short story

My short story The Mackerel Sky can be found in the latest Spring edition of 221b Magazine (and can also be purchased in hard copy from their website).

Canterbury Term 2 Courses

First off a four week course (starting April 18) on A Century of Sonnets, a surprisingly versatile verse form. More Beginnings and Endings follow (again 4 weeks, starting May 23) which encourages close reading of opening passages from well known novels before matching them up with their endings. Finally a two week lecture on Salinger's seminal 1951 novel Catcher in the Rye (starting June 20).

Ginninderra Press Link

Transparent Death. ginninderrapress.com.au

Canterbury Neighbourhood House 2012 TERM 1

The New Year at Canterbury Neighbourhood House opens with a review of how centuries of conflict have influenced the English Language. Words of war (curfew, to walt, to close ranks, bikini, to blitz) have become an intrinsic part of the language. In Words of War we will be looking at the origins of a wide range of words and phrases (drawn from the Army, the Navy and the Air Force; from the ancient Greeks, to the Vietnam war and the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan) as well as looking at some of the poems that have endured through the centuries to give us a mine of quotable quotes. ('Into the valley of Death/ Rode the six hundred'; 'Dulce et Decorum Est Pro Patria Mori'.) 4 Weeks; starting Wednesday 8 February ; 1-00 to 3-00 pm.

Dickens was one of the most prolific and enduring of the 19th century novelists. The second course in the New Year will be Readings from Bleak House, one of his best known works. In this story Dickens, the master ventriloquist, relates the legal entanglements and personal tragedies of a host of memorable characters, from Jo the crossing sweeper who dies in poverty and Miss Flite with her caged birds, to Esther Summerson and Richard Carstairs. We approach the novel with readings from key scenes, followed by analysis and discussion. 4 Weeks; starting Wednesday 7th March; 1-00 to 3-00 pm.

No prior learning required. Everyone welcome in a vibrant and friendly group. To enrol phone 9830 4214 or email office@canterburynh.org.au

Canterbury: Last Course of the Year

Join us on the exciting journey through the centuries for a six week course on History of the English Language (Wednesdays 1-00pm to 3-0pm). It takes us from the Celts to the Romans and on to the major settlements of the Germanic tribes, before progressing to the Viking invasions and the Norman Conquest which was to change the shape and sounds of English forever. Finally we move into the era of the Elizabethan seafarers who introduced new words and flavours into the language, the 18th and 19th centuries and the explosion of medical, scientific, industrial and technological innovation that took us into modern times. We are a vibrant and friendly group. All welcome. To enrol phone Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre on 9830 4214. Starts 9th November.

Novella Publication

My novella, Vertigo, is due to be published online on www. 221bmagazine.co.uk It tells the story of two brothers, a tragic death, a betrayal of trust and the regeneration of a man who has been taken to the brink of despair.

more ballads from Billy Short

met Jesus out walkin yes’day morning

he aks me to come home

I looks him straight in the eye

an says you an me is done

washed me in the waters of life

come up smelling sweet

washed me in the waters of death

with rocks tied to my feet