When I found the letter with the Australian postmark on the doormat, I wondered who on earth it could be from. A handwritten envelope that felt as if it held something more than a letter. Staving off curiosity until I had let out the dog, fed the fish and made coffee, I sat down at last to open it… and was thrilled to find a small book inside… with one of my paintings on the cover.
It all made sense then. A while ago I had a comment, from poet Antony Fawcus, asking permission to use one of my paintings to illustrate a suite of poems he was writing for FanStory. I was more than happy to agree. A little later, Tony informed me that the poems were to be published in chapbook format, and he kindly offered to send me a copy by post.
What I didn’t expect was that my painting would be on the cover.
The painting is a very old one, and oddly enough, Ani was not yet in the world when I painted it. I called it ‘Midnight Echo’, which is probably how Tony found it, as his sequence of poems is called Midnight Echoes and I am honoured to be associated with his work in this small way.
On a lighter and more personal note, having had my work published in print on three continents, do I legitimately get to call myself an international writer and artist now? 🙂
An extract from Midnight Echoes by Antony Fawcus
A sequence of fifteen linked poems, published by Ginniderra Press as part of their ‘Pocket Poets’ series and availble via their website.
Midnight Echoes
by Antony Fawcus
1.
Mirages tempt the heated mind to stray,
and lose its focus on the vital aim,
which is amassing toys with which to play;
this life has rules, and we must know the game.
There is no time to linger and delay,
for if we’re left behind, there’s only shame.
There’s always work enough to fill the day –
and night as well. For slaves, they’re just the same.
At length the world will raise a marble slab
declaring Everyman has given all
in vain pursuits, for which his life was sold;
his days were dun and draped with shades of drab.
He never heard the distant echo call,
in dreamfault shimmerings, on paths of gold.
About the author
Antony Fawcus lives on a small farm behind Port Elliot, on the south coast of South Australia. He is widely travelled and has at various times been an aviator, a teacher and a tourism operator. Recent publications include A Gallimaufry of Verse (Ginninderra Press 2017), Written in Sand (Ginninderra Press 2016), The Ethiopian Afar and other poems (Ginninderra Press 2015) and two chapbooks, called Storms (Ginninderra Press 2014) and Midnight Echoes (Ginninderra Press 2018)
His latest book, Brindled Words, has been accepted for publication and should be available late 2018 or early 2019.
Antony’s work can be found on his website and at Fan Story.
Sue Vincent's Daily Echo 
Most definitely an international author!
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😀
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Reblogged this on tabletkitabesi.
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Thank you 🙂
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Reblogged this on anita dawes and jaye marie.
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Thanks for sharing, Jaye x
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That is a lovely image, no wonder he wanted to use it!
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Thank you 🙂
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That’s a beautiful painting Sue, and I loved his poem. Congratulations.
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Thanks, Jaye. The whole sequence is of the same calibre.
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Reblogged this on The Militant Negro™.
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Thank you 🙂
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The painting seems perfect for the title! Congratulations!
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They share a name, so it worked out very well 🙂
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How cool! And so nice that he did send you a copy; and even nicer that you allowed him to use the painting. Hope you got a credit in the book.
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It was lovely to open and find it 🙂 (And I did, which was also lovely. )
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Congratulations, Sue. It is well deserved, and Anthony Fawcus is a really kind gentleman and an excellent poet! And yes, I think you can honestly say international for sure.
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Thanks, Anne 🙂
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Congratulations to you both! Also, that’s a beautiful poem.
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Thank you, Tori x
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Reblogged this on Viv Drewa – The Owl Lady.
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How wonderful, Sue! Congrats! @v@ ❤
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Thanks, Viv. It was a lovely surprise 🙂 xxx
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You’re very welcome, Sue! I know it was!
Hugz on owl wings! @v@ ❤
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Hugs, Viv xxx
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How wonderful! And yes, you are most definitely an international author and artist. Go you 🙂
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It was far better than my usual mail 😉
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Fantastic, Sue! Of course you are an international star now. I bet Ani thinks you had a premonition she was coming. 🙂
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She will probably take all the credit 😉
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What a treat and beautiful surprise, Sue. Yes, you are definitely international. Your painting makes a wonderful cover, and thanks for sharing one of Antony’s stunning poems.
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Thanks, Diana… Tony’s work is definitely worth reading and I am thrilled to have my picture on the cover.
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I’m so pleased you let us know what was in the package. What a lovely book and your painting is perfect on the cover. Yes, you are an international writer and artist.
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I felt I had to satisfy curiosity, Darlene 😉
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Aww, beautiful!
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It really made my day 🙂
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Nice, Sue! I consider you an international writer and artist. 🙂
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I wish I did 😉
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“As you believe, so it shall be done unto you.” 😉
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🙂
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You, globally renowned artist, you! 😀
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Heh 🙂
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An international author of course. It’s a lovely cover and a lovely poem, Sue. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks, Suzanne 🙂
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How wonderful!
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What a wonderful way to have your work recognized! Beautiful painting. You are an international woman of arts.
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Your painting is very good, Sue. I love this poem too.
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