Chinese author jailed for publishing gay erotic novel
In China, an erotic novelist has been sentenced to over a decade in prison for writing and selling a gay porn novel, reports the Guardian. The book in question, Gongzhan...
Salman Rushdie wins PEN/Pinter Prize
Salman Rushdie has won the 2014 PEN/Pinter Prize, reports the Bookseller. Established in 2009 by English PEN in memory of Nobel-Laureate playwright Harold Pinter, the award is presented annually for outstanding literary merit by...
Ackland receives PEN/Keneally Award
Journalist and editor Richard Ackland is the recipient of the 2013 PEN/Keneally Award for his contribution to promoting freedom of expression. Ackland, who is a legal columnist for Fairfax Media...
Moorhouse to boycott China tour
Australian author Frank Moorhouse has announced he will boycott a writers' tour of China in protest against the imprisonment of Chinese writer Liu Xiaobo. The tour, which has been funded by...
In brief
Wright receives honorary doctorateMiles Franklin-winning author Alexis Wright has received an honorary doctorate from RMIT, where she studied professional and creative writing. Wright, whose novel Carpentaria (Giramondo) won the 2007...
In brief
Barry to deliver Sydney PEN lectureMax Barry will give a lecture on ‘risk' as part of the Sydney PEN Voices project, on 15 July in Sydney and 21 July in...
In brief
Booksellers NZ Conference 2009 dates and theme announcedThe 2009 Booksellers Conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Auckland, 26 to 27 July, with the theme ‘Rethinking the...
In brief
Book and newspaper sales up 20.5% on 2007Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures for September indicate books are bucking the flat national retail trend. While retail trade figures for the...
In brief
Dymocks debate raises funds for literacyThe Dymocks Literacy Foundation held its annual fundraiser last Thursday, at a debate event where guests Adam Spencer, Rob Carlton, Julia Morris, Chris Cheng, Rebecca...
Moorhouse wins 2007 PEN Keneally award
Frank Moorhouse has been named as the recipient of the biennial PEN Keneally Award. The award, named in honour of author Tom Keneally, recognises ‘an achievement in promoting freedom of...