A Tale of Two Launches

My sixth novel, The Painting, was published on the 15th of July 2021. There was a UK-based zoom launch that day, attended by people from the UK and Australia, and even some from North America. Yes, I’m sure you can imagine the time-zone difficulties, it’s something we’ve had to get used to in this crazy new world we’re living in. The fab Heather Boisseau of RedDoor Press hosted the event and inimitable Ann McGrath kicked off the discussion. This launch was followed by a UK book-blog tour, energetically facilitated by Helen Richardson, and garnering a number of splendid reviews that have appeared in social and print media.

Two weeks later, on 29 July, there was a live event at The Street foyer in Canberra. How wonderful it was – after these interminable months of isolation and pandemic-induced anxiety – to have a few hours of joy with friends old and new, to celebrate getting The Painting out into the antipodean world. Frank Bongiorno led the discussion with his usual wit and expertise, and Lucy Neave skilfully moderated it.

Listen to a recording of the discussion here.

Photos of the Canberra event are by the Creswick Collective, and the recording is courtesy of The Street. Book sales at the Canberra launch were organised by Harry Hartog ANU. Photo of sales ranking is courtesy of Harry Hartog Woden. I’m hugely grateful to everyone involved, and also to those lovely booksellers and librarians, who are getting The Painting into the hands of readers.