Birthday parties and book launches

I've come to Adelaide with a bucketload of projects. My worst fear is being here and running out of things to do. At present my focus is my historical novel, but I've also brought a non-fiction project, a contemporary novel and three picture books that need reworking.

But in between all that working and planning for speaking gigs later in the month, I've been lucky enough to be invited to some Adelaide events. Last night it was a reception at the Adelaide Town Hall for Max Fatchen. It was quite a formal gig and we were greeted at the door by the Lord Mayor and personally introduced to the birthday boy himself, a delightful 90 year old. Speeches were formal and told of a long life in journalism as well as in writing verse for both children and adults. Max spoke beautifully and finished of with poem written for the occasion, skipping through his life.

Tonight was the launch of Roseanne Hawke's new book, Marrying Ameera. It was held in an old orphanage which is now a tertiary institution. Marrying Ameera is set in Australia and Pakistan and exposes the world of forced marriages.

Tomorrow I'm off to Marian to the opening of an exhibition of the work of illustrators. Not just the finished art but also the process that precedes it. More on that afterwards.

But now I'm off to bed to start reading.