Speakeasy

Our upcoming forum at Wed 12pm on 20 June, Erotic Writing – from pen to page to publication, will focus on the path to publication. In this particular case we will explore the market for erotica, including literary, popular and fantasy versions of the genre. We will explore E-publishing, bookstore distribution and the politics of erotic writing and its market.
Krissy Kneen (Swallow the Sound) is co-founder of Eatbooks, a new publishing press and e-zine. Swallow the Sound is the first instalment in a collection of erotica. Krissy has written and directed award-winning short films, broadcast documentaries and drama for SBS Television and the ABC. She has had numerous short stories published in journals and was shortlisted for the 2006 QLD Premiers literary awards in the unpublished manuscript section. Krissy also won a place in the 2006 Australian Society of Authors Mentorship Scheme. When not writing she works and plays at the AVID READER Bookshop West End, Brisbane.
Denise Rossetti (Gift of the Goddess, Tailspin) is an Australian-based erotic fiction writer who, via the path of e-publication, secured a US agent and is now widely published in the area of Erotic Romance through Ellora’s Cave Publishing. For more information on Denise go here and to Ellora’s Cave.

This is sure to be a vibrant and scintillating discussion encompassing research(!), negotiating sales, distribution and maintaining creativity.
Ask our panel about working in a controversial genre like erotica, how it spills into the mainstream and the differences between literary, popular and fantasy erotic fiction. Ask Denise about the E-Publishing route and the challenging task of securing a US agent. Ask Krissy about literary erotica, starting a publishing house and for a bookseller’s angle on all of the above.
Please remember forums are for AWM subscribers. Subscriptions start at $19.95 at www.awmonline.com.au

Go to The Sydney Morning Herald’s webpage to read Andrew O’Hagan’s opening night address of the Sydney Writers Festival. He spoke on "The power of literature: the news that stays the news".

According to this article, and this one, JK Rowling has given approval for Universal Studios to construct a Harry Potter Theme Park.

Built in 20 acres in Orlando, Florida, the park will incorporate rides, life-size characters and computer-generated ‘magic’. The design is modelled closely on the Hogwarts Castle and Hogsmeade village seen in the Harry Potter films.

With the plans for a Charles Dickens theme park, one has to wonder if this is the future of literature? (Galleycat is slightly surprised, as well.)