Sam van Zweden is a 25 year old freelance writer, based in Melbourne. She reviews books for The Big Issue, Readings Monthly, and has interned for the Emerging Writers’ Festival 2012. She was an official Emerging Blogger for the Melbourne Writers’ Festival in 2012, and a blogging partner of Overland Poetry Festival in 2010 and 2011. She has recently completed a BA (Creative Writing) at RMIT, and plans to move to post graduate study in 2014.
She is currently a program intern for the Melbourne Writers Festival, and social media coordinator for Kill Your Darlings.
Melbourne’s literature scene is alive and kicking, and this blog follows Sam’s stumbling around that labyrinthine dream.
Keep in touch via:
If you’re interested in having me review your book or cover your event, or just want to drop me a line, I can also be emailed at samantha.vanzweden@gmail.com Books, gifts and bribes welcome to PO Box 457, Kew, Vic. 3101. If you send an unsolicited book, no guarantees it will be reviewed, but it’s worth a shot.
Twitter Feed
- The 'food' argument about Twitter is silly. It's MOST interesting, most personal. This point 2 yrs ago in Melbourne room w @philipthiel too. 1 minute ago
- Approach the spiritual... even if you're not spiritual. - Walter Mason. #ewf13 4 minutes ago
- When writing the personal, include the outside world- stop it becoming too personal - Walter Mason. #ewf13 6 minutes ago
- Hell. First accidental tweet from wrong account. Saved quickly, but did have a heart attack. 24 minutes ago
- @marymasters I'm in! 3 hours ago
Like Little Girl With a Big Pen on Facebook!
I admire your blog, and your passion for writting.
why thankyou! Always like to know I have someone coming back for more!
Well I’m hooked, keep up the good work
Hi, Sam, and thank you… A lot of interesting posts here, and your evident spark for the matter you write about makes reading them a pleasure. I’ll certainly be stopping by again.
All the best,
- Stevie -
Glad you’ve been coming back; always nice to have return customers!
miss u sam :*
Hey! I emailed you a while ago, but I never heard back! Are you well?
Hi Sam, I have been wondering how you manage to blog so often amoungst all the other day-to-day tasks?
Hey there… Generally blog in the morning or at night. Do a lot of thinking about it in between – so that when I sit down to blog it’s pretty much written anyway.
Thanks so much for the write up you did on CPJ a couple of months ago, Sam! Sorry to be so slow on the uptake! Looking forward to seeing you at Noise Bar on Wednesday
x
No worries, Bronwyn! Hopefully I can make it down on Wednesday, really looking forward to it! Last year’s Overload final was the best slam I’ve been to, absolutely electric. Can’t wait
Hey Sam,
Could not find an email address on here for you. Would you be able to drop me an email at bronwyn.gds@gmail.com when you get a chance?
Thanks heaps,
Bronwyn
Love your blog and title! I actually found it searching for writer’s tattoos… and the fountain pen image on one of your posts is absolutely perfect! How did you get published in so many things?!
Hi Jennifermarie – thanks for the kind words.
The fountain pen image is great, isn’t it? It was designed by a friend who is a games designer, Jeremy Kool. I’ve got it on my right bicep – nice to know that I’ve got something original which nobody else has. Unless they’ve copied it off here…
As for publication… It’s been a lot about persistence. I got many rejection letters before being published, and they’re still rolling in. I don’t let that stop me. Also, Melbourne’s an amazing place to live in terms of getting published. As a UNESCO City of Literature we have endless opportunities here.
Hope to hear more of you on here, I’m about to go check out your blog now.
S
I figured you had the tattoo customized after all my searching for the image! I tried looking for it everywhere… I was actually trying to create my own version of the tattoo and include my initials in the design that went around the fountain pen.
I admire you for your persistence. I know rejection letters aren’t the greatest to receive, but persistence is a good thing!
Love this blog, and your passion for literature and writing! Will definitely be checking back here in the future!
Also immensely jealous that you live in Melbourne. I live about an hour north of Sydney, and only visited Melbourne for the first time (well, as an adult) a few months ago, and fell in love with the place instantly. It’s a beautiful city, so vibrant and alive, I felt inspired just being there. Living there one day is definitely on the cards…
Thanks so much! I’ve just checked out your blog too, looking forward to keeping up with your future posts!
Do come to Melbourne, it’s pretty fantastic.
I just nominated you for the most inspirational blogger award
.
Sorry, I forgot to tell you where to check it out. Sigh. Go here to read about it: http://writersite.org/2012/12/08/from-the-cat-choir/.
I’ve nominated you for the Tell me About Yourself Award! No pressure to participate or anything but it’s just a little something that helps yourself and other bloggers to get noticed! For more info about awards check out http://kristydefehr.wordpress.com/2013/01/09/tell-me-about-yourself-award/
Hi Kristy,
Thanks so much! I’ll check it out.
S