October 9, 2018

Back on track –

It’s embarrassing to realise just how many months have passed since writing my last blog post. Another rocky road paved with good intentions and all that. As for progress on the book, well best not to ask really, as there’s been none. Or none to speak of.

The reason for the long silence was a need to be far more involved in organising the 2018 Tamar Valley Writers festival than was my intention or expectation. Such is life, which doesn’t always go according to plan, and it certainly didn’t in this instance. But hard work notwithstanding it was worthwhile, and there was plenty of fun and laughter along the way together with new friendships formed and interesting experiences to be enjoyed.

But, the biennial Festival is now over. It was a rip-roaring success, thankfully, and having laid the groundwork – yet again – for future festivals, planning and organising the event in September 2020 should be a whole lot easier. That is the theory anyway, and while I’ve not stepped down completely from the volunteer board, my workload won’t be so intense or so great. That is my aim so all I have to do is ensure it’s also the reality.

The Festival experience has its advantages though, not least of which, (in the programming role I had) is exposure to lots of writers, their journeys to publication success, and rubbing shoulders with a few publishers, so all grist to the mill given I shall be hoping for interest from the latter in due course. It always helps to have a contact, however tenuous, to hopefully pave the way.

With a clear run now until planning seriously begins for 2020 early next year, I have time to recoup my depleted energies, refocus on my own writing, and resume work on this project in particular.

At last!

Share this post on socials

The story of the campaign to stop  Gunns Ltd building a pulp mill in the Tamar Valley.
By Anne Layton-Bennett June 8, 2025
Part memoir and part story of how a community came together and stopped a pulp mill being built in Tasmania's Tamar Valley.
Tasmanians stood up as one in opposition to an over-ambitious timber company - and won.
By Anne Layton-Bennett May 16, 2025
For 12 years Tasmanians steadfastly opposed the building of a pulp mill in the Tamar Valley. The campaign was long and hard and took its tioll, but the community won it. This book is their story.
Our purple smoke bush is ablaze with its fiery glory every autumn.
By Anne Layton-Bennett April 15, 2025
A lovely small tree that comes into its own each autumn with a vibrant seasonal display of colour.

Latest from my blog...