The Lumiere Reader has a good write up of “Self-confessed writer of whale pornography Philip Hoare" and "fellow Brit boy-gent Geoff Dyer...almost completely ignoring mediator Harry Ricketts." so I'll just point you there for that session and add an interesting quote:

“History being written before it happens” - How is that possible? Do we rise to expectations? Self fulfilling prophicies?

Bill Manhire – guest of the Steve Braunius show

Steve's coloumn in the Sunday Star Times (28/03/10) summing up his experience at Writers & Readers was very honest (including the Damien Wilkins story!). He is a rogue with alcohol issues, a diva and Bill was very patient with him. Steve pointed out their only point in common was that they'd both been to Antartica and that Bill loved it and he hated it. Hmmm, anyway, Bill as always was excellent when he was allowed to speak.

Kamila Shamsie was supposed to be in conversation with John Campbell but for some reason he never made his flight down so the irrepressible Kate De Goldi stepped in at the eleventh hour. I'm keen to read Kamila's work, the most recent is “Burnt Shadows”. Kamila said that she found images the best place to start with writing rather than other texts because you don't have other peoples words to re-write. Simple but true.
Favourite quote:
“The stories we tell tell on us” (reveal us)

VUP launch at the Atrium on Blair/Allen Sts

Bill Manhire, Kate Camp and Geoff Cochrane all launched their new collections of poems. I have to admit I have a vested interest. However I thought it was a great night despite the torrential downpour. Monsoon (how appropriate) Poon does excellent finger food! It was wonderful to hear the three of them read and catch up with lots of buddies.