To mark the final of the Writers on Mondays series at the Wellington City Gallery (pictured), Maggie Rainey-Smith has sent in a review – obviously feeling that content is somewhat lacking over at LeafSalon! Only two more weeks of NZ Book Month to go and I'll be back – well, a bit back. Still will be keeping the site going at Book Month, just.

But good news just in, The Six Pack winners anthology has hit the shelves at number one on the NZ Fiction Bestsellers list!! Rather extraordinary, but a welcome boost after the last few months of some of the hardest work I've ever done. I have to say, it's a damn fine little book with some extremely good work in it. Check it out – you might have to be quick at this rate. Anyway, here's Maggie with a de-brief – three cheers for Writers on Mondays:

'I went to the final of the Writers on Monday series at the City Gallery. Cath Keneally and Ken Bolton were the featured poets (Australians from Adelaide), whom I had never heard of. As is de rigeur there was the usual microphone ‘curtain raiser’ whereby everyone is entertained while the guests work out if the microphone is working or not – this includes audience participation and feedback.

My feelings on this are that most local literary events purposely include this as part of the routine to relax the audience. It’s as if being literary precludes being practical and sorting out things like sound systems beforehand. And, I’m not being holier than thou – merely observing – as I would be the last person to know how to ensure a sound system was working.

I cannot comment on the quality of the poetry, because I find listening “cold” to poets I know nothing about beforehand (and even with a microphone warm-up routine) that I don’t always pay close attention or become instantly engaged.

What I can say is that I enjoyed Cath’s poem about buying a Marilyn Sainty (second-hand) skirt and some red boots in Wellington while out shopping with Jenny Bornholdt. Actually, the whole presentation felt like a friendly get together with Greg, Ken and Cath, obviously well known to each other and Jenny joining in from the side-line about the microphones.

Anyway … the bit that interested me the most was when Cath said she feels more “listened to” or “heard” over here, than she does in Australia. There followed some discussion about what it is to be Australian (and our poets seemed to be apologising…) – and then Bill Manhire asked if there were any literary debates going on in Australia – such as regional voices (Melbourne versus the Sydney voice for example… sort of thing).

Both poets said they felt there wasn’t much of this and that Australia was all the poorer for it. They seemed to think that NZ is very fortunate with our AUP and VUP… so there you go. Cath made it clear she doesn’t like Les Murray (I love Les Murray) – but I felt there was something quite political underlying Cath’s comment (more about the women’s voice in Oz, than perhaps specific poetry).

The bit I found interesting, was right at the end when Greg suggested both Cath and Ken could read a short two minute poem – and Cath did – and it was a nice touch about watching children’s telly – and then Ken got up and asked if we would mind if he read a five minute poem – and there you have it – he did – and so well behaved Cath who took her cue from the chair, was disadvantaged right there and then. Perhaps that is what she meant about not being “heard” in Australia.

But, I got the feeling these two are close friends (or, are they married??) – except I thought I heard Greg mention “single male” referring to Ken – so who knows.

And before I finish ... Can I please draw your attention to a new title Gate Crasher & other stories by Frances Cherry, published by Earl of Seacliff Art Workshop and launched by Ronda Bungay last week. I’ve only just dipped into a couple of stories, but want to alert you all to this collection.

Great title, great cover, and inside are some delicious life slices. Frances has an unerring way of telling a tale as if she were a friend chatting over coffee and as if it was all true and instead of irony, there is something more potent at work – a humorous innocence, and underwritten, uncluttered emotion that pops up and hits you when you’re not looking.

That's it from me.'