Literary Community

The collegiality of the Brisbane literary community was on show at Steve MinOn’s debut launch for his autofiction First Name Second Name by UQP. Such a demonstration of strength and support. Look out for more upcoming launches as there are quite a few Queensland...

I’m Baaacccckkkkk!!!

I’m thrilled to return to hosting bookish conversations after a hiatus of almost two years for personal reasons. I adore the privilege and honour of interviewing authors about their work, and I’m excited to chat to old friends and discover new writers. My...

Reading, writing and kindness

It’s been four months since I last posted on my website. Thanks to all of you for your support and love over the past two years as our daughter Kiara struggled with Stage 4 metastatic cancer, and for your outpouring of grief when she died on 23 May this year. It...

The hope of a new year

Who knows what the new year will bring? If I’ve learnt anything in 2023, it’s to expect the unexpected. Let’s all do what we can, when we can, to help each other and make the world a better place, but not beat ourselves up if it doesn’t work...

Reading and reviews…

Due to personal circumstances, my involvement in the literary community has necessarily lessened of late. I’m still reading however, although not so prolifically, and will continue to release reviews of the books I’ve read and loved. I won’t host any...

2023 rolls on…

The second half of the year is already upon us and as usual there are some great upcoming events at Avid Reader. The recent literary conversation with Lyn Yeowart and Al Campbell, supported by Frazer Campbell’s unique art exhibition, was a highlight of the year...