SUCH was the success of a ‘Meet the Artist & Book Signing’ event with Alison Lester, at the Berninneit cultural centre and Myli library branch in Cowes on Friday, May 9, that it wouldn’t have been a surprise to hear someone in the long, book-signing queue call out: “Are we there yet?”

After Ms Lester had chatted and answered questions for almost half an hour with upwards of 60 people in attendance, mostly adults but some with children as well, there was a mad stampede through the great hall of the cultural centre to the library at the other end, some with elbows raised looking to get a favourable position.

In line with handfuls of newly-bought books under their arms, including such titles as ‘Magic Beach’, ‘Imagine’ and the 20th anniversary edition of ‘Are we there yet’, also with some well-used, dog-eared editions from home; the queue snaked out the door of the library and into the foyer.

Ms Lester was on a tight schedule, needing to be gone to Melbourne for a plane flight by 1pm, but there looked to be more people and books to sign than the 25 minutes available.

And it wasn’t even the school holidays!

In the end, all were satisfied, and Alison was on her way.

If you missed out, there’s always Fish Creek.

Late in 2014 Alison opened her gallery and bookshop in the town, not far from the iconic rural and coastal landscapes that inspired such classics as My Farm, Magic Beach and The Quicksand Pony, near Waratah Bay which is home to Noni the Pony. The shop is open Thursday to Monday, 10am-3pm.

The shop can also organise signed books to be posted if you can’t make it down, just call John at the shop and he can arrange that for you. (03) 56832352.

Alison spoke about Wilsons Promontory and other locations which inspired her books and also about the writing process.

“I’ll often get up at night if I think of an idea and write it down,” said Alison.