tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917837.post4977168923024127443..comments2023-10-06T18:30:44.757+08:00Comments on The Battersblog: MEMORIES OF A THIRTY-THREE DOLLAR FESTIVALAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14168569626904048820noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917837.post-42624642141789212922013-02-28T13:38:19.515+08:002013-02-28T13:38:19.515+08:00Actually, Guy, someone pretty much did, but that w...Actually, Guy, someone pretty much did, but that was at another session that Keira and I attended. His answer was along the lines of "I tried to pull something off, I didn't quite succeed. Live and learn."<br /><br />I don't mind paying 16 bucks a ticket to see two heavyweights like this talk-- after all, there's buckley's that they'll every be enticed to come to something like Swancon, so it might be my only chance to see them in person-- but it really needed a facilitator with an actual understanding of their work. I've since been informed that the facilitator was Geordie Williamson, who is literary critic for 'The Australian'. The temptation to say "Which explains a lot" is a strong one....<br /><br />It could have been a remarkable session were it helmed by a Johnathan Strahan or Stephen Dedman. Opportunity lost, imho.<br /><br />But as a major, high-end literary event that still attracts the general public and gives them the opportunity to dip into a massive range of genres, styles, and approaches, I was impressed with the Festival. Familiarity might one day breed some sort of ennui, but not this year for me.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14168569626904048820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917837.post-74541101814972802252013-02-27T06:59:54.061+08:002013-02-27T06:59:54.061+08:00Maybe someone could have asked Mieville why Embass...Maybe someone could have asked Mieville why Embassytown was such a bloated, turgid wreck. That would have shaken things up :p<br /><br />To be honest, Lee, the feeling of unease you describe is the reason why I didn't go to the festival this year (or any year). I respect both Mieville and Atwood as writers, but I'll be damned if I'm paying money to sit in an audience and watch them talk. The spec-fic scene in Perth, from what I've seen of it, is far less formal and thus more appealing to me for that lack of formality.Guy Salvidgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13901860682180686569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917837.post-75740898383196324842013-02-27T00:07:20.505+08:002013-02-27T00:07:20.505+08:00It was lovely to finally meet you in person, Keira...It was lovely to finally meet you in person, Keira, and I must admit that Meiville's talk then was much more like what I was expecting from the Friday session. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14168569626904048820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5917837.post-64317978976376925972013-02-27T00:05:27.225+08:002013-02-27T00:05:27.225+08:00It was gratifying & a pleasant addition to the...It was gratifying & a pleasant addition to the day to finally put voices & faces to names & words re meeting you & Lyn at Murdoch. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10209333460266411623noreply@blogger.com