This second edition of Backstory gives Swinburne students an opportunity to see their work published and a reach an audience much wider than their peers.
This is an exciting issue. It contains a wonderful mix of genres and styles including poetry, fiction and interviews with writers. Once again, the standard of writing is impressive and showcases the many talents of Swinburne writers.
The interviews are particularly interesting this month, allowing us an insight into the world of historical writing by some world-class writers.
Backstory was fortunate enough to secure an interview with leading historical fiction writer, C.W Gortner. Tamasine Loves asks him some interesting questions and discovers what time period he is drawn to again and again.
In a dual interview, Jac Mason and Ana Tinc question Alex Miller about his work and latest novel Coal Creek. The writers of this interview have drawn on the craft of creative non-fiction and offer us a highly original narrative interview.
James Palmer interviews playwright Dr Ron Elisha and finds out why he is so fascinated by history.
There are reviews by Sarah Giles, Abby Claridge and Tina Tsironis that ensure we keep up to date with the latest historical publications, both by Swinburne students and other writers of note.
Margaret Marchant has written a moving poem about Anzac Day and another, by Vashti Farrer, explores memory and loss through the prism of abandoned houses. Bovary by Eloise Faichney offers an insight into love and creativity and is beautifully crafted.
Our own Wendy Dunn, editor of Backstory, also has a compelling new poem about the importance of words and art this issue.
In the short story, Prelude to the Dawn, Arianne James writes evocatively about a relationship rocked by grief and family difficulties. Her writing is so full of sensory detail; the reader feels almost like a voyeur.
Had as Leif Control by Vashti Farrer, reminds of our barbaric convict past in a short story that is rich with period detail and ends with a clever twist.
Real diary entries from 1915 form the basis of Kate Wann’s story, Lucy’s War. She has cleverly used diary excerpts to create a story about a war nurse. This piece of ‘faction’ captures the raw experience of the nurses and their struggle – an often overlooked story.
This second edition of Backstory could not have been possible without all those who have been involved in the writing and production process. We, as readers, say thank-you!
Image by Teddy Kelley.
