UQ Library and the Friends of Fryer hosted National Year of Reading Ambassador Nick Earls on 8 August.

Our new University Librarian, American Robert Gerrity opened the event, mentioning Earls's new book Welcome to Normal as a timely supplement to his current list of must-read Australian literature.

Simon Groth of the Institute of the Future of the Book Australia led Nick Earls in a discussion of the book. Earls chatted about his inspiration for several of the short stories, including a delightful tale that featured his parents, a B&B in Andalusia, and the heart of a 14th-century Scottish king. (This story also features over at Nick Earls's blog.)

The pair also talked about the usefulness of Google Maps in the writing process, and considered ebooks and the opportunities this creates for publishing short stories. The event concluded with a well-attended book signing and light lunch.