But what’s it like to move from a stylish book editor and a formidable but conflicted pianist to the Labor MHR for Lalor? ‘Bloody hard,’ replied Ms Kent. ‘The fact that Gillard is still alive makes writing about her completely different. It’s the first time I’ve tackled a living subject.’ Defamation is always an issue. ‘It’s all a bit inhibiting in one way, but it’s fun to work out how to get behind headlines and make the political battles interesting.’

Julia Gillard – clearly a paragon among politicians – is being co-operative and has not asked to see the manuscript. She won’t have long to wait. Penguin will publish Jacqueline Kent’s book later this year.

Calibre Prize

Many readers have lauded Jane Goodall’s and Kevin Brophy’s winning essays in the 2009 Calibre Prize, which we published in the April issue. Writers, and their publishers, always appreciate such feedback. We print two of these commendations in the Letters page. David McCooey makes the important point that, despite the plethora of prizes in this country, the essay receives little support of this kind. ABR hopes that Calibre will be around for years to come. Indeed, we hope to be able to announce a major new development in coming months.

Miles Franklist shortlist

The shortlist for the 2009 Miles Franklin Literary Award was announced in April. The shortlist comprises Murray Bail’s The Pages (Text), Richard Flanagan’s Wanting (Knopf), Louis Nowra’s Ice (Allen & Unwin), Christos Tsiolkas’s The Slap (Allen & Unwin) and Tim Winton’s Breath (Hamish Hamilton). Clearly, it was a year for short titles. Robert Dixon, Morag Fraser, Lesley McKay, Regina Sutton and Murray Waldren made up the judging panel. The winner, who will be announced on June 18, will receive $42,000.

Short fiction in ABR

ABR is always keen to broaden its repertoire. Short fiction seems like an obvious addition. Interested writers should send their stories to the Editor (hard copies only please): PO Box 2320, Richmond South Vic. 3121. We don’t wish to be too prescriptive about the length of stories, but space is always an issue at ABR and it will be hard for us to publish stories exceeding 5000 words.

APA Internship Program

For many years ABR has offered an intensive but unfunded intern/volunteer program. Our aim is to introduce young people to the editorial life and to offer an entrée to the publishing industry. Dozens and dozens of students and writers have seized this opportunity. Now, happily, ABR can take this one step further. ABR – a member of the Australian Publishers’ Association – was one of five publishers chosen to participate in APA’s Publishing Internship Program. One hundred and sixty people applied for the ABR internship. Interviews are happening now, and the successful candidate will spend six months with us. Copyright Agency Limited funds this superb program.

 CBCA Awards

The shortlists for the 2009 Children’s Book Council of Australia have been announced. ABR congratulates all the authors, especially Ruth Starke – a regular contributor and ABR editorial adviser – for reaching the Picture Book of the Year shortlist with her Captain Congo and the Crocodile King, illustrated by Greg Holfeld. The awards will be presented, on the Gold Coast, on August 21.

Melbourne Prize for Literature

Entries for the Melbourne Prize for Literature open on May 11. There are three prize categories in 2009. The Melbourne Prize for Literature, valued at $60,000, is for a Victorian author whose body of work has made an out-standing contribution to Australian literature and to culture and to intellectual life. The Best Writing Award 2009 ($30,000) and the Civil Choice Award 2009 ($3000) make up the remaining awards. Entries close 17 July 2009. For more information, visit www.melbourneprizetrust.org.

Dorothy Porter

Dorothy Porter’s many admirers in Melbourne will have a chance to hear some of her poetry being read by an outstanding chorus of poets on Thursday, May 28 (6.30 to 8.30 p.m.). Gig Ryan and Jennifer Harrison will host the event; Collected Works is the fitting venue. Readers will include Elizabeth Campbell, Kris Hemensley and Chris Wallace-Crabbe. Andrea Goldsmith (whose new novel, Reunion, is reviewed by Judith Armstrong on page 9) is the special guest.