Many have blogged about the incredibly sad suicide of David Foster Wallace. I didn’t know what to say at first because it is only through his death that I have come to him and his obviously amazing work. I found the nature of this encounter sad and strange. But I have learnt a lot over … Continue reading David Foster Wallace

On Wednesday September 3, booksellers, publishers and members of the public got involved with Indigenous Literacy Day. Of books sold on the day from participating retailers 10% was donated to the Indigenous Literacy Project. Around the country, various events and fundraisers were also held. My colleague Katie, and I, attended an event at the State … Continue reading What I Did on Indigenous Literacy Day

All book links are to Readings Bookstore, supporter of Indigenous Literacy Day and official MWF bookstore. Thursday August 28 Let me begin by explaining how your humble narrator's face became projected on a wall. As you may well know, my favourite book of 2007 is The Trout Opera by Matthew Condon. I finally got to … Continue reading Melbourne Writers Festival 2008 Diary – Part 2

Friday August 22 Sometimes Augusten Burroughs’ memory stretches deep and wide, a vivid pool. It is due in part to an element of autism in his bloodline. This is how he remembers looking through the saltine cracker at his mother at one-and-a-half, as described in A Wolf at the Table: A Memoir of My Father. … Continue reading Melbourne Writers Festival 2008 Diary – Part 1

As I have to write quite official reports of the proceedings in the Weekly Book Newsletter and Bookseller + Publisher, I thought I'd take a different approach for LiteraryMinded. You may have already heard that Friday (25th July) was cancelled due to incredible downpour. The Byron Bay Beach Resort was too muddy to support tents … Continue reading Highlights of the Byron Bay Writers' Festival 2008 – LiteraryMinded Style…