NEWS DESK
Life experience behind author’s fiction Liz Bell liz@mpnews.com.au MERRICKS author Megan Rogers is not wasting time when it comes to telling stories, having signed a twobook deal for her novel The Anatomy of Tears. Rogers’ book is about Simone Wells, a psychologist who specialises in the language of pain, and whose own life falls apart due to her own pain. Wells escapes by taking a job in a country town needing a pain specialist, where she learns the stories of the locals, and realises there is more than one mystery to be solved. At the same time Wells questions herself and fears she is far from the woman for the job. Like much of Rogers’ other writing, the book has its roots in feminine empowerment as it explores the ways in which pain makes us human and how beautiful life can be even when it seems broken. Life is too beautiful to waste time. The Anatomy of Tears is a timely exploration of the relationship between loneliness and pain, and about how joy can be found in the most unlikely of places. As a woman in her 40s who has straddled work life and parenthood, and having been confronted by pain and grief, Rogers draws on lived experience to give her characters emotional depth. “My dad became unwell with dementia and passed away not long ago, and it really made me realise that we
Real life fiction: Megan Rogers writes about pain and loneliness, strong women and personal triumph. Picture: Gary Sissons
need to follow our dreams and look at how we use our time,” she said. “I wanted to take the advice I give me daughter: life is short.” Rogers’ other recent book The Heart is a Star was number four in
Are we ageing well? Join us at this year’s Positive Ageing on the Peninsula – Community Conversations to share your thoughts on ageing well, connect with like-minded people and learn what programs and supports are available. If you’re aged over 55, a caregiver, support worker, service provider, community group or involved with older persons in any way, we invite you to attend! • Hastings Wed 8 Nov, 10am – 1pm Hastings Community Hub • Rye Mon 13 Nov, 10am – 1pm Rye Civic Hall • Mornington Wed 15 Nov, 10am – 1pm Peninsula Community Theatre
Free lunch included. Transport available if needed. Book your free tickets over the phone or online: mornpen.vic.gov.au/positiveageingconversations 5950 1695
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Western Port News
25 October 2023
Australian fiction in the week of its release and has sold more than 10,000 copies to date. The book won her a raft of fans and is one of the bestselling Australian debut novels in 2023. Its protagonist is also a strong but
exhausted female, Layla Byrnes, who is juggling a demanding job as an anaesthetist, a disintegrating marriage, her young children, and a needy lover. Most particularly, she's managing her histrionically unstable
mother, who repeatedly threatens to kill herself. Rogers says her latest book The Anatomy of Tears was an idea that took hold of her heart a long time ago . “I'm incredibly excited to bring it to life, especially at a time when pain and loneliness are such important and relevant issues in so many people's lives,” she said. “I'm also looking forward to exploring the ways in which community, connection and long-held wisdom can be a kind of medicine.” The Anatomy of Tears will be published under the Fourth Estate imprint by HarperCollins in late 2025. Rogers began her working life as an editorial assistant at Allen & Unwin, before moving to the State Library of Victoria, in marketing. In 2014 she finished a PhD in creative writing at RMIT, which resulted in the book, Finding the Plot, A Maternal Approach to Madness in Literature published by feminist publisher Demeter Press. She also has a Bachelor of Arts/Science (Monash), a Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing (RMIT), a Graduate Diploma in Professional Communication (Deakin), and a Masters of Marketing (Monash).
GA L L E R Y TA L K Archibald Prize 2023 finishes soon on Sunday 5 November. If you haven’t already visited the show, make sure you see it before it leaves Victoria. We recommend booking in advance as sessions are booking out and we would hate for you to be disappointed. People are loving the exhibition and enjoying coffee and a light meal at Commonfolk Cafe or local beer, wine and spirits and food from Habitat Bar. We expect the final couple of weeks to be very busy, so if you’d prefer a quieter experience, try to visit after 3pm. Our Friday and Saturday night sessions have been extremely popular, with live music and food and drinks at Habitat Bar. Check out our website to book in to one of our final Open Late sessions. We are excited to have our new curator Dunja Rmandić on board. Dunja has over fifteen years’ experience of working in the arts and cultural sector in public, commercial and artist-run galleries. Most recently, she worked at the Art Gallery of Western Australia as the Associate Curator Projects, Associate Curator 21 Century Art and Acting Curator International Art. She is a curator, writer and fierce contemporary creative cultures advocate and we are
mprg.mornpen.vic.gov.au Civic Reserve, Dunns Road, Mornington Ph 5950 1580
Archibald Prize exhibits pictured left-right: Julia Gutman, Kaylene Whiskey, Laura Jones © MPRG.
very pleased to have her join the MPRG team. You can meet Dunja at an MPRG event soon! Entries for our VCE and VCE VET art and design student exhibition New Wave 24 close on Friday 27 October. If you know a talented young artist on the Mornington Peninsula - please encourage them to apply. It’s a great opportunity to participate in a group exhibition at a public gallery. We hope to see you here at the gallery for the final days of Archibald Prize 2023 at MPRG.
Danny Lacy MPRG Gallery Director
