oot and aboot

i have been getting encouraging reports from all over the place about the book. apart from staring out from bookshelves (sometimes misplaced in the 'biography' section - i mean, really... with a cover like that?), apparently it has been seen being read by people on sydney's trains. which is excellent to know, as i have yet to see my first public-transport copy. i must admit, i do a quick scan of the train/tram whenever i get on, but have spied nothing as yet. that is something i'm looking forward to, though - i wonder what it will feel like.

i haven't been going to bookstores much lately. i did, but i always end up overwrought afterward (a particularly strong strain of drama-queen runs in the family, and by the grace of the gods, my generation did not miss out). i'll see copies of my novel on the shelf, and instead of marvelling at the thought that i may now call myself a published author, i begin the silly questions: why are there only three copies there? why aren't they face-out? why aren't i on the new-release table at the front of the store? why don't the good people of [insert bookstore name here] like me?. and on and on the merry-go-round of 'it's all about me' goes. though fret not. i am aware of the lack of logic in this-here situation, and i am doing the only thing i know how to control the situation - i am temporarily removing my presence from bookstores. i know myself well enough to know that this is the only thing that will work.

next week is the beginning of a whole new ride - the melbourne writers festival. in case you're wondering and/or want to come along, full program at the 2005 melbourne writers festival website. details of my sessions follow - if you do come to any of them, be sure to come say hello after!

saturday 20 august, 6pm - 'the artist's life'
alice garner, gail bell, merlinda bobis and shalini akhil discuss the survival of the artist with, to chair the session, jane clifton.

sunday 21 august, 12pm - 'writing mothers and daughters'
merlinda bobis, margaret clark, josiane behmoiras and shalini akhil look at writing mothers and daughters. chaired by la trobe university’s helen nickas.

friday 26 august, 12pm - 'making it'
kate grenville, carrie tiffany and shalini akhil talk to the victorian writers' centre's joel becker about success and failure in writing.