Kelly Gardiner
@kmjgardiner.bsky.social
I write, teach writing, and lead writing retreats. My next novel, Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective, co- written with Sharmini Kumar, is out in 2025 (HarperCollins).
‘In This Labyrinth’ by Najwan Darwish is poem of the day:
I said these words weren’t needed
as I was sitting there,
where the road veered sharply,
without thinking for a moment
that it might only be a gentle winding.
poets.org/poem/labyrin...
I said these words weren’t needed
as I was sitting there,
where the road veered sharply,
without thinking for a moment
that it might only be a gentle winding.
poets.org/poem/labyrin...
In this Labyrinth
translated from the Arabic by Kareem James Abu-Zeid
poets.org
September 11, 2025 at 9:47 PM
‘In This Labyrinth’ by Najwan Darwish is poem of the day:
I said these words weren’t needed
as I was sitting there,
where the road veered sharply,
without thinking for a moment
that it might only be a gentle winding.
poets.org/poem/labyrin...
I said these words weren’t needed
as I was sitting there,
where the road veered sharply,
without thinking for a moment
that it might only be a gentle winding.
poets.org/poem/labyrin...
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
This is shocking news. Literary magazines - and all the other small orgs now under pressure or closing or gone - are the bedrock of culture and their ongoing costs are barely a blip in any institutional budget. Melbourne University ought to be ashamed www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/04/m...
Literary journal Meanjin to close after 85 years of publishing
Meanjin, a mainstay of Australia's cultural landscape and the nation's second-oldest literary publication, is shuttering after Melbourne University Publishing decided to cease financial support.
www.crikey.com.au
September 4, 2025 at 3:19 AM
This is shocking news. Literary magazines - and all the other small orgs now under pressure or closing or gone - are the bedrock of culture and their ongoing costs are barely a blip in any institutional budget. Melbourne University ought to be ashamed www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/04/m...
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
Sophie Cunningham:"universities are no longer spaces that support or nurture literature or the arts in this country. Certainly universities have, in the last several years, shown themselves unable to manage robust debates or the complexities of freedom of speech.”
www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/04/m...
www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/04/m...
Literary journal Meanjin to close after 85 years of publishing
Meanjin, a mainstay of Australia's cultural landscape and the nation's second-oldest literary publication, is shuttering after Melbourne University Publishing decided to cease financial support.
www.crikey.com.au
September 4, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Sophie Cunningham:"universities are no longer spaces that support or nurture literature or the arts in this country. Certainly universities have, in the last several years, shown themselves unable to manage robust debates or the complexities of freedom of speech.”
www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/04/m...
www.crikey.com.au/2025/09/04/m...
Last chance to book! Fundamentals for fiction writers: the Writer's Toolbox. It's a short course with me, starts August 27, live online. Places are limited.
newpagewriting.com/2025/07/29/w...
newpagewriting.com/2025/07/29/w...
Writer’s Toolbox (August 2025)
Every craft and profession involves tools we need to use and master so we can make good work. Writing is no different. We know these tools from all our years of reading and experiencing story. But …
newpagewriting.com
August 20, 2025 at 7:22 AM
Last chance to book! Fundamentals for fiction writers: the Writer's Toolbox. It's a short course with me, starts August 27, live online. Places are limited.
newpagewriting.com/2025/07/29/w...
newpagewriting.com/2025/07/29/w...
"The obligations imposed upon festival speakers in the Bendigo Writers Festival Code of Conduct are wide-ranging and inappropriate... Authors are engaged by festivals precisely because of their expression of ideas." @asauthors.bsky.social statement.
www.asauthors.org.au/news/author-...
www.asauthors.org.au/news/author-...
Author concerns about BWF Code of Conduct - Australian Society of Authors
The ASA is deeply concerned about a Code of Conduct provided to authors presenting at the Bendigo Writers Festival.
www.asauthors.org.au
August 19, 2025 at 7:38 AM
"The obligations imposed upon festival speakers in the Bendigo Writers Festival Code of Conduct are wide-ranging and inappropriate... Authors are engaged by festivals precisely because of their expression of ideas." @asauthors.bsky.social statement.
www.asauthors.org.au/news/author-...
www.asauthors.org.au/news/author-...
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
It's taken me a while to get this post together, but hopefully lots of food for thought on the current state of the book market in Australia. Some brilliant tips from literary agents and more for aspiring authors out there. #author #books
annafeatherstone.com/the-australi...
annafeatherstone.com/the-australi...
The Australian Book Market August 2025: What Writers, Publishers and Literary Agents are Talking About
L-o-n-g blog post ahead with current (as at August 2025) insights on the Australian book market, book marketing, writing craft, AI, and what literary agents are looking for right now and how to approa...
annafeatherstone.com
August 18, 2025 at 9:45 PM
It's taken me a while to get this post together, but hopefully lots of food for thought on the current state of the book market in Australia. Some brilliant tips from literary agents and more for aspiring authors out there. #author #books
annafeatherstone.com/the-australi...
annafeatherstone.com/the-australi...
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
📣 New podcast!
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, award-winning writer Val McDermid shares insights on writing contemporary crime fiction, and the importance of learning patience as a writer.
Produced by National Centre for Writing.
🎧 Listen now: buff.ly/kWAhMQP
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, award-winning writer Val McDermid shares insights on writing contemporary crime fiction, and the importance of learning patience as a writer.
Produced by National Centre for Writing.
🎧 Listen now: buff.ly/kWAhMQP
August 11, 2025 at 12:33 PM
📣 New podcast!
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, award-winning writer Val McDermid shares insights on writing contemporary crime fiction, and the importance of learning patience as a writer.
Produced by National Centre for Writing.
🎧 Listen now: buff.ly/kWAhMQP
In this episode of The Writing Life podcast, award-winning writer Val McDermid shares insights on writing contemporary crime fiction, and the importance of learning patience as a writer.
Produced by National Centre for Writing.
🎧 Listen now: buff.ly/kWAhMQP
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
Support Bookish in Bendigo, official Bendigo Writers Festival bookseller who would have spent months stocking books for the event and have pulled out in solidarity. Call them for your next book order if you can, or even pay it forward for one of their customers.
+61 3 5406 0596
+61 3 5406 0596
August 15, 2025 at 3:42 AM
Support Bookish in Bendigo, official Bendigo Writers Festival bookseller who would have spent months stocking books for the event and have pulled out in solidarity. Call them for your next book order if you can, or even pay it forward for one of their customers.
+61 3 5406 0596
+61 3 5406 0596
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
Did you know 85% of Kiwis say libraries improve their happiness and wellbeing?
The results are in from PLNZ’s latest Community Impact Survey — and the data confirms public #libraries uplift us all #impact
The results are in from PLNZ’s latest Community Impact Survey — and the data confirms public #libraries uplift us all #impact
New Survey Confirms Public Libraries Are Cornerstones of Kiwi Communities
loveyourlibrary.org.nz
August 16, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Did you know 85% of Kiwis say libraries improve their happiness and wellbeing?
The results are in from PLNZ’s latest Community Impact Survey — and the data confirms public #libraries uplift us all #impact
The results are in from PLNZ’s latest Community Impact Survey — and the data confirms public #libraries uplift us all #impact
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
Spoke to the ABC for this story on Bendigo writers festival & code of conduct overreach. Festivals should not be policing authors’ speech. @asauthors.bsky.social
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
Writers festivals on notice after attempt to 'restrict speech' prompts exodus
A Victorian writers festival's code of conduct has set a "dangerous precedent", one author says, after more than 50 writers and moderators withdrew from the event.
www.abc.net.au
August 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Spoke to the ABC for this story on Bendigo writers festival & code of conduct overreach. Festivals should not be policing authors’ speech. @asauthors.bsky.social
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08...
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
This 👇🏻 Please support Bookish. It’s a beautiful little shop.
Bookish in Bendigo have pulled out as Bendigo Writers Festival's bookseller - this principled move comes at great cost to them as an independent store. If you've been thinking of purchasing a book (esp. one by someone who's also pulled labour from BWF), consider going to them! +61 3 5406 0596
August 15, 2025 at 10:02 AM
This 👇🏻 Please support Bookish. It’s a beautiful little shop.
I always look forward to Bendigo Writers Festival. But not this year.
We are writers. What we do is express ideas freely.
Any attempt to prevent us doing that is censorship, and a dangerous precedent in the arts community.
I have withdrawn and I stand in solidarity with others who have withdrawn.
We are writers. What we do is express ideas freely.
Any attempt to prevent us doing that is censorship, and a dangerous precedent in the arts community.
I have withdrawn and I stand in solidarity with others who have withdrawn.
August 15, 2025 at 6:39 AM
I always look forward to Bendigo Writers Festival. But not this year.
We are writers. What we do is express ideas freely.
Any attempt to prevent us doing that is censorship, and a dangerous precedent in the arts community.
I have withdrawn and I stand in solidarity with others who have withdrawn.
We are writers. What we do is express ideas freely.
Any attempt to prevent us doing that is censorship, and a dangerous precedent in the arts community.
I have withdrawn and I stand in solidarity with others who have withdrawn.
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
While international media remains locked out of Gaza, Palestinian journalists work under fire, starvation and sickness to report the reality on the ground.
August 14, 2025 at 1:01 AM
While international media remains locked out of Gaza, Palestinian journalists work under fire, starvation and sickness to report the reality on the ground.
Bookings close soon. Fiction writers, don't miss out!
Bookings are now open for my new online short course, The Writer's Toolbox. Fundamentals, for emerging fiction writers. Starts late August.
newpagewriting.com/masterclasse...
newpagewriting.com/masterclasse...
The writer’s toolbox
Building blocks for emerging fiction writers I invite you to join me on this four-week online course for writers who are starting out. Each week, in a live class, we’ll discuss a specific bui…
newpagewriting.com
August 14, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Bookings close soon. Fiction writers, don't miss out!
Stop the killing. Ceasefire now.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Prominent Al Jazeera journalist killed in Israeli airstrike on Gaza
Anas al-Sharif, known for frontline coverage, died with three colleagues in an attack outside al-Shifa hospital
www.theguardian.com
August 11, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Stop the killing. Ceasefire now.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/a...
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
It can take years to write a story, several more to sell it, and then several more for it to be published. And once it is published, there’s sadly no guarantee the story will find its readers. So if you’re writing stories, you better make sure you’re writing stories that you enjoy.
August 9, 2025 at 8:30 PM
It can take years to write a story, several more to sell it, and then several more for it to be published. And once it is published, there’s sadly no guarantee the story will find its readers. So if you’re writing stories, you better make sure you’re writing stories that you enjoy.
Bookings are now open for my new online short course, The Writer's Toolbox. Fundamentals, for emerging fiction writers. Starts late August.
newpagewriting.com/masterclasse...
newpagewriting.com/masterclasse...
The writer’s toolbox
Building blocks for emerging fiction writers I invite you to join me on this four-week online course for writers who are starting out. Each week, in a live class, we’ll discuss a specific bui…
newpagewriting.com
August 8, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Bookings are now open for my new online short course, The Writer's Toolbox. Fundamentals, for emerging fiction writers. Starts late August.
newpagewriting.com/masterclasse...
newpagewriting.com/masterclasse...
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
Hello parents, guardians and care-givers, are you already thinking about book week 2026?
Well, here's some ideas from the Blackwords - @austlit.bsky.social team, because representation matters.
@magabalabooks.bsky.social
#bookweek #mobsky #booksky #kidlit #authors #representationatters
Well, here's some ideas from the Blackwords - @austlit.bsky.social team, because representation matters.
@magabalabooks.bsky.social
#bookweek #mobsky #booksky #kidlit #authors #representationatters
August 4, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Hello parents, guardians and care-givers, are you already thinking about book week 2026?
Well, here's some ideas from the Blackwords - @austlit.bsky.social team, because representation matters.
@magabalabooks.bsky.social
#bookweek #mobsky #booksky #kidlit #authors #representationatters
Well, here's some ideas from the Blackwords - @austlit.bsky.social team, because representation matters.
@magabalabooks.bsky.social
#bookweek #mobsky #booksky #kidlit #authors #representationatters
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
Starting a novel is exciting, but what happens when the momentum drops?
Our ultimate guide will help you push through the messy middle and finally reach 'The End' of your first draft.
👉 zurl.co/LL9JF
#AmWriting #FinishYourNovel #WritingTips #FirstDraft
Our ultimate guide will help you push through the messy middle and finally reach 'The End' of your first draft.
👉 zurl.co/LL9JF
#AmWriting #FinishYourNovel #WritingTips #FirstDraft
How to Finish a Novel: The Ultimate Guide for Getting You to The End of Your First Draft
Starting a new novel is a thrilling feeling, your idea feels fresh and the blank page bursts with possibility. But what happens when the momentum drops?
zurl.co
August 4, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Starting a novel is exciting, but what happens when the momentum drops?
Our ultimate guide will help you push through the messy middle and finally reach 'The End' of your first draft.
👉 zurl.co/LL9JF
#AmWriting #FinishYourNovel #WritingTips #FirstDraft
Our ultimate guide will help you push through the messy middle and finally reach 'The End' of your first draft.
👉 zurl.co/LL9JF
#AmWriting #FinishYourNovel #WritingTips #FirstDraft
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for the 2025 Lambda Literary Awards! lambdaliterary.org/2025/07/anno...
Announcing the Finalists for the 37th Annual Lambda Literary Awards
This year marks 37 years
lambdaliterary.org
July 30, 2025 at 3:49 PM
We are thrilled to announce the shortlist for the 2025 Lambda Literary Awards! lambdaliterary.org/2025/07/anno...
Reposted by Kelly Gardiner
Checkout the playlist of presentations for this years #VirtualJaneCon and there are many great presentations from last year as well!
Awake and catching up on @virtualjanecon.bsky.social!
Easiest way to follow along is this playlist IMO. youtube.com/playlist?lis...
Easiest way to follow along is this playlist IMO. youtube.com/playlist?lis...
#VirtualJaneCon 2025 - YouTube
youtube.com
July 19, 2025 at 4:36 PM
Checkout the playlist of presentations for this years #VirtualJaneCon and there are many great presentations from last year as well!
Co-author Sharmini Kumar and I had a chat with the Nerd Daily about Miss Bingley, collaborating, and what we've been reading.
thenerddaily.com/kelly-gardin...
thenerddaily.com/kelly-gardin...
Q&A: Kelly Gardiner and Sharmini Kumar, Author of 'Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Investigator' | The Nerd Daily
We chat with author Kelly Gardiner and Sharmini Kumar about Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Investigator, which follows the search for a missing maid and leads Miss Caroline Bingley from Jane Austen’s ...
thenerddaily.com
July 19, 2025 at 7:46 AM
Co-author Sharmini Kumar and I had a chat with the Nerd Daily about Miss Bingley, collaborating, and what we've been reading.
thenerddaily.com/kelly-gardin...
thenerddaily.com/kelly-gardin...
We're happening at #VirtualJaneCon2025, in which Sharmini, Kylie and I chat about Miss Bingley, Mary Bennet, and how other writers have given them the attention Miss Austen gave others.
#VirtualJaneCon2025 has STARTED!
All #janeausten. All FREE to watch. Made for and by fans. Watch it here: virtualjanecon.com/virtualjanec...
All #janeausten. All FREE to watch. Made for and by fans. Watch it here: virtualjanecon.com/virtualjanec...
#VirtualJaneCon 2025
PROGRAM SCHEDULEJuly 19-20, 2025 A note on time: All listed times are in UTC (Coordinated Universal Time). Convert to your time zone here. Links below will default to the direct video or the p…
virtualjanecon.com
July 19, 2025 at 2:36 AM
We're happening at #VirtualJaneCon2025, in which Sharmini, Kylie and I chat about Miss Bingley, Mary Bennet, and how other writers have given them the attention Miss Austen gave others.
Here she is. It's publication day in the US and Canada for Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Investigator, co-written with Sharmini Kumar, thanks to @harpercollins.bsky.social.
www.harpercollins.com/products/mis...
www.harpercollins.com/products/mis...
July 9, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Here she is. It's publication day in the US and Canada for Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Investigator, co-written with Sharmini Kumar, thanks to @harpercollins.bsky.social.
www.harpercollins.com/products/mis...
www.harpercollins.com/products/mis...