one of those occasions when money flows TO the writer

If you're a South Australian writer and thinking about participating in a conference, workshop or mentorship, or undertaking any activity that might qualify as professional development, Arts SA has allocated money to help you out.

The important details are:

Grants come up to $5000 a pop. All genres are eligible. (I'm the chair of the literature advisory panel, so I should know.) Varuna and Clarion count. Pass it on!

The closing date for this round is October 31, and the following round ends Feb 15, 2009. Visit the Arts SA site for information, or ring the office and speak to one of the helpful officers there. Don't miss out!

(I have my ranting pirate hat on today.)

goodbye to another great one

Sad news just in from SFWA:

British New Wave author, Barrington John Bayley, died October 14, 2008. He published at least 16 science fiction novels plus numerous short stories and essays between 1954 and 2006. Bayley's novels include "Collision Course", "The Soul of the Robot", and "Star Virus". His 1983 novel, "Zen Gun", was nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award.

Bayley may have been better known for his influence on the work of other writers, than for the direct success of his own work.

The last sentence is right on the money. The Soul of the Robot is one of the novels I remember most clearly from my early days of reading "real" SF. It's wonderfully realised, thought-provoking and emotionally powerful. I still read it every now and again to remind myself of how it should be done. I wish I'd got to meet him, if only to say thanks for the inspiration.