Susanne Gervay’s award winning stories have been recognized by the University of Canberra, Society of Women Writers, Southerly, Mattoid, Quadrant, Westerly, Voices (Australian National Library), Hermes and numerous literary university publications and included in the acclaimed Indian-Australian anthologies – Fear Factor: Terror Incognito; Alien Shores; Only Connect; Glass Walls. Her works are included in numerous anthologies globally.
Who are these editors?
Indian-Australian Anthologies – Meenakshi Bharat & Sharon Rundle
Publisher: Orient Black Swan India
Publisher: Orient Black Swan India
Overview
In a visionary new venture of literary collaboration, two writers, one a professor from the University of Delhi and one, an academic from the University of Technology Sydney, collaborated as editors in an anthology opening communication, creative and intellectual dialogue between India and Australia. Since then it has become a bi-annual anthology exciting reviews, discussions, academic and social debate on the issues of our time – terrorism, refugees, technology.
Meenakshi Bharat, University of Delhi, is a writer, translator, reviewer and critic. Some of her published books are: The Ultimate Colony: The Child in Postcolonial Fiction; Rushdie the Novelist; and three volumes of Indo-Australian short fiction entitled Fear Factor: Terror Incognito and Alien Shores: Tales of Refugees and Asylum Seekers;Only Connect.
Sharon Rundle is Chair of the University of Technology Sydney Writers’ Alumni; has served on the Board of Directors of the NSW Writers’ Centre; and is a founding member of Asia Pacific Writers and Translators. She coedited Alien Shores, Fear Factor, Only Connect and Glass Walls.
- 2010 – ‘Fear factor Terror Incognito’
- 2012 – ‘Alien Shores’
- 2015 – ‘Only Connect’
- 2019 – ‘Glass Walls’
Celebrations
Susanne Gervay was inspired by these two remarkable women and their literary vision. She travelled with them on their journey, as a short story writer, colleague, University of Technology Sydney Alumni, speaker in both India and Australia.
As part of these anthologies, Susanne Gervay was invited to speak at Delhi University. She also with Meenakshi Bharat and Sharon Rundle spoke about Fear Factor: Terror Incognito in GOA at the Australian Indian Australian Studies – an extraordinary conference of friendship and intellectual debate with academics and writers from all over India and Australia.
David Malouf, Booker Prize winner, acclaimed poet and novelist Rosie Scott, journalist, writer and ABC radio presenter Sunil Badami, acclaimed indigenous author Anita Heiss are among the contributors.
Literary Short Stories
Interview of Susanne Gervay by Editor: B&L: Can you tell us a little about how you got started as a writer?
I’ve always written. However becoming a published writer was a different journey. When my beloved father died, I began writing stories for him. I wanted them published so that his legacy would continue beyond the grave. I spent hours in my local library reading the literary journals to see where I could send these stories. I joined the NSW Writers Centre and Fellowship of Australian Writers, formed my own writing critique group. Becoming a published writer started. My stories eventually were published in literary journals such as Southerly, Westerly, Quadrant, Mattoid and others. I won my first prize from the Society of Women Writers for ‘The Baby is Sweet’ which was published in the Sydney University journal ‘Southerly’ and other short story awards.
How do you write a great short story?
“Put your bum on that seat and write.” says Eoin Colfer great international best-selling author of Artemis Fowl who’s sold many millions of books who is also author of the 1st great short story in the Dr Who 50th Anniversary E-Shorts series:-
Eleven Doctors, eleven months, eleven stories: a year-long celebration of Doctor Who!
The most exciting names in children’s fiction each create their own unique adventure about the time-travelling Time Lord. Eoin Colfer has the first story in this 50th anniversary edition of Doctor Who.
Here is Eoin being interviewed by Susanne Gervay when he was on his Australian tour at Sydney Harbour.
Susanne loves writing short stories
What makes a short story?
There needs to be an idea, strong themes, significant characters, the challenge, conflict and that satisfying end which can be good, bad, or in between.
What is the driving force in Susanne’s short stories?
It’s called heart – wanting to explore the world with young people.
Why are short stories great to read?
Well written short stories are like a delicious small meal. You read, digest, enjoy, think and re-think about what the short story is about and the ideas in it. Then you’re ready to get on with other things.
A novel is more like a banquet – it can take all day to eat and digest. There’s second and third courses that you can spread out over days and weeks and even longer.
Both are great, but a short story is so delicious and very quick.
Writing for great causes
Authors are often asked to contribute a short story to an anthology for a good cause.
Susanne together with wonderful authors and illustrations such as Shaun Tan, James Roy, Andy Griffiths, Terry Denton, James Maloney, Sally Rippin, Meredith Costain, Barry Jonsworth, Janeen Brian, Frane Lessac … and so many more … have contributed to anthologies for great causes including:-
Peace Story published edited by published Siobhan Parkinson and Valerie Coghlan by Nami Books South Korea, (ISBN 978 89 91591 46 2) to support International Books for Young People IBBY under the auspices of the United Nations.
Inside Peace STORY
Short and Scary published by Black Dog Books, edited by Karen Tayleur published by Black Dog Books ISBN (9781 7420 31330) to support Big Brothers, Big Sisters Charity.
Reaching Out; messages of hope edited by Mariah Kennedy published by HarperCollins (ISBN 9780733 331 923) to raise awareness and funds for UNICEF Australia.
Short edited by Lili Wilkinson published by Black Dog Books to (ISBN 9781742030340) in support of youth mentoring programs.
Lunar Rose – short story by Susanne Gervay in Short and Scary
MOSAIC
An online mosaic of Indian-Australian stories.
- Launched by His Excellency the Australian High Commissioner to India Mr Barry O’Farrell AO
- Introduction by the Consul-General of India in Sydney, Mr Manish Gupta
- Stories from Indian, Australian and writers from the sub continent.
The stories have been compiled and edited by Dr Sharon Rundle and Indranil Halder while the web creator and editor is Helen Whitehead.
