New Books, Festival Ephemera and an Iconic Bookstore for Sale

It's Sunday Night In (on a Monday)

Hello and welcome to the many new subscribers! There’s about thirty percent more of you than there were two weeks ago when I sent the last newsletter out. (That’s if I’m doing my sums right which, let’s be real, I’m probably not, but nonetheless there’s a lot of new people—there’s some information about Sunday Night In at the bottom of the newsletter).

I’ve got a bunch of recommendations for local fringe artists in the fringe in earlier newsletters, all available on the Sunday Night In website here. As this lands in your inbox, it’s not Sunday night, but it sort of is because it’s the Monday night of a long weekend, which means it feels like Sunday night. It also means that Tuesday will feel like Monday and all week you’ll be thinking you’ve got another day to get things done than you really do. So don’t forget to get your final tickets booked for the festival and the fringe and make sure you don’t miss out.

I’m coming to you today from Ngadjuri Country where I’m taking a bit of a break from the intensity of the last few weeks and gearing up for the final push. I’ve been loving the gentle times in Mrs Harris’ Shop where people have been dropping in and out to see my visual arts show, Pearls (Unstitched). It’s the final two days this coming Saturday and Sunday, you can drop in anytime between 11am and 3pm. Stay for five minutes or sit for half an hour.

Quick prelude

If you know of people who might be interested in Sunday Night In press the button below to share it.

And with that, let’s get started on the latest wrap-up of literary and theatre goings-on in Kaurna Yerta (Adelaide) and beyond.

BIG BOOKSHOP NEWS

Lets start with the enormous news that Imprints Booksellters is for sale. Since its establishment in the 80s it has become truly an icon, and it is no exaggeration to say that it’s an institution in the cultural fabric of our city. Like many people, I was genuinely emotional when I read the announcement. It will be weird to not chat books with Jason and Katherine who have given so much to so many of us over many years since they took over from Greg. In fact, last night I even dreamt about walking into Imprints and starting to cry and being not at all out of place because it was filled with people crying!

It’s emotional to say goodbye to Jason and Katherine, but what an amazing opportunity for someone (or someones). I’m sure I’m not the only person who has looked at the information about the sale. (I can’t afford it, but if you’re looking for a partner let me know—this is only partly a joke).

In other bookshop news, Shakespeare’s Bookshop are moving into their new space on Waite Street, Blackwood. There is an open invitation to the Grand Opening on 16 March with author visits and signings throughout the day.

NEW BOOKS

My top pick for books launched this month is The Rocks Remain: Blak poetry and story which was launched at Writer’s Week. Co-edited by Karen Wyld and Dominic Guerrera and published by Wakefield Press, its blurb reads “Like rocks, we are shaped by forces over time. Despite being eroded, fractured, immersed, put under pressure—The Rocks Remain. Always was, always will be.” I don’t have a copy yet, but I will be reading this in the next couple of months.

As an aside, Karen Wyld and Dominic Guerrera are a wonderful combination, and I still remember the closing address that Karen Wyld gave at the 2021 Context Writers Festival which was curated by Dominic Guerrera. Titled, ‘White Lenses, Blak Stories’, the closing address was published in Meanjin and I’ve just taken a quick break from compiling the newsletter to re-read it. Do go and read it, especially if you’re a writer but also if you’re a reader. In it, Karen Wyld asks how we write about the truth of colonisation (including its continuing processes and structures), but avoid ongoing harm. It’s a reflection and a lesson on how to write and read, but it’s also a truly fascinating insight into magical realism and the thinking behind Karen Wyld’s novel Where the Fruit Falls (which I read some years ago now, but definitely recommend).

We’ve just had the announcement of the Stella Prize shortlist. I’ve read only a small handful of the books on the list, so I can’t talk about which one ‘should’ or ‘shouldn’t’ win, but I will say that poet Ali Cobby Eckermann’s She is the Earth is truly outstanding. Ali Cobby Eckermann is a Yankunytjatjara poet and artist from South Australia. I don’t have my copy of She is the Earth with me here, but this piece on The Conversation says lots of the things I would say. Stylistically, She is the Earth isn’t a simple read, and you’ll need to give yourself time to quietly think and absorb, but the blurb isn’t over-selling it when it says, “soaked in lightness and dark, history and dreaming, her words will move you, shake you, devastate you and uplift you. This book is full of unexpected beauty in slow, contemplative moments.”

For a complete change of pace, if you like the psychological thriller genre, then I highly recommend you pick up a copy of local author Vikki Wakefield’s newest To The River. Known primarily for her excellent and highly successful young adult fiction, Vikki has recently been publishing for adults, starting with After You Were Gone published a few years ago.

Upcoming launches One of my bffs has co-edited Irish Women in the Antipodes: Foregrounded and you can get along to the launch in April (I’ll be there!). Free, but bookings and all details can be found here. Gillian Dooley’s new book She Played and Sang: Jane Austen and Music will be launched by Professor Anna Goldsworthy on 21 March with bookings here.

MORE ABOUT BOOKS

The new Stories from the South bookclub book is Kathy Jetñil-Kijiner’s Iep Jāltok. According to the piece on InDaily, “the Stories from the South Book Club will meet live at Dymocks Bookstore Rundle Mall on March 26 at 6.30-8pm for a discussion of Iep Jāltok. This will be an in-person conversation between award-winning poet Jill Jones and Associate Professor Many Treagus…together with Theodora Galanis.”

DON’T GET POST FRINGE AND FESTIVAL MALAISE

There’s still plenty to do after the carnival leaves town, and I’ll be getting along to Tenx9’s March gathering. This is an evening for true stories, with a new theme each month. March’s theme is ‘just a stage.’ Stories must be registered in advance, so if you think you have a story to tell, get in touch via the facebook page. Over the years, the organisers have built a strong community, and a welcoming space to tell stories or to listen. I won’t be telling any stories because trust me, at this stage, no one is more sick of my voice than I am. But I’ll be there quietly listening to nine true stories.

Famous Last Words is looking for a male actor in their early/mid 40s for their upcoming production of Red Sky Morning details here.

The State Library is hosting a lunchtime talk with staff from the National Archives about how women’s roles have changed, details here.

LEARN NEW THINGS OR HONE YOUR CRAFT

I’m slowly getting together a list of the organisations that regularly program workshops and classes and keeping it on the website as a more permanent resource of regular and ongoing opportunities. But coming up, we have…

ActNow, with a workshop on audition monologues run by Ashton Malcolm.

Coincidentally, Writers SA have a workshop run by the afore-mentioned Karen Wyld on the afore-mentioned magical realism (and you can see Writers SA other upcoming workshops here).

I mentioned it last time, but it’s worth a reminder that you can still apply for the wonderful Deep Creek Writer’s Residency here or register for the Poetry Studio with Heather Taylor Johnson here.

PRIZES

I also mentioned the Ern Malley bar last time, and this month they’ve announced the Miki Prize for Short Stories for South Australian writers. Look, a bar that opened its doors last year but calls itself ‘Australia’s oldest literary bar’ and whose concept is a celebration of a hoax invites not only skepticism but probably also hoaxy entries. But they sure are bringing a brilliant energy and texture to our literary scene, so I’ll let you decide about this competition for yourself.

Another new prize, this one in honour of Ruth Starke, who was a friend and teacher to so many of us and whose presence I still miss a lot. Offered at Flinders University where Ruth studied and taught for many years, this annual prize will encourage aspiring writers at Flinders in their pursuit of excellence and help to boost their opportunities as they launch their career. Donations to support the prize can be made here.

NEW ROLES AND JOBS

Arts SA have opened expressions of interest for their register of peer assessors; Vitals are looking for a production and venue manager; Country Arts SA are looking for a visual arts coordinator; and Cog Creative Space is looking for new co-working creatives to join (Cog is in a fabulous location and run by Sam Oster who takes so many of the wonderful images of performances and actors as well as great corporate headshots).

BITS AND PIECES

Send your Festival Ephemera to the State Library. I cannot be the only person who continues to collect the programs, postcards and posters from shows, but how wonderful that our collecting institutions continue to do this important work. Last week I pulled a bag out of my wardrobe that I clearly haven’t used since the 2020 Festival and it was littered with ticket stubs. I have so few ticket stubs now, so I put these back in the bottom of my wardrobe where the light won’t fade the print ready to be discovered next time I excavate this space.

THAT’S IT FOR NOW, BUT SEND ME YOUR NEWS

I think that’s it for now, but if you’ve got something you think I should include in the next issue, please send it by email to sundaynightnewsletter@gmail.com or you can just hit reply to this email.

ABOUT SUNDAY NIGHT IN

Sunday Night In is a regular newsletter highlighting readings, performances, launches and other literary happenings around South Australia. It is compiled by me, Tracy Crisp.

Why. I started this newsletter because I keep missing things like book launches and readings, and I thought maybe other people do too. I complain a lot about hard it is to get the word out about new work and reach new audiences. So I thought I should spend less energy thinking ‘someone should do that’ and just get on and do it. And here we are.

What. The focus of Sunday Night In is on books and literature (written words and stories) along with readings and theatre (the performance of words and stories) that are happening in Kaurna Yerta / Adelaide and around the state.

Who. I highlight South Australian artists or arts organisations, and in particular on independent artists and the events they organise. But I’ll also let you know about the many brilliant visitors to our state.

More than just a newsletter. I’m getting information onto the Sunday Night In website like regular readings and regular opportunities like workshops, residencies and grants.

Share and Subscribe

If you’ve got anything you would like included let me know. Send an email to sundaynightnewsletter@gmail.com or just hit reply to this email.

If you know people who might be interested in such a newsletter as this, pass it on:

Talk soon, and in the meantime, don’t let the passwords get you down.

Love, Tracy xx