The bad news, when I turned up at 774, was that Chopper had read page 176 of the book, where I call the character based on him in the film Chopper a "bullshit artist", and wanted to know where I got that from, to which I had to admit it was all my own words...

The good news is that I survived the interview. Can't ask for more than that. Podcast and photographic evidence will be here shortly. Also look out in Sunday's M magazine and next week's Melbourne Leader for more of me and the book....

and what has someone got against Melbourne's historic trees? First the Separation Tree in the Botanic Gardens was attacked, and now this ringbarking of old trees out in the hills.

774 Melbourne. Conversation Hour, Friday.

Me and Chopper Read. How Melbourne is that?

:)

a little bird tells me there will be a review of my reading of bits of the book in M magazine soon...keep an eye out.

and meanwhile, here's some funky Melways lamps.

There's an extract from the book in the Herald Sun's Books section today...from the Melways chapter. Sometimes I feel like that chapter is the musician's equivalent of a hit song: everyone seems to like it and that's great, but I can only hope it leads them to the rest of the "album". Anyway the Herald Sun is also making the book available through its ordering service.

I'm working on a presentation for libraries etc...of course there will be reading from the book and a few images, but I'm also keen to find out what other people love about the city, so audience participation will be mandatory...surely everyone has at least one favourite Melbourne song/book/film/image they can share?

ooh darling!

the wonderful new magazine Kill Your Darlings has posted an extract from the book on their Website:

http://www.killyourdarlingsjournal.com/2010/09/city-stories-an-excerpt-from-jenny-sinclairs-when-we-think-about-melbourne-the-imagination-of-a-city/

reviews

now I know why they call them notices...because after all the work it's kind of nice to be noticed, no matter what is said. One is apparently not supposed to care about one's reviews. but one has got one's first book out and does kind of care. one can't help it.

The Ballarat Courier got in first, with a short and sweet review earlier this week. Today The Age's books section reviewed it - they did twig to the fact that I kind of focussed on the inner city, but there's not much I can do about that - that's what I know - and overall I think the reviewer liked it: "A Carlton conversation: noisy and passionate and wise" and "Sinclair knows her town and people."

the Dog's Tails are a lovely little event...a small room, no real need for the microphone (though there is one) and a comfy chair. a side table for one's glass of wine and pile of books...I enjoyed the reading last night more than the other events I've done, just from a not-stressing-out point of view. why, there was even a little banter! I'll be back to see the other readers on future Tuesday nights.

a bit disappointed today that The Slap didn't get onto the Booker shortlist. I know Carey is wonderful (and practically from Melbourne), but wouldn't it have been great if such a Melbourne book got a global prize like that?

and this is where I'll be on on Monday, 8 November at 6.30 pm. note the use of "Melways" with an S in their web site listing:

Altona North Community Library
Corner Millers and McArthurs Roads
Altona North, 3025
Telephone: 9932 2303
Fax: 9932 2316

OPENING HOURS
Monday to Thursday, 9.30am – 8.00pm
Friday, 9.30am - 6.00pm
Saturday, 10.00am – 4.00pm
Sunday, 2.00pm - 5.00pm

Melways: Map 55 A2

nice things said about the book in the latest Reader's Feast newsletter, to wit:

"Jenny Sinclair has created a window into a very personal Melbourne - hers and ours. She metaphorically turns our city on its head and, with it, any preconceptions we might have about 'our Melbourne'. Her approach is refreshing. She is not telling us what Melbourne is or was; she is not regurgitating known history of our town. In an exuberant and passionate way, she is challenging us to look at our city; shake up the snow-dome that is our entrenched view of what Melbourne is; and still come away absolutely besotted by the place."

rick amor

went to check out the Rick Amor show I Cover the Waterfront at the SLV yesterday.

the works were all done outdoors, in one session; they show a dark city, the dirty golden light behind the clouds, a neglected bay and waterfront hovering halfway between natural and manufactured, water and land.



at the same time, the Cowen Gallery has a special set of works up to celebrate the city's 175th birthday. I found the canvas view of the city from 1836 by Hofmann fascinating: the way the little huts and tents were set in amongst trees, and the fact that every structure could be listed on a key of 25 notes.

the hills of the city loomed behind the buildings more than they probably really did. something in there about the unknown, the smallness and fragility of the nascent village. and as in many such early works, the south bank of the Yarra was the site of an idyllic-looking Aboriginal camp....