There’s been a significant change in my working life lately – if you follow me on Twitter you probably already know about it – but for those of you who don’t: I resigned from a 12 year career as a secondary school teacher to embark upon a PhD in Creative Writing. I’ll let you know in due course whether this was genius or foolish! The reason I’m posting about it is two-fold.
Firstly, it’ll mean a slight change to this blog. The focus of my PhD thesis is representations of gender in circus and sideshow literature, which means I’ll be reading lots of novels and non-fiction set in the world of circus entertainment and many books on gender and feminism. It makes sense to me to review these books (the ones written by women at least) as it’ll help with my thought process and bring a slightly different focus to the blog alongside my usual reviews and Sunday’s In the Media round-up. There are two new menu tabs at the top of the page to reflect this.
Secondly, with a bit of encouragement from some blogger friends who also write, I’ve set up a new blog, Sideshow, where I’ll be writing about my experience doing the PhD and writing a book while juggling two part-time jobs and the school run. My first post ‘Why?‘ is up now.
Exciting times! I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with on this theme. The very best of luck, Naomi. Hope all goes well for you.
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Thank you’
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Wishing you all the very best in your new endeavours, Naomi. Looking forward to following your posts!
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Thank you!
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This is fantastic! Definitely genius. Best of luck with it, although I don’t know you well it does seem like a rather perfect choice.
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Thanks, Alice. I hope so!
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What a wonderful development in your life and excellent subject matter! I’ll be really interested to follow your reading and thoughts.
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Thanks, Eric.
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Congratulations on this new step! There must be so many great authors for you to discuss: Sara Gruen, Jane Sullivan, Katherine Dunn, Alice Hoffman, Angela Carter, Sarah Waters… (P.S. I adore Duke Special and have been lucky to see him play four times now.)
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Thank you! *makes notes – not sure I’ve come across Jane Sullivan* Thrilled to find another Duke Special fan too!
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I really enjoyed her book Little People. It has Tom Thumb visiting Australia – interestingly, he’s now the subject of his own novel (Remarkable Courtship of General Tom Thumb).
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Great, thank you. Have ordered Little People.
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Nutter!
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Ha!
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If your reviews are any indication, then I’d go with genius decision. 🙂
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Aw, that’s very kind of you, thank you.
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What a wonderful new dimension — congratulations on the bold new step! Looking forward to all the circus-related reviews.
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Thank you!
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Best wishes on your new endeavour Naomi! It sounds like you’ll have lots of juggling to do – which I guess is quite appropriate…
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Hahaha! Thank you!
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Good luck with this and hope you really enjoy it, sounds exciting. Lindsay x
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Thanks, Lindsay!
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Good luck Naomi
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Thanks, Stu.
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As someone who did all three of her degrees part time while working full-time and looking after her elderly parents I know what discipline this is going to take. I shall be thinking of you and if you ever need to turn to someone who knows what it’s like then just drop me a note on the blog.
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Thank you, that’s very kind of you.
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Your blog looks great best of luck with all the changes in your life
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Thank you!
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Wishing you the very best of luck – looking forward to reading more!
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Thank you!
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