Writers Under the Influence is a monthly literary event at Buck Mulligan's, where local writers read from works they admire, as well as something of their own, followed by well-lubricated discussions, reminiscent of an old-style writers’ salon.
The wonderful Jenny Ackland is our special guest for June’s Writers Under the Influence event.
Jenny is a local writer and teacher whose short fiction and essays have been published in Kill Your Darlings, Sleepers Almanac, The Big Issue and Visible Ink. She has also been listed for the Voiceless prize, in Australia, and internationally for The Bridport Prize and The Fish Short Story Prize.
Her debut novel, The Secret Son, is a Ned Kelly-Gallipoli mashup, which dares to twist the history of these two Aussie icons. Published by Allen & Unwin in 2015, it received a commendation in the FAW National Literary Christina Stead Award.
Her second novel, Little Gods, due to be published in 2018, is a story of resilience and revenge, set in the Mallee region of Victoria.
Jenny’s blog, Seraglio – not a pizza place, is at jennyackland.com
“Jenny Ackland’s The Secret Son is a charming and inventive first novel that flirts with history without ever letting facts get in the way of what is essentially a great story – audaciously told and richly woven – about growing up, fitting in and moving on; about stepping out of the shadows of the past and finding your own way.” – Michelle McLaren, Newtown Review of Books.
