The fifth Lowry Lounge had a strong international element, with the European launch of the writer's 'lost' novel, In Ballast to the White Sea (University of Ottawa Press), discussed by scholars from the US, Belgium and the UK. Guest speaker Iain Sinclair talked about his latest book, American Smoke, in which Lowry features, and Mark Goodall introduced the latest Firminist journal. The day started with a walking tour of Liverpool city centre led by Colin Dilnot, exploring sites related to In Ballast... and Lowry's childhood years on Merseyside.