Sep 11
27
Emerging from behind the keyboard
Over the next couple of weeks I will be speaking about my new novel THE HYPNOTIST’S LOVE STORY at the following venues in NSW, Queensland and Victoria. If you live nearby, please come along and say hello. Mention that you read this Blog and I will discreetly hand you a FREE RED FROG. Seriously. I will. (The man at my fruit and veg shop gives free red frogs to my children and I always have to resist holding out my own hand for one. It’s hard being a grown-up.)
It’s a strange thing talking out loud about a world that has only existed in your head for two years. It makes me feel incredibly self-conscious.
Fortunately there is always a particular person in the audience who helps get me through. As soon as I start talking she (it’s normally a she) gives me the loveliest, most encouraging smile. Then she nods and chuckles the whole way through my presentation, as if she’s never heard anything more fascinating. I love that person.
I have to admit I’m not that person myself. Whenever I see someone speak, I keep my face totally blank and avoid eye contact as if I’m on a New York subway, on the off chance there is some sort of humiliating audience participation thing coming up.
Once, when I was talking about What Alice Forgot, I made the mistake of looking away from the smiley, encouraging lady in the back row, and noticed a man in the front row who had gently nodded off to sleep. It gave me the giggles. It was my punishment for all those times I fell asleep during uni lectures. My notes were filled with strange scribbles where my pen had skidded off the page after my chin suddenly dropped to my chest.
Anyway, whether you choose to smile and nod, look stony-faced, or enjoy the opportunity for a quick snooze, I’d really love to see you there.
Tuesday October 4
Where? Dymocks ROUSE HILL, Shop GR023, Rouse Hill Town Centre
10-14 Market Lane, Rouse Hill
Time: 7.00PM
Bookings: 02 8883 3055
Cost: $5
Wednesday October 5
Where? Black Cat Books, 179 La Trobe Terrace
PADDINGTON, BRISBANE QLD 4064
Time: 6.30PM
Bookings: 07 3367 8777
Cost: $5
Thursday October 6
Bookseller: Angus & Robertson – Literary Lunch
Venue: The Grandview Hotel
49 North Street
CLEVELAND POINT QUEENSLAND
Time: 12.00PM
Bookings: 07 3286 1002
Cost: $35
Extra Information: 2 course luncheon served with a glass of wine
Tuesday October 11
Where? Berkelouw Balgowah, Shop 24, 215 Condamine Street
BALGOWLAH
Time: 6.00PM
Bookings: 02 9948 1133
Cost: FREE
Wednesday October 12 – together with authors Dianne Blacklock and Ber Carroll
Where? Penrith City Library, 601 High Street PENRITH
Time:6.30PM
Bookings: 02 4732 7891
Cost: FREE
Thursday October 13
Where: Surry Hills Library 405 Crown St, Surry Hills
Time: 6:30PM
Bookings: 02 8374 6230
library@cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au
Cost: FREE
Friday October 14
Where: The Sun Bookshop, 9-10 Ballarat Street
Yarraville
Time: 6.00PM
Bookings: 9689 0661
info@sunbookshop.com
Cost: FREE
