Six stories on Ellen Datlow’s Year’s Best Honorable Mentions List!
So exciting! Ellen Datlow has just published the full list of Honorable Mentions for Best Horror of the Year, Vol 4 — and she gives the nod to SIX of my stories!
Hannett, L. L. “Gutted,” Shimmer 13.
Hannett, Lisa L. “Carousel,” Bluegrass Symphony.
Hannett, Lisa L. “From the Teeth of Strange Children,” Bluegrass Symphony.
Hannett, Lisa L. “Fur and Feathers,” Bluegrass Symphony.
Hannett, Lisa L. “Them Little Shinin’ Things,” Bluegrass Symphony.
Hannett, Lisa L. White and Red in the Black,” Dead Red Heart.
Wow! Lots of fantastic Australian writers also get mentions, including Angela Slatter, Cat Sparks, Kaaron Warren, Deb Biancotti, Margo Lanagan, Peter M Ball, Thoraiya Dyer, Alan Baxter, Kirstyn McDermott, Joanne Anderton… Hooray for everyone! And thanks to Charles Tan for passing on the link 
Writing Habits, Or How Lisa is Addicted to Her Diary
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In other news, Nicole Murphy is running a fantastic series of interviews on her website, in which she has asked a slew of authors about their writing habits and processes. There have already been such a wonderful responses, from the likes of Sean Williams, Angela Slatter, Joanne Anderton, Kate Forsyth, Justina Robson — and so many more! You can find the complete list to-date here.
There are two posts per writer: one focusing on habits, the other on processes. This week, it’s my turn to give my two cents — and my first post, in which I reveal what an anal-retent I am, is now live. Thanks, Nicole!
Tuesday Therapy: On Disconnecting
I am so delighted that Joanne Anderton has joined us this week for Tuesday Therapy. Her first novel, Debris, was one of the most enjoyable books I read in 2011 — the type of book that makes you wish, for once, that your bus ride to work was longer because you just don’t want to stop reading — and it seems I’m not the only one to think so! Debris has just been nominated for a ‘Best Fantasy Novel’ Aurealis Award! Its sequel, Suited, is due out from Angry Robot in mid-2012 and I cannot wait to read it.
Jo is also an accomplished short story writer: a quick glance at her website shows that she’s had a spate of short story sales this week alone, not to mention the Aurealis Award nomination she’s received for ‘Flowers in the Shadow of the Garden’, which is up for ‘Best Science Fiction Short Story’. Congrats!
This week, Jo shares some advice that is something I rely on in order to actually get work done. Whenever I talk about going into the oubliette to write, this is exactly what I mean…
This advice was given to me by a very close writerly friend. It came in a roundabout way, as I watched her discover it for herself, and realised how much it also applied to me.
Disconnect yourself.
The internet is an awesome place to be a writer. It’s full of supportive friends, story ideas, opportunities and, of course, cats. But sometimes, you have to let it go. Stories need headspace to grow, so give yourself permission to disconnect. This isn’t just an internet thing either, it involves everything that takes up creative and emotional real estate. Step away from the keyboard, no words today. It’s okay, really, it won’t go anywhere. Make time for yourself, say sorry, you can’t do X, Y or Z this weekend. Your friends and family will understand. Let the light into your brain, and the fresh air, and the rain, and stories will sprout. Healthy stories with strong roots.
An Introduction to Australian Horror
In honour of Australia Day, I was asked to write an article about Australian horror for This Is Horror in the UK — and it’s now up! The article surveys some of the standout horror published in the past two years by Australian independent presses: so much to talk about, so much incredible talent!
Australia is a land of extremes. One minute the country is ravaged by drought and bushfires, the next it’s drowning in devastating floods. The continent is a combination of enormous red deserts meeting sprawling metropolises meeting ancient tropical rainforests meeting endless coastlines. Some of the largest — and tiniest — deadly predators on the planet are hidden out in the wilds, but are also unearthed in suburban backyards. Over it all, the harsh Australian sun beats down. Casting the longest, darkest shadows.
And right there — right where the glaring light gives way to shade — a population of Australian horror writers thrives. It’s a great position to be in. Looking at stories published by independent presses in the past two years, we find that Australian horror can plunge wholly into the black, even more tragic and disturbing by contrast to the brightness left behind; it can be light-hearted but nuanced, love and joy limned in darkness; or it can tread both worlds, supernatural and terrifying and endearing all at once…
Read the rest here — and enjoy!
