Anita’s Black Book Challenge (BBC)

Most of us have heard of the BBC’s Book Challenge listing 100 books. Somewhere (probably on Facebook) it was claimed that most people had only read 6 of the 100. When I first read the list I wondered what an Indigenous list might look like, and how many books most Australians would have read in terms of home grown Indigenous literature.

I’ve been meaning to do this for a long time, and with prompting by others, I have finally put together a list of my favourite Indigenous authored books across genres: fiction, non-fiction, poetry, children's, published plays and anthologies. This list is by no means definitive, with over 5000 published Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Australia (see Black Words), my list is endless, but scanning my bookshelf quickly, these are easily some of my ‘must reads’ that I recommend to you.

Many of the authors I have listed below have many published works across genres, but I limited myself to one book per author. Please google the authors to see what other significant titles you might engage with.

As you’ll see, I’ve only listed 99 titles, and I’ve left 100 for YOU to fill in. I want to know what book you would add to my list... and so my blog visitors can have another title to get hold of and enjoy

Anita’s 100 (less one) Black Book Choice list is:

1. Benang, Kim Scott
2. Bitin’ Back, Vivienne Cleven
3. Bridge of Triangles, John Muk Muk Burke
4. Butterfly Song, Terri Janke
5. Carpentaria, Alexis Wright
6. Digger J Jones, Richard Frankland
7. Every Secret Thing, Marie Mankara
8. Home, Larissa Behrendt
9. Long Time Now: stories of the Dreamtime, the here and now, Alf Taylor
10. Not Quite Men, No Longer Boys, Kenny Laughton
11. Pemulwuy: the rainbow warrior, Eric Wilmott
12. Shark, Bruce Pascoe
13. Swallow the Air, Tara June Winch
14. Sweet Guy, Jared Thomas
15. Sweet Water, Stolen Land, Philip McLaren
16. The Kadaitcha Sung, Sam Watson
17. Too Flash, Melissa Lucashenko
18. A Bastard Like Me, Charles Perkins
19. Aunty Rita, Rita and Jackie Huggins
20. Born a half-caste, Marnie Kennedy
21. Broken Dreams, Bill Dodd
22. Busted Out Laughing, Dot Collard and Beryl Harp
23. Don’t take your love to town, Ruby Langford Ginibi
24. Follow the rabbit proof fence, Doris Pilkington
25. Full Circle, Edie Wright
26. Forcibly Removed, Albert Holt
27. Grease and Ochre, Patsy Cameron
28. Hey Mum, What’s a half-caste? Lorraine McGee-Sippel
29. If Everyone Cared, Margaret Tucker
30. I’m the one who knows this country, Jessie Lennon
31. Is that you, Ruthie? Ruth Hegarty
32. Jinangga, Monty Walgar
33. Kakadu Man, Bill Neidjie
34. Karobran, Monica Clare
35. Life B’long Ali Drummond: a life in the Torres Strait, Samantha Faulkner with Ali Drummond
36. Love Against the Law, Tex and Nelly Camfoo
37. Me, Antman and Fleebag, Gayle Kennedy
38. Many Lifetimes, Audrey Evans
39. Maybe Tomorrow, Boori Monty Pryor
40. My Past, their future: stories from Cape Barren Island, Molly Mallett
41. My Place, Sally Morgan
42. Pride and Prejudice, Ida West
43. Shadow Lines, Stephen Kinnane
44. Songman : The Story of an Aboriginal Elder of Uluru, Bob Randall
45. Talking About Celia, Jeanie Bell
46. The N Word, Stephen Hagan
47. Through My Eyes, Ella Simon
48. This is my word, Magdeleine Williams
49. Unbranded, Herb Wharton
50. Wandering Girl, Glenyse Ward
51. When you grow up, Connie McDonald
52. Wisdom Man, Banjo Clarke
53. Wyndham Yella Fella, Reginald Birch
54. Windradyne: A Wiradjuri Warrior, Mary Coe
55. Yami: the autobiography of Yami Lester
56. Anonymous Premonition, Yvette Holt
57. Black Woman, Black Life, Kerry Reed-Gilbert
58. Blue Grass, Peter Minter
59. Dreaming in Urban Areas, Lisa Bellear
60. Holocaust Island, Graeme Dixon
61. Little Bit Long Time, Ali Cobby Eckermann
62. New and Selected Poems : Munaldjali, Mutuerjaraera, Lionel Fogarty
63. Post me to the Prime Minister, Romaine Moreton
64. Skin Painting, Elizabeth Hodgson
65. Smoke Encrypted Whispers, Samuel Wagan Watson
66. The Imprint of Infinity, Jennifer Martiniello
67. We Are Going, Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Noonuccal)
68. Bush games and knucklebones, Doris Kartinyeri
69. Down the hole, Edna Tantjingu Williams and Eileen Wani Wingfield illustrated by Kunyi June-Anne McInerney
70. Down River: the Wilcannia Mob Story
71. Jalygurr : Aussie Animal Rhymes : Poems for Kids, Pat Torres
72. Little Platypus and the Fire Spirit, Mundara Koodang
73. Maralinga – The Anangu Story
74. Nanna’s Land, Delphine Sarago-Kendron
75. Papunya School Book of Country and History
76. Rain Flower, Mary Duroux
77. Tell me why, Sarah Jackson
78. The Cowboy Frog, Hylton Laurel
79. The Legend of the Seven Sisters, a traditional Aboriginal Story from Western Australia, May O’Brien and Sue Wyatt
80. The Old Frangipani Tree at Flying Fish Point, Trina Saffioti
81. Wandihnu and the Dugong, Elizabeth and Wandihnu Wymarra
82. When I was little like you, Mary Malbunka
83. Yarning Strong series, various authors
84. Yinti, Jimmy Pike
85. Black Medea, Wesley Enoch
86. Bran Nue Dae, Jimmy Chi
87. The Cake Man, Robert Merritt
88. The Cherry Pickers, Kevin Gilbert
89. I Don’t Wanna Play House, Tammy Anderson
90. The Dreamers, Jack Davis
91. Stolen, Jane Harrison
92. Holding Up The Sky – Aboriginal Women Speak
93. Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines, David Unaipon
94. Indigenous Australian Voices: A reader, Sabbioni, Jennifer; Schaffer, Kay & Smith, Sidionie.
95. Meanjin: Blak Times: Indigenous Australia, Minter, Peter (ed)
96. Macquarie PEN Anthology of Aboriginal Literature, Heiss and Minters (eds)
97. Skins: Contemporary Indigenous Writing, Akiwenzie-Damm, Kateri and Douglas, Josie
98. Those Who Remain Will Always Remember: An Anthology of Aboriginal Writing, Brewster, Anne; van den Berg, Rosemary and O’Neill, Angeline (eds.) those who remain will always remember
99. Untreated

WHAT NOW: Take this list to your own local library, school library, uni library and see how many of these books they’ve got in their catalogues. Ask them to order in the ones that are missing (if appropriate – clearly adult novels aren’t appropriate for primary schools).

Tell me how many of the 99 you've read AND tell me what book you would add to this make the 100!

Oh, as you’ll see I didn’t add any of my own books, but if you want to check them out you can click my website bookshelf here.

HAPPY READING! And HAPPY EASTER!

Anita

New Picture Dictionary ensures Luritja language is alive and well

Media release

Papunya and surrounding communities came together at the Papunya School, located
approximately 240km north west of Alice Springs, to launch and celebrate the highly anticipated Luritja Picture Dictionary (IAD Press) on Tuesday, 19 April.

The Luritja Picture Dictionary (IAD Press) is the tenth in the series of picture dictionaries published by Aboriginal publishing house, IAD Press.

In what has proven to be an innovative learning resource, the picture dictionary format not only includes English to Luritja translations accompanied by culturally appropriate illustrations to further engage the learner, it also includes a pronunciation guide and information on Luritja culture such as kinship, bush foods and family.

Before 1788 more than 250 Indigenous languages were spoken throughout Australia. However, by 2005, the National Indigenous Languages Survey results showed that only 145 Indigenous languages were still spoken in Australia and about 110 of these were severely or critically endangered.

“In 2003, IAD Press identified that educational resources were needed to ensure the
preservation of language and culture in Central Australian Aboriginal communities,” explains IAD Press Business Manager Jeanette Wormald.

“Through working closely with communities and linguists, IAD Press created the nationally acclaimed Picture Dictionary series. These dictionaries were designed to increase literacy levels and promote reading for Aboriginal people by producing materials that were relevant to their own expressed needs and interests, invited co-operative learning and were accessible to people in bush communities.

“The Picture Dictionary series also promotes cross cultural exchange and contributes to improve the wellbeing of Aboriginal people by increasing self-esteem and self-identity through encouraging use of traditional languages,” she said.

“This series has been a combined effort that would not have been possible without the
community and linguists input and the financial support from the Australian Government, NT Government and philanthropic organisations.”

Papunya Elder and school teacher Linda Anderson Kapanani said:
“Nganana yunyparringu nyakula piipa ngaatja Luritjitjarra Pupanyi kuulangka. Pipirri tjutalu, ya]angu tjutalu nyakulaya tjukarurrunmalpa yini tjuta, piipa ngaatjanyaya nyakula. Piipa ngaatja kuultitji tjutaluya nyakula tjukarurru pipirri tjuta nintilku. Pipirri tjutaluya piipa ngaanguru nyakula yini tjuta tjukarurrulku. Piipa ngaatja pipirri tjutaku palyalingku, tjananya turuungu kanyilku wangka walytjangku wakantjaku, wangkanytjaku. Nganana tjungulatju yunyparringu piipa ngaatja nyakula. Tjinguru kutjupangku Luritjiku putu kulira piipa ngaatjaya nyaku tjukarurru wangkakitjalu, wakalkitjalu.

English translation:
“We are happy to have our own Luritja dictionary for the school and the community. We will use it to teach the children the right way to write and spell their language words. They will also learn the meaning of some of the more difficult words. If the student can’t spell they can look it up in the dictionary. It is important that the children maintain the use of their language so they can become strong Luritja adults and be proud to be who they are. Any other people who want to learn Luritja can use this and look it up for spelling, so they can write and speak correctly”.

The Luritja celebration included singing from the Mount Liebig and Papunya school choir, speeches from community elders and the eating of a chocolate cake made to resemble the cover of the picture dictionary.

IAD Press will continue to address the need for culturally appropriate educational resources with the launch of the Walpiri Picture Dictionary late 2011.

The Luritja Picture Dictionary is now available online at IAD Press or in store at 3 South Terrace Road, Alice Springs, NT.

Ends.

Photos:
1. Papunya Elder and teacher Linda Kapunani Anderson with Shaneen Pearce, 6 and
Denicia Rogers, 8.

2. Papunya Elder cutting cake.

Media contact: Steven Satour P: 08 8951 1333 / 0427 201 903 E: steven.satour@iad.edu.au

What is author Krissy Kneen grateful for?

I'm thrilled and honoured to have the deadly author of Affection: a memoir of love, sex and intimacy as a guest blogger here today. I first met Krissy Kneen back in 2007 at one of Australia's top independent bookstores Avid Reader in Brisbane's West End. They threw me a launch for Not Meeting Mr Right, and have been taking care of me ever since.

I'm pleased to say that Krissy and I, with a shared love of good stories, quality times and an appreciation of integrity in writing, we have become friends over the years, and now we share the appreciation for further study, as she has taken on the daunting and inspiring task of enrolling in a PhD.

Reading Krissy's gratefuls below, was a good reality check for myself, having completed my studies some years ago. And the reminders were timely also. I'm sure you will all find something that speaks directly to you in some way also.

Krissy says: I am grateful that I have been given the opportunity to do my PHD:

I could do the reading without the degree. This has always been the plan. For a short time my husband and I began reading philosophy to each other whilst making dinner. This was one of the most lovely things I have been involved in. We read about and then discussed ideas whilst preparing a really wonderful meal together. It brought us together as a couple and also helped us to remember that the philosophical questions we were grappling with in real life were the same ones people had struggled with for centuries. This knowledge is comforting.

Problem is, when the ideas became too difficult or more accurately, too complex in their explanation, we stopped reading and returned to our old habit where I cook dinner alone and he checks his emails or continues working. The intellectual stimulation petered out.

Returning to study this year could feel overwhelming. I am certainly more challenged now than I have been in years. The good comes with some terror and stress and insecurity but I must remember to always be grateful for the challenges I have accepted. Beginning my PHD journey makes me grateful in these five very important ways.

1) I am grateful to be reminded that I am capable of complex thinking.

2) I am grateful to be reminded that there is never a right answer or a right way of coming to an answer.

3) I am grateful to know that everything I am trying to do creatively has been tackled by someone else and therefore - most importantly - I am not alone.

4) I am grateful to be invited to join a group of women (and men but I am particularly loving the women right now) that I admire who have already done their PHD (including you Ms Heiss).

5) I am grateful for the amazing minds that I am having to wrestle with - Susan Sontag, Georges Batailles, Michael Foucault, and Wilhelm Reich (where have you been hiding all my life?) and the wonderful thing is that this is just the beginning.

To get a hold of all good books, including Krissy's Affection, drop into Avid Reader seven days a week. And sure and swing by her blog.

Readers and radio hosts– I am grateful...

I’m finally in the swing of the Paris Dreaming book tour and having some fun meeting my readers and yarning with broadcasters. Tonight I’d like to acknowledge those venues, individuals and media who have supported me over the years and particularly with the release of my new book.

Many of you will be aware that I am currently in legal proceedings with one element of the media and can’t comment on it here, but you may like to read the words of Martin Flanagan in his column Saturday Reflections.

Right now, I’m looking forward to another week of meeting more readers and finding out why they like to engage with my characters and storylines.

Tonight, I acknowledge and am grateful for:

1. CRONULLA LIBRARY: I’m grateful not only to the staff at Cronulla library, and the local Berkelouw Books for coming along, but also all the wonderful readers, mainly from ‘The Shire’ who came along to hear about the journey of Libby Cutmore and her internationalisation of Indigenous art. At the library – with memories of the Cronulla race riots behind us - we laughed together, we yarned, we signed books and took some photos. It was a wonderful way to spend Tuesday night, and it makes me smile now writing about it.

2. UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY: UWS is my Alma Mata, and I am proud to be associated with the Badanami Centre for Indigenous Education as an Adjunct Association Professor (this is unpaid). I’m glad I chose UWS to do my doctoral studies, graduating in 2001. Because I had such a positive experience there, I am always happy to return to any one of the five campuses to speak to students, staff and anyone else who chooses to come along. I am grateful to Connect Books who coordinated my visit this week, where I delivered a lecture on writing commercial women’s fiction with Aboriginal themes and yarned with writerly and publishing types like the gorgeous Gail Jones and Ivor Indyk. Pic above is of Emma Joel who came all the way from Newcastle AND brought me homemade caramel slice. Ok, so she may just be my favourite reader!

3. JAMES VALENTINE: I debated James Valentine at the CBCA Conference in Sydney in 2006. The topic was ‘The movie is better than the book.’ The bulk of the voting audience was made up of teacher / librarians so it’s no surprise that James’ side FOR the book won! I think I am still a little scarred by that debate... but I’ll get over it, eventually. In the meantime, I’m grateful to James for the yarn we had on his popular program Afternoons. If you missed the program, you can listen to it here.

4. SPEAKING OUT: I’ve lost track of how many interviews I’ve done with Rhianna Patrick (pic above taken at the ABC) but they are always in-depth and entertaining, because she has always read the book she interviews me about. And trust me, it makes a difference. This week I got to yarn with her on Speaking Out and I am grateful for her time and professionalism.

5. BRUNCH WITH SIMON MARNIE: It was such a fantastic way to start Sunday, having brunch with Simon Marnie. Simon is a warm, well-researched, interested and engaging interviewer, and he can come over for brunch any day. If you missed our conversation which includes three of my fave books, songs and movies right now, you can listen to it on-line here. Pic above of Simon and I in front of my bookcase at home.

6. JULIE MCROSSIN: Okay, so it wasn’t a radio interview, but I just adore Julie. She’s a supporter of the Indigenous Literacy Project and a barrel of fun when it comes to having a yarn for QANTAS Inflight and 'Up and Away'. We had a yarn this week and it will be piping through the armrests of QANTAS flights in June this year. Pic of Ms J and I above.

Blog-spots I am grateful for:

To be invited to write for someone else’s blog is a privilege. It means the inviter trusts you to write something that their own followers and friends are interested in reading. I’ve done a few blogs these past weeks, and tonight I am grateful to those who have allowed me some space in their own blogosphere to talk mainly about Paris Dreaming. I’m also grateful to those bloggers who have supported me by writing on their own blogs about my work. I feel incredibly humbled by such wonderful support within the Australian writing community. Most specifically I’m grateful for:

1. SARA FOSTER: I’m grateful to my gorgeous authorly friend Sara Foster who asked me to write about what my character Libby Cutmore was grateful for on her blog.

2. SUSAN WHELAN: Thank you to the supportive Susan Whelan for inviting me to be part of her Reading Upside Down blog, with a post about why I chose Paris as the setting for my latest novel... aptly titled Paris Dreaming! I’m grateful also to all those who participated in the comp to win a copy of the novel.

3. THE BOOK SHOW: Thanks to the ABC Book Show blog who asked specifically for a blog by yours truly on why I write ‘chick lit’. As you may already know, I prefer to call it ‘commercial women’s fiction’. To find out why, just check out the blog.

4. PAIGE LOVES BOOKS: I’m grateful to Hobart-based Paige who read and reviewed Paris Dreaming and called me up for a little chat. You can hear the interview on-line at Paige’s blog.

5. SYDNEY WRITERS’ CENTRE: I’m grateful to Valerie Khoo from the Sydney Writers’ Centre who attended the Sydney launch of Paris Dreaming and recorded an interview on the night to include on the SWC blog. Hope you enjoy hearing about my writing process and a little about Paris Dreaming. A more extensive interview will be podcast on the SWC in the next two weeks.

5 Questions from Cronulla Library...

On Tuesday April 12 I'm doing a book signing and reading at the Cronulla Library (details here) just south of Sydney. In preparing guests for my visit, the library has asked me to answer a few questions... I've knocked them up quickly below.

1. What are you reading right now, are you enjoying it?
I’m currently reading Lisa Heidke’s Claudia’s Big Break. Set in Santorini and focussing on close personal relationships – with friends and lovers – it reminds me of my time in Greece some years ago, and also the shared experiences we have as women in relation to matters of the heart.

2. Tell us a bit about your favourite book
One of my all time favourite novels is Terri Janke’s Butterfly Song. The book is a love story, a legal lesson, a comment of the contemporary lifestyles and responsibilities of young, educated Indigenous people today, and a treasure-trove of eloquent and elegant writing.

Narrated by Tarena Shaw, soon to be graduate of law, Butterfly Song as a romance novel tells the love story of Tarena’s grandparents - guitar man Kit and Francesca his frangipani princess, and how their eternal love is symbolised in the butterfly brooch carved by Kit for his lady.

Butterfly Song is also a crime novel as the brooch was stolen in the past, which leads Tarena to research and defend her first case, without yet receiving her uni marks. In terms of learning about aspects of the law, Butterfly Song is a gem of a text, as we also get a simple lesson in native title and the Mabo decision, while learning of the angst of Indigenous law students dealing with prejudice and ignorance in the university environment.

I think it’s a great role model story for young Australian women.

3. What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I write every day but when I’m not doing that, I’m exercising (at the gym or walking locally in whatever city I am in), or catching up with friends and family, shopping, eating chocolate, enjoying the sun.

4. What's next for Anita Heiss? (Give us a clue about your next book...)
My next novel revolves around the lives of five Aboriginal women born and raised in Mudgee (NSW) who find themselves in their 40s all living in Brisbane. The story focuses on the joys and challenges of life-long friendships and personal and societal expectations on women.

5. If you could have dinner with two famous people who would they be & why?
I’d love to have dinner (but someone else would have to cook) with Oprah because of her extraordinary life story and positive outlook on life. She is the reason I keep my gratefulness blog.
I’d also like to dine with J. K. Rowling, another amazingly talented and accomplished woman whose life journey hasn’t always been glory and glamour. Of course, I’d be asking her for writing tips over dessert!

What I’m grateful for in the nation’s Capital!

I made a quick sprint to Canberra on Thursday / Friday for the official Paris Dreaming ‘book opening’ and to thank Canberrans for their support of my work... Here’s what I am grateful for during that flying visit.

1. HOSPITALITY: When I was twenty-two and worked for AIDAB (now AUSAID), I used to joke that the best thing about Canberra was the highway back to Sydney. I was a cheeky young person then, and didn’t appreciate the wonderful spirit that is easily found in a place that can often be lost in the suits of government. I was reminded during my trip that there is an incredible sense of hospitality in our nation’s capital. I’m grateful for the warm smiles, the helpful directions, the pleasant service in cafes and the staff at the Diamant Hotel where I stayed in Acton, for reminding me that in some ways, Canberra is still like a big country-town.

2. PAPERCHAIN: Bearing in mind that my character Libby Cutmore has her epiphany about going to Paris while trawling the shelves at Paperchain in Manuka, it made absolute sense to launch Paris Dreaming there. I’m grateful for this gem of a bookstore that has hosted events also for Avoiding Mr Right, I’m Not Racist But... and Manhattan Dreaming. Another example of local hospitality was the generous spread Lynda put on for us all to enjoy, right down to the sounds of Edith Piaf being piped through the store for authenticity. Pic above of Lynda @ Paperchain. And pic below of me with booklovers Renee and Marianne!

3. FRIENDS AND FAMILY: I really went to Canberra to thank all those who were part of my - and my characters – journey from Manuka to Paris in my latest novel. Without the support of my ‘research assistants’ I would not have known where to go, who to speak to and what to include in the storyline. Authenticity in setting is very important to the way I write. The evening at Paperchain was particularly special as a number of family (special mention of cousins Colin, Carol and Donna) and old friends came along. There were also a number of Paperchain-patriots as well and I was generally excited an grateful to meet them. All in all, a wonderfully heart-warming experience as bookish events go. I am grateful for all the kind booklovers who came along to share the moment with me.

4. TJABAL: One of the best of my jobs is running writing workshops, generally in schools, but sometimes for adults and specific groups of emerging writers. I am grateful for the opportunity afforded me by the Tjabal Centre for Indigenous Higher Education at the Australian National University, for the invitation to run a quick workshop with staff and students on Friday morning. Trying to cram a day’s worth into sixty minutes wasn’t easy, but we managed to delve into memory, create characters and a setting, and have a damned good laugh as well. And keeping up with my experiences, the room was full of positive, energetic, inspiring and friendly souls. What a way to end the week! Pic above of me with Tjabal workshop participants.

5. WEATHER: I know you’re shaking your head at that entry, but it’s absolutely true! The weather was stunning on Thursday and Friday, and although I’d packed tights and scarves they weren’t necessary. On days with clear blue skies and sun kissing my cheeks it almost makes me want to return to the city of roundabouts and politicians.

What I’m grateful for in Hobart:

In a whirlwind visit to Tasmania, once known as Van Dieman’s Land and originally named Trouwanna by the local Aboriginal people, I had only 24 hours to catch up with friends, launch Patsy Cameron’s book, try the local fare and appreciate what Sunday morning had to offer in the city of around 200,000 people. And yet, it was easy for me to find plenty to be grateful for.

1. AUNTY PATSY CAMERON: The best part of heading to Hobart was to see my dear friend, Aunty Patsy Cameron. We’ve known each other for ten years and our visits usually include political conversations mixed with shopping! I adore her and was more than happy to head south to launch her first book (see below) because I am proud of her. Patsy is a Tasmanian Aboriginal historian, a cultural geographer, an academic, a basket weaver and someone who has worked tirelessly to improve Aboriginal education in Tasmania. And I’m grateful I do life’s journey with her.

2. GREASE AND OCHRE: Obviously, because of my love for Patsy, I was honoured and humbled to be part of the launch of her book Grease and Ochre: the blending of two cultures at the colonial frontier. When I first picked up this beautiful volume with cover artwork by Julie Hawkins, I was immediately taken by the lines on the back that read: ‘In the early years of the nineteenth century, a small number of European men moved from the river towns of northern Tasmania onto the small islands of Eastern Bass Strait. Taking Tasmanian Aboriginal women as their wives, the Straitsmen set up small-island homes on what became the colonial sea frontier. There have been many interpretations of the result of this blending of two cultures.’

Patsy’s work separates the often recorded history of the ‘sealers as stealing wives’ because her interpretation of the history that sees the Straitsmen as something more than sealers and therefore wide stealers. Rather they were an integral part of the Aboriginal community, they shared the economy, they farmed crops, vegetables and animals. They hunted kangaroo skins, they hunted seals also, all while sharing the living space, and the lives of the local people they had a range of relationships with. Theirs is a history where ‘reciprocity was at the heart of these relationships’.

This book is not just Patsy’s individual interpretation of the history as she believes it to be. Rather, it is based on her years of research as a Masters student pouring over countless primary resources such as the historical journals of George Augustus Robertson, she has analysed architectural surveys, maps, diaries, newspaper articles as well as secondary sources.

But Patsy didn’t just rehash what was written through other people’s eyes, she wrote from her own sense of commitment about a place, a land she has walked and lived, a placed where her own family history and culture is embedded. And through her descriptions of country we get a glimpse of what sounds like a stunning landscape with lagoons, grasslands, woodlands, wetlands, mountain ranges, and wide open plains.

Grease and Ochre is Patsy’s history, but it is the history of Tasmania also, and should be read by the community at large. I hope that all school libraries in this state stock it and I know the glossary, maps, Ricky Maynard photography and historical images throughout will all be useful for unpacking this history in the classroom. I have no doubt that Universities nationally will add it to their collections immediately and the work will become a significant document for use when referring to the history of Tasmania in the future.

3. FULLERS BOOKSTORE: Tasmanian’s #1 independent bookstore, Fullers in Hobart (there’s one in Launceston too) is a relatively new space, fitted out with a huge range of books across genres that you can enjoy reading in their fabulous cafe. As I sipped my coffee on Sunday morning, I felt like I was just where I was supposed to be. By the time lunch time came around, the place was packed! Fullers was also the perfect setting for a launch. I’m grateful to Clive Tisley (below) and his team for their hospitality and for hosting the double launch of Grease and Ochre and my own Paris Dreaming.

4. JOHANNA BAKER-DOWDELL: I’m grateful for the generosity of spirit of Johanna whom I’d never met other than a phone interview for Manhattan Dreaming last year, and shared tweets, often about our shared love of chocolate. I’m also grateful that Johanna made the trek from Launceston to Hobart on Sunday just to meet me and attend the launch of Paris Dreaming in her state. On top of the trek she also arrived with some delicious chocolates for me from cocobean chocolate in Launceston, and some homemade jam. It felt like Christmas. We also found some time to search out the best chocolate in Hobart as well... see next post!

5. NORMAN AND DANN: Well, what a dangerous place to stop before breakfast! Handmade chocolates, Easter eggs, coffees, teas, and huge chocolate freckles! I ended up restraining myself and only buying dark chocolate covered orange slices/peel. Absolutely delish, and I totally recommend this icon at Salamanca Place when you’re in Hobart. In this note, I am grateful for my willpower, and my waistline is grateful too!

6. FISH FRENZY: Ok, so it’s fair to say that Fish Frenzy is the fanciest fish’n’chip shop I’ve ever been to. I loved my meal served in a brown-paper cone. Like something out of a movie. Highly recommend the local scallops – not the potato kind we’re used to here in NSW – the real things. I’m also grateful for the very friendly service by chirpy staff.

I’m grateful that Paris Dreaming is finally out!

Like any mother, I find the birth of a baby an amazing experience. And when Paris Dreaming was delivered in the commercial women's fiction maternity ward on Friday night, it didn’t matter that it was my 11th baby! I’m also proud to say I haven’t got any stretch marks after all those pregnancies!

Creating Paris Dreaming like any other book required inspiration and motivation, and months of hard work, all of which I have and did. And so to hold the new-born and share the delight of baptism with friends, is the final joy in bringing the book-baby in the world. Pic above and below taken by Amanda James.

I am grateful to the following for making Paris Dreaming possible:

1. RESEARCH ASSISTANTS: Sitting at the desk may be a solitary experience, but all my books require spending time with a great cast of real-life characters I like to call ‘research assistants’. In the case of Paris Dreaming, we had a lot of fun in a number of cities. I’m deeply thankful to those who took on their role with passion, trudging through the streets of Paris for days and nights on end; dining in restaurants and cafes, going galleries, cruising the Seine, strolling the Champs-Elyssee for champers, shopping in designer stores and fleemarkets, and of course, doing the touristy Moulin Rouge. Merci beaucoup to my local parisienne guide and reader Aline Gargar-Belmont. Susan Spooner, David Wright, Victoria Johnson and Kerry Foy – were so committed to my French research they travelled from the UK to meet me there. That is dedication to the production of literature.

I needed another trip to Spain so I set a chapter in Barcelona and I stayed with my tidda Julie Wark – a literary translator- and with the biggest heart of anyone I know. Julie hosted me twice and introduced me to Catalan culture while reading drafts over a glass or two of cava!

In Canberra I had a research team including Kirsten Bartlett and Rachel Clarke and although the trip Kirsten and I took to Queanbeyan races didn’t make it into the novel I’m most appreciative that she stood in the sweltering heat with me on ladies day, holding a carnation and drinking out of plastic cups. All in the name of research.

My thanks to the Moree Mademoiselles, Cathy Craigie and Miah Wright, for advice on everything from choosing Libby’s surname to where Libby’s mother Iris worked at the iconic Lillyman’s Cordial Factory.

I hadn’t been to Deniliquin before I chose it as a setting, but ventured there last year and I’m grateful to locals Steven Ross and Carlee Rundell-Gordon introduced Libby and I to the Deni ute muster. Finally, I need to thank all those who aided research, read drafts and offered suggestions I took on board. So I thank Jonathan Jones, Emily McDaniel, Caroline, Verge, Anne Cranny-Francis, Bernardine Knorr and Michelle Crawford.

2. RANDOM HOUSE AUSTRALIA: I am honoured to be part of the Random House stable. My publisher is also my friend Larissa Edwards, and she’s the best in the business. I had a fabulous editor on this book in Maisie Dubosarsky and my publicist Shannan Lane works hard to not only make sure everyone knows the book is out, but that we also had a fabulous launch party! The pic above is of Larissa and I.

3. FRIENDS: People talk about the process of writing as a solitary one. I have never felt that way. My days are full of exchanges with lots of friends, many of them writers but also friends from all the various areas of my life. Many of those friends supported me during the pregnancy of Paris Dreaming and came along to celebrate last Friday night, and I was most grateful to be able to share the joy with them. The pic above is of Ashlee and I and below is Anjanette Porter Morton and Lisa Heidke.

Big thanks to one of my longest friends - that’s someone I’ve known a long time – Ms Terri Janke, deadly author and lawyer, who gave yet another of her hilarious, warm launch speeches. All the while look absolutely gorgeous. The pic of her below is by Amanda James.

4. FAMILY: I see my siblings and my Mum most days. They ride the rollercoaster of life with me, laugh and cry with me, emotionally support and quite often feed me (ok so I’m away a lot and my fridge is nearly always bare!). I couldn’t and wouldn’t want to do life without them. And they always come along to my launches. Below I’m with Mum and my brothers Mark and Joe.

5. SURRY HILLS LIBRARY: Nestled above a massive glass frontage on Crown Street Surry Hills, is the most stinninmg venue for launches and other soirees. It was perfect setting for a Friday night champagne christening with my 100 guests and I am grateful to Leonie Smallwood from the City of Sydney for partnering Random House in making the launch a huge success.