezekiel Kwaymullina Genre: Young adult fiction Publisher: Allen & Unwin Beth Teller is dead. But she still exists in our world, following her grieving dad as he heads back to work as a detective following her tragic death. He is assigned to investigate a house fire, however there…
Interview: Lisa Wolstenholme, Wild Weeds Press Executive Officer, by Shelley Carter
Lisa Wolstenholme, EO of Wild Weeds Press Firstly, can you tell us a bit about Wild Weeds Press? What kinds of authors do you publish? Wild Weeds Press is a publishing service for KSP Writers’ Centre members and has actually been around for many years, primarily as a logo on group anthologies and not much…
Review: The Orange Grove by Kate Murdoch, by Shelley Carter
Title: The Orange Grove Author: Kate Murdoch Publisher: Regal House Publishing Genre: historical fiction The Orange Grove follows an extensive cast of characters within an affluent French chateau in the 1700s. When the duc takes a new mistress, Letitia, and brings her to live in the chateau, tensions flare within the household. Fellow mistress Henriette…
Underground Writers 10 Years On
On Friday, November 1st 2019, Underground Writers held a birthday party at PICABar in Perth to celebrate 10 years supporting Australian emerging writers. Our full team of editors were in attendance, and we were joined by a large crowd of supporters. What follows is the speech given on the night by our Editor-in-Chief, Jemimah Halbert…
The Writer’s Reading List: Books to help you become a successful writer by Shelley Carter
Becoming a writer involves so much more than just having a talent for telling stories. There are so many aspects you must consider before stepping into a career as a writer (especially as a freelancer), that you may not be prepared for. In this listicle, I’m going to be suggesting some books that will not…
Review: On The Sunday, She Created God by Gerii Pleitez, by Shelley Carter
Title: On The Sunday, She Created God Author: Gerii Pleitez Publisher: Kara Sevda Press (2019) Genre: Literary Fiction Novella THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SOME SPOILERS On The Sunday, She Created God is a gritty, unapologetic glimpse into the lives of urban outcasts. It paints a picture of life in the underbelly of the city, fuelled by…
5 Books You Can Read in One Sitting by Shelley Carter
Life gets pretty hectic sometimes. There isn’t always time to dedicate to our hobbies or to relaxation. According to studies, reading can reduce stress up to 68%! That’s why events such as the Australian Reading Hour are so important; to remind us to take a step back from our busy schedules and indulge in some…
Review: Half Moon Lake by Kirsten Alexander, by Shelley Carter
Title: Half Moon Lake Author: Kirsten Alexander Publisher: Bantam (Penguin Random House); 2019 Genre: Historical Fiction/Crime When Sonny disappears without a trace in the summer of 1913, his family is thrust into the media spotlight and his case stays in the public eye for years. What is different about this case, however, is that the…
Review: If I Tell You by Alicia Tuckerman, by Shelley Carter
Title: If I Tell You Author: Alicia Tuckerman Publisher: Pantera Press (2018) Genre: YA Contemporary If I Tell You follows the story of small-town teenager Alex Summers as she navigates her final year of high school and a budding relationship with her first love, Phoenix Stone. When Phoenix moves to the farming community of Two…
Review: The Wounded Sinner by Gus Henderson, by Shelley Carter
Issue 26’s Review Review by Shelley Carter (this review can also be read in the Underground zine, issue 26: Ashes) The Wounded Sinner is a slow-burning, gritty glimpse at the lives of a group of Western Australians brought together by random circumstance on a hot summer’s day in the bush. It’s an intense character study,…
Interview: Jaime Collins, literary agent at The Nash Agency
An interview with literary agent Jaime Collins of The Nash Agency, by Shelley Carter née Timms Firstly, introduce yourself! How did you find yourself in the Publishing industry? Funnily enough, I started as a writer! After having my first baby, I figured I finally had time whilst on maternity leave to write a book. I…
Issue 24 has arrived!
Issue 24 has arrived! The cover this issue was designed by WA-based artist Jonathan Park, whom you can find on Instagram at @fresh_kb Our Editors shone throughout this year, and they’ve worked hard on the short stories and poems you’ll find within the pages of issue 24. Download the issue for a fresh assortment of short…
Review: ‘Black Cockatoo’ by Carl Merrison & Hakea Hustler, by Shelley Timms
Title: Black Cockatoo Authors: Carl Merrison and Hakea Hustler Genre: Middle grade fiction Favourite part: The inclusion of words from the Jaru language throughout the book – very educational and it added to the authenticity of the story. Favourite quote: “You have his mark, Mia, between your shoulderblades. The dirrarn is your totem. Your jarriny…
Book Cover Monotony and the Rise of the ‘Bouquet Book’, by Shelley Timms
The term ‘judging a book by its cover’ pretty much sums up my shopping technique when looking for new books. Even when I’m at the library, an attractive cover can determine whether or not I bother to learn more about the book. Recently, I have begun to realise that book covers (especially those from the…
Interview: Maddie Godfrey, author of ‘How To Be Held’
An interview by Shelley Timms Photo by Michael Reynolds Firstly, tell us a bit about your book! How To Be Held is my debut poetry collection. It’s pretty vulnerable, to be honest. The dedication is to my teenage self, and all the ways she was resilient without even realising it. The book is meant to not…
Review: Little Lost Girl (#1 Old Balmain House series) by Graham Wilson, by Shelley Timms
Title: Little Lost Girl Author: Graham Wilson Genre: Australian Historical Fiction Favourite Part: The way in which the antique perfume bottle was threaded through the story and linked each era together. Favourite Quote: “There were scents of frangipani, wafting on late summer afternoons, as they played under leafy branches shaded from the hot afternoon sun.”…
Shelley’s Character List
A Character List by Shelley Timms Growing up, I had a hard time identifying with characters in the books I was reading. For me reading was, and still is, escapism. The worlds in which I delve into are often far removed from my own, the stories separated from my own life by fantasy, history, or…
Interview: Graham Wilson, author of the ‘Old Balmain House’ series
Graham Wilson, self-published author of the Old Balmain House series and the Crocodile Dreaming series Graham Wilson, author An interview by Shelley Timms Graham Wilson is an established Australian author residing in Sydney, NSW. He has written two book series, the Old Balmain House Series and the Crocodile Dreaming Series, and has recently completed a memoir, Arnhem’s…
Issue 22 release!
Issue 22: Pop! is here! This issue we’re very happy to have our cover designed by the talented Perth-based Alisa Dempster—you can follow her work on Instagram @trexia.art. We have both new and familiar authors this issue, hailing from Australia and further afield: our poetry is brought to you by Pat Tompkins of the San…
Interview: Jo Hunt, book designer, by Shelley Timms
An interview with book designer Jo Hunt, by Shelley Timms We’re all guilty of purchasing books based on the pure beauty of their covers. I have a whole shelf dedicated to the “oh, but it was so beautiful!” justification, and do not regret it one bit. It’s so easy to take a book at face…
Review: Stone Circle by Kate Murdoch, by Shelley Timms
Title: Stone Circle Author: Kate Murdoch Genre: Historical Fantasy Favourite part: The scenes that involved Antonius learning how to transform, and learning about the extent of his powers. Favourite quote: “A third image on the next page was an eagle, its coal-black wings extended, its beak a noble flash of gold. Traces of the coloured…
3 Reasons Every Writer Should Use Pinterest, by Shelley Timms
Let’s be real: not every writing session is spent madly tapping the keys, scenes unfolding effortlessly as you ride the wave of inspiration into the early hours of the morning. Unfortunately, writing can be a struggle sometimes and we can find ourselves stagnating when it comes to smashing out that manuscript or assignment. On the…
Issue 21: Mythological Figures
Issue 21: Mythological Figures is here! This issue is packed full of poetic goodness form MTC Cronin & Peter Boyle, Alys Jackson, Elise Kelly, and Maddie Godfrey; with room to sink your teeth into short stories from Jude Bridge, Sian Tondut, and Antony Millen. There’s a whole lot of re-tellings, re-visitings, revisions, and cheeky adn…
Interview: Louise Allan, author of ‘The Sisters’ Song’
An interview with Louise Allan by Shelley Timms How did you first get into writing fiction? My previous career was medicine, and I hadn’t written creatively since leaving school around 25 years earlier. I took singing lessons in my 30s, and did that for around 7 years until I realised that singing wasn’t something that…
Australian titles reviewed in 2017!
Below are all the Australian titles reviewed by Underground Writers in 2017! The Other Woman by Kylie Jones, reviewed by Kate, Shelley, and Jess Rae That Eye, the Sky by Tim Winton, reviewed by Kate Lomas Glendenning Rubik by Elizabeth Tan, reviewed by Jess Gately Portable Curiosities by Julie Koh, reviewed by Jemimah…
Shelley’s TBR list – round 2
My TBR list seems to get more and more ambitious the more time I spend perusing Goodreads, and watching YouTube videos from avid readers like myself has definitely broadened my horizons when it comes to genre and theme. I’m also trying to explore more diverse literature and the online reading community is especially helpful when…
Review: ‘Women of a Certain Age’, reviewed by Shelley Timms
Women of a Certain Age is a collection of 15 vastly different, but all beautifully written stories about what it’s like to be “woman on the other side of 40, 50, 60 and 70.” Masterfully collated by editors Jodie Moffat, Maria Scoda and Susan Laura Sullivan, the book features stories from both the past and…
Review: The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan, reviewed by Shelley Timms
Issue 19’s Review The Opposite of Loneliness by Marina Keegan A review by editor Shelley Timms (this review can also be read in Issue 19: The List) The Opposite of Loneliness is a collection of essays and stories written by Yale graduate Marina Keegan, and released after her untimely death in 2012. A talented writer with so…
Issue 20: Nostalgia
Issue 20: Nostalgia is here! This issue you’ll find some excellent poetry by Allan Lake, Jan Price and Bradley Baronner, a few delectable short stories by Sarah Widdup, Jane Downing and Caitlin Farrugia, and a whole lot of fond and bittersweet Nostalgia: from places and people to time and things. We’re especially excited about our…
Issue 19: The List is here!
Issue 19: The List has arrived! Featuring a book review by our own Shelley Timms, poetry from Eileen Chong, Genevieve Deeds-Page, Kristin Martin, Anna Jacobson, and Pat Tompkins, an album review by Nick Crameri, and short stories from Ian Adams, Edward Palumbo, Angela Hooks, and Meesh Feraud. Also featuring our June Writing Challenge winning entry: The Road…
Interview: Rory J. Cole, writer & editor, by Shelley Timms
An interview with professional writer and editor Rory J. Cole, by Underground editor Shelley Timms Firstly, tell us about your experiences in editing manuscripts, and your experiences with having your own work edited. I’ll begin with an experience of being edited, which I think has shaped the way I work with clients and their manuscripts….
Review: The Other Woman by Kylie Jones, reviewed by Kate, Shelley & Jess Rae
Issue 17’s Review The Other Woman by Kylie Jones (self-published) A collaborative review between Shelley Timms, Jessica Wilson-Smith, and Kate Lomas Glendenning (this review can be found in issue 17: The Hitchhiker) The Other Woman is the heart-wrenching true story of a woman coming to terms with her husband transitioning into a woman, and subsequent…
Issue 18: Black Hole is here!
Issue 18: Black Hole is here! Featuring a review by our very own Jessica Gately, poems from Anthea Yang and Jan Price, and short stories from Carmenn Alexander King Kocznur, Nerissa Marcon, Mai Nguyen, and our feature piece from Fleur Brown-Beeby, as well as the usual monthly round-up of writing opportunities. Also revealing the theme for…
Shelley’s TBR list
The Underground editors are sharing their To Be Read lists: the books they have on their bedside tables just waiting to be read! In this new series we will be sharing each of our TBR books, why we’re looking forward to reading them, and why we picked up those books in the first place. Read…
Issue 17: The Hitchhiker is here
Issue 17: The Hitchhiker is here! Featuring poetry from Jan Price and short stories from Jane Downing, Kerri Turner, Daniel Campbell, Carmenn Alexander King Koczur, Aline Mwezi-Niyonsenga, Cindy Tomamichel, feature piece from Sarah Giles, and our first collaborative review, by editors Kate Lomas Glendenning, Shelley Timms and Jessica Wilson-Smith, ofåÊKylie Jones’ autobiographical workåÊThe Other Woman….
December’s review: Saga (Vol. 1), by Shelley Timms
December’s Review Saga (Vol. 1), writer Brian K. Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Staples A review by editor Shelley Timms When I first heard about Saga, there was a lot of hype surrounding it on Goodreads and YouTube. People loved it. And, being someone who wasn’t really into graphic novels, I didn’t quite understand why. I…
May’s Review: The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, by Shelley Timms
May’s Review The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by Claire North A review by editor Shelley Timms The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August is a time travel story with a difference. He lives, he dies, and then he starts over again; in the exact same place he was born, and with all of…