Something's coming...

Back in March 2017 I was lucky to have a two week residency at Varuna to work on my second novel The Mother Fault. I was, I remember, still reeling from my first book being out in the world and had that panicky breathlessness that often accompanies the writing of the second book. When I look back now and read the words I wrote there, I feel tender towards the woman who wrote them: she doesn’t know yet that the book she is writing will be rejected by the publisher she is writing it for. She doesn’t know it will be another two long years before it finds a home. She doesn’t know that when it is released, she will be in lockdown as the world reels from a virus they didn’t see coming.

My most vivid memory of that Varuna trip is borrowing gumboots and an extra coat and walking down to the Blue Mountains Blues Festival to see The Waifs play. The crowds of people was shocking after the still and quiet of the yellow house on the hill and I stood quietly at the back, alone, to watch the set. For the first time, I heard them play what would become something of a personal anthem - ‘Something’s Coming’.

I heard it first live and then I played it again and again as I sat in the Ladder Room; trying to make sense of the 50k words I’d written over that fortnight, missing my kids, wondering how I was going to make money and write and juggle all the things.

I played it again when that book was rejected.

And again when I signed it with my incredible agent.

And again when she negotiated me a two book deal with a Big 5 publisher.

Again when a tv deal with an actor I adored fell apart at the last minute.

Again and again when life things went awry or got too big or when my anxiety threatened to blow up the fragile equilibrium of home.

Something is always coming.

Mostly, if time and location allow, I bellow the song out, smash my hands on the steering wheel, hit repeat when I get to the end because I’ve always got some more bellowing to do.

Ain't nothing knowing, it's just a feeling inside
I carry no fear and I have nothing to hide
Something's comin' around

So much was coming that I didn’t know. Things that undid me, brought me to my knees, filled me up, astonished me. I couldn’t comprehend then how my children would grow, all knees and flesh and bodies that now reach as tall as me. How I would lose people I thought were immortal. How there were more stories inside me that I didn’t know yet existed. How the world would burn and burn again.

‘This too shall pass’ - we say in group chats: mostly to comfort each other when times are shit. But also, I’ve (finally) come to understand, how to hold lightly the big times, the heart-busting stuff, to not let ourselves get too big for our boots. To take nothing for granted.

All this is to say, in a very long-winded but heart-felt way, that even though I can’t quite get my head around how I got to this moment - I have a new novel coming.

I’ve got to hold a copy of the ARC (the early copy they send out in the hope of people saying nice things about it!) in my hands and it is wonderful and terrifying, both. It’s called The Hiding Place and I’ve gotta say, I’ve had a lot of fun writing this one.

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to join writers Bri Lee (SEED), Madeleine Gray (CHOSEN FAMILY) and Erin Hortle (A CATALOGUE OF LOVE) to speak about our books for the first time to booksellers at the Bookpeople Conference. It was daunting - it always takes me a few months to work out how to pitch a new book in a way that makes sense - but also super exciting to see booksellers with copies and to hear their anticipation. Also - I’m now DESPERATE to read the new novels from these brilliant women!

Myself, Erin Hortle, Maddie Gray and Bri Lee at the BookPeople Conference.

This is how my wonderful publisher is describing THE HIDING PLACE:

When Lou sees an ad for a long-abandoned mining town up for sale, it doesn’t take her long to convince her sister and their oldest friends to go in on the idyllic property buried in the bush – a place where the four families can hide away on weekends, get back to nature and unstick the kids from their screens.

But things start to go wrong before they even arrive for their first camping trip – a rogue deer sends a trailer off the road, a neighbour complains about the fence line and squatters have set up camp down by the river. Soon none of that will matter, though, because by the end of the first night someone will be dead.

At first it seems that hiding a body is easier than keeping other sorts of secrets: a lost job, an illegal crop, an outrageous affair, a little embezzlement. But what’s buried has a way of coming to the surface, and even in the bush, it’s hard to remain unseen.

White Lotus meets The Slap in a razor-sharp literary thriller about deception and self-deception, and how far people will go to protect what they feel they ought to have.

While the end of October feels a LONG way away, in bookland it’s a blink of the eye and I’m excited to be starting tour plans. If you’re a bookseller keen for an event, do get in touch; I’m going to try and do whatever is humanly possible to get around to everyone who’s keen at that pointy end of the year!

Bookland is tricky right now - and the very best thing you can do to support authors is to pre-order the books you want to read with your local indie bookseller (just pop in or call them up and tell them you want a copy in October!) or via those bigger stores (some of them already have pre-order links up here). If you’re a reader who uses Goodreads you can also add the books you are anticipating to your Want to Read list.

I can’t wait to share more about the behind-the-scenes of writing this one as we get a bit closer to publication. Until then, I’m blissing out in the very early phase of a brand new novel. Hope that your writing, reading or other creative pursuits are bringing you joy in the chaos of the world right now x

Things coming up

I have many many books to tell you about but I am ridiculously behind on posting about them; I promise an update next time but you can always see some of what I’ve been reading and loving via my insta.

I’m excited to be launching some fabulous books coming up and would love for you to join us if you are local to these areas!

• Next Wednesday June 25 I’ll be in conversation with the effervescent Jacinta Parsons at Geelong Library and Heritage Centre at 6pm, discussing her latest wonderful book A Wisdom of Age. Tickets here.

• On Wednesday July 16 I’ll be hosting the Naarm launch for the brilliant debut collection Wait Here from Lucy Nelson at Readings Carlton, 6pm. Free event but do book to secure your spot!

• On Tuesday July 29 I get to host my dear friend Amy Lovat as we celebrate her clever ‘anti-romantic comedy’ Big Feelings at Readings Carlton, 6pm. Again, this is a free one, but book so we know you are coming!

• And on Thursday July 31 I’ll be celebrating with Rhett Davis as we discuss his latest brilliant novel Aborescence at Readings Carlton, 6pm (yes it’s my second home). Free but do book here.

I’m also lucky to be appearing at some excellent festivals:

• Discussing dystopias with Alice Robinson as part of the free Stella Day Out in Warnambool on Saturday June 28. Bookings here.

• Talking AI with Tracy Spicer at beautiful Apollo Bay Word Fest on Saturday 26 July. Tickets here.

• Discussing the beloved novel The Shadow of the Wind with Alice Pung and Nathan Curnow at Bendigo Writers Festival on Saturday 16 August. Tickets here.

Would love to see you at any of these events!