Last Saturday was a big day in my new life as published author. My agent holds an annual event consisting of a full day seminar followed by an awards dinner. I had no idea what to expect, and I was to give a fifteen minute presentation at the seminar. All very nerve-wracking.
Turned out to be a great day. Sitting next to me was Estelle Pinney, author of six (or more?) novels set in Queensland in an earlier time. She was delightful, and I felt very comfortable with her at my side. Then I went on to meet lots of other published authors, many of them have been at it for a long time. I heard great speakers, and, to my relief, what I had to say went over well too.
Selwa Anthony is the champion of Australian voices, and has dozens of fiction writers in her stable. This year, however, it was memoir that dominated. Here is a small selection of the people I met and the books they have written:
- Sophie Hardcastle, an amazing 21 year old who has lays bare her story of mental illness in “Running Like China”.
- Rebecca Poulson, another amazing woman who writes of the homicide of her father, niece and nephew in “Killing Love”. The murderer was her brother-in-law.
- Sue Smethurst, author of “Behind Closed Doors”, written through interviews with Catherine X, who recounts her story of her thirty years of sexual abuse at the hands of her father – to whom she bore four children.
- Sue Williams, an award-winning journalist, who lightened the mood with her hilarious talk about interviewing subjects for her various books. including Father Bob: The Larrikin Priest; Women of the Outback; and No Time For Fear – the story of shark attack survivor Paul de Gelder – who was a presenter at the evening event. Sue’s latest book is: Gene Genius.
- Zoe Boccabella, author of two memoirs of the Italian-Australian experience: Mezza Italiana and Joe’s Fruit Shop & Milk Bar.
- Belinda Neil (Under Seige) and Karen Davis (Sinister Intent, Deadly Obsession) have been friends for twenty years, ever since they met at the police academy. Now they are both writers. In her memoir Belinda shows us the stress on homicide investigators and negotiators, while Karen novelises her experience using uniformed cop character Lexie Rogers.
The evening banquet was a very smart affair, with the oh-so-glamorous Tara Moss donning a vintage look for her role as award presenter. And, as you will have guessed from the not so subtle photograph at the top of this post, I took out the award for “Strength of Purpose“.
In presenting the award the audience was told:
The next Sassy winner knew their story had to be told. A memoir, of family violence, forced adoption and ultimately, triumphant survival. The Sassy Award for Strength of Purpose definitely belongs to Gwen Wilson for I Belong to No One published by Hachette Australia.
My thank you speech was not quite so fluent and eloquent!!
I hope I have inspired some of my regular followers across the seas to take a closer look at Australian authors. This is only a smattering of the talent that was on show last Saturday. And speaking of “on show”, this is how my book looks in the shop after I have summoned up the nerve to ask the shop-keeper if he or she would like me to sign their stock:
I Belong to No One
It’s a great book, I loved it. http://greenwritingroom.com/2015/09/26/memoir-month/
Thank you Hilary! What a thrill to see you had reviewed my book. And listed it in such great company. I am very grateful.
That’s great news from you Gwen, congratulations, and a thumbs up for spreading the love as they say re fellow Australian writers.
My reading list is becoming impossibly long! It was a great day, another step in my transition to a new career.
WELL DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks JoJo!
Congratulations, Gwen. I am excited for you.
Thanks Michelle. I think things will settle now for a couple of months, until the UK release.
Congratulations on your award. 🙂
Thank you! Hope you stumble across the book when it is released in the UK.
Keeping my eyes peeled for it 🙂
Whose a clever girl then? Looking forward to reading it when released in the UK. Love your little English sister x
Thank you Sis! It’s going to be weird reading about someone you know so well . . .
Dear Miss Sassy well done!!! It must b exhilarating b surrounded by so many great people
( and know that u r one of them!)
Once I stopped feeling shy and inadequate, it was VERY exhilarating 🙂
Wow! What an event, Gwen! Congratulations
It was a fabulous day/night. Kind of BAFTA for writers 🙂
Must be rewarding to walk amongst the prolific writers, congrats.
Thank you Mike. I am on the cusp of a new career and time of life. I loved my time in shipping and logistics, and now for an entirely different world 🙂 It was VERY interesting to meet so many accomplished writers in the one go!
CONGRATULATIONS on your award.
Thanks Chris!
Congratulations Gwen .. it is so wonderful to hear of this award and recognition for your book. What a year this has been for you !!!.
It has been a HUGE year Louise. Finally, found my direction since giving up the corporate world! Thank you for your congratulations 🙂
Hi Gwen.
Great to hear of your success. Bought your book last week but haven’t started reading it yet.
All the best for your future writing.
Love Hazel
I do hope you enjoy it Hazel. You are one of the people I met just where the book ends. It will be an odd read for you from that aspect!