sleeper / noun 2. a timber, concrete or steel beam forming part of a railway track, serving as a foundation or support for the rails. 7. Colloquial a. someone or something that unexpectedly achieves success or fame. b. a book... which has slow but constant sales. 8. A spy who is allowed to carry on a normal life sometimes for years before being requested to undertake any espionage.
Macquarie dictionary, 3rd edition
Sleepers Testimonials
"My new year began with the arrival on my desk of an absolutely beautiful object: the lovingly produced Sleepers Almanac No. 4. (Even the endpapers are exquisite!) It's cheering to see such outstanding production values from a tiny two-person outfit like this; it seems to bode well for the state of local publishing. And, I'm pleased to say, you can judge this book by its cover, for it's just as enticing on the inside as it is on the outside, with a seductive mix of stories, subjects and writers." Jo Case, The Big Issue
"Gazooks! The new Sleepers looks absolutely stunning – what a magnificent cover design and as for the list of contributors... Wunderbar! I can tell it's going to be a cracker." Cate Kennedy, on The Sleepers Almanac No. 4
"I've bought your beautiful book and keep reading it - slowly and with a powerful curiosity. Congratulations again, dear friends! What a book! As that great man of letters old Borges said 'rereading, not reading, is what counts...' And I'm sure not only myself, many other people will be rereading your Almanac with pleasure and gratitude. Keep going, Sleepers! With respect, Emma."
"I very much look forward to attending further events. I'm no writer (I'm not even an aspiring writer), but I am an avid reader, and having visited your website; I firmly support your mission to advance the work of young local writers. All power to your arm(s) and brain(s)!" Ric, Salon attendee
"Have just finished reading the 2007 Almanac and it's even better than the last one. Such a great range of stories and all from interesting perspectives... Congratulations, not just on the publication but on the quality. Once again I'll find it a useful teaching resource and will direct students to read and submit."
Sally Muirdan, teacher and author
"Thanks so very much for your support over the past year. it means more than you know. You are the finest of fine folk over there in sleeperland. I am your biggest fan. One day I will be a Melbournian, and together, we will take over the world..."
Craig Silvey, author Rhubarb
"I am thrilled to have been able to jump into the deep end of one your marvellous Salon evenings and I pledge to become a regular visitor."
Jane Clifton
"Last night was my first Salon and I had a ball... Excellent atmosphere, good organisation, great guests. It was one of those rare nights where you walk out buzzing. Thanks guys, I will definitely be attending future Salons."
Cameron Nichol – Salon attendee
"...Let me tell you how much I enjoyed The Deathbed Challenge and The Nervous System. Eclectic and wonderful collections of inspiring, clever, poignant, insightful, beautiful writing. Keep it up!
Dieneke – Almanac reader
"Hi Sleepers, saw the Salon last night and had a great time. Thanks for creating Sleepers, it's a great help to young writers."
Karl Siemon
"I think that what you are doing is really exciting and when I got my Almanac in the mail I was nearly beside myself. As soon as I opened it I was struck by the fact that it was a book made by people who obviously love books – never mind the writing – the quality of the paper, the weight, the feel of it. The Almanac is the kind of book that you keep, which is really in such stark contrast to so many books that are more like transient visitors. I was beside myself even before I started reading. It was even better to find that I loved the stories. For me, it was exciting to find that people were not only writing what I would like (to) read, but there was someone who would publish it. Fantastic! I have been telling anybody who will stand still long enough, all about it."
Sasha Debus – Almanac reader
"I bought the Almanac yesterday... There's a nice crop of writers in there... I really love what you guys have done with this. The design is also first class. I opened it at a a cafe and the waiter came over and snatched it out of my hand to see what I was reading, he was drawn to it immediately. I gave him a spiel and suggested it being a great gift idea for xmas!"
Meri, Almanac reader
"The Sleepers Salon format works so well; keeping the Sleepers brand professional and informative with a host of fab writers, but having fun with it, keeping it fresh, and ultimately making people want to come back for more."
Jo, multi-Salon attendee
"It really was by far the funnest literary event I've done in years, probably ever. I had a fantastic time... good on you (Lou) and good on Zoe for organising such a fabbo night that I couldn't get to sleep until 3am!"
Sean Condon, August 05 Salon guest
"I LOVED the Almanac and have been showing it (to) all. Jane (Palfreyman of Random House) and I think it is brilliant and original and inspirited publishing."
Frank Moorhouse
"I just wanted to say a big congratulations to you and Zoe and all your team for the fabulous launch of the Sleepers Almanac. And the Almanac itself looks fantastic. I hope sales of the book are equal to the enthusiasm and thought and sheer cleverness you've all put into it. And thankyou so much for allowing me to take part on the day... and for publishing me and choosing me to win the competition. It's been the highlight of my writing life to date."
Melissa Dwyer - Almanac author
"... it was a blast, and terrific for the four of us to work together and get to know each other better. You guys did a difficult job well, and I thought it was a terrific night."
Ian McBryde - Contending poet in the Babble Bam!Slam at the MWF
"... I thought the calibre of the performances was top-notch too, and there was a wide variety of styles and approaches - wider, in any case, than there usually is at New York slams."
Corey Frost - Canadian poet Judge at the Babble Bam!Slam night at the MWF
"We need Sleepers!"
Sean Condon - From the Comedy in Writing night at the MWF
"Thankyou for last night's Sleepers Salon "Exorcising or Exercising", which I found to be refreshing and satisfying... Thankyou for showcasing forms of expression that go beyond mainstream notions of what is a writer and the commercial imperative of being published."
Lucinda - Audience member for Exorcising or Exercising at the MWF
"Thanks very much... for organising the event. There was a nice buzz in the atmosphere all evening and I'm sure it was very good publicity for us as well as encouraging for authors."
Ian Britain - Editor of Meanjin, from the Meanjin night at the MWF
"Congratulations Sleepers on such a good night last night, such dedication to writing, such a cheerful and well dressed organisation..."
Cate Kennedy - from the Perfect Pitch night at the MWF
"Congratulations on a great night - yours is an important and also a delightful project. Reading in such a warm, sweet atmosphere was a joy. Thankyou for inviting me."
Carmel Bird
"Thanks for an enjoyable night... It's one thing to be enthusiastic, another to be sufficiently methodical and meticulous to foster a phenomenon like Sleepers; the Salon was a credit to you both."
Gideon Haigh
"What a wonderful evening... Carmel and I were clucking away this afternoon full of admiration and excitement for what you are doing; so brave and terrific. Thankyou for the opportunity to be part of a truly eclectic ensemble of artistes... we look forward to other Sleepers marvels"
Tamara Fahy
"Anyway, a couple of my mates and I went to our first Salon last night - and I just wanted to tell you that we had a great time (even if we didn't win the Quarterly Essays). So congrats!"
Aileen Yap (Salon attendee)
"Well done on what you have already achieved with Sleepers. A great gig."
Dorothy Porter
"Yours is exactly the kind of imaginative idea Australian publishing needs more of."
Hilary McPhee
"Thankyou! It was lovely to be part of the Salon, which seems like an excellent idea. You've obviously put a lot of creativity and organisational talents into getting it up and running.
I would like to be part of another one in the future - so do ask me!"
Paola Bilbrough
"Sleepers is now a favourite venue in this household."
Andrea Goldsmith
"Just wanted to say thanks for your support over this year and what a remarkable beginning to Sleepers. It only gets better every time and you two are getting more and more confident behind the mike.
Rock on (but not in that 'orrible Bon Jovi sense)."
Russell McGilton
"The last Salon was a terrific night: interesting, entertaining and nicely balanced."
Andrew Morgan, RMIT student
"itwasaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaatreat
love + anarchy"
II.O.
"Well, thankyou both and yer burgeoning gaggle of imaginary employees for making it all happen. Thought the interviews, drawings and post it poetry were great and had a very big lot of fun doing my bit, so thanks for asking me along."
miles vertigan
"Thanks again for letting me loose on stage with a microphone."
Janet Greason