The Ghost Poetry Project

Had a wonderful surprise a couple of weeks back, when a friend posted me a copy of The Ghost Poetry Project by Nathan Curnow. I didn't know it was on its way - just opened the padded bag and ... Hey presto!

Happy day. (Thanks, JL. You're a gem.)

It's an intriguing idea for an anthology of poems, built from Nathan Curnow's decision to spend ten nights in ten of Australia's (reputedly) most haunted locations. From sleeping in the back of Elvira the haunted hearse to a night at the notorious Port Arthur penal settlement.

And the writing is stunning too. Superb poetry.

Won't say much more at the moment because I'm going to interview Nathan for The View From Here very soon, except that The Ghost Poetry Project is available from a number of Australian booksellers and directly from the publisher, Puncher & Wattmann.

Recent Reads

Have just finished reading Haruki Murakami's Dance Dance Dance (Vintage). I'm a bit of a sucker for Murakami's novels (haven't read any of his non-fiction yet) and have been ever since I first came across The Wind-up Bird Chronicle about ten years ago. However, Dance Dance Dance, which was first published in 1988, has catapulted itself close to the top of my Murakami favourites.

While his novels are wonderfully surreal at times, it's a quality of the narrative voice that sucks me in and draws me along - a quality that the translator (Alfred Birnbaum on this occasion) obviously manages to retain.

High-class call girls billed to Mastercard. A psychic thirteen-year-old drop-out with a passion for Talking Heads. A hunky matinee idol doomed to play dentists and teachers. A one-armed beach-combing poet, an uptight hotel clerk (in a hotel that houses a metaphysical hotel) and one very bemused narrator...

GOODBYE BLING-BLING, HEL---LOOO, JAILBIRD (Series)

You can get a sneak peek of “Goodbye Bling-Bling, Hel---looo, Jailbird” first of the two series on December 10th, 2009. It will be my first attempt at non-fiction. The plot is based on a true story, and is a classic tale of one man’s lust for the American dream. It is my first book written to the adult audience, but the life lessons will not be lost on young adults.

Publication changes all the time so be sure to check out our site as often for the latest information.

CHECK OUT MY RECENT PUBLISHER MARKETPLACE SITE

http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/eijohnsonwriter/

Book Group

Spent Thursday evening as the guest of a local Book Group, who'd chosen The Snowing and Greening of Thomas Passmore as their October selection. Thanks, folks.

I've been involved with answering the questions of a couple of Book Groups via email in the past, but this was my first 'live' involvement, and what a great night it was: a lot of laughter and a very decent drop of wine - not necessarily in that order. I could get accustomed to that.

While I'm posting, here's a plug for the delightful and witty Mrs T, who, when she's not blogging away at her own site, writes very entertaining pieces for the BBC. Check out her latest contribution to Mum's The Word here.

I’M BACK !!!!

Hello, Everyone! Long time no see. So what did I miss?? Is the economy back on track yet? Hmmm!!!

Anyhow, I’m sad to say that I haven’t been maintaining this site as much as I would like to. Due to unavoidable circumstances my blogs were all ‘derailed’ somewhere in cyberspace.......

My focus lately has shifted to my ‘Wireless’ novel series, and that my blog was sitting here idle.

Since my last entry in last June and being offline for several months I have received numerous emails from readers and authors who wondered if I dropped of the face of the planet or... if I had given up on my commitment to my readers.

Well... It is always good to be missed! Thank you all for your kind words of encouragement, and for taking such an interest. Knowing that what I do matters to someone else is important to me.

A lot of things took place when I was offline. Now... I still got tons of emails to read and comments to moderate and I have not even started.

Well... at the risk of sounding cliché the business of life sometimes interferes with the pursuit of living! But I’m back now. Truthfully, I get a jolt from being a conduit for authors’ to express themselves through media more freely and unfiltered than a critic might be able to do. I’d like to give my authors the opportunity to connect more directly to their audience which makes a difference.

Hopefully this approach offers a different and maybe fresher perspective. I sincerely hope that my recent sabbatical has not disrupted that evolving process. I truly want my readers to know that I do value their participation, and that I eager to reestablishing contact.

At the end of the day the reader wants to know more about the person being interviewed, and less about a critic’s opinion. These days everyone thinks he’s a critic with something to say…

To all of you, who have been engaged in the process -- thank you. It has been a pleasure to have exchanged ideas with you. You have been a great source of inspiration.

My sabbatical has given me newfound enthusiasm and commitment for broadcasting your creative accomplishments and insights. Going forward I am determined to see Up Close & Personal, Totally YA and A View From The Top continue to evolve. I like to think that it serves our community of authors and readers in a unique way

I’d like to announce that new interviews, blog updates and website updated materials and whatnot will be posted here starting November 1st, 2009.

I truly want my readers to know that I do value their participation. Please check back often for the latest news!

Wireless in the Fabric of Time (Series) SOUNDTRACK

NEW UPDATE: ENTER TO WIN THE NEW WIRELESS “Life Doesn’t Rewind across the Universe” holiday contest. WIN this 3rd Generation 64 GB iPod Touch

The power of the Internet meets the brilliance of multi-touch. It is a
3.5-inch screen… you’ll find the viewing experience amazing. It is a great pocket computer to surf the web, email, manage your calendars, organize contacts, and you can use for your social networking sites such as Facebooks and Twitter.

On Tuesday, December 4th, 2009, we will randomly select Twelve (12) winners of the E. I. Johnson prize package. This will include signed copies of each of the first three books in the ‘Wireless series'

Cool Prizes for first, second, & third place categories will be posted Tuesday, Decmeber 15th, 2009. You will not be disappointed so come and CHECK MY WEBSITE and click the iPod on my time travel desk to enter the contest.
PREVIOUS WINNERS ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE NEW HOLIDAY CONTEST.

Surreal Italy

Flicking through some photos of Italy from May, there seems to be a surreal theme to my favourites. Was really taken by this stone tree in the courtyard of the Medici Palace in Rome and wouldn't mind growing one in our backyard.


Brilliant light and Italianate buildings suggest Giorgio de' Chirico. The only thing missing was the long shadows and the outline of a train.


The roofline of buildings spiralling down the cliffs of Cinque Terre put me in mind of Maurits Escher.


As did the rooftops in Siena.


And this Sienese beauty speaks for herself.