Who writes like who?

Have you read all the books by your favourite author? Would you like to discover another author similar to your favourite?

 Joondalup Library has a database called “Who Writes Like Who?” which tells you authors similar to your favourite. It’s a great idea, and has some good suggestions; but it is not yet comprehensive. Let’s hope it grows!

When I tried it, I got results for:
- Peter Carey
- John Grisham
- James Joyce

I didn’t get results for:
- Dan Brown (!)
- Helen Fielding
- Ian McEwan
- John Updike
-  Tim Winton

Another resource to try is the old fashioned book version – Who else writes like? – your public library probably has a copy behind its reference desk, and it is quite comprehensive.

Rentable Music Studio at SLWA

Did you know that there is a music studio available for hire at your State Library?

The room is soundproofed and equiped with an upright Yamaha piano, music stand and stool.If you want to try out any of our loanable sheet music you can have a five minute dabble for free. Longer sessions will cost you $3.30 for 15 mins, $5.50 for 30 mins or $9.90 for an hour.The Music Studio is available from 9am to 8pm Monday to Thursday; 9am to 5.15pm Friday; and 10am to 5.15pm Saturday and Sunday.You can book in advance by calling 9427 3242 or just head to the Second Floor Reference Desk to see if it’s free.

Miles Franklin 2007 shortlist – two WA authors

Organisers have announced the shortlist for the 2007 Miles Franklin Award.

Theft: A Love Story by Peter Carey
Dreams of Speaking by Gail Jones
Careless by Deborah Robertson
Carpentaria by Alexis Wright

Two of the four authors are from Western Australia – Gail Jones and Deborah Robertson. Gail was previously shortlisted in 2005 for Sixty Lights. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Gail and Deborah are currently touring regional Tasmania with Alexis Wright.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/books/miles-franklin-shortlist-announced/2007/04/19/1176696979543.html

UPDATE: The Sydney Morning Herald then ran a follow-up piece the next day, in which Deborah comments that so many good writers come from Western Australia because there’s nothing else to do and there’s less cultural noise.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/books/westerners-have-the-write-stuff/2007/04/19/1176696997384.html

(‘Write stuff’ is surely the most overused newspaper headline about writers; I’ve seen it used at least ten times.)