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.’

Thanks Ann for your posts sharing both Melba anecdotes and your sailing experiences.

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

• Miller’s Homestead - historic house owned by The City of Knox at the of Cnr Dorrigo Road and Melrose Crt, Boronia on Friday 6 February 2009, from 7.00 pm
 A celtic harp will play in the beautiful garden prior to and following Anne Blainey’s talk.
 For further information phone Ferntree Gully Library 9294 8140 or book online at  http://summerread12.eventbrite.com
 
• Wangaratta Library, 21 Docker Street, Wangaratta on Wednesday 11 February 2009, 7.00 – 8.00 pm
 Students from the Northern Rivers Academy of Music, will accompany Ann Blainey on a  journey through the life and times of Dame Nellie Melba.
 Join in and evening of All Things Melba starting with Melba champagne on arrival.
 For further information phone Wangaratta Library 5721 2366 or book online at  http://summerread18.eventbrite.com
 
• Collingwood Library, 11 Stanton Street, Abbotsford on Sunday 15 February 2009, 3.00 – 4.30 pm
 A choral recital will precede Anne Blainey’s talk and Melba Champagne, Peach Melba  and Melba Toast will be served
 For further information phone Collingwood Library on 1300 695 427 or book online at  http://summerread13.eventbrite.com

Vote for I am Melba or SMS MELBA to 13 46 88

Ann Blainey is next Summer Read author blogging from  21 - 24 December.

Ann Blainey has written five biographies. She has served on the council of two Australian opera companies and the Percy Grainger Museum in Melbourne. Her previous book was Fanny and Adelaide: The Lives of the Remarkable Kemble Sisters, one sister was a famous opera singer and the other a famous actress.

Her book I am Melba is one of the books on the Summer Read shortlist.

I am Melba tells the story of Melbourne’s Dame Nellie Melba, Australia’s first international superstar. Melba performed to overflowing concert halls within a few short years of travelling to London and Paris, and became a singing phenomenon and was the subject of much controversy. This biography captures the glamour, energy and excitement of this legendary Melburnian export.

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

• Miller’s Homestead - historic house owned by The City of Knox at the of Cnr Dorrigo Road and Melrose Crt, Boronia on Friday 6 February 2009, from 7.00 pm
   A celtic harp will play in the beautiful garden prior to and following Anne Blainey’s talk.
   For further information phone Ferntree Gully Library 9294 8140 or book online at  http://summerread12.eventbrite.com

• Wangaratta Library, 21 Docker Street, Wangaratta on Wednesday 11 February 2009, 7.00 – 8.00 pm
   Students from the Northern Rivers Academy of Music, will accompany Ann Blainey on a  journey through the life and times of Dame Nellie Melba.
   Join in and evening of All Things Melba starting with Melba champagne on arrival.
   For further information phone Wangaratta Library 5721 2366 or book online at  http://summerread18.eventbrite.com

• Collingwood Library, 11 Stanton Street, Abbotsford on Sunday 15 February 2009, 3.00 – 4.30 pm
   A choral recital will precede Anne Blainey’s talk and Melba Champagne, Peach Melba  and Melba Toast will be served
   For further information phone Collingwood Library on 1300 695 427 or book online at  http://summerread13.eventbrite.com

What Ann says about summer reading

“My happiest memory of summer reading is lying in the hayloft of my grandparent’s farm poring over old copies of The Australian Women’s Mirror. I was ten years old; and though I did not know it then, I was embarking on my first historical research. The magazines dated from the mid nineteen thirties, and I was fascinated by the unfamiliar world that their pages revealed. Even today, when I recall those summer afternoons, I can smell warm hay – and see The Phantom comic strip, which appeared weekly in those Mirrors. My summer reading is still historical. Last summer I read Ouida’s Moths. I gain the greatest pleasure from nineteenth century fiction.”