I have been getting a lot of text messages from people asking if I’ve seen Strife and whether I am portrayed in it.
No and no.
As Mamamia explains it, Strife is “Inspired by Mia Freedman’s memoir Work, Strife, Balance the series is set in the early days of publishing and digital media.
“The comedic drama series – which is now streaming on Binge – tells the story of an imperfect woman and publisher named Evelyn Jones (played by Asher Keddie), and tracks her journey from lounge-room blogger to becoming a leading force in women’s media.”
It’s set around 2012, which just before I started work at Mamamia. Even if the series covered my time at the website, Mia Freedman would have no interest in writing about me. We haven’t spoken since I left Mamamia after one tumultuous year.
As for why I haven’t watched the show, I rarely have time in my life for TV and I don’t have Binge. If I did have time for TV and I had Binge, curiosity would probably lead me to check it out. But I don’t, so I haven’t.
And I can neither confirm or deny if the events that it depicts resemble the reality.
But I am jealous that Mia is being played by Asher Keddie. Asher is awesome.
There’s a strangely circular quality to the timing of the series.
In the words of Mumbrella following the announcement of my appointment: “Two months after being sacked for speaking out against a stitch-up by Woman’s Day, magazine veteran Alana House has landed a new role.
“House is to be editor of iVillage Australia, sister website to mamamia.com.au.
“House lost her job at ACP Magazines in November after she blogged about how Woman’s Day had covered the incarceration of convicted child killer Kathleen Folbigg.
House, a schoolfriend of Folbigg, accused Woman’s Day – which she once edited – of fabricating a story which claimed the prisoner was “so happy in jail”. She was sacked by the magazine company, which has since rebranded as Bauer Media, the same day.”
Being sacked was very traumatic. While I knew writing the blog post would have major ramifications, I hadn’t fully comprehended the emotional impact of them.
I was so angry that something unjust had occurred that I felt morally impelled to speak out.
Sadly, speaking out didn’t stop the magazine publishing endless “baby killer” stories about Kathleen.
However, earlier this year Kathleen was pardoned and freed after spending 20 years in prison.
I wonder if the person responsible for getting me sacked feels any remorse about what was done to Kathleen and, to a far lesser extent, me.
I doubt it. She is not the remorseful type.
Anyways … I said in the media release about my appointment to Mamamia: ”I am thrilled to join the iVillage team and to bring my publishing experience in the women’s mass market to such a big player in the digital world.
“Leading the team charged with growing this iconic brand’s Australian audience is a tremendous opportunity.”
And then Mia said: “After Alana left magazines, I’ve watched her develop her own blog and enthusiastically embrace digital and social media. The decades of women’s lifestyle content experience Alana brings to iVillage is unmatched in the market.”
Twelve months later the Mamamia dream was over. And so was my marriage.
I learned a lot from working with Mia. She is insanely good at what she does. And it was such a buzz to press the publish button on stories and watch the views immediately skyrocket on Google Analytics.
It’s where my addiction to digital news was born and the obsession still burns brightly.
Last month, Tom Bathurst KC, who headed the inquiry into Kathleen’s convictions, referred the case to the Court of Criminal Appeal and her lawyers sought to have her convictions quashed.
No matter where that leads, nothing will compensate Kathleen for the loss of her children and 20 years of her life.
All I lost was a job.
Song of the day: Kylie Minogue “Step back in time”
housegoeshome 
Courageous!!! I only have admiration for you.