By Romy Stephens
For those looking for some fresh lockdown reading, particularly from the likes of a local author, Marian Matta might have the perfect fix.
Ms Matta is set to release her debut book, Life Bound, in October.
The book is a collection of short stories and revolves around the idea of being caught up in old habits, and whether some characters take the opportunity to break free.
The long-term resident of the Dandenong Ranges, almost 50 years to be precise, said the excitement felt when thinking about her first book ever published “doesn’t get old.”
“Even now I’ll pick up a copy of the book and smile, it’s just amazing,” Ms Matta said.
“It’s pretty amazing when a publisher rings you and says we’d really like to publish your book.
“It’s essentially a collection of short stories around the general theme of whether we are trapped by habits, I suppose, or situations.
“And whether we have the courage or the inclination to break free or whether we are quite happy in our own situation.”
At 70, Ms Matta said her age hasn’t been a barrier towards commencing a writing career.
In fact, the author is always up for new challenges, having also joined a circus school at age 59.
She is also the secretary of the Southern Sherbrooke Historical Society and a member of the Emerald Writer’s Community – which gathers fortnightly at the Emerald Library.
As someone who previously wrote nonfiction, Life, Bound was Ms Matta’s first attempt at a fiction piece.
“I tend to write in a lot of different styles and different voices – I don’t limit myself to characters,” Ms Matta said.
“I really just like to tell a story and then what someone gets from it is up to them.
“I leave enough gaps in the story for people to fill.”
The book, published by Midnight Sun Publishing, was set to be released at the Australian Short Story Festival before Covid-19.
It will instead be available for purchase in October at numerous bookstores and online.
To find out more, visit https://midnightsunpublishing.com/2020/04/life-bound/.
