New website + some recent arts commentary

Daniel Maclise’s The Wrestling Scene in ‘As You Like It’, 1854 – a beautiful piece of art currently serving as this website’s banner.

June was a busy and exciting month. Here is a quick recap:

  • I have a new website.
    At last! And this is it. I’d been meaning to set it up for some time, for the sake of working with a more user-friendly, versatile interface. It’s not perfect yet, but we’ll get there. The hope is that this website can serve as a good resource for people looking to find my work and potentially commission me to write/speak/edit. Feel free to get in touch!
  • Running Cicerone Journal is busy and exciting.
    Cicerone Journal, the publication I co-founded and continue to edit, seems to have hit its stride. The journal was recently a combined total of over $13,000 in arts funding as a result of two competitive grants processes (many, many thanks to artsACT and YWCA Canberra). The result is that we can now afford to run inclusive literary events around Canberra, Australia, as well as publish a print anthology of original writing by Canberrans. We’re also looking to publish our third online issue soon. Needless to say, it’s a busy time; however, it’s pretty thrilling to see a project that is such a labour of love begin to take off.
  • I’ve been taken on as a local arts writer.
    Well, sort of. I remain a professional speechwriter by day; however, I’ve also been selected for the New Territory arts writing program, which is an opportunity to review various events and exhibitions around the Australian Capital Territory region. I’ll be attending events at the National Library of Australia, the Canberra Writers Festival, and the ACT Writers Centre, as well as creative development sessions, rehearsals and performances at The Street Theatre. It’s a fabulous opportunity and I’m grateful to have received it.
    My first review for New Territory is up on their website here.