George Ivanoff shows what the writing game is all about George Ivanoff describes himself as a “jobbing author”, that is, an author who makes his living from his writing. He refuses to self-publish, as he considers that too hit and miss. His writing is his income and he has a family to feed, clothe and educate. Much time is spent pitching to publishers and copyright and licencing holders, dreaming up an idea, writing a treatment, submitting it and keeping fingers crossed that it flies. It is still a good part of his productive time. Many are rejected, some get through.  It takes hard graft. It takes patience. It takes tenacity. It takes talent and it takes an eye for a good story. In the early days, all his work was obtained this way but now, as a well-respected author with over 130 books under his belt, he has an excellent working relationship with Penguin and other publishing houses. They now come to him. He has also built up a successful series of networks with licencing firms an...

Gabby Greig – Urban Poet  at Mentone Public Library for  An Author for all Seasons Series 13  on 11 February, 2023   Gabby Greig’s poems have a real lyrical aspect to them. I can see some talented musician taking her words and making them into beautiful songs. And that, in a way, is what Gabby does when she presents! Her delivery is magical, intonation superb and voice melodic. She is the full package. Writer and presenter. On Saturday the Mentone Public Library was treated to her readings from her recently published Poetry anthology “Re-Framing”. She has illustrated her poems with her gentle photography. And as an added treat we were privy to some poetry that will be published shortly. We all loved it! She explores life and living in the 21 st  century from the mature and empathetic eyes of an older lady. Her topics range from the global concern of climate change, to very personal reflections of life and our place in the world.  Gabby’s attention to rhyme ...

  Open Mic, February, 2023   What our first Open Mic for the year lacked in numbers, it made up for in the quality of presentation and the hour stretched into a very entertaining and thought-provoking session, which produced lively conversation and excellent feedback. We enjoyed poems, short stories, oral rantings and, for the first time, we had a singer song writer in our midst and were treated to a live musical performance. Mark McGurgan, a travelling minstrel, is in town to catch up with his mother, Lesley, and to do a gig at the forthcoming Mordialloc Festival next weekend. Mark delved into the back of his camper and produced a piano size keyboard and his trusty guitar. He writes and sings his own songs and travels Australia sharing the joy.  We were lucky enough to have him present at Mentone Public Library last weekend.  He and his twin brother will be at the forthcoming Mordialloc Festival this coming weekend, an acrobat from southern Tasmania, and will unite ...