THE SISTERS' SONG IS OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED!
Last Friday, 2 February, was the official launch of 'The Sisters' Song', and what a special evening it was! There's nothing better than being surrounded by good friends who have all gathered to celebrate your novel—I wish everyone could experience that feeling!
It gave me an opportunity to express my gratitude to some important people involved in the genesis of my novel, and publicly acknowledge their contribution, something I'd been longing to do.
It was also lovely to share the evening with my family, who are often absent from anything to do with my writing or book. My younger son, Sam, was the MC, and did a fabulous job!
I'll also say a special thank you to Natasha Lester for agreeing to launch my book and giving it such a special send-off.
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I put the photos from the launch together in a video. Click the photo to enjoy!
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THE RESPONSE TO 'THE SISTERS' SONG'
The response to my book's publication has been overwhelming to say the least. I can't adequately describe it in a few paragraphs in this newsletter, but I did give it a go in this blog post.
As I say in the blog post above, there's barely been a day where someone hasn't messaged or emailed to let me know how much the book moved them. Messages like these are the ultimate compliment, because that's what we aim to do with our words: to move the reader.
One of my biggest thrills was when I rang my uncle the other day, and he told me he'd received his copy of the book five days earlier. He said he'd already read it twice and was on his third reading. He loved it, and was going to read it a fourth time but thought he'd better let my aunt read it at some stage, too.
The book is now having its fourth print run. Thank you to everyone who's bought a copy. To those of you still waiting to receive yours, I'm sorry about the delays, and I hope it will be worth the wait!
If you don't know about the book already, and would like to know more, I've tabled a list of reviews on this page.
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Thank you to everyone who's sent in photos! I've loved putting them together in these collages and sharing them. It's so nice to see how far the sisters have travelled!
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This was a very special photo, and if you want to know the story behind it, click on the photo.
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WHERE I'VE BEEN
I've been out and about a lot lately, so if you'd like to read more about the inspirations behind my novel, here's where you can find me.
I did a few newspaper interviews:
I was also interviewed for a couple of podcast:
- Rosemary Puddy and I chatted for The Book Podcast. Like the interview I did with Julie for The Weekend West, I really enjoyed this one, because it was lengthy, and because it makes a difference when the interviewer has read your book!
- Tim Webster and I also had a chat for ‘Talking Lifestyle Radio’.
(Please note: I can't promise anything about the quality of these interviews because I'm too scared to listen to myself back!)
I've also written a number of guest blog posts about different aspects of The Sisters' Song:
- Amanda Curtin hosted me on her blog, Looking Up, Looking Down, in her 2, 2 and 2 series.
- Tess Woods chose my book for her January book club and also did an Interview.
- Nicole Melanson invited me over to her website, WordMothers.
- Rebecca Bowyer hosted me on her blog, Seeing the Lighter Side.
- The Australian Women Writers Challenge featured a Q&A with me for their Sunday Spotlight.
- Theresa Smith hosted me on her blog, Theresa Smith Writes, in her series, Behind the Pen.
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PERTH WRITERS' FESTIVAL
For a number of years now, I've been attending the Perth Writers' Festival as an audience member, and I've always enjoyed it. This year will be even better, because I've been invited as a guest author!
Both of my sessions are on Saturday, 24 February, in the UWA Club.
The first is at 9:30am, and I'll be talking about 'The Sisters' Song' with Jane Cornes Maclean. Tickets are $13-$15 and available here. The second session is at 12:30pm, when Michelle Johnston and I will be talking with Meri Fatin in Doctors' Writing Club. This is a free session.
The festival runs over the weekend of 24 and 25 February, so come along if you're in Perth because there's always something stimulating for readers as well as writers.
MORE EVENTS
I have quite a few author events at libraries, bookshops and writers' centres coming up.
I'll try to keep the Events page of my website updated so check there if you'd like to catch me at one of those and hear more about 'The Sisters' Song'. |
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AUTHOR TALKS
I’m available for author talks at libraries, writing groups, writers’ centres, or wherever. So, if you’d like to book a speaking engagement, please let me know by replying to this newsletter or via the Contact page of my website.
BOOK CLUBS
I’d love to visit your book club to discuss ‘The Sisters’ Song’, its inspirations, themes and development.
If you’re within the Perth metropolitan area, I can visit in person, and for anywhere else in Australia, we can arrange a meeting via Skype.
If you’d like to book a date and time, please contact me via this link.
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That's all for now ...
I'm so pleased my book is finally out in the world, and the sisters are finding their way into homes and, it seems, people's hearts. They seem to be bringing enjoyment to readers, as well as a few tears, and I'm so warmed by that. I tried to tell this story as 'honestly' as I could, which I know sounds ridiculous because it's fiction, but at the heart of fiction is a truth, and that's what I searched for when writing my book.
May all of you continue to enjoy reading the story of these two girls as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Best wishes,
Louise x
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WHERE TO BUY 'THE SISTERS' SONG'
The Sisters’ Song is now available from all good bookstores, as well as Target, K-Mart and Big W. You can also pick it up online from the following sites:
Paperback:
Dymocks
Angus & Robertson
E-book:
Amazon
Kobo
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