Bryce Courtenay with Robert, one of the lucky eight Sydney competition winners at the Facebook fan club lunch.  Photography by Vanessa Pike-Russell.

Meeting Bryce was a very unexpected joy which has left me overwhelmed. The experience of a lifetime to meet the wonderful Bryce Courtenay and share lunch with Bryce and eight of his Facebook fans who were lucky enough to win a competition on Bryce's Facebook page which asked 'what was your favourite book' and 'why do you want to meet him'. The chance to have lunch with Bryce to celebrate the launch of his latest book propelled me to write a heartfelt email that flowed as a stream of consciousness, rushed and not edited as I had only noticed the competition the night before it was due to close. When I received an email on my mobile phone's gmail (email) application a few days later to say that I had been chosen as one of the eight Sydney winners I couldn't believe my good fortune.