More than 800 people packed into the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne last night to hear one of Australia's greatest writers, Tim Winton, talk about his latest novel Breath.

Readings brought Tim's entire back catalogue with them to the event and its made for quite a sight spread out over a few tables. Oh and Readings staff always like to pose.

Mark Rubbo, Managing Director of Readings, began proceedings by introducing the West Australian writer.

And before long Tim took to the stage.
Where he spoke about the genesis of Breath, the as-yet
unfinished book he dropped in favour of writing Breath and
life as Tim Winton the writer.

And all three tiers of the theatre listened to an hour or so as Tim spoke and read passages from his new book, before taking questions from the audience.

And to finish an evening with Tim Winton off there was the post-match signings.

Dr Paul Willis from ABC TV's
Catalyst program launching
Two Blue Cherries will be presenting its debut show Three Dog
Night from May 15 at fortyfivedownstairs on Flinders Lane.
It's a stunning collaboration between award-winning novelist Peter
Goldsworthy and hot new talent, actor/writer Petra Kalive.
The 2008
Alfred Deakin Lecture series brings the finest thinkers and
innovators to Melbourne from throughout Australia and around the
world.
The
Indigenous Literacy Project (ILP) is a national book industry
initiative which works in partnership with The Fred Hollows
Foundation to improve literacy in remote Indigenous
communities.