Guy Fawkes, Birthday, Launch
Friday evening, drove bar_barra to (and later from) Wizard Charlie's Guy Fawkes event in Hawke St, West Melbourne. I chatted to charlesnaismith's Dad and his partner, then wandered off to the bright lights of North Melbourne, bought some cheap-but-reasonable sushi and wandered back. The burnt guy on the "bonfire" represented a father who murdered his children on Father's Day so his ex-wife would have that reminder every year but got a shortened sentence because he was a person "of good character". The justice system, it can be an odd place. I do enjoy doing the "gunpowder treason and plot" chant holding hands around the guy: it's something with real history to it.
Late afternoon Saturday, went to DrMizVick's birthday at Gibson's Wine Bar. montjoye, mishymoocow and hubby were already there. DrMizVick's sister and husband joined us. As later did sjkasabi and bub. All good: champagne with cheese and good conversation, a fine thing.
Then went off to Bell's Hotel in South Melbourne for the launch of Clan Destine Press. I dislike having to drive to South Melbourne, the place is non-Euclidean and confuses me. I did eventually manage to get to the correct bit of Moray St and find a park. Arrived in time for the speeches.
Lindy Cameron, the publisher, and author of Redback, introduced Tony Wheeler, the (co)founder of Lonely Planet (her former boss), who did the official launch. Kerry Greenwood talked about her book, Out of the Black Land, why she wrote it, her frustration in not getting it published and her pleasure that it now was, and as such a beautiful book (which it certainly is). David Greagg read a statement on behalf of Dougal, as author of Dougal's Diary.
It is good to see niche publishers opening up: mainstream publishing in Oz has got itself to a strange place. (For example, Catholic authors apparently need a niche publisher too, as does someone writing about how to get higher marks. Keith Windschuttle could not get any local mainstream publisher to publish The Killing of History: by contrast, mainstream US publishers got into a minor bidding war over it, a book Keith did public speaking tours in the US on the strength of.)
Back at the launch, I chatted a bit with Iosef, who was also there. Mostly, I just observed, consumed some of the little savoury tarts or made sure Kerry had seating, wasn't over-exerting, etc. The launch was to be followed by dinner, but Kerry was clearly wilting, so I offered to give her a lift home so David could stay, which she gratefully accepted. Back at her residence, we chatted for a while in her kitchen, lubricated by some rather nice Calvados, the spirit of Normandy, which I had not had before. Kerry's conversation is always engaging, full of her varied experiences and readings.
Then home.
Late afternoon Saturday, went to DrMizVick's birthday at Gibson's Wine Bar. montjoye, mishymoocow and hubby were already there. DrMizVick's sister and husband joined us. As later did sjkasabi and bub. All good: champagne with cheese and good conversation, a fine thing.
Then went off to Bell's Hotel in South Melbourne for the launch of Clan Destine Press. I dislike having to drive to South Melbourne, the place is non-Euclidean and confuses me. I did eventually manage to get to the correct bit of Moray St and find a park. Arrived in time for the speeches.
Lindy Cameron, the publisher, and author of Redback, introduced Tony Wheeler, the (co)founder of Lonely Planet (her former boss), who did the official launch. Kerry Greenwood talked about her book, Out of the Black Land, why she wrote it, her frustration in not getting it published and her pleasure that it now was, and as such a beautiful book (which it certainly is). David Greagg read a statement on behalf of Dougal, as author of Dougal's Diary.
It is good to see niche publishers opening up: mainstream publishing in Oz has got itself to a strange place. (For example, Catholic authors apparently need a niche publisher too, as does someone writing about how to get higher marks. Keith Windschuttle could not get any local mainstream publisher to publish The Killing of History: by contrast, mainstream US publishers got into a minor bidding war over it, a book Keith did public speaking tours in the US on the strength of.)
Back at the launch, I chatted a bit with Iosef, who was also there. Mostly, I just observed, consumed some of the little savoury tarts or made sure Kerry had seating, wasn't over-exerting, etc. The launch was to be followed by dinner, but Kerry was clearly wilting, so I offered to give her a lift home so David could stay, which she gratefully accepted. Back at her residence, we chatted for a while in her kitchen, lubricated by some rather nice Calvados, the spirit of Normandy, which I had not had before. Kerry's conversation is always engaging, full of her varied experiences and readings.
Then home.