The One Where I Tell You All the Book Things

Jul 18, 2023

Big-time after-show buzz here as my 10yo and I recover from a spectacular Lizzo concert in Melbourne. Can’t pick a highlight but I have to say there’s nothing quite like watching your daughter scream with joy at her first concert, especially when the singer she’s screaming I LOVE YOU at, is Lizzo.

It’s now only two weeks until THE HUMMINGBIRD EFFECT hits shelves and I’m feeling nervicited (a mushed up word I heard Jacinta Parsons mention on ABC arvos and which PERFECTLY encapsulates my current feels!). Considering the next newsletter due from me will be on LAUNCH DAY - this one is the one where I ask you very nicely to pre-order, book a ticket to an event or insist your local library get a copy. Promise you won’t have to deal with another such advertorial until the next book comes out (and at my current pace that might be a couple of years!).

Get yourself a copy

When you pre-order a book, little baby book fairies are born all over the world.

No, not true, but it IS true that the reason author’s get up in your face about pre-orders is because they help. It’s good for the data, the algorithms, the vibe - you get the gist.

If you’re in the position to pre-order THE HUMMINGBIRD EFFECT you can do that via your own preferred book retailer, through online bookstores like Booktopia (who have a BUNCH of signed copies from my whirlwind-author dream visit), or by popping in to any book shop and asking them to order a copy for you.

It should mean the book is in your hands on or close to the release date of Aug 2nd, AND if you’d like me to sign or personalise your copy, you are very welcome to bring it along to an event if there’s one in your area and I’ll scrawl all over it for you.

Ticking off my author bucket list with a signing at Booktopia. And yes I did get to hit the gong and sign the table and it was ACE.

You can also ask your local library to get in a copy of the book, and place it on reserve. You might even like to ask them to get a set for bookclubs - if it’s possible, I’m always keen to zoom in or visit a bookclub if I can make it.

Come to an event

I’d LOVE to meet you. Especially given the tour for my last novel THE MOTHER FAULT took place within the four walls of my writing studio on a screen deep in one of Melbourne’s lockdowns. I’m so very keen to meet readers and bookstore people and I’ll be getting out and about during August and September.

Melbourne Launch: Trades Hall, Carlton, Friday, 4 August 6.30pm. Free but bookings essential (Sold out, but add your name to waitlist!)
Sydney: With Anna Downes at The Royal Oak, Balmain, Monday, 7 August 7pm. Tickets and more info here.
Brisbane: With Mirandi Riwoe at Avid Reader, Wednesday, 9 August 6pm. Tickets and more info here.
Castlemaine: Books at the Brewery with Cate Kennedy, The Taproom, Tuesday, 15 August, 6pm. Tickets and more info here.
Eltham: In convo with Penni Russon, Massaros Estate Winery, Kangaroo Ground, Thursday, 17 August, 6pm. Tickets and more info here
Canberra Writers Festival, 16-20th August, Tickets here.
Adelaide: In convo with Pip Williams, Matilda Bookshop, Wednesday, 23 August 6.30pm. Tickets and more information here
Fairfield: Sunday Soiree, Sunday, 27 August, 4.30pm. Tickets here.
Sorrento: Words After Dark with Andrea Rowe, Thursday, 31 August, 6pm. Tickets here.
Mansfield: Ink Bookshop, Mansfield, Friday, 1 September, Evening. Call 5775 1701.
Barwon Heads: In convo with Mark Smith, Heads and Tales Bookshop, Barwon Heads, Thursday, 7 September. Call 5208 3937
Port Fairy Literary Weekend, 8-10 September. Program coming soon.
Write Around the Murray Festival, 13-17 September. Program coming soon.
Boorowa, NSW: The Occasional Wine Bar, Monday 18 September, Evening. Call 0420 288 693
Huskisson, NSW: BooBook on Owen, Tuesday 19 September, Evening. Call 0435 870 828
Moruya, NSW: Morning tea with Inga Simpson, Moruya Books, Thursday 21 September. Bookings via website.
Bega, NSW: Candelo Books, Thursday 21st September. Evening. Tickets soon via website.
Meeniyan, Vic: Author talk with Amy Lovat, Nice Stack of Books, Meeniyan, Saturday, 14 October. Call 0448 438 610.
Historical Novel Society Australia Conference, Sydney and online. 21-22 October. Program here.
I’ll also be dropping into a bunch of bookstores on the road. If you’re a bookstore who would like for me to drop past or do an event, get in touch!
Do some pre-reading
Maybe you’re a reader who likes to go in cold to a new book, maybe you like getting all the behind the scenes stuff first. If you’re the latter, there’s a bunch of words here about the writing of THE HUMMINGBIRD EFFECT that you might find interesting including a playlist, inspo reading and the story behind my collaboration with visual designer Eva Harbridge.

Okay, enough about me

Loving the extended holiday reading and FINALLY reading the must-read book of the last little while - TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW by Gabrielle Zevin. SO GOOD!!!! And a shout out to some upcoming releases; Jessie Stephens’ SOMETHING BAD IS GOING TO HAPPEN - insightful fiction about the experience of living with depression, LAY YOUR BODY DOWN the new crime thriller from Amy Suiter Clarke - chilling! And next up on my TBR - AT THE FOOT OF THE CHERRY TREE by debut author Alli Parker.
A brand new picture book from Zana Fraillon is always something to get excited about. THE GARGOYLE, illustrated by Ross Morgan, is out now and it’s magnificent and I urge everyone to get a copy into their home or school immediately.
The Gargoyle by Zana Fraillon, illustrated by Ross Morgan.
My amazing friend - writer and creative coach, Meg Dunley is running a 4 day retreat at the very beautiful Musk. Check out details here, and if you can’t make these coming dates but you’re keen for future retreats, Meg will pop you on a mailing list.

Newsletters from me may be a little off kilter for the next couple of months, but stick with me, I promise to return us to normal scheduling once this little publication rollercoaster settles down. Keep warm and well, and thanks, as always for your presence here x