Kim Kelly joins the Australia Day Blog Hop and A Reader’s Heaven in a honest interview. Kim Kelly is the author of Black Diamonds and This Red Earth. Her newest book, The Blue Mile is set to come out in a few short months, and in anticipation for that, we sat down with Kim and asked her a few questions.
What is it about being classified as “Australian Author” that you most identify with?
Everything! I’m an Australian writing stories about Australia, all of which in some way explore the question of who we are through our history. I can’t imagine not writing Australian stories, because I can’t imagine my fascination with this place and its people ever running dry. There can be a bit of a persistent cringey view out there that we don’t have an interesting past or a distinctive culture and I will forever be compelled to say to those who think that: ‘Are you having me on?’
Did moving from the Blue Mountains to the Central West affect your writing?
I don’t think where I live has too much to do with what I write, as I’d probably still write what I write even if I was trapped in a cardboard box. It’s where I’ve been that fires my imagination – places that keep calling me back, and keep whispering stories to me. Lithgow and Nyngan are two such places, and while I’ve never lived in either, I can’t think of these towns without considering them to be some kind of heart homes. Other stories have lately sent me to Sydney, Hill End, the Snowies, and I’ve got one tumbling round the back of my mind set in Lightning Ridge. Maybe one day I’ll write about Blackheath or Katoomba, or Orange, where I live today. Or maybe one day I’ll do something completely whacky and travel outside the state!
What was it about Lithgow that inspired you?
First, the landscape. Driving down into the valley from Blackheath on cold winter mornings to take my two boys to soccer when they were small was almost magical – the golden light on the sandstone cliffs, the shapes of the escarpments falling and rolling into the hills. Lithgow remains one of my favourite places for its natural beauty. But once I started poking around the history of the town – the mines, the small arms factory, the politics – well, I was hooked. I fell in love and had to express it. Even today, every time I drive through the valley I can hear Francine and Daniel from Black Diamonds chatting on their back verandah in my mind.
What were the last five books you read?
In ‘real’ life, I’m a book editor, so among any recently read pile of mine you’ll find a couple of yet-to-be published manuscripts from other authors, along with the old tbr and tbc piles on the bedside. I’d never tell you what I didn’t enjoy – I have too much admiration for all authors who make it to the end of writing a novel – but when I fall for a book I tend to fall hard and it eclipses everything else. The most recent novel that did that to me is Jonah by Louis Stone, an Australian classic I’d never heard of until a couple of months ago. It’s a funny, sometimes poignant, sometimes savage tale of the adventures of a small-time gangster and his best mate during the Paddington Push in inner Sydney a hundred years ago, but it’s so alive, such a slice of Australian life, it reads as if might have been written yesterday. Wow, just wow. I can’t believe it bypassed me for so many years.
What do you wish your readers would ask you? What’s the answer?
Question: I’d love to read some new Australian fiction but I don’t know where to start.
Answer: Start with Kim Kelly! Seriously, start in the Australian fiction section of your bookshop or online store. Browse the shelves, see what blurb takes your fancy, then take a risk. And if you love what you find, tell your friends and family and the postman. Please! Australian authors often get a bit lost in the wash with all the competition from overseas, and word of mouth is still the best way for any new author to begin to mark their mark.
What’s got you most excited about The Blue Mile coming out this Autumn?
The Blue Mile is a story about ordinary people dreaming large – a Harbour Bridge labourer and a dressmaker. It’s a story inspired by and brimming with love for my grandparents, wondering what their world was like in 1930s Sydney. But most exciting of all, my publisher, Pan Macmillan, thinks it’s my best yet and they’ve chosen it as a leading title for next year. I’m thrilled and proud and a bit shocked about that!
Win This Red Earth
I am currently reading This Red Earth and I asked Kim to describe her second novel in her own words.
This Red Earth is a story of love and courage set during WWII. Nyngan boy Gordon Brock is a young geologist whose life is derailed by the brutal Japanese invasion of New Guinea, while his fiancé Sydney beach girl Bernie Cooper ends up in the outback searching for him, and for herself, amid the devastating drought of those war years.
Comment on this post for a chance to win a new copy of This Red Earth, by Kim Kelly. The contest is open to anyone with an Australian address. Entries close at midnight on January 28th. The winner be announced here and on our Facebook and Twitter pages no later than Feb 4th 2013. Continue the Blog Hop for more chances to win. The Blog Hop is over, see who won here.
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I don’t usually read Australian fiction, but this looks very enticing!
There are many Australian authors of various genres worth checking out. Hope you find one you like!
Thanks for dropping by.
My knowledge of Australian authors is minimal so I would like to read this one. Entering with an Aussie address
Welcome and thanks for dropping by. There are so many varied authors – quite a lot are being offered aroun the blog hop. Best of luck!
I lived in Orange and used to travel around the Central West a lot with my work so know most of the areas you mention well. My book Streets on a Map is set in a fictional town of the Central West.
Hi Dale, we are in Lithgow and I know Orange well also. Good to hear from a local (well, once-upon-a-time local!!)
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I love reading books from Australian authors especially when they write about somewhere you know.
Annie, you are absolutely right – I love Gabrielle Lord for that reason. She mentions a lot of places in the Blue Mountains (where I have lived a lot of my life) and the story seems to resonate on a different level.
Thanks for stopping by!
Love discovering Aussie authors, would love to read.
There are some brilliant authors being offered around the blog hop. I wish you luck finding one that impresses you.
Thanks for commenting!
Ooh, would love to read this one. Great interview.
Kathryn, she is a lovely lady in real life as well. We had a great time talking books, publishing and cake (well, of course!!)
It is a fantastic book – best of luck!
Ooh, this does look like a great book – very relevant to me as my grandfather was stationed in PNG for part of WWII. Thank you for a lovely giveaway and very interesting post.
That is awesome – nothing like coming across a book that has more of a connection to us than just words. Thank you for coming by and leaving a lovely post. We appreciate it!
i loved the interview. I would love to read this book.
We had a great time doing the interview – such a lovely lady and we were blown away by her generosity of time (and cake!!)
Thanks for stopping by. Good luck!
I love how it’s being described as a love letter to Australia. Reminds me of Stolen by Lucy Christopher. Intense storyline but with the incredible Australian backdrop.
Thank you for stopping by – and also recommending a book for us. That’s what this is all about – discovering Aussie authors that are just begging to be discovered!
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Thanks for dropping by my blog 🙂
What a great idea to post an Aussie author interview for this hop! love it!
We just wanted to do something just a little different this year – we had a blast doing it. Thank you for stopping by and returning the favour 🙂
I love reading books that are set in real places based on real events, this would be amazing to read.
Her first novel is partly set where we live and based on real events – that’s what got me started. A great read for sure. Thanks for stopping in 🙂
Thank you for a great interview.
I really love reading Australian authors, although I have only really discovered just how many there are hiding out there!
I loved reading Bryce Courtney when I was younger (loved April Fools Day – although it was heartbreaking).
I am so happy to have rediscovered my love of Australian literature. I love the feel of knowing what you are reading about. As I grew up in many Western Australian country towns, I really feel at home with these country town stories.
Happy Australia Day
Karen
Hi Karen,
We agree completely – our bookstore at the moment is draped with Australian flags with lots of display space given to Australian authors. Not enough time is devoted to them – time for that to change.
Thanks for stopping by and have a safe Australia Day!
Came here via the bloghop.
So many books, so little time!
Andrew, I am glad you found some time to stop by. Yes, there are so many books on offer across the blog hop, it is amazing. Good luck!!
This holidays I have made a conscious effort to read Australian authors books. Have not been disappointed only wish is to have more holidays for more books!!
Donna, I have been doing something similar – for the most part, they have been okay. Choosing that next brilliant book gets harder by the day 🙂
Really loved this interview! We Aussie authors are growing in number, but what I like about it is that we all support one another. Happy Australia Day to you and your readers. Best wishes, Noelle.
Thank you very much, Noelle – you are right, the Australian author category is fast becoming one of the well-stocked sections in our shop.
Hope you are having a great Oz Day!
Sounds like a fascinating book! I do love getting to read about all these different Australian authors…
Catherine, this blog hop must have been made with you in mind 🙂
Hope you are having a good day – best of luck with your entries around the place!
Great interview and with a new to me author as well.
Well, then, we have achieved our goal then. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and we hope you have had a great Australia Day!
I have been reading quite a few Australian authors lately and have been enjoying them. In the past I have usually read English authors. The likes of Judy Nunn , Colleen McCullough and Caroline Overington. Now reading Deborah Challinor novels.
There is quite a range of Aussie authors to choose from – just entering the contests on this blog hop gives you a great selection!
Thanks for calling in and commenting!
It’s hard to go past a really atmospheric Aussie book. Looking forward to The Blue Mile, sounds great.
Christy, we are looking forward to it as well. And, as you say, there is nothing quite like an Aussie book with history, setting and language at the heart of it.
I really enjoy historical fiction so look forward to reading this book.
Wendy, there is a great push for this style atm – historical fiction based in Oz is going great guns. Good to see.
Thanks for dropping by!
This sounds fascinating (and great interview). I’m loving discovering so many new-to-me authors by being part of this blog tour.
Wendy, that is so true. Even as booksellers, we are coming across a lot of new names…and writing them all down as we go!
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
This looks like a great Australian read.
Regan, it absolutely is a must read if you love historical fiction with a base in Australia. It is awesome!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Hi Regan. We haven’t heard from you. Please follow the link, watch the video, and contact us so we can send you your book. 🙂 Congrats.
https://areadersheaven.wordpress.com/2014/01/29/2014-australia-day-blog-hop-winnner/
Awesome giveaway please enter me (Australia), thanks
Consider yourself entered! Thanks for stopping by.
The book cover for Red Earth is absoutely stunning. It’s going to stand out in bookstores everywhere. Looks like a fantastic read too. Going to add this one to my TBR pile for sure 🙂
Jess, it looks absolutely stunning on our display stand in the shop. Has been quite popular as well. You won’t be disappointed (having it on your TBR pile!)
Reading the blurb to The Red Earth reminded me a little of A Town Like Alice. Would love to read it one day. Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy. I live in Queensland. 🙂
Sherryl, if you get the chance to read it, I think you will find it has a distinct voice all of its own. But I am sure Kim would be pleased to hear the comparison!
Cheers, thanks for stopping by!
What a great turn out! Thanks so much, A Reader’s Heaven, for including me in the blog hop, and good luck everyone who entered. Here’s to a great year for all Australian authors – and readers! Kim 🙂
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