On Festivals and Blogmeets

I have always held the Melbourne Writers Festival in the highest regard and would look forward to the one weekend each year that I would listen to interesting authors talk about interesting books and then watch with amusement as they leer at the author-groupies from the bar after their session had finished. After all what's a party without the people-watching?

Melbourne had the advantage over Sydney of an intimate space, a central gathering area for groupies, I mean festival-goers, and plenty of good, cheap and quick food options to munch on between sessions.

This year the MWF moved from the Malthouse in South Melbourne to Fed Square. An impressive location, to be sure, but lacking in the intimacy of the old Festival.

The venues were mixed. This one, the BMWEdge was spectacular, but cavernous. Great for large groups of people but if 100 people gathered to listen to an emerging author it was just plain awkward.

The central atrium was also spectacular. But without the convenience of hawker-style food we had to go to restaurants and cafes to eat and so festival goers were locked away rather than milling around the central court.

But, I hear you say, writers festivals are all about the writers aren't they? Yes, mostly. Or mostly mostly. But the choice of writers wasn't spectacular either. I find myself choking and gasping as I have to admit that when it comes to a Festival of Writers this year Sydney has pipped Melbourne at the post as the best party.

Sorry.

If Melbourne doesn't pull its socks up I'm afraid I'm going to have to plug for a weekend at the Byron Bay Writers Festival.

For a full wrap up of the festival, including the best bits (there were some good bits) check out Fairlie's excellent summary.

Melbourne did, however, outdo itself in the Blogmeet stakes. Fairlie organised a dinner for Melbourne bloggers and we were delighted to catch up with Frogdancer, H&B, Suse from PeaSoup and Stomper Girl. You can tell there was non-stop chatting because despite being at the restaurant for four hours we managed only one course and glass of wine, or two; and we completely forgot to take photos. These great bloggers came from all over Melbourne to this dinner and a great time was had by all.

To those who couldn't make it this time - I'd love to catch up next time I'm in the Great Southern City.