Author: Barry Lee Thompson

My first collection of fiction, Broken Rules and Other Stories, is published by Transit Lounge (September 2020). It's supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, and by a fellowship from Varuna, the National Writers' House. I'm currently writing my second book, supported by Regional Arts Victoria and Creative Victoria. Web: https://barryleethompson.com/
microfiction10 Comments

Carpet of camellias

Barry Lee Thompson

Late autumn in Melbourne. The nights have well and truly drawn in, and at the moment the sun sets close to 5.30pm. Last week I noticed the camellia tree had a number of new flower buds, after months of bareness, clusters of tightly packed pinkness which overnight blossomed into beautiful large flowers, petals the colour of raspberry soda. A day later, many of the blooms had fallen to the ground, so I was greeted with a carpet of flowers one chilly morning, covering the path like a celebration, or as if a very important guest were awaited. Continue reading Carpet of camellias

Afterdark, Elwood Writers4 Comments

Reblog: What I’m working on

Barry Lee Thompson

Earlier this month I published a blog post for Elwood Writers about the main thing I’m writing at the moment – the post can be found on the group’s website, via the link above. While you’re over at elwoodwriters.com, have a wander round, see if anything else takes your fancy. There’s plenty to dip into. Happy reading, and have a safe and peaceful weekend. Continue reading Reblog: What I’m working on

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Podcast: Cover to Cover, episode 510

Barry Lee Thompson

I forgot to reblog this Elwood Writers blog-post containing the podcast and audio file for episode 510 of Cover to Cover from Vision Australia Radio. Better late than never – fortunately there’s no use-by or best-before date on these things. The program was broadcast on Friday 2 February and features work by Elwood Writers from the latest edition of 20 Artists magazine (20 Artists), as well as a re-broadcast of my short-story ‘Gray’ from Broken Rules and Other Stories (Transit Lounge), with a new introduction read by me. And more … Cover To Cover is produced and presented by Tim McQueen, … Continue reading Podcast: Cover to Cover, episode 510

Broken Rules and Other Stories, Elwood Writers, radio2 Comments

Radio times

Barry Lee Thompson

I visited the Vision Australia Radio studios with fellow Elwood Writer Margaret McCaffrey on 11 January to record material for a forthcoming edition of Cover to Cover, to be broadcast on Friday 2 February at 8:00PM (AEDT), repeated Sunday 4 February at 1:00PM (AEDT). The program’s lineup includes three pieces by Elwood Writers published in the latest edition of 20 Artists magazine: Margaret’s ‘A Pocket Handkerchief at the Edge of the World’, Helen McDonald’s poem ‘Behind the Mask’, and my ‘Portrait’. Also included, a rebroadcast of Tim McQueen’s 2020 reading of my short story ‘Gray’ from Broken Rules and Other Stories (Transit … Continue reading Radio times

Broken Rules and Other Stories, the story behind the story7 Comments

The story behind ‘Gray’

Barry Lee Thompson

‘Gray’ – the fifth story in Broken Rules and Other Stories (Transit Lounge, 2020) – tells the tale of an empathetic sex-worker and a new client, an elderly man whose financial circumstances preclude any further appointments. Once their session is over, instead of leaving, the worker accompanies the elderly man to the local park, where they spend time talking and enjoying coffee and ice-cream. Here’s a situation where time is money, but the younger man wants no additional payment, and simply enjoys the company of the other, despite occasional flashes of crankiness. A while ago I heard a sex-worker being … Continue reading The story behind ‘Gray’