It’s nearly spring here in Melbourne/Naarm and to be honest after a few bone-chilling weeks it feels warmer already – the jonquils are out!

Have I been hibernating? No, I have not. Well, maybe a little, but there’s lots on in the next few weeks so I’m madly preparing now for…

Bendigo Writer’s Festival – a delight every year, and this year I’m chairing a panel on writing collaboratively with Thomas Mayo & Kerry O’Brien (The Voice to Parliament Handbook), Bruce Pascoe & Lyn Harwood (Black Duck), and Tarryn Phillips & Edward Narain (Sugar). It’s on 9.30am on Sunday 18 August: details and bookings here.

Then a couple of days later, I’m launching the wonderful new novel Grace and Marigold, by Mira Robertson, at Readings Carlton. It’s a terrific coming-of-age story of a young Australian woman, Grace, living in a London squat in the seventies. One of the things I love most about it is the fine detail of the hopeful people making lives in the squats, the bleak Thatcher-ite world around them, the gritty feel of London – the city coming alive, and the hilarious insight into seat-of-the-pants publishing of the time. The launch is on 20 August – free but you need to book as it’s filling up quickly.

The annual Davitt Awards in women’s crime writing are nearly upon us, with longlists and shortlists announced by Sisters In Crime. The big night, when we announce the winners in all the different categories is on 31 August. I’m sort of the MC and will spend part of the evening in conversation with guest of honour, Sulari Gentill, author of the Rowland Sinclair series and her newer contemporary mysteries such as the Woman in the Library. Tickets include dinner, and it’s likely to book out, so get organised, if you’re coming along. Details here.

See you out there!

Kelly