Solomon's Noose by Steve Harris Launching August 18 at Readings Hawthorn at 6:15pm RSVP here
Former Editor-in-Chief of The Age, Steve Harris, will launch his new historical novel, Solomon’s Noose this August. Harris, a fourth-generation Tasmanian with over 30 years experience in journalism, print and online publishing, presents the incredibly well researched story of Solomon Blay, the young convict-turned-hangman delivering over 200 executions for Her Majesty’s Empire.
After doing some family research and discovering a connection between his great-grandfather and Martin Cash, the well-known Australian bushranger, Harris stumbled across a conversation between Cash and the unique figure that was Blay.
"Cash and Blay “crossed paths in Hobart and exchanged pleasantries about ‘how are you’ and ‘how are you feeling’, and I thought what a bizarre conversation this is between someone who is about to kill someone else” Harris said.
Blay’s voluntary application to become a hangman, along with his pragmatic rough justice attitude, shine a light on the brutal nature of being a convict in Van Diemen’s Land and the dark ‘underbelly’ in the formation of modern Australia.
“I guess human nature doesn’t really change. There’s greed and there’s love and there’s hate and fear and all that basic stuff,” Harris said.
Find out more and meet Steve as we launch Solomon's Noose on Tuesday August 18 at Readings in Hawthorn - 701 Glenferrie Road. RSVP here
Thornton Walker launched Take a peek into the works of this prolific Australian artist.
A beautiful addition to
any coffee table. Purchase your copy here
Award Winning Australian Writing Launching at the Melbourne Writers Festival in August
The Melbourne Writer's Festival kicks off in August. Melbourne Books is launching its annual anthology Award Winning Australian Writing 2015 on August 30 at the festival. You can find out more information and book your place here.
Mark S Holsworth, writer of Sculptures of Melbourne will also be giving walking tours covering the many sculptures throughout the city as part of the festival. If you have a curiosity for all the wonderful public artworks around the city this should be a delightful treat. To reserve your spot, book here.
Please help us get this important e-book reviewed and boosted on amazon.com. Read it for free...if you are willing to post a brief review on Amazon. Email publicity@melbournebooks.com.au if you wish to receive your free e-book to review.
About the book Gasland Refugees: The Collateral Damage of Fracking and Extracting Coal Seam and Shale Gas written by Peter Ralph and Tara Meixsell, delves into the exploitation of small communities by gas companies experiencing the devastating effects of fracking.
‘The true stories of a human tragedy continuing to unfold because governments around the world are too gutless to stand up to this voracious, all-powerful industry.’ says co-author and activist, Tara Meixsell.
‘We are left with polluted air, water and earth, devastated communities, devalued properties and fractured lives thrown into economic and emotional turmoil, while the energy companies smirk all the way to the bank.’
‘To those like me, fighting this unfair fight, we must never give up. If I did not believe that good would ultimately prevail over evil, I would’ve surrendered long ago. We must stand strong.’ she says.
In Australia, the practice of fracking is steadily growing. The Queensland government announced it would create the Queensland GasFields Commission midway through 2012, an independent body formed to manage the co-existence between rural landholders, regional communities and the coal seam gas industry in Queensland.
‘I got to know Tara Meixsell, author of Collateral Damage and we now regularly exchange information. For her, watching Queensland from afar is like watching the train wreck that she witnessed in Colorado all over again.’ Says co-author Peter Ralph,
‘I could find only one commissioner on the Queensland GasFields Commission who I would have no difficulty in describing as ‘independent.’ Little wonder that when Tara Meixsell looks at what is occurring in Queensland she feels that’s she is viewing an ugly replay of recent history in Colorado.’ he says.
