ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

Interesting article in the latest edition of 'Australian Author' (magazine of the Australian Society of Authors), "Writing on the sheep's back", about the new and rising genre of Australian rural fiction. Apparently novels set in the Australian bush have been increasing in popularity for some time now, with top authors regularly selling up to 20,000 copies of their books. Most of the authors, interestingly, are women. No mention in the article of poetry, though.

Poetry isn't fiction, is it ?

Maybe you should write a Novelle, Neville. (Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Poetry isn't fiction, is it ?

or is it ?

bill the old battler

Perhaps if I was clever I might do a novella, or even several novelle.

For those old enough to remember, there was a sort of interest in rural and pioneer Australiana that some tried to bring out in film and TV.
Examples were for TV. All The Rivers Run ( about paddle boats on the Murray Darling ) Whiplash, I think it was called, ( about Cobb & Co ) one that I think was called Rush about the gold diggings in the 1800s.
And another I think was called Against the Wind, as I recall, I hope, it was about the convict era in a rural setting. There were also films made ; Smiley and Smiley gets a Gun were very popular, about a young boy in a country town.
And of course the radio serial Blue Hills which lasted for many years on the ABC.

The only rural theme in " fiction " that I know of round our area is a radio play called
The Castlereagh Line. I won't tell you what I think of it, but it seems to enjoy a bit of a following in the Hunter.

For some reason the film makers and broadcasters apparently didn't see any need to continue the vein.

It will be something to see what impact an interest in rural life, as a theme for novels , might make on any taste for bush verse.

It's an interesting bit of info Stephen.

Would totally agree with that Stephen -some of my favourite authors set their novels in the bush or the outback Rachael Treasure actually is a grazier in Tasmania so her novels are always an enjoyable read, Judy Nunn, Tamara McKinley, Fiona McCallum likewise and they sell out so quickly and a good read from a local bloke who was also a grazier and a working dog trainer you have to go a long way to beat Tony Parsons who hails from Toowoomba way

Cheers

Maureen

Yes Stephen there's a local(ish) girl up here who hails from the thriving metropolis of Dimbulah - which is an old tobacco growing town west of Mareeba which is west of Cairns - and has burst onto the scene as a very successful author. I think they classify it as rural romance but I've also heard it called "chook-lit" . Her name is Mandy Magro.

There's obviously something that reasonates with the readership - the outback and ripping bodices. Sort of like Mills and Boon meet Kondingaparooon

Maybe us blokes need to flesh out our bodies of work and get ourselves a cute little nom de plume?

Marty

Neville Briggs wrote:Perhaps if I was clever I might do a novella, or even several novelle.

For those old enough to remember, there was a sort of interest in rural and pioneer Australiana that some tried to bring out in film and TV.
Examples were for TV. All The Rivers Run ( about paddle boats on the Murray Darling ) Whiplash, I think it was called, ( about Cobb & Co ) one that I think was called Rush about the gold diggings in the 1800s.

Rush was originally filmed for TV near Melbourne (in black and white). When production moved to Artransa Studios at Frenchs Forest, they used the old "Ben Hall" outdoor set.

I did a bit of stunt work, mostly fight scenes and falling out of trees and off cliffs and stuff.

That's John Waters sitting down in the grey suit. Him and a French bloke, Emile, were the 'stars'. The baldie bloke and the girl were extras. Yes, that's me in the tee-shirt.

I thought I was good cos' I knew a dog wot was in a movie,

But you was in a movie yaself,"Cool"

TTFN

Wow, to say I am impressed would be a considerable understatement, Manfred.

That's quite a list, Maureen. I've heard of Rachel Treasure. Isn't she part of the famous Treasure family that is so well known in the Victorian high country?