On Tuesday, May 15, HarperCollins Canada launched Richard Flanagan’s The Unknown Terrorist. (Photos courtesy of HarperCollins Canada)

Flanagan is interviewed by Russell Smith, who is either deep in thought or getting very sleepy.

A pole dancer from Flirty Girl Fitness reads an excerpt from Flanagan’s novel.

That’s right: a pole dancer reads an excerpt from Flanagan’s novel.

A pole dancer dances on a pole, because that is what they do.

Richard Flanagan and HarperCollins’ publicist Melissa Nowakowski celebrate, sans pole.