I’m feeling the need to immerse myself in SF so have just signed up for TWO events which are serendipitously cheek-by-jowl on the last weekend of March.
A few weeks ago, I submitted to go into the Vic Writers’ Centre “Year of Speculative Fiction” program with Lucy Sussex. Now feeling quite clever about this, BTW, since several people subsequently emailed me to suggest it, haha! Best of all, I’ve submitted a new novel, so it’s a FABULOUS incentive to get the current one wrapped up by my intended deadline of 9 March (yes, I know, just over a week to go, so what am I doing spending time blogging?) First session is on 28 March.
Have also just now booked in for the world-building workshop at Supernova with Jennifer Fallon and Sonny Whitelaw, and that’s on 29 March! Chose the option that includes an ms assessment of 1000 words within 30 days of the workshop – can you see where I”m going with this? Cunning plan to get as much expert critiquing as possible nice and EARLY so this one doesn’t take <ahem> years to write.
Talk about an immersive weekend, floating on a sea of creativity … bliss. I hope to catch up with the excellent Marianne de Pierres as well, probably have to wade through scads of other adoring fans 
So it’s back to Kindred Spirit for now. The chisels, planes and sandpaper are all put away and I’m now buffing with the polishing cloth. Bits are lovely and shiny, others are still stubbornly matt but the gleam lurks underneath. Thanks to J-A and F who have kindly agreed to do a final read for me.
Onward and upward!
Posted by Jo A on February 28, 2009 at 4:57 pm
Oh. Sounds so lovely!
Enjoy the workshops. (I’ll just be here trying not to be jealous)
Posted by Graham Storrs on February 28, 2009 at 10:20 pm
I won’t be trying not to be jealous.
I really, really would like to go to the Year of Speculative Fiction workshop. Really, really.
But Melbourne is a full day’s journey from here (about 8 hours door-to-door) and the cost of travel and accommodation for four trips would make the fee for the sessions seem relatively small.
So I shall gnash my teeth and hope she plans to do it in Brisbane next year.
If it’s half as good as it sounds, you’ll have a great experience.
Posted by Marianne on March 1, 2009 at 8:19 am
Lucy Sussex is great, Graham. Can’t you sell some goats … or a body part?
MDP
Posted by j-a on March 3, 2009 at 9:01 pm
so glad you’re doing the world bldg workshop! i reckon jf will be great.