Author Description

In the March edition of Meanjin, Lorin Clarke investigates whether the Melbourne International Comedy Festival is as funny as it could be, Kate Holden considers the relationship between sex work and feminism, Laurie Steed tells us why YouTube is no longer the bad arse of the digital world and Ben O'Mara hangs out with Billie-Anne Baird, one of the few female drivers on Victoria's drifting circuit. On the body and mind, Bob Charles takes us deep into the hurricane that is his daily struggle with anxiety and depression, Jacinda Woodhead casts a frank eye over the difficult territory of abortion, Mischa Merz fights her way into a late-blooming boxing career and Colin Nettelbeck is forced by a broken kneecap to find zen in stillness. In other essays, Mandy Brett breaks the circle of silence surrounding the work of fiction editors, Melissa Bellanta looks at the showmanship and black humour behind Victorian Spiritualism, Kristel Thornell immerses herself in the ritual of vintage, Duncan Reid asks whether Bernhard Schlink should feel guilty, Morris Lurie writes on not writing and last, but not least, former Meanjin editor Jim Davidson wraps up our 70th birthday celebrations with his essay on literary journals and cultural change. Sophie Cunningham talks to author Rupert Thomson about the pathology of constant travel while, in memoir, Bryony Cosgrove finds that a battle with breast cancer leaves her with an aversion to pink, Sonya Voumard recalls her teenage self as provocateur during an interview with Jennifer Byrne and Angelina Mirabito compares the world of bay-side Chelsea, where she grew up, to the hallowed grounds of Parkville. We include new fiction by Michelle Murray, Melissa Beit, Ryan O'Neill, Linden Hyatt and Miriam Sved, as well as poetry by Bruce Dawe, Michael Farrell, Mran-Maree Laing, Cassandra O'Loughlin and many talented others.