The end of the year is nigh and reflection time is upon us. And what a year it‘s been: books got published, festivals came and went, and awards were won. So as we wind up for the year, let us share some highlights, but first up a special offer: all Spinifex books ordered via email or phone will receive a merry 10% discount up until December 22. So place your Xmas/summer orders now!

AWARDS WRAP

Several Spinifex authors received or were nominated for prestigious awards in 2010. Dr Vandana Shiva won the 2010 Sydney Peace Prize for her courageous leadership in social justice, empowerment of women in developing countries, advocacy for the human rights of small farming communities and for preserving and promoting biodiversity. Lesley Thomson won the 2009 People's Book Prize for A Kind of Vanishing. Susan Hawthorne's poetry collection Earth's Breath was shortlisted for the Judith Wright Prize in the ACT Book of the Year Awards. Patricia Sykes was shortlisted again for the prestigious Newcastle Poetry Prize, which she won in 2009. And Lara Fergus' debut novel My Sister Chaos has been listed in Readings Books & Music Best Fiction of 2010!

EVENTS WRAP

Highlights in 2010 included two of our international authors visiting Australia. Fethiye Çetin, author of My Grandmother visited Melbourne and Sydney, and participated in a number of literary and community events. Her visit tied in with the Melbourne Writers Festival where Fethiye received a wonderful response from crowds and her memoir was listed among the festival bestsellers!

Last month, Dr Vandana Shiva visited Sydney to receive the 2010 Sydney Peace Prize. She went on to give an inspiring lecture titled Making Peace with the Earth to a sell-out crowd at the Sydney Opera House. And in Melbourne Vandana was greeted once again by a full-house, where she again gave an inspiriting talk on the politics of seed saving and the value of water, not just as a commodity but of cultural and spiritual significance.

MEDIA WRAP

Our 2010 releases received some impressive media exposure:

Gail Dines, author of Pornland on Lateline and an excellent article in The Age; Marie-Monique Robin, author of The World According to Monsanto on ABC RN Bush Telegraph and an extract in The Age; Lara Fergus, author of My Sister Chaos on ABC RN Life Matters and ABC RN  The Book Show; Kathleen Barry, author of Unmaking War Remaking Men on ABC Radio National Late Night Live and a review in Overland; Fethiye Cetin, author of My Grandmother on ABC RN Saturday Extra and profiled in The Weekend Australian; and Maria Mies, author of The Village and the World on ABC RN Late Night Live.

BLOG HIGHLIGHTS

The Spini team covered some timely topics throughout 2010. Here are some highlights:

Nikki Anderson discusses current worldwide bids to ban the burqa and the realities of this divisive issue.

Susan Hawthorne comments on Julia Gillard's takeover as PM.

Kate Page writes on the disappointing views of Julia G on Gay marriage and wonders how much nuptial equality and inclusion we can really take.

Susan Hawthorne entered the Twilight zone with Bella and Edward and was unconvinced by what she saw.

STAY IN TOUCH

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Season’s Greeting and wishing you a safe and happy holiday.