Home
Welcome to my website...
Here you can find out about me, my writing, any books I have for sale and news about writers and writing in Bass Coast.
This Home Page is a also source of information about Bass Coast writers and writing events, and forthcoming opportunities for writers. Feel free to contact me with any news or events you would like shared here!
Meanwhile, scroll down to see the latest offerings...
My books for sale
Available from Turn the Page Bookshop, 40A Thompson Ave, Cowes VIC 3922. Phone (03) 5952 1444
Minibeasts of Phillip Island Millowl insects, spiders, molluscs and crustaceans. $19.99 Aus
Still some copies left with me at home. The Lost Blanket - children's picture story book, paperback, 10"x10". Themes of wildlife, animal behavior, telling the time in morning, afternoon, evening and night - digital and clock face, friendship and family. Yes, it has a happy ending ! $19.99 Contact me via
I also have a number of free history books available for download on the websites of Phillip Island & District Historical Society and Phillip Island Conservation Society. See the Books and Sales page for details.
Fantastic to see an Inverloch book featured in the winners
at this year's Victorian Community History Awards!
Wallace Avenue Community Park Inverloch
By J. M. Anderson
Winner of the Collaborative Community History Award ($2000)
The inspiring true story about how a community came together to save and develop a public park. Congratulations to Ms Anderson for this highly prestigious win. We Bass Coast residents are all keen to get hold of a copy and see how you tackled writing about how the community came together to save this humble patch of grass and create a really special place.
On reader describes Ms Anderson's writing as: "J. M. Anderson you are a good writer! Your writing is always easy reading, conveying the locations, facts, and people beautifully. How could a recount of the events of the making of a park bring a tear? It did."
Clearly the Victorian Community History Award judges agreed! You can buy the book locally or go here: https://www.jmandersonpublications.com/about-2
You can read editor Catherine Watson's article about Judy Anderson in her article "Double for Inverloch Writer" in the Bass Coast Post just out now: https://www.basscoastpost.com/arts/double-for-inverloch-writer
March 2025 session of Island Silent Writers
Second Wednesday each month 2025.
Organised by Sandi, a well-published crime writer, this month I joined another three writers - Peter, Sandi and Eleanor - around the table in the local history reference section of the Phillip Island Library near the Phillip island & District Historical Society's small museum exhibition space within the Berninneit building. After 10 minutes discussion of the writing we were all working on, and the context of how we came to be working on it, we worked quietly away from 10.15 am until midday. Peter and I did interrupt our silent writing to discuss his logistics problem filing his many resources and currently over 100,000 words worth into folders on his laptop.
Our writing ranged from sports psychology, maritime history, crime fiction and whimsical natural history poetry!
It was a really good writing experience, and so I encourage anyone who could do with 2 hours of really focused writing work, picking up positive vibes from other writers doing likewise, to go along and join whoever turns up on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. See the Island Silent Writers information panel further on here. Here are the Island Silent Writers from the March get together: l-r Peter, Sandi, Eleanor and me.
My latest Bass Coast Post blog essay
In the light of massive cuts to a huge range of government-funded programs in the US, I became concerned at the ramifications of this for Australia, as well as the rest of the world. As someone whose downtime reading is often medical research articles, I spend a lot of time reading articles on the National Centre for Biotechnology Information website here: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
The NCBI hosts massive amounts of medical research from around the world on every conceivable medical and health subject, going back decades as well as current published research articles. Since Pub Med is accessible through NCBI, which in turn is funded by the now-gutted National Institute of Health, and is widely used by medical practitioners around the world, I was fearful when the Pub Med website went down for a day recently. Was this the sign of things to come for NCBI?
My article poses the questions: Will NCBI survive as an open source? How will medical professionals, researchers and patients like me get access to this wealth of information without it? And more deeply, with a federal election in Australia coming within the next few months, will our government also start cutting programs that benefit the community? I emphasise the need for constituents to ask all candidates in Monash the hard questions about what they think needs to be cut, and to investigate if services they are accessing are government funded, and possibly at risk.
You can read the article - which the BCP editor Catherine Watson titled - here: https://www.basscoastpost.com/christine-grayden/return-to-the-dark-ages
Author talk at Inverloch library:
Saturday, April 12
Author Talk - Lorraine de Kleuver at Inverloch Library, then
Saturday, May 3 at Waterline Library.
The Reluctant Deckhand
"Persist, even when the odds are against you. That’s the motto of Lorraine de Kleuver’s new book. The Reluctant Deckhand is a true story based on the author’s experiences sailing with her husband. From gradually overcoming her fears and seasickness to gaining more confidence in assisting Commodore through the harsher elements, these sea tales are eye-opening; good safety practices are essential to a good sail, making it out and home again. When her husband (Commodore) is let down by those who would help him sail his new yacht from Queensland to Melbourne, Lorraine does not want the onus to fall on her shoulders. The Reluctant Deckhand celebrates the beauty and ruggedness of a sail and the essential work Australian coastguards do as they patrol the coastline."
Just the ticket for a coastal area. Free event. For more info and to book, go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-talk-lorraine-de-kleuver-at-inverloch-library-tickets-1266673948879?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1
Lorraine will also be presenting her author talk at Waterline Library unit 3/1524 Bass Hwy on Saturday 3 May, 10.30-11.30 a.m. Free event. To find out more go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-talk-lorraine-de-kleuver-at-waterline-library-tickets-1258967538799?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1
Do you suffer from anxiety?
Over the last few years I have compiled over 30 cost-free, drug-free, DIY anxiety-lowering strategies. Of course this is not medical advice. It's strategies I and many of my associates have used - so they're tried and tested. Although I've not had time to turn this into a 'proper' book, I am happy to send you a free pdf copy if you think you or someone you know may benefit. You can contact me via email: info@christinegrayden.com.au
Here's a couple of snipped images of the TOC
Advance Notice for Nature Book Week in October!
Are you a writer who has a nature book just out, or in the pipeline?
Or maybe you know about Nature Book Week and are planning an event?
Either way, the Wilderness Society would love to hear from you if you would like to participate in their annual Nature Book Week, running from Saturday 11 October until Sunday 19 October. Here's the information from them:
"We're so excited to be back planning the Wilderness Society’s annual, all-ages program of nature-themed storytelling events in 2025.
While many of you will be planning your programs for the year, I hope you consider including a Nature Book Week event—or series of events!—which we’d be delighted to help promote once the details are finalised. 💚📚
And if you know any libraries, schools, bookshops or individuals who might also be interested in celebrating Nature Book Week, email me at nbw@wilderness.org.au! "
Or visit the website page here: https://www.wilderness.org.au/environment-award-for-childrens-literature/nature-book-week?utm_source=breaking-news&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=naturebookweek
You can sign up there to be kept up to date via email.
They will be in touch again later in the year with more nature-themed event inspiration and resources.🌿 I'll keep you up to date here.
Is there a collective noun for Poets?
Here's an opportunity for a lovely regular gathering of poets at Wonthaggi Library
.jpg.webp)
Writer Support Group @ Inverloch Library
Next session Friday March 28, 2.30 - 3.00 pm
A writers support group hosted on the last Friday of every month by Inverloch Library.
"Meet with like-minded authors and creatives to discuss your writing, any issues or blockages and gain support from other authors on the last Friday of every month at Inverloch Library. Note: this is not a writing group and no writing prompts are given, this is a group for support and discussion surrounding the topic."
To register go here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/writers-support-group-inverloch-library-tickets-1095709910839?aff=odcleoeventsincollection&keep_tld=1
AND...designed to get your to really focus in on your writing project - twice per month and free at Phillip Island library, Berninneit, Cowes:
Phillip Island Library has allocated a regular time and space each month for writers to get energy from each other in a quiet space, while working on their
writing projects!
This regular silent practice may just be the impetus you need to really get stuck into writing your novel, or poetry anthology, blog posts, or even your dissertation.
Next session: Wednesday, April 9, 10 a.m. - 12 midday
Every second Wednesday, 10 a.m. until 12 midday. Inside Berninneit (cultural centre) 91-97 Thompson Avenue Cowes, VIC 3922
Myli says: "Come along to Phillip Island Library to join the The Island Silent Writers - a group dedicated to providing a space for all writers to be encouraged in your writing discipline. This will run every month on the second Wednesday at 10am -12pm
This is a space perfect for writers of any project or any stage of the writing journey. Bring your laptop, notebook or writing device and immerse yourself in a silent writing session surrounded by fellow writers.
There will be opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals for the first 15 minutes and then the next one hour and forty five minutes is for you to dedicate yourself to your writing practice, each writer working independently in company.
There is no need to book for this event but if you would like an email reminder please register for a ticket".
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/the-island-silent-writers-phillip-island-library-tickets-927611620327?aff=odcleoeventsincollection
Local Community Writers Groups
The Bass Coast Writers was founded in 2003 to support local writers, foster literary creativity, and to promote learning through friendly discussion and ad hoc writing exercises during the weekly meetings.
At the weekly meetings members are presented with a theme or prompt which forms the basis of the writing to be shared at the following meeting. The writing can be a story, an essay, a poem, an anecdote, a memory, an article or any other form. The diversity of interpretations of the theme is always a pleasant surprise. Members’ writings can inform, draw smiles, laughter or tears, inspire, encourage and spark discussion. It is a fun group to which new members of all writing style and capabilities are welcome.
The periodic production of an anthology, the first of which was published in 2003, encourages members through the publication of their work.
After the meetings, all members are invited to gather at a local café for a social get together.
Meetings are held on Thursdays from 1pm to 3pm, February to Mid-December, at the Inverloch Community House, Inverloch Hub, 16 A’Beckett Street, Inverloch. For further details contact Gayle Marien on gayleb@ozemail.com.au or the Inverloch Community House on 5674 2444 or office-ichi@dcsi.net.au
Phone them if you would like to go along and participate:
Ibis Writers meet at the Education Room at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum, Newhaven Phillip Island Millowl.
Phone Jane: 0498 064 248.
Their meeting dates for 2025 are:
April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7, November 11, December 2.
To give you a taste of what Ibis Writers are working on, here's a report from their meeting in November 2024:
"John: Two readings. One, a piece on Australian History - Adventure Bay, on Bruny Island and early Dutch explorers. And second, a new instalment in Caz’ travails, this time she finds peace, perhaps, on the Murray River.
Robbo: on the meaning of life, in a few succint pages.
Lorry: vivid recollections and acute observations of fellow passengers on a slow tourist train trip around regional Victoria.
Steve: further progress, of a sort, of Australia’s newest undersea drone, and potential rival to AUKUS, in it’s sea trials."
Creative writers are welcome to join Ibis, which meets on the first Tuesday of the month (apart from January) at 1pm at the National Vietnam Veterans Museum in Newhaven. Some enjoy lunch at the museum’s Nui Dat Café beforehand. Ring Jane on 0498064248 for more information.