Books
And the sun sets on Purple Roads
January 20, 2012
I feel sick.
I’ve got butterflies and the shakes. And on top of all that, I’m nervous (and a worrier!).
The sun sets on my new book, Purple Roads
Purple Roads is heading to the printers on Monday. That’s it. Done. Finished. There’s nothing more I, nor my editor, can do. The sun has set on this journey.
I get like this any time I release a book – oh except perhaps for Red Dust. I’m not sure I understood what releasing my work into the world of critics, reviewers and readers actually meant then. I sure as hell do now.
I’m probably going to be slightly hard to live with, as April 2 grows closer. Of course I’ll do my best not to be, but every time the email ‘pings’ with a new message, or the phone rings, I’ll jump and open/answer them with fear grinding in my stomach.
It might be a review.
I still haven’t held the book in my hand yet – hopefully sometime over the next three weeks I’ll get to do that. I know when I do, I’ll probably cry. I’ve poured my heart and soul into Purple Roads and as I’ve mentioned before, it was written through a difficult period for our family. (Silver Gums is being written under the same pressure and it’s something I’ve learnt to deal with).
So now it’s all done it’s just up to you guys. I’ll be looking forward (I think) to your thoughts, when it does hit the shelves. And please, do let me know.
The release date is April 2 but often books can be found in shops a few days earlier, so you may see it around the end of March.
We’re just putting together the publicity schedule and as soon as I know where I’m heading, I’ll be letting you all know!
Rochelle and Meita
So for me now, I’m off to enjoy the rest of the school holidays with the kids and help in the feedlot. I’m looking forward to that!
Maybe if I’m really lucky, I’ll get some beach time.
Esperance at it's most beautiful
The National Year of Reading – escapism
January 19, 2012
“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! — When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.”
― Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice
Fleur McDonald's to-be-read pile
Do you love going to a movie and being taken into another world? Do you get so caught up in the action on the screen, you jump at every explosion, cry at every kiss or nod your understand every time a teenage girl yells at her mum? I do.
I do it with books too. In fact, if I am truly entrenched in a book, someone could talk to me and I won’t hear them. Losing myself in an imaginary world, where I can listen to every shout and see every scene in my head – almost as a mini movie – is a precious gift.
My parents gave me this gift and it truly is the present which keeps on giving. They encouraged me to read in bed before I went to sleep, in car as we were driving the three hours to Adelaide, or even at the top of the Willow tree, which was favourite place to read, because I thought I was at the top of the Faraway tree! I received books for Christmas, for birthdays and often my dad, who travelled away regularly, would bring me a book on his return home. (The first book I can remember was The Famous Five, Treasure Island – read its story here.)
The only exception was when I was sent to bed and mum came down to check on me. If I was reading under the covers, she’d take my book away – can’t tell you how upsetting that was! (My daughter does it now and I have to be stern with her, but inside I’m laughing and loving the fact she is so absorbed in the story, she can’t put it down.)
I’m always curious to see what people are readings so, as I’m a friend of The National Year of Reading I’m putting a call out to see peoples “to-be-read” piles. Mine is quite large – I’ve just pulled out a few to show you. (Oh and there’s another funny story; I asked a friend if she would take a photo of her pile and she asked if she could take a photo of her whole bookshelf!)
The top photo is my to-be-read pile. You’ll see a couple of YA books in there – my daughter often asks me to read her books, if she’s either a bit unsure of the story line or she thinks I’ll enjoy it. I’m happy to oblige – I still go back and re-read the Famous Five and my other favourite books, from childhood. Do you?)
Over the next few months, I’m going to show you some people’s piles and the reason they have these books waiting to be read. (If you ‘d like to be involved, please email me at author at fleurmcdonald dot com)
Gabi Cumming is first to share her pile!
“I am a very patriotic Aussie and take every opportunity I can to absorb our unique culture, customs and characters. My reading is very Aussie and I swing from fact to fiction. I love to read true life stories of our outback pioneers and the difficulties they faced but I also love to read current accounts of how our bushies continue to fight against the elements. We also run a wildlife Shelter (because our animals are so unique and special) so I always have at least reference book in my pile – I never seem to know enough!”
Gabi Cumming's to-be-read pile
By the way, did you know 46% of Australian reading age don’t have enough literacy skills to function on a literacy level . They can’t read every day things like a newspaper or instructions on a medicine bottle. (info got from The West Aust newspaper). Let’s see what this year can achieve to help reduce this number!
What are you reading at the moment and how big is your to-be-read pile?
Guest Blog: Jessica Rudd
January 9, 2012
Jessica Rudd author of Ruby Blues and Campaign Ruby
As the first guest blogger for 2012 I’m over the moon to have the witty and gorgeous Jessica Rudd. You can follow her on Twitter @Jess_Rudd or on Facebook here.
Jess, 27, had three career changes in as many years—law, PR, politics—but is now going steady with her life as a writer. She hopes Ruby Blues, sequel to Campaign Ruby, will give her readers as many laughs as she had writing it. Jessica is based in Beijing.
A week of wonders!
January 8, 2012
Mount Howick
Yesterday we woke to our hill being shrouded in heavy, low cloud and gentle showers pushing up from the coast. It was a beautiful way to start the day, especially after the pounding we had on Thursday evening.
It was the most incredible thunderstorm I have ever seen and we netted a whopping 46mm over a space of about three hours! It has definitely fixed our water problems for this year.
The Boss always says low dams can be fixed within a matter of minutes if you’re under the right thunderstorm. Well he was proved right!
Last week was a pretty amazing week for me. I became an aunty for the second time, a little girl named Lexy Grace, was born to my sister, Susan and her husband, Nathan.
I saw the redesigned website which will be launched in about three weeks and I’m so happy and excited with it. I can’t wait to show you all and see what you think.
The final cover for Purple Roads made it’s way into my in-box – you’ll all see shortly.
I was asked on Facebook what it was like to hold a book I’d written in my hand. It’s a difficult feeling to describe. On one hand all I want to do is run around and scream, shout and cry. On the other side it’s almost a feeling of reverence as I look at the cover and see my work bound inside a beautiful cover ready and waiting to go on the shelves.
I wrote about seeing Red Dust for the first time here and how we country authors have to go a little out of way to get our books!
Loretta Hill wrote a gorgeous blog about seeing someone buying her book, The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots, when it first came out earlier this month ( http://lorettahill.com.au/?page_id=67 ). You can feel her excitement and pleasure at this. I think every author has a dream to see someone buying or reading their book in a public place like an airport – I know I have. Although it’s never happened to me, I still hope I might!
So Gaby Cumming I hope this answers your question!
What was wonderous about your week?
The last of the Christmas book suggestions by Guest Authors
December 23, 2011
Barry Nicholls
Barry Nicholls – Author and ABC journalist – oh, and sports fanatic!
- Clarence Darrow – The attorney of the damnedby John Farrell
- When the Garden was Eden; Clyde, The Captain, Dollar Bill and the glory days of the New York Knicks by Harvey Araton
- An Eye for Eternity – the life of Manning Clarke by Mark McKenna
- Franklin and Eleanor and Extraordinary marriage by Hazel Rowley
- Midnight in Peking by Paul French
Karen Viggers
Karen Viggers – Author of The Stranding and The Lightkeepers Wife
- Foal’s Breadby Gillian Mears
- The Life by Malcolm Knox
- The Roving Party by Rowan Wilson
- Half of the Human Race by Anthony Quinn
- The White Earth by Andrew Magahan
My picks for 2011
- The Drop and The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly
- A Changing Land by Nicole Alexander
- The Forgotten Son by Diane Chamberlin
- Golden Earrings by Belinda Alexandra
- Flash and Bones by Kathy Reichs
More Christmas Book suggestions by Guest Authors
December 21, 2011
Fiona Palmer - Author
Author of Rural Fiction including The Road Home (to be released in April 2012):
For Dad: Frank Coates ‘Softly Calls the Serengeti’ and Goldie Goldbloom’s The Paperbark Shoe because it’s set in the WA wheat belt.
For Mum: I’ve purchased two guide books on Italy, as she’s planning a trip in 2013.
I brought myself another Matthew Reilly Book, Ice Station and Fiona McCallum’s Nowhere Else, which my mum has already ‘borrowed’.
Kate Gordon - Author
Young Adult Author including Thyla
- Black Painted Fingernails by Steven Herrick – I’ve been a Herrick fan for about 15 years, and this is his best to-date. A rare prose (rather than his usual free verse) novel, this is a simple road-trip story, beautifully written, with a lot of heart. Adored it.
- Dangerously Placed by Nansi Kunze – A fabulous, funny, thrilling sci-fi YA novel, from one of this country’s most talented YA writers. About to be (deservingly) published overseas, this is a brilliantly quirky read that will have you in stitches and goosebumps the whole way through.
- Angel Arias by Marianne de Pierres – A lushly dark, gothic, mind-bendingly original paranormal from the multi-talented Ms de Pierres. The sequel to the equally impressive Burn Bright, this novel is full of twists and turns and delicious darkness.
- The Fix by Nick Earls – It’s always an event when my idol, Mr Earls, has a new book out, and his latest did not disappoint. Deviating slightly from his usual “bloke lit” oeuvre into something a bit more gritty and crime-caperish, The Fix will keep you guessing from start to finish. Love, love, loved it.
- Only, Ever, Always by Penni Russon – a poem in prose form. This is a spellbindlingly dreamlike novel is part fantasy, part grief-soaked reality and every sentence is so beautifully crafted that it’s a work of art in its own right. Penni Russon is an incredible talent and this book is simply exquisite.
Gillian Mears - Author
Author of Foal’s Bread
- The Biggest Estate on Earth: how Aborigines made Australia by Bill Gammage (Allen and Unwin, 2011) Anyone who has loved to walk the land and wondered what it would have been like two hundred and fifty years ago will be intrigued by this history.
- The Wet Dark by Jess Huon (Giromondo, 2011) Stories so able to capture what it’s like to be young, be the setting Melbourne or overseas, that I was often reminded of a wild and mesmerizing dance.
- So This is Life by Anne Manne (MUP, 2009) I always keep a few copies of this moving memoir on hand to give to friends who also hold horses dear to their heart. One of those books you can open anywhere at random and become instantly immersed.
- Tangara by Nan Chauncy Although you have to hunt for it on websites devoted to second hand books, when in hospital earlier this year, this old favourite from my childhood stood the test of time. At whatever age that I read an old Chauncy novel I’m enraptured by how she describes the Tasmanian land she so loved. Surely there is something very healing too, holding an old hardcover edition with a charming dust-jacket? Irresistible for those who loved books before they became digital. First editions still available if you hunt hard.
- Riding the Rough Road by Heyward Robertson (SID Harta Publishing, 2011) Yarns of yesteryear shot through with all the author’s humour and love of horses. When diagnosed with MS as a young man, it also becomes a tender portrait of a special mother-son love.
Sara Foster - Author
Author of Beneath the Shadows
- Afterward by Rosamund Lupton – I loved Sister and looking forward to seeing what Rosamund has done with book.
- Animal People by Charlotte Wood – I really like the sound of this one, and I’m intrigued by the topic.
- The Hypnotist’s Love Story by Liane Moriarty – I’m a big fan of Liane Moriarty and have read all her books except the new one.
- 1Q84 – Haruki Murakami – I’m not sure whether I’ll like this one, but as I’ve just visited Japan I’ve been reading about Murakami, and now I’m keen to read his work.
- Absolute Trust in the Goodness of the Earth – Alice Walker – I love Alice Walker, and read these beautiful poems a while ago, but I don’t own a copy. I can’t wait to read them again.
My Christmas Book suggestions:
- Angela Slatter – A book of horrors
- Karen Joy Fowler - What I Didn’t See
- Lisa Hanett - Bluegrass Symphony
- Robert Shearman - Everybody’s Just So, So Special
- Cathrynne M Valente - The Girl Circumnavigated Fairyland
- Sara Douglass - The Hall of Lost Footsteps
Posted in Books, Guest Bloggers | 
Tags: celebrations, Fiona Palmer, Gillian Mears, Kate Gordon, Sara Foster, writers | 
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Christmas Book suggestions by guest authors
December 13, 2011
Do you ever go into book shops and become overwhelmed with choices? I do. Mainly because my budget doesn’t allow me to buy everything I want to, nor does time allow me to read all the books that are begging me to buy them!
I hope that the next few posts might be able to help.
I’ve asked a few author mates to give me one of either their Top Five picks for 2011 OR the five books they’ll be giving as Christmas presents.
Charlotte Wood
Charlotte Wood
Charlotte Wood who write this this year’s release Animal People (received with much acclaim) has chosen her Top Five of 2011
- The Transit of Venus, Shirley Hazzard
- The Life, Malcolm Knox
- The Forgotten Waltz, Anne Enright
- The Professor and Other Writings, Terry Castle
- Man with a Blue Scarf: On Sitting for a Portrait by Lucien Freud, Martin Gayford
Helene Young
Helene Young
Helene Young top 2011 picks are:
- Memoir: Ahn Do’s The Happiest Refugee A witty, wry, warm look at life told in Ahn Do’s inimitable fashion.
- Fiction : The Book Thief, Markus Zusack This is still my favourite book for 2011. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I cried, I empathised, and I cried some more. It may be on the literary lists (which normally make me shy away from recommending books as presents), but it is so much more than that.
- YA : Hunting Elephants, James Roy I had the pleasure of hearing James Roy speak at the Gloucester Writers Festival early in the 2011. His books are as entertaining as he it, but most importantly they touch on issues that our children are grappling with and demystify them.
- Cookbook: Supper at The Victorian Room Sumptuous but simple, with gorgeous photos. I’m always a sucker for beautiful cookbooks and this one is a visual feast.
- Poetry : Out of Australia, David Delaney. Australian Bush Poems are finally starting to gain more recognition and so they should. This is David’s at times amusing at times poignant take on Australia.
Kerry Greenwood
Kerry Greenwood
Kerry Greenwood is a fellow A&U author and the creator of the fabulous, The Honourable Phryne Fisher, and Corinna Chapman, baker and reluctant investigator. Her latest novel is Cooking the Books in the Corinna Chapman series. Her Phryne Fisher series will be able to be seen on ABC TV around March/April of next year!
“I don’t actually have five books, but I do recommend Snuff by Terry Pratchett, Arctic Chill by Arnaldur Indridason (an Icelandic police procedural, perfect for an Australian summer, it’s so cold!) and Picadilly Jim, a reprint of an old Wodehouse which is part of a general reprint of the whole oevre, nothing could be better! Also, Georgette Heyer, a superb biography of the writer by Jennifer Kloester.”
Mark Abernethy
Mark Abernethy
Mark Abernethy, is also a fellow A&U author and his thriller books must be compared to Lee Child, Dan Brown and Tom Clancy has shared what he WANTS for Christmas!
- The Street Sweeper, Elliot Perlman: I’ve never read Perlman but this one looks intriguing. Could be a summer brain-twister.
- Hiroshima Nagasaki, Paul Ham: Australia had a pivotal role in the events of Japan’s defeat and proconsular administration. Time to read the Aussie perspective.
- Boomerang, Michael Lewis: Still the best writer for explaining how the world works and why it sucks.
- The Bounty Hunters, Elmore Leonard: I’ve been meaning to read his first novel for a while now, way back when he was writing Westerns.
- The Cut, George Pelecanos: Sometimes all you want is to kick back and relax with a finely-honed work of paranoia and high tension. Pelecanos can deliver.
Stay tuned for more!
Posted in Books, Guest Bloggers, Reviews | Tags: Charlotte Wood, Helene Young, Kerry Greenwood, Mark Abernethy | No Comments »
Voice of the Outback Gift Packs – ideal for Christmas!
December 6, 2011
Are you still searching for that perfect Christmas present?
Voice of the Outback Gift Pack by Fleur McDonald
I’ve put together this fabulous gift pack to help make your shopping easier.
The gift pack includes either Red Dust or Blue Skies – the choice is entirely yours!
You will also receive a beautiful Bush Babe of Oz 2012 Calendar that features many of Amanda’s beautiful photographs and delightful anecdotes.
And of course, you get a ‘Rural Writers Rock’ stubby holder and carry bag, my bookmark and a signed sticker to go in your book.
Order now by emailing me at giftpack@fleurmcdonald.com and I’ll send it straight away so you’ll have it in time for Christmas. I can also send it directly to the gift recipient if you run out of time!
Posted in Blue Skies, Books, Red Dust | Tags: Bush Babe of Oz, celebrations, Christmas, Gift Pack | No Comments »
Guest blog Post: Penni Russon – Only, Ever, Always
November 25, 2011
Penni Russon is a fellow Allen and Unwin author who writes Young Adult fiction. I’m always on the lookout for fantastic YA writers because my daughter reads everything I put in front of her, including this wonderful book, Only Ever Always. Penni has also written three other books for Allen and Unwin’s GirlFriend Fiction.
Only Ever Always by Penni Russon
Only Ever Always by Penni Russon
Who dreams the dreamer? Claire lives in an ordinary world where everything is whole. But inside Claire is broken. The silvery notes of her music box allow her an escape from her grief into a dream-world, into Clara’s world. Clara’s world has always been broken. She finds broken things to swap at the markets; she walks the treacherous route past the brown river where lone dogs prowl; she avoids the seamy side when she can, but with powerful people pulling the strings, it’s not always possible. Which world is real? Claire’s and Clara’s paths are set to collide, and each has much to lose – or gain. Original and poetic, this captivating novel explores dreams, grief, friendship and love through a brilliantly constructed dystopian fantasy world. ’Like the sound of the little loved music box that is so pivotal to the story, Penni Russon’s Only Ever Always is both deeply touching and strangely eerie, leaving the reader with a mixture of warmth and apprehension, yearning and wonder – about death, life, language, art, dreams and childhood. Fascinating and absolutely memorable.’ – Ursula Dubosarsky
Welcome Penni!
Guest Blog: Caroline Overington, Author of Matilda is Missing
November 15, 2011
Caroline Overington - Author of Matilda is Missing
Caroline Overington is an award winning journalist and amazing author! She first came to my attention on Twitter, when her first book, Ghost Child was published – I must admit, I rarely find time to read the newspaper, so until then, her work was unfamiliar to me.
I delved into Ghost Child and went on to read I Came to Say Goodbye with the same gusto.
I’m really excited to have Caroline here today talking about her new book, Matilda is Missing. you can read more about this book here. Or visit Caroline’s website. She’s also on Twitter at @overingtonc
Welcome Caroline!
Matilda is Missing by Caroline Overington
I’ve recently finished writing my third – and, so far, most successful – novel, Matilda is Missing.
It’s about a custody case, gone wrong.
The main characters are Garry and his wife, Softie.
They are fighting over their only child in the Family Court.
Matilda’s only two. She doesn’t really know what’s going on, but of course, she’s right in the middle of it.
I wrote the book because I wanted to give people an idea of what it’s like to end up in the Family Court, fighting over your children with the man – or the woman – you used to love.
Of course, plenty of people already know all about it. Divorce is common, and custody disputes are also common.
We tend not to hear too much about these disputes, unless they are in our own families (it which case, we can’t avoid them, since somebody we love is usually in agony, and we can’t do anything to help them), or until a really bad custody case suddenly explodes onto the front pages, because a child (or children) have been killed.
That’s actually one of the reasons that I wrote the book – to remind people that while divorce is common, the stakes are still high.
When divorce goes wrong, it is children that suffer.
Before I wrote Matilda, I spent a year, reporting on the Family Court, for The Australian newspaper.
It’s not easy to report the Family Court.
You can’t use anyone’s name, and you have to respect the privacy of everyone in there, especially the children.
I can understand that: nobody deserves to have the painful, private details of their divorce spread all over the newspapers.
At the same time, there are things going on in the Family Court that I think we need to know about.
One of the things that people have asked me, since the book came out, is whether the two people in the book – Garry, and Softie – are real.
They are real, in the sense that I have come across many people just like them – people who are at war with each other, and over the children.
I have seen children pushed and pulled in every direction; yanked around by parents who just want to win, or to punish the other side.
I’ve seen children who never see their fathers, because Mum won’t allow it.
I’ve seen children whose fathers never bother to come to see them, even though it breaks their hearts.
I’ve seen mothers who refuse to deliver the children to their Dad, because she just can’t stand him, and she wants the children to hate him, too.
I’ve seen children who refuse to go to Mum, because Dad has made them feel so guilty about it.
Most heartbreaking of all, I have seen grandparents, whose adult children are going through a nasty divorce, who are desperately worried about whether they will ever see their grandchildren again.
I’m often asked to give advice to people who are thinking of going to the Family Court.
My advice is this: don’t do it.
That is actually the same advice that a judge gives, in Matilda is Missing.
“You want my advice about the Family Court?’’ he says. “Avoid it like the plague.’’
He doesn’t mean, don’t get divorced.
People do get divorced. It’s a fact of life. Sometimes, it’s even for the best.
But, as the judge says, “going to the Family Court is like taking a hand grenade and rolling it into a room, filled with all the people you love.’’
That’s actually true, and so my advice is, if you can keep it out of court, do.
All over Australia, there are good men and women who have separated, and have worked things out for themselves, and try every day to keep it amicable.
I know it can’t be easy.
It must take a big heart.
But in spite of their pain and anger, they manage to behave like adults, for the sake of their kids.
If only that weren’t so rare.
I hope you enjoy Matilda is Missing.
And thank you for having me here.
Cx
