Sara Hardy Writes

As the fires rampage across Australia, all good Ozzies are chipping in. There are numerous funds to contribute to - and money rather than goods is what is needed now. My choice of fund was Bushfire Appeals run by Bendigo Bank, Victoria.* This recommendation comes via Virginia Trioli's Mornings program on ABC Radio, which is giving regular, informed updates. (Beware, there are scams out there.) Meanwhile, Authors, Artists and their associates are contributing 'in-kind' (because hey, artists don't earn much) via Twitter at #AuthorsForFireys. I have not 'embraced' Twitter as yet, but for those who enjoy that medium there are offers galore to the highest bidders. Rare books, feedback on manuscripts, signed copies given personally over coffee, original book illustrations - and a great deal more. Call me biased, but I am impressed with my Literary Agent, Martin Shaw's generous egalitarian offer which eschews bidding altogether - he offers you feedback on your sy...

To welcome the new year I celebrate the artistry of two women: film maker Celine Sciamma and author Bernadine Evaristo - and their recent creations. Celine Sciamma has created a wonderful, brilliant film called Portrait of a Lady on Fire featuring Adele Haenel and Noemie Merlant (as seen above) in the lead roles. I love this film so much I don't want to even describe it - simply recommend it! - and leave it to Sciamma to explain. She says the film is about reclaiming the female [historical, lesbian] narrative 'the goal ... was really to give back to these women their hearts, their bodies and their minds.' The film   moves very slowly and lushly, and cleverly, and the end is to be savoured, and savoured. Bernardine Evaristo's co-Booker Prize winning novel  Girl, Woman, Other is equally wonderful and delightfully challenging to the reader in a multi-layered playful thoughtful way. Evaristo is an author I did not know, but now must read her seven or so previous novel...