I’m really excited to be heading to Christchurch this week for the WORD Christchurch Writers & Readers Festival, 27–31 August 2014. I’ve spent very little time in Christchurch over the years, and nothing other than the odd day of meetings here and there since the earthquakes. I’m looking forward to getting to know the place a … Read more…
About Tracy Farr
‘Waves’ PechaKucha 20×20 talk
I was thrilled to be part of the PechaKucha Night programme in Christchurch as part of WORD Christchurch Writers and Readers Festival last month. The event featured “some of the festival’s top local and international writers presenting an eclectic range of PechaKuchas…that encompass their passions and expertise”, so the programme promised. PechaKucha 20×20 is a format where each speaker has … Read more…
The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt shortlisted for 2014 WA Premier’s Book Awards
I’m just delighted that The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt is shortlisted in the Fiction category of the Western Australian Premier’s Book Awards. Here’s the shortlist for the Fiction category: All the Birds, Singing – Evie Wyld (Random House Australia) Coal Creek – Alex Miller (Allen & Unwin) Elemental – Amanda Curtin (UWA Publishing) Eyrie – Tim Winton (Penguin Group Australia) … Read more…
Good vibrations: Auckland Writers Festival, Saturday
During the week, I wrote about the first few days of Auckland Writers Festival. While it’s still reasonably fresh in my mind — and despite being distracted by a Twitter feed full of #swf2014 — here are my notes and observations from the audience for last Saturday’s sessions at Auckland Writers Festival. Saturday Happy to … Read more…
Auckland Writers Festival – Thursday, Friday
I’m just home in Wellington after another festival for writers and readers, my third in four months (all years should be like this). I’ve written already about Perth Writers Festival (February) and New Zealand Writers Week in Wellington (March). Unlike these first two festivals, I wasn’t ‘performing’ at the most recent one, so it’s from the audience, … Read more…
Tracy Farr on Helen Garner’s Postcards from Surfers
Perth writer Annabel Smith invited me to write about a favourite book – and what it means to me – for the Friday Faves feature on her website. I chose Helen Garner’s 1985 collection of short stories, Postcards from Surfers. This book reminds me why I go back to Helen Garner’s writing, why I love … Read more…
Time was on my side
I’d forgotten the gift of having time on my side. When I arrived at New Zealand Pacific Studio on 5 April, time stretched out before me. Three weeks seemed such a luxury. So I took my time: I unpacked my clothes; I stacked food on my shelf (“MASON”) in the pantry; I set up my … Read more…
The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt longlisted for 2014 Miles Franklin Literary Award
Last Thursday, the longlist for the 2014 Miles Franklin Literary Award was announced. Heading the list — only because it was announced alphabetically by author — was my novel, The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt. Here’s the longlist: Tracy Farr, The Life And Loves Of Lena Gaunt Richard Flanagan, The Narrow Road to the … Read more…
‘Miles Franklin award: seven women among 11 long listed’ interview, Guardian
Helen Davidson interviewed Tracy Farr for The Guardian following the longlisting of The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt for the 2014 Miles Franklin Literary Award. Tracy Farr’s debut novel The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt also makes the list. Known for her short fiction, Farr told Guardian Australia she was surprised and proud to have her first longform book listed. Read ‘Miles … Read more…
The intriguing theremin
Some of the most interesting responses I’ve had to my novel, The Life and Loves of Lena Gaunt, have been to do with the musical instrument that Lena plays: the theremin. Readers have thought I made it up, that it couldn’t possibly be real. I’ve written a few posts about the theremin: here and here, … Read more…