Jazzy Friday
Ahead of Friday Revue 's live show at Monash Performing Arts Centre, classical pianist Paul Grabowsky who will be joining Jacinta and Brian on stage made a visit to the 774 studio to chat all things jazz.
Grab your tickets to see Paul Grabowsky alongside other special guests like Richard Clapton, Emma Donovan, and The Bushwackers.
BUY TICKETS HERE
Date: Friday 20 June
Time: 12.30-3pm
Ticket Price: $29
Venue: Robert Blackwood Hall at Monash University's Clayton campus (as part of the Monash University Performing Arts Centres)
Address: 49 Scenic Blvd, Clayton, VIC 3800
Posted 14m ago 14 minutes ago Thu 29 May 2025 at 4:15am
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When Queensland farmer Luke Bateman posted his first TikTok video in April this year, he spoke earnestly about finding a community where he could discuss books and get recommendations. The former rugby league player and star of the television show The Bachelors Australia, had joined #BookTok, a section of the platform where book lovers review and recommend their favourite reads. "I've loved books my entire life … I've never really had anywhere to talk about it or share those things, obviously being a male in blue-collar work," he shared. For many, seeing someone like Bateman interested in books stood out. His first video received two million views, and his account exploded, amassing nearly 180,000 followers in less than two months. But while his reception was initially positive, the tide was about to turn. Just weeks after his viral debut, Bateman hopped on TikTok to announce he had signed a two-book deal for a fantasy series with Atria Books Australia, an imprint of publishing house Simon & Schuster. The announcement drew a mixed response on #BookTok, with some users taking to the comments section of the video with questions around Bateman's writing experience and if the deal was based on his virality alone. Comments included: "Well, good to see that publishing is still a colossal joke," and "The anger here is aimed at the wrong person. He's not the problem. The publisher is". Bateman had said in the announcement video that his social media presence was a big factor in his book deal being finalised. The ABC has contacted Bateman for comment. "It was obviously everyone on here resonating with me that they [Atria Books] gave me this opportunity … all of you have helped me to fulfil my childhood dream." 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"For someone who's never previously published anything before … it's quite unusual to get signed for a two-book deal … particularly if you're writing fiction," says Julian Novitz, a senior lecturer in Media and Communications from Swinburne University. Dr Novitz said that typically, debut authors sign a contract for a single book, with publishers reserving the right of first refusal on the second. The speed and scale of Bateman's book deal have also drawn criticism from content creators on #BookTok and authors from marginalised backgrounds, who view his rise as emblematic of a lack of diversity in Australia's book publishing industry. Bron Bateman, an Australian queer author and poet living with a disability, says the news of Bateman's book deal reflects a lack of effort from big publishers to invest in marginalised authors. 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