19 November 2003

Friends of Fryer, a support group for the University of Queensland's Fryer Library, is inviting the public to a Christmas lunch with writer Nick Earls on Thursday, November 27.

A Brisbane identity, Mr Earls is the author of nine books, including the bestselling novels, ZigZag Street, Bachelor Kisses, Perfect Skin, World of Chickens and most recently Making Laws for Clouds.

ZigZag Street won a Betty Trask Award in 1998. Bachelor Kisses was one of Who Weekly's Books of the Year in 1998 and 48 Shades of Brown won the prestigious Children`s Book of the Year: Older Readers Award from the Children`s Book Council of Australia.

Mr Earls' work has been published internationally and he was a finalist for the Queensland Premier's Export Award in 1999.

He has donated his literary manuscripts to the Fryer Library, a collection incuding drafts and research notes for all his published works and represents a complete record of his literary work to date.

The material will be a valuable research resource for current and future students of literature and contemporary culture at the University.

The lunch will be at the University Staff and Graduates Club, St Lucia, starting at noon. Tickets are $35.

Anyone interested in attending should contact Nea Daniels (phone 07 3365 1556 or email n.daniels@library.uq.edu.au.)