The Page Parlour - Federation Square

I spent Sunday afternoon on my table selling Surprise! in amongst a diverse and fascinating range of literary journals, zines, and small publishers. I was sharing my space with Helen and we both looked after each other’s things while the other occasionally ducked off for food, and so I didn’t get as much of a look at the other stalls as I would’ve liked out of worry I was neglecting my post! But I did buy a few things – made possible out of the proceeds of the sales of Surprise!

I feel lucky that we were next to Elise Hurst who was (as you’d expect) a great drawcard.

The Page Parlour - Federation Square

Adam and the kids arrived at the end of the afternoon, saw a few performance poets, and generally ran amok before it was time to pack up and come home.

Possibly the best thing all day was a zine I bought for $1 made by a three year old boy, being sold by his mum (and I wish I got her name) on a stand. Dammit, next year I’m putting the kids to work to make more of their books and then I’ll sell them! Brilliant!

karen andrews

Karen Andrews is the creator of this website, one of the most established and well-respected parenting blogs in the country. She is also an author, award-winning writer, poet, editor and publisher at Miscellaneous Press. Her latest book is Trust the Process: 101 Tips on Writing and Creativity