Walter Mason to talk with Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell about their Sydney-based books for kids, Ashfield Library, Tuesday April 26, 2016, 1pm

Numerical Street & Alphabetical Sydney 

A talk with the wonderful creators of these delightful books about Sydney, growing up and the way the landscape inspires them. 

 

Pesenti’s illustrations are witty and textured: a collage of black-and-white photocopied photos and bright, bracingly clean-cut drawings. […] All too unusually for a picture book, the text, written by playwright Hilary Bell, is an equal match […] it is a playful, often sly, pleasure.
— Delia Falconer on Alphabetical Sydney, Sydney Morning Herald

About the Books

Numerical Street

Numerical Street is a counting book set in a colourful, quirky streetscape where there’s always something new to find. It celebrates the jostle and chaos of a busy shopping street, playfully documenting familiar shops and businesses: Coin-op laundries, cake shops, panel beaters and hair salons. These unremarked shops are a disappearing species.
In the two years spent photographing suburban and regional shopfronts for Numerical Street many have vanished, including much-loved urban icons like Sol Levy’s Tobacconist Extraordinaire on George Street and Perkal Brothers Bespoke Bootmakers in Surry Hills.
Numerical Street captures a moment in time and place, distilling the beauty and charm of these everyday shops into bold double spreads – using the language and type of their signs, architecture and product display.

 

 

 

Alphabetical Sydney

This is our Sydney, the brightest and best of it,
North to the south to the east and the west of it.
Bats and cicadas, lawn bowls and the zoo,
This is our town. Let us share it with you.

A playful and vibrantly illustrated picture book that celebrates Sydney in all its diversity – from A to Z. It is a best-seller and won the 2014  Australian Book Design Award. It has also been  been shortlisted for the Australia Book Industry Award and nominated for several awards, including the AABA and the Independent Booksellers’ Award.

About the Authors

 

 

Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell have been friends since they met in Paris 20 years ago. Antonia is an architect and illustrator, and Hilary is an award-winning playwright. Their friendship turned into a collaboration when they created the bestselling Alphabetical Sydney together. They enjoyed the process so much that they have continued to collaborate, celebrating the beauty and charm of the ordinary in our urban environment.

alphabeticalsydney.tumblr.com/

 

Do join us for this free event - and bring a friend!

Details:

 

Tuesday April 26   1pm Local Studies Room - Ashfield Library
Walter Mason in conversation with Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell about their delightful picture books, Numerical Street and Alphabetical Sydney.
Books available for sale and signing from Better Read Than Dead Newtown

 

 

Destination Cambodia at Ashfield Library

Authors at Ashfield: Walter Mason talks about his new book Destination Cambodia

Ashfield Library

Thursday, 5 September 2013 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (EST)

Ashfield Library, Sydney, NSW

  Walter Mason talks about and signs copies of his new book Destination Cambodia

 

 No bookings required, free event

I invite you all to come along to this wonderful event. I will tell you some funny stories and show you some lovely pictures and together we'll explore the glorious Kingdom of Cambodia! 

 

Ashfield Library

Thursday, 5 September 2013 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (EST)

Ashfield Library, Sydney, NSW

  Walter Mason talks about and signs copies of his new book Destination Cambodia

- See more at: http://www.waltermason.com/#sthash.7U6ILvUS.dpuf

Authors at Ashfield: Walter Mason 

 

talks about Destination Cambodia

 

- See more at: http://www.waltermason.com/#sthash.7U6ILvUS.dpuf

Authors at Ashfield: Walter Mason 

 

talks about Destination Cambodia

- See more at: http://www.waltermason.com/#sthash.7U6ILvUS.dpuf

Lunar New Year Festival (Cho Tet), Fairfield

I don't know why I go to big, crowded public events anynore.
I am invariably disappointed.
I feel bored and tired before an hour is up, and in this instance my partner was part of the VIP party, so was trapped listening to interminable speeches for two hours or more while I paced around in the mud, increasingly bored.
The once great Cho Tet, the big festival to celebrate the Lunar New Year for the Vietnamese community, has become something of a shambles. The food is ghastly and it's always held too late to be of any truly festive significance. I mean, we know when the Lunar New Year is going to fall for the next 100 years or so. Can the organisers not book ahead to ensure they get the venue at the desired time?
I don't mean to grumble.
The dragon and lion dances were spectacular, really wonderful. They seemed to be the only properly organised parts of the whole event.

Here's some free advice to bring some heart back to this important event:

- Get some good food. Take a look at the much smaller Thai New Year celebrations at Wat Pa Buddharangsee in Minto. They manage to attract an array of truly fantastic food vendors, many of them representatives of iconic restaurants.

- Provide more seating. For some reason the entire under-cover area of the showground was roped off, including the toilet. This could have been hired as an area for people to sit and eat, with tables and chairs. And by the way, the five sad portaloos provided were a disgrace - they were already full at 6.30pm. There are many older people present who would hang around longer and spend more money if they could relax. As it is they couldn't get away quickly enough - the whole thing is dreadfully uncomfortable and physically taxing.

- Bring the community back. Allow the festival to reflect some of the colour and diversity of the Vietnamese community. The Buddhist temples, the Cao Dai groups - all should have some sort of presence there. Perhaps a tent for talks, lectures and cultural displays? People come for this sort of thing, not kiosks promoting the local clubs. In fact, why don't the local clubs sponsor such a tent rather than just handing out balloons and cardboard visors?

- Do something about the ghastly opening ceremony. Two hours + of speeches by dubious VIPs is simply unforgiveable in the 21st century. A neat half-hour of ceremonies is ample (indeed, generous), and then bring on the singing and dancing that people really enjoy. NO MORE SPEECHES.

With a bit of imagination and energy this yearly event has enormous potential to become a truly important part of the Australian cultural calendar. As it is, it's a disaster.

Walter Mason Takes Us on a Spiritual Journey Through Vietnam - Adyar Bookshop Sept. 29

A Spiritual Journey Through Vietnam
Adyar Booksop
99 Bathurst St (Upstairs)
Sydney
6.30pm Free Entry
Thursday 29th September

Join Walter Mason, author of Destination Saigon, on an incredible illustrated journey through the rich spiritual life of Vietnam.
Walter will be talking about the diverse mystical traditions of the Vietnamese people, from the stark discipline of Zen Buddhist monasteries to the wild colour and controlled chaos of Cao Dai, the indigenous religion of southern Vietnam.
This is a rare opportunity to see unknown and hidden parts of this beautiful country and discover aspects of Vietnam's culture and history that you'll never discover in a travel guide.

Private shrine inside a senior Buddhist monk's room, Vietnam.

Outdoor shrine to Maitreya, the Buddha of the future, Central Vietnam.

Statue of the Earth Mother, a folk religious figure, Ho Chi Minh City.

Shrine to Kwan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy, Hoai Nhon.

5 Reasons Why Authors Should Speak at Service Clubs

Last week I went to speak to the women's Probus Club at Mona Vale, and I had the most fabulous time. The ladies were friendly and interested, they asked intelligent questions, they bought the book and they treated me to lunch afterwards. Now how many author gigs are as satisfying as that?
Some first-time authors have questioned whether such events are worth their while, wondering out loud if the time and effort (and yes, it takes both) pay off.
I am of the opinion that they do, well and truly, so here are my Top 5 Reasons Why Authors Should Speak at Service Clubs:

1. Book Sales - Out of all the events I do, I find that I sell most copies at service club talks. The people that belong to these clubs tend to be readers, and the kind of reader that is interested in expanding their horizon. If you have spoken engagingly and interestingly, they can easily be persuaded to buy your book. I make sure I have a nice display of my book placed prominently; with a notice saying how much it is (some people are too shy to ask). I also use gorgeous fabrics to make the table look a little more interesting and exotic, and bring in one of my Vietnamese statues to be a talking point, and to bring people's eyes to the books for sale. I normally mention subtly during the talk that the book is for sale, but I also try to get whoever is introducing and thanking me to mention it as well. There is an excellent article by Stephanie Chandler on how to sell the book at the back of the room that I always consult - have a read. Once the talk is over I plonk myself down next to the display, pen in hand, and wait for the line to form.
2. Brand Building - No matter where the club is situated, the people who belong tend to be the movers and shakers in their community. I find they buy books not only for themselves, but to give to family and friends who they think might be interested. And remember, particularly if you are speaking to a group of retirees, you are not just talking to them. Indirectly you are talking to their children and their grandchildren, and they could well become your advocate to the younger members of their family. If they liked you they will talk about you, and keep an eye out for you in the future.
3. Getting More Speaking Engagements - Once you have wowed one group you will find yourself suddenly getting invites from other groups all around the city. Speaker organisers tend to know one another, and will phone around if they "discover" someone new. This provides a publicity-hungry author with an amazing network, and a whole host of new opportunities to hone their skill as a speaker. Probus keeps an official list of available speakers, and you can ask to be put on that. I'm not sure if other clubs do the same - would like to find out.
4. Testing New Stories and New Material - Club talks tend to be far longer than most author presentations (normally around 40 minutes to an hour), and so offer an opportunity to try out some new stories in addition to your tried and tested, guaranteed fabulous, shtick. If people react well to a new story, you know you are on a winner. I also find that the questions I get are actually quite stimulating, and give me clues as to what I might need to develop in my future work, or what I could turn into a blog article or eBook.
5. Contributing to the Community and Giving Authors a Good Name - OK, I know altruism is not normally a consideration when it comes to self-promotion, but it is worth remembering that the clubs are service clubs, and contribute a tremendous amount of money and energy to good causes. Through entertaining their members you help encourage more people to join and to become actively involved, and that is no small feat. By giving your time and talent freely you are contributing further to the club's good work, and helping members realise that writers are also a magnanimous, humanity-loving bunch.

Walter Mason to appear in the Writers' Tent at the Newtown Festival Sunday 14th November

I'm very honoured to be appearing in the Writers' Tent at this year's Newtown Festival.
The Tent, sponsored by King St literary institution Better Read Than Dead, is THE hotspot of the Festival, featuring a really fascinating range of authors (including my good friend Geesche Jacobsen) talking about their books and their craft.
I'll be In Conversation with the terrific Maggie Hamilton, and I'm sure she'll drag insights, profundities and epiphanies aplenty out of me.



Please come along and hear me!


Newtown Festival - Writers' Tent
Sunday 14th November
3.15pm


Destination Saigon: Adventures in Vietnam with Walter Mason

From the crazy heat and colour of Saigon to the quieter splendour of Hanoi, Walter Mason gives us a rare, joyous, at times hilarious insight into contemporary Vietnam.
Seduced by the beauty and charm of its people, the rich variety of foods, travel off the beaten track to far-flung villages in overcrowded buses or perched perilously on motorbikes.

In conversation with publisher Maggie Hamilton.

Destination Saigon at Cabramatta Library

The really lovely people at the Whitlam Library in Cabramatta are holding a very special meet-the-author evening on Wednesday night the 9th of June at 6.30pm.
I will be talking about Vietnam, writing, and some of the special and funny stories that form the backbone of "Destination Saigon."
I am so privileged to be speaking at my own local library, so please come along if you can to hear an author on his home turf.

Details:

Whitlam Library
Wednesday, 9th June, 6.30pm
9725 0360 to RSVP

Everyone is welcome to this free event.

Thank you to Anne and Andrew at the library for their wonderful support, the posters look fantastic!!

Walter Mason Speaking at the Cafe Church, Chapel by the Sea, Bondi Beach,

7pm Sunday APRIL 11
@Chapel by the Sea, Bondi Beach

Address: 95 Roscoe Street, Bondi Beach NSW

Phone: 02 9130 3445

Walter will be talking about spiritual life in contemporary Vietnam, and will lead an exercise in prayer and meditation on the prayer bells.

Walter is an academic and writer with a long-standing interest in meditation, prayer and other contemplative practices.

Walter has travelled extensively throughout Asia, and has spent long periods studying Buddhism and meditation in Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan and Cambodia.

These days Walter is firmly committed to the idea of Interfaith spirituality, and is convinced of the possibility of meaningful exploration of plural spiritual paths. At present Walter's spiritual journey could be defined as Buddhist-Christian, with input from the ideas of Christian mystic Emanuel Swedenborg and inspired by the example of the Hindu mystic Ramakrishna.

Committed to the practice of meditation as an effective tool for spiritual exploration, Walter's approach is gentle and focused on individual needs. Rejecting the idea that 3 hours a day squatting on the floor is essential, Walter teaches that even 5 minutes a day of mindful sitting or movement can have a positive effect on people's lives.

Walter is the author of a spiritual travel book called Destination Saigon, recently released by Allen & Unwin. www.destination-saigon.com