Ryan O'Neill's Favourite Australian Short Story Collections

In the last few years I’ve been trying to read as many Australian short stories as I can. Below, in no particular order, are some of the best collections I’ve come across so far.

1. Ride a Cock Horse by Gillian Mears (1988) Mears is an exceptionally talented short story writer. This collection leaps about in time to follow the boyhood, young adulthood and old age of Albert, sometimes as the main character, and sometimes as a peripheral one. Towards the end of the book we learn, almost in passing, that Albert has died, and this obliqueness gives added poignancy to his death. Mears is a brilliant practitioner of the ‘linked collection’ or ‘novel in stories,’ a form that continues to be explored in this country through writers such as Patrick Cullen and Gretchen Schirm.

Ryan O'Neill's Five Tips for Writing a Short Story

Last year I spent a lot of time looking for writing tips to use in one of my short stories called, “Seventeen Rules for Writing a Short Story.” One thing I discovered is that just about every writer who has ever lived has some advice to give on writing, and that it’s very rare for any two writers to give the same advice. In fact, most of the time they contradict each other. At the risk of adding to the confusion, I’d like to offer my own suggestions to help in writing a short story. However, it should be borne in mine that any writing tips, whether from Kurt Vonnegut or Dan Brown, may best be taken with a pinch of salt because what worked for them (and me) might not work for you.

Books for Mother's Day

Here are some great Black Inc. books to buy your mum this Mother’s Day (and reasons why she’ll love them!)

Reaching One Thousand

A Story of Love, Motherhood and Autism

By Rachel Robertson

Rachel Robertson’s memoir tells the story of raising her autistic son Ben, and the joys and challenges she faces along the way.

“This is the best kind of memoir – there is a beautiful calm clarity that drew me in, and held me until the end.” – Georgia Blain

Why will my mother love it?

Lovers of well-crafted, literary writing will adore this beautifully-written memoir. It’s a touching and uplifting story about parenting an autistic child – a fascinating and compelling read for every mother.

What We Learnt From Completing Oxfam Trailwalker

Three Black Inc. staff members (and one non-Black Inc.er) completed the Oxfam Trailwalker as a team last weekend. Oxfam Trailwalker is an endurance challenge – teams of 4 attempt to walk or run 100km in under 48 hours, raising money for charity in the process. The 100km bushland trail has checkpoints along the way where you can rest and your support crew can bring you food, warm clothing and supplies.

We walked the 100km track in 35 hours, with no sleep. None of us had done the event before and we made a lot of rookie mistakes. If you are considering doing the event in the future (and you should – it’s a great way to raise money for Oxfam and really challenge yourself) here are our tips:

Interview with Nikki McWatters

Q&A with Nikki McWatters, author of One Way or Another: The Story of a Girl Who Loved Rock Stars
 
Can you tell us a little bit about your memoir, One Way or Another?
 
One Way or Another is the culmination of twenty-five to thirty years of champagne-fuelled storytelling to friends and family. After reminiscing about my teenage years as a rock and roll groupie for the umpteenth time, my husband dared me to turn it into a book. I have always considered it rather spineless to walk away from a dare! Hence, the memoir.