Updating one’s website on the final day of the year automatically becomes a gesture of reckoning. And yet another war is at the back of all of our minds. We face our own powerlessness and go on, in this uncomfortable limbo between hope and darkness. Through this, we try to find the path back to our stories, our fibre, our origins. It is no easy path.
An unexpected doorway appeared for me in the publication of my new book, The Carnal Fugues, with the Australian publisher Puncher & Wattmann. The book has been called a ‘greatest hits’ selection, owing to the stories coming from three U.K.-published collections, Love Stories for Hectic People, The Cartography of Others, Pelt and Other Stories. A veritable coup for this Italy-based author, who has always dreamed of publishing a book back home.
My first port of call on a return visit to the southern hemisphere late in 2023 was the Australian Short Story Festival in Adelaide, a warm and inspiring event where many memorable moments were had and new friendships forged. I felt I had happened upon the beating heart of the Australian short story. An official book launch was held at Better Read than Dead Bookshop, Newtown, and at events at other bookshops I read from my stories - twice I read ‘On Being Eaten Alive’ - and felt the matchless joy of seeing a room of faces focussed upon my characters, my words, my invention. And to see my book in readers’ hands. This makes one feel that a peak has been reached, and delivers a hard-won, momentary serenity. Grateful for this.
The summer of writing retreats brought forth a series of very special guests, each one seemed to bring a vivid gift to the art of writing, of discussion, of womanhood. I was floored by the range of authors who turned up at my place, with evenings spent exchanging ideas, creative energy - and good wine. Making me more convinced than ever that hosting writers brings fresh life and intent to this sometimes unwieldy house!
As these hours pass I know I for one carry apprehension - while recalling moments of joy that have occurred this year. We all hope for an end to dreadfulness, and the rebirth of good sense, purposeful creativity, harmony and good health.
