Interview on Radio National's 'All in the Mind'

In September I was interviewed on Radio National for the show 'All in the Mind' hosted by Natasha Mitchell. The interview itself was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. We covered my book, Diary of a Schizophrenic, my PhD and my life with schizophrenia. It felt such a relief to finally have my battle with schizophrenia contribute in a substantial way to the public debate regarding the condition. One of the reasons I chose to pursue schizophrenia as a topic for my PhD was to help change public perceptions about the condition, and to help loosen the stigma that surrounds it.

I thought the show was very professionally put together. I had some music I selected (some Phillip Glass and Arvo Part) played to accompany some of the readings. I read from my diary, read a few poems, and delved into the philosophical intricacies of my PhD research.

It makes the long journey of the PhD seem utterly worth it, to have it enter the public domain, and hopefully make a difference.

You can download the interview, and see a few posted comments from listeners, on the ABC Radio National website:

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/allinthemind/stories/2010/3011065.htm

I believe the interview may also be available as free download on itunes.

I hope now to turn this public exposure into the potential to help effect real change in perceptions of psychosis.

Victorian Premiers Literary Awards Dinner

Last week my wife and I attended the Victorian Premiers Literary Awards Dinner. My wife was convening judge for the Young Adult Fiction Prize. This is the second year we have attended, and a very enjoyable evening was had. The food was exquisite, the company very personable, and the presentations themselves were a real hoot. Each short list was performed as a musical comedy piece, which entertained the crowd no end. The speeches themselves by the winning authors were on the whole short, amusing, moving and at times inspiring. To see awards going to unpublished manuscripts, and seeing the look of utmost excitement on the winning authors face was quite a treat, and well worth being in attendance.

There were some real poignant, clever and biting speeches which gave a real insight into the minds of the winning authors. Awards such as these real change lives. One sentiment stuck in my mind. It went something like, 'its not the money or the fame which are important for awards such as these, but the opportunity to write one more book'.

Congratulations to all the winners, and looking forward to reading about those next books.