Michelle Scott Tucker

‘Conversations’ on ABC Radio

Truly, one of the best podcasts in the world has to be ABC Radio's 'Conversations'. Such a simple concept - an hour long chat with one person, about their life, or an aspect of it. I must have listened to hundreds of episodes and each one is surprising in different ways. Often the most interesting episodes are with people I've never heard of, simply because their stories are so fascinating. Don't take my word for it though - the podcast has been downloaded over a million times, by listeners all [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2022-10-27T16:24:45+11:00October 27th, 2022|Aaron Fa'Aoso, Author Interviews|0 Comments

Unusual publication deal includes $20,000 in donations

Our publishing deal for So Far, So Good was a bit unusual - it included substantial donations to Indigenous-led charities. Pantera Press have issued a media release about it, which I've included in full below. Do you have thoughts? I'd love to hear them. Leave a comment, below, and let me know. Pantera Foundation donates $10,000 each to Seed Mob and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation on release of So Far, So Good by Aaron Fa’Aoso and Michelle Scott Tucker In February 2021 Pantera Press acquired world rights for So Far, So [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2022-09-08T18:30:41+10:00September 8th, 2022|Aaron Fa'Aoso, Writing|4 Comments

So Far, So Good – Publication Day!

Today our book is officially out in the world. Three years ago today (yes, exactly today - I checked!) Aaron and I started talking about working together on this project. I can’t tell you if this book is any good – that’s for others to say – but I can tell you that I gave it everything I had. We were introduced by the literary agents who represent us both – Jacinta Di Mase and Danielle Binks, from JDM Management. Aaron had some really powerful things he wanted to say; [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2022-08-30T14:46:33+10:00August 30th, 2022|Aaron Fa'Aoso, Writing|10 Comments

Patricia Wrightson – all about erasure

As a young reader, Patricia Wrightson was one of my favourite authors. But in this short piece I wrote for the Australian Women Writers Challenge, I reevaluate Wrightson's use of Indigenous culture. Drawing on Aboriginal stories and culture, Wrightson’s fictional spirit characters held all the power and mystery of 60,000 years of Dreaming – power distinctly lacking in invented colonial fantasies like May Gibb’s saccharine Snugglepot and Cuddlepie. A gifted and evocative writer, Wrightson opened my eyes (and my mind) to the possibility of magic and mystery that belonged to this place, this continent. [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2022-08-10T16:38:28+10:00August 10th, 2022|Interesting Articles, Writing|2 Comments

Cover Reveal!

So here it is, our beautiful cover. Aaron and I are very moved by the support we've received for the book already. ‘Honest and deeply affecting … a love letter to family, community and culture full of laugh-out-loud moments, heartbreaking lessons and the importance of what really matters in this life.’ DEBORAH MAILMAN ‘A compelling read. Of a man who’s endured so much so early. Of a man connected to his people … a pure storyteller who, because of his trials, has found a compassionate voice full of dignity.’ MATT [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2022-07-01T13:46:07+10:00July 1st, 2022|Aaron Fa'Aoso|3 Comments

And what does an editor do, exactly?

This isn't, of course, a question I can answer. I'm not an editor. But I can tell you something about what it is like to be edited. And the short answer is: it's wonderful. For my next book, So Far So Good, I've been working closely with Pantera Publishing's Senior Editor Anne Reilly and she has been an absolute delight. Her editorial (and, later, her author emotional support) comments were invariably insightful, always practical and often hilarious. The draft manuscript was submitted just before Christmas. At about 80,000 words it [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2022-06-10T16:43:14+10:00June 10th, 2022|Aaron Fa'Aoso, Work in Progress, Writing|4 Comments

Book Review: Aftershocks by Michelle Tom

Memoirs are too often judged only by the power of the story. Tom’s story is powerful and moving all right, but also as beautifully written as any literary fiction. Aftershocks is Tom's first book but she began her career as a print journalist, in New Zealand, and it shows - in a good way. Arresting imagery, compelling characterisations and a driving narrative are contained within a swirling structure that beautifully captures the circular and fragmentary nature of memory. Remarkably, though, Aftershocks remains an 'easy' read. Tom's prose is clear and purposeful; [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2022-04-18T12:28:35+10:00April 18th, 2022|Book Review|2 Comments

Lunch on the mountain with writers

At long last! The very first, much-anticipated Mountain Writers Festival event is out in the world. I'm on the organising committee and it's been quite the wild Covid-cancellation ride - so we're all very excited. Sophie Cunningham It’s a lunch on Saturday 26 March at The Wine Collective in Macedon with 4 amazing writers speaking – see below. Tickets on sale now at mountainwritersfestival.com.au If you happen to be free and able to come along, I’d love to see you there BUT – absolutely no pressure! Totally understand that you might [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2022-03-06T11:29:54+11:00March 4th, 2022|Author Talk, Writing|0 Comments

Lost at Sandy Gallop Asylum

Sandy Gallop Asylum Source: ABC News I've been trying to source information about the great-grandfather of my memoir subject (my subject is Aaron Fa'Aoso, his great-grandfather was Guy Townson). Aaron remains very close to his Nan, was essentially raised by her, and Guy was her father. The following excerpt from the draft manuscript is Aaron's recollection of Guy's heartbreaking story. Guy Townson was the skipper of a pearling ketch, and he spent the last years of his life in a mental hospital in Ipswich, in southern [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2022-02-12T12:50:12+11:00February 12th, 2022|Aaron Fa'Aoso, Work in Progress|2 Comments

Mountain Writers Festival

So. I'm on a committee. And we're trying to run some interesting bookish events, in a beautiful place. If that's your bag too, consider following Mountain Writers Festival, which will be held in Macedon, Victoria - in the beautiful Macedon Ranges. The Mountain Writers Festival will run on 5-6 November 2022. Friends of the festival just call it Mountain - you can too. The festival’s focus on place, story and nature not just as a theme, but as the festival’s entire purpose now and into the future, is unique in Australia. [...]

Michelle Scott Tucker2021-12-21T12:00:39+11:00December 21st, 2021|Author Interviews, Author Talk, Writing|3 Comments

About Michelle Scott Tucker