Book in for a fine night

The Big Issue books editor Thuy On. Photo: Damjan Janevski

Book lovers are being invited to enjoy a glass of wine, a meal in front of a roaring fire and an evening with a guest writer at an event in Newport dubbed Thursdays by the Fire.

This month’s guest speaker will be West Footscray’s Thuy On, books editor of The Big Issue magazine, which is sold on the streets by homeless and disadvantaged people.

She will talk about her career as a book reviewer and her favourite books.

Ms On will also talk about

The Big Issue’s current annual fiction issue and how the short stories were selected.

“My co-judge and I, Jo Case, were looking for a variety of styles because we wanted an eclectic range of stories,” Ms On said.

“The short fiction, chosen blindly – out of 562 submitted – explored fundamentals about birth, love, death, and everything in between.

“There’s one with a fantasy bent and another about the vagaries of fame.

“Guest authors commissioned included Matthew Reilly and Elliot Perlman.”

Vendor Brian Crouch, who sells

The Big Issue at Williamstown Coles will be selling the fiction issue on the night.

The event will be on Thursday, September 28, from 7-9pm at Newport Scout Hall, Mason Street, Newport.

Tickets costing $30 ($25 concession) include supper and a glass of wine from Goodwill Wine.

Tickets: eventbrite.com/e/thursdays-by-the-fire-tickets-37053738730