Thanks Dennis for your honest posts and for allowing us to look into your life. Your amazing story just may inspire others to share their own story. Hope you see a few of your old mates at your events.

As part of the free Summer Read events across Victoria, Dennis will be appearing at:

• Richmond Library, 415 Church Street, Richmond on Tuesday 27 January 2009, 7.00 – 8.00 pm
For more information phone 1300 695 427 or book online at  http://summerread4.eventbrite.com

• Shepparton Library, 41-43 Marungi Street Shepparton on Wednesday 28 January 2009, 6.00 – 7.30 pm
For more information phone 5832 1600 or book online at  http://summerread6.eventbrite.com

• Barwon Park, 105 Inverleigh Road, Winchelsea
Join Dennis for a BBQ, coldie and a darn good yarn. Wander through this magnificent  historic National Trust Homestead from 6pm; join us for a sausage and a coldie from the  bar-b-que.
Borrow books from the mobile library and settle in the historic courtyard overlooking  bluestone buildings for an evening of yarns from Dennis McIntosh.
For more information phone Annmaree Harper at Geelong Library 5241 6151 or book online at  http://summerread7.eventbrite.com

Vote for Beaten by a Blow or SMS BLOW to 13 46 88

Since ‘Beaten by a Blow’ has been published one of the unexpected follow-on’s has been a steady stream of letters and emails from characters in the book and readers that had worked, or knew people.  My father has received most of the phone calls because i’ve been oversees. Kevin Fisher, the blond headed young man in the photo, only had the memory of my parent’s house to go by in tracking me down.  He googled earth and found my parent’s house and consequently found their phone number. Kevin was illiterate when i knew him some thirty years ago and on our re aquantence he informed that he was never able to learn to read or write and asked if i could send him my story on a PDF. He had an on screen reader and read the story in nine hours.  Kevin was a gun rousie and went on to shear for many years. Kevin’s uncle, David Morgan, who was one of the shearer’s at Warrigal Creek also made contact. David is attempting to organise a reunion. I am hoping Kevin and David will be at the Richmond library when i speak later in January.  It would be great  to  have some live characters from the book talk and add to the experiences.  cheers Dennis

Dennis McIntosh is next Summer Read author blogging from 6 – 10 January.

His book Beaten by a Blow is one of the books on the Summer Read shortlist.

Dennis McIntosh was born in Townsville and grew up in Newcastle and Melbourne’s outer west. He has been a manual labourer for twenty years, a recovered alcoholic for ten years, and a student of writing for three. This is his first book.

Beaten by the Blow details the life of a hopeful young man who, through the sights, sounds – and smells – of the sheep-shearing sheds, learns the gritty lessons of life and all its hardships. Heavy work, heavy responsibilities and heavy drinking – all lead to this young man dropping the shears and picking up a pen to write this compelling memoir.

As part of the free Summer Read events across Victoria, Dennis will be appearing at:

• Richmond Library, 415 Church Street, Richmond on Tuesday 27 January 2009, 7.00 – 8.00 pm
For more information phone 1300 695 427 or book online at  http://summerread4.eventbrite.com

• Shepparton Library, 41-43 Marungi Street Shepparton on Wednesday 28 January 2009, 6.00 – 7.30 pm
For more information phone 5832 1600 or book online at  http://summerread6.eventbrite.com

• Barwon Park, 105 Inverleigh Road, Winchelsea
Join Dennis for a BBQ, coldie and a darn good yarn. Wander through this magnificent  historic National Trust Homestead from 6pm; join us for a sausage and a coldie from the  bar-b-que.
Borrow books from the mobile library and settle in the historic courtyard overlooking  bluestone buildings for an evening of yarns from Dennis McIntosh.
For more information phone Annmaree Harper 5241 6151 or book online at  http://summerread7.eventbrite.com

What Dennis says about summer reading

‘I’ll never forget a few summers ago I started reading ‘The Reader’ I quickly realized I had a great book on my hands and I stopped reading immediately. I did all my jobs, cancelled any appointments, locked myself in the house, shut the curtains, put the jug on and read it from start to finish. It was great. Then I went round trying to get other people to read it. When I find a great book I always want to share it with my friends, or anyone who’ll listen to me.’