I'm not your curator but I guess I can be

Story Doula: Oct '24

I’ve been in hibernation, throwing a lot of energy at the book I’m writing about Papua, plus some other Big Life Changes, and so I’ve neglected this newsletter for a few months.

I did get involved in some other cool things though, and consumed some good stuff too. I mostly resist the idea of being a curator of internet links, as though this is our entire mode of creation now! Also deeply suspicious that it distracts most people from the ‘real work’. Whatever that is. But I get distracted anyway, so I’ll allow myself the pleasure of sending through cool links.

Read and listen

— Like nearly every woman I know in their mid 30s to 40s, I recently read All Fours by Miranda July. It was electrifying, funny, brazen. My post-novel deep dive on this one were the autobiographical links between July’s life and the fictional book, which as a ‘creative’ (vomit) is very treacherous of me, but I just can’t look away.

— An actually measured essay by writer Michael James about Rachael Gunn ‘RayGunn’ and the politics of breaking.

— Jon Ronson has started a newsletter on narrative non-fiction storytelling! And it’s proper shop talk, which I like, not just the artsy bits.

— Question Everything is a new podcast by the maker of S-Town, Brian Reed, questioning the craft of journalism and storytelling itself, after he had his own work questioned. I will be listening. Thanks Em for recco.

— A fellowship for Jesse Cox, who was my frequent collaborator and an all-round wonderful human/wunderkid who left us way too soon, has found its home at All the Best. ATB is the first storytelling show he co-founded on Fbi Radio Sydney. I was part of a special show about Jesse’s legacy. You can also subscribe to All the Best to listen (also because it’s a rad show).

Coming up

— An audio documentary I worked on as an executive producer for over a year, PRAY HARDER is about to drop— you can hear the trailer and sign up via the LiSTNR app here Hosted by investigative journalist Richard Baker, it’s a story about Australia’s oldest, most secretive and disturbing ‘cults’.

Papua and THE BOOK!!

— A Human Rights report about discrimination towards West Papuans was released not too long ago and is worth reading.

— This month the editor and staff of the independent Papuan newspaper Tabloid Jubi were harrassed with molotov cocktails among other things. It’s part of the hazards of being part of a ‘free press’ there.

— Considered posting my book word count daily to Facebook as a public hazing ritual but was gently walked back from that idea by true friends. I respond well to peer pressure and shame ( I grew up Catholic) so let me know your ideas for efficient progress

x B