Suzanne Leal's Blog, page 8
May 31, 2022
Launches, festivals and in-conversation events
Dear Friends,
Every year, winter takes me by surprise and, sure enough, this week I've been gobsmacked by the cold. As a rule, I then contemplate getting a new heater but by the time my mind is finally made up it's already August, winter is almost over and, once again, the heater purchase is deferred. Last year, though, I finally followed through, and already the winter is promising to be a cosier one. Hope you are staying warm, wherever you are.
I have another week of interviews coming up: Bryan Brown and Chris Hammeron Sunday, Eleanor Limprecht on Monday and Jackie Bailey on Tuesday. Hope you can join me at one - or all - of the events!
Right before Thursday Book Club tomorrow night, internationally bestselling author Adrian McKinty will be in conversation with fellow crime writer, Tim Ayliffe. If you'd like to be in the draw to win tickets to this online eventpresented by BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, simply reply to this email with your book recommendation.
NEW RELEASE RECOMMENDATION
THE PREMONITIONS BUREAU
A True Story
Sam Knight https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-premonitions-bureau-sam-knight-9780571374830.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- This is the true story of John Barker, a British psychiatrist who began to investigate cases of people who reportedly had premonitions of disasters. There are some quite moving and eccentric stories beginning with the Aberfan disaster in Wales. As to the veracity of the project as a whole, which may appear to be dubious to say the least, well, that's up to the reader to decide. Knight details these stories including Barker’s own personal battles with a compassionate and intriguing manner. Greg Waldron Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
A FIRST BOOK OF AUSTRALIAN FROG CALLS
Fred Van Gessel, Gerry Swan
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/a-first-book-of-australian-frog-calls-9781925546767.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Fred is famous in birding circles for his amazing and extensive knowledge of bird calls, and has produced sound books on common Australian birds for young naturalists, so it is a delight to have a book that introduces frog calls to them as well. Twelve species are covered; each page has compact information covering facts like habitat, distribution and habits alongside clear photographs, and a sound button that reproduces the calls. Appeals to young and old, going by the customers I see who are attracted to the book! Lindy Jones
NEWS
International crime writers in conversation throughout June
Every Thursday in June at 6pm, BAD International Online Festival will feature a fabulous line up of international star crime writers. Don Winslow, Adrian McKinty, Janet Evanovich, Harlan Coben and Mick Herron will be talking about their latest books for the third annual BAD International Online Festival on 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 June. You can register here.
Author talk with Michelle Cahill
Join Michelle Cahill in conversation with Intan Paramaditha at Better Read Than Dead at 6pm on Sunday 5 June as they discuss the release of Michelle's novel, Daisy & Woolf. You can register here.
Eleanor Limprecht in conversation with Suzanne Leal
Join me in conversation with Eleanor Limprecht at The Royal Oak in Balmain at 7pm on Monday 6 June 2022. We'll be celebrating the release of her new novel, The Coast. You can buy tickets to the event here.
Jackie Bailey in conversation with Suzanne Leal
Join me at Gleebooks at 6pm on Tuesday for the launch of Jackie Bailey's debut novel, The Eulogy. You can buy tickets here.
Rachel Franks in conversation with Paula Hamilton
On 22 June at 12.30pm, true crime expert Rachel Franks will be in conversation with historian Paula Hamilton about An Uncommon Hangman, Rachel's new book on Robert ‘Nosey Bob’ Howard, NSW’s longest-serving executioner. You can register for this free event here.
2022 Miles Franklin Literary Award longlist
The Other Half of You (Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Hachette)
After Story (Larissa Behrendt, UQP)
Scary Monsters (Michelle de Kretser, A&U)
Bodies of Light (Jennifer Down, Text)
Echolalia (Briohny Doyle, Vintage)
The Magpie Wing (Max Easton, Giramondo)
The Dogs (John Hughes, Upswell)
The Airways (Jennifer Mills, Picador)
One Hundred Days (Alice Pung, Black Inc.)
The Performance (Claire Thomas, Hachette)
7 ½ (Christos Tsiolkas, A&U)
Grimmish (Michael Winkler, Puncher & Wattmann).
Book Awards Shortlists for the 2022 ABIAs.
Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors, especially our guest authors on Thursday Book Club, Jacqueline Maley, who joined us last year, and Emily Bitto who will be joining us on 30 June. You can find all the shortlists here.
The 2022 Pulitzer Prizes have been announced and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family, by Joshua Cohen (New York Review Books). You can find the full list of the 2022 Pulitzer Prizes here.
Words on the Waves Writers Festival
I'm very excited to be interviewing Bryan Brown and Chris Hammer at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival on Sunday. Hope to see you there!
Writing Competitions
6 June 2022: Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize
The 2022 winner of the Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize will receive $3000 and two highly commended entrants will be awarded $500 each.
15 June 2022: ARA Historical Novel Prize
The ARA Historical Novel Prize awards $50000 to the Adult category winner, with $5000 awarded to each of the remaining two shortlisted authors. In the Children and Young Adult category, the winner will receive $30000 while the two shortlisted authors will receive $5000 each.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
4 July 2022: The ACU Prize for Poetry
The theme for the 2022 ACU Prize for Poetry is 'Hope.' The winner will receive $10 000, with a $5000 second prize and a $3000 third prize.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196
On 30 June, we'll be joined by Emily Bitto, winner of the Stella Prize for her debut novel The Strays. I'll be talking to Emily about her terrific new novel, Wild Abandon.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
My Recommendation
Treasure and Dirt by Chris Hammer
Dina Davis' Recommendations
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
How to End a Story: Diaries: 1995–1998 by Helen Garner
Toby Roberts' Recommendations
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
Churchill: Walking with Destiny by Andrew Roberts
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions Paperback
Audible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
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You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
May 24, 2022
Meet our two guest authors at Thursday Book Club
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Dear Friends,What a weekend! There was Sydney Writers' Festival, brimming with excitement, joy and intellectual exchange - an election in the middle of it - and, in my household, a new kitten called Leo.
It was wonderful to see so many of you at Carriageworks for Sydney Writers' Festival - the delight of being together in person was infectious. For those of you who couldn't make it, many of the sessions were recorded and will be released as podcasts later in the year. There were some terrific events and I'm looking forward to catching up on the ones I missed.
The literary buzz continues at Thursday Book Club and I hope you'll be able to join me tomorrow night when I'll be welcoming our author guests, Toby Roberts and Dina Davis.
Courtesy of the Rose Scott Women Writers' Festival, I have a double pass to give away to tonight's event Helen Ennis in conversation with Kathryn Millard at the Women's Club in Elizabeth St, Sydney. To be in the draw, simply email me your book recommendation by 4pm this afternoon.
Next Tuesday, I hope you'll be able to join me at the State Library of NSW where I'll be in conversation with Mark Lamprell, film director and author, whose new novel, The Secret Wife, has just been released, The event is free to attend and you can register for it here.
The Words on the Waves Festival kicks off in Umina next week and I'm so excited to be interviewing Bryan Brown and Chris Hammer. To win tickets to the festival and other terrific prizes, you can enter here.
Finally, I was saddened to hear of the death of Caroline Jones earlier this week. I interviewed Caroline some years ago and have long admired her.
NEW RELEASE RECOMMENDATION
THE MOTHER WOUND
by
Amani Haydar
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-mother-wound-9781760982454.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- This powerful memoir touches on so many issues that surround domestic abuse. In the true-life story related here it highlights the invisibility of abuse until an act so obvious and harmful shocks everyone. For the Haydar family this was the murder of Salwa Haydar (the author's mother) by her husband. Amani is the eldest daughter and her memoir takes the reader through all of the feelings, confusion and questions that come to mind. In conveying this, her narrative at times has the energy of a novel - and if only it was.
Although coming only from Amani, with her own circumstance of being pregnant at the time of the murder, this book will hopefully go a long way towards giving words to these feelings for Salwa's children, to debunk any excuse-making for the perpetrator and importantly, to reinstating Salwa as someone more than 'victim'. We can also hope that it finds its way into the hands of those in similarly dysfunctional relationships, to warn and empower before harm escalates.
One of the most compelling books I've read in years and certainly a brave one. The mother wound is raw and the rage is palpable and your blood will surely rise as mine did when reading of the lack of support or understanding and forthright attacks coming at Amani and her sisters from the extended family of the murderer. They want silence. Salwa's daughters will not go quietly. Craig Kirchner Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
A BERRY LONG WALK
#1 Wild Life
by
Laura Bunting https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/a-berry-long-walk-the-wild-life-1-9781761126376.do ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- The Buntings are well known for their amusing picture books, separately and together, but this is the first in a series aimed at new readers gaining confidence who still need lots of illustrations to break up the blocks of text. Full colour illustrations (and with those lovely allusions and in-jokes which make for a delightful experience) augment the witty tale of best friends Roo and Wombat. Wombat wants berries, but as they grow outside his comfort zone, he will go without. But Roo, a much more daring and practical character, knows that when you want something, some times you have to go that little bit further than your safety zone… Great fun, but also with a nice use of words to stretch the beginning reader as well as entertain! Lindy Jones
NEWS
2022 Miles Franklin Literary Award longlist
The Other Half of You (Michael Mohammed Ahmad, Hachette)
After Story (Larissa Behrendt, UQP)
Scary Monsters (Michelle de Kretser, A&U)
Bodies of Light (Jennifer Down, Text)
Echolalia (Briohny Doyle, Vintage)
The Magpie Wing (Max Easton, Giramondo)
The Dogs (John Hughes, Upswell)
The Airways (Jennifer Mills, Picador)
One Hundred Days (Alice Pung, Black Inc.)
The Performance (Claire Thomas, Hachette)
7 ½ (Christos Tsiolkas, A&U)
Grimmish (Michael Winkler, Puncher & Wattmann).
Book Awards Shortlists for the 2022 ABIAs.
Congratulations to all the shortlisted authors, especially our guest authors on Thursday Book Club, Jacqueline Maley, who joined us last year, and Emily Bitto who will be joining us next month. You can find all the shortlists here.
NSW Premier's Literary Awards
Winners announced
The winners of the 2022 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards have just been announced, with a total of $295,000 in prize money awarded. Thirty judges considered a record of 746 entries across all the categories and the winners are:
Book of the Year ($10,000) & Multicultural NSW Award ($20,000)
Still Alive: Notes from Australia’s Immigration Detention System by Safdar Ahmed (Twelve Panels Press)
Christina Stead Prize for Fiction ($40,000)
Dark as Last Night by Tony Birch (University of Queensland Press)
Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-fiction ($40,000)
The Winter Road: A story of legacy, land and a killing at Croppa Creek by Kate Holden (Black Inc. Books)
Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry ($30,000)
accelerations & inertias by Dan Disney (Vagabond Press)
Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature ($30,000)
My Brother Ben by Peter Carnavas (University of Queensland Press)
Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature ($30,000)
The Gaps by Leanne Hall (Text Publishing)
Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting ($30,000)
Orange Thrower by Kirsty Marillier (Griffin Theatre Company and National Theatre of Parramatta, published by Currency Press)
Betty Roland Prize for Scriptwriting ($30,000)
NITRAM by Shaun Grant (Good Thing Productions)
Indigenous Writers’ Prize ($30,000 - biennial award)
Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray: River of Dreams by Anita Heiss (Simon & Schuster Australia)
UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing ($5,000)
Hold Your Fire by Chloe Wilson (Scribner an imprint of Simon & Schuster Australia)
People’s Choice Award
The Shut Ins by Katherine Brabon (Allen & Unwin) 
2022 Pulitzer Prizes
The 2022 Pulitzer Prizes have been announced and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family, by Joshua Cohen (New York Review Books). You can find the full list of the 2022 Pulitzer Prizes here.
Women's Prize for Fiction ShortlistMeg Mason was born in New Zealand and now lives in Australia. Her novel,Sorrow and Bliss, completely captivated me - the voice, the humour, the poignancy of it - and is now in contention for the 2022 Women's Prize for Fiction. I've got my fingers crossed for her!
Words on the Waves Writers Festival
I'm very excited to be interviewing Bryan Brown and Chris Hammer at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival on Sunday 5 June. Hope to see you there!
Writing Competitions
31 May 2022: Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is an award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five and offers prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin with an advance against royalties.
1 June 2022: The Novel Prize
A biennial award for a book-length work of literary fiction written in English by published and unpublished writers around the world. The winner will receive US$10000 and simultaneous publication of their novel in Australia and New Zealand, in the UK and Ireland and in North America.
6 June 2022: Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize
The 2022 winner of the Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize will receive $3000 and two highly commended entrants will be awarded $500 each.
15 June 2022: ARA Historical Novel Prize
The ARA Historical Novel Prize awards $50000 to the Adult category winner, with $5000 awarded to each of the remaining two shortlisted authors. In the Children and Young Adult category, the winner will receive $30000 while the two shortlisted authors will receive $5000 each.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
4 July 2022: The ACU Prize for Poetry
The theme for the 2022 ACU Prize for Poetry is 'Hope.' The winner will receive $10 000, with a $5000 second prize and a $3000 third prize.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196
On 26 May, we'll be joined by two guest authors: Toby Roberts, whose debut novel is Two Mums and a Dad and Dina Davis, whose new novel is A Dangerous Daughter.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
My Recommendation
Sweet Jimmy by Bryan Brown
Your Recommendation
Noela A
How to End a Story: the Diaries:1995-1998 by Helen Garner
Hazel H
The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters
Ravi S
The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott
Rules of Civility by Amor Towles
The Islands by Emily Brugman
Eugenia: A True Story of Adversity,
Tragedy, Crime and Courage by Mark Tedeschi QC
Barbie R
miss by Caroline Beecham
Missing, Presumed Dead by Mark Tedeschi QC
An A-List for Death by Pamela Hart
The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer
Kirsty M
(winner of the double pass to the SWF event
Mother of All Crimes)
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Gulliver’s Wife by Lauren Chater
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions PaperbackAudible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
Add us to your address book*|END:IFWant to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
May 17, 2022
And the book-filled week continues...
View this email in your browser
Dear Friends,The week has triumphed in a show of sunshine and balmy temperatures. The ocean water is still warm and Sydney is abuzz with literary events. Monday night saw the awards ceremony for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards in the State Library's beautiful Mitchell Library Reading Room. Last night was the fabulous opening address of Sydney Writers' Festival featuring poet Ali Cobby Eckermann, author, academic and advocate Jackie Huggins and musician and author Nardi Simpson.
Tomorrow night, I'll be in conversation with Garry Disher. On Friday morning, I'll be chatting to Dinuka McKenzie, Jane Caro and Laura Elizabeth Woollett in the fabulously named session, Mother Of All Crimes, and on Sunday morning I'll be in conversation with Delia Falconer and Indira Naidoo.
Courtesy of Sydney Writers' Festival, I have two tickets to give away to my Mother Of All Crimes session at 10am on Friday at Carriageworks. Email me your book recommendation to be in the draw for the tickets.
NEW RELEASE RECOMMENDATION
A SOLITARY WALK ON THE MOON
Hilde Hinton
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/a-solitary-walk-on-the-moon-9780733647048.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Evelyn has her routine and her interests. She runs the local laundromat and is acutely aware of the people around her, although she doesn't like to intervene too often, when she sees something wrong she likes to rectify the situation. She has her favourites, most particularly young Ben whose mother seems to be making a mess of life - not that she judges June. And whilst she likes to keep some distance from other people, she befriends kind-hearted Don from the paintshop, which leads to other connections, and decisions that aren't ordinary in scope or effect… A beautifully written and gentle story, that never categorises Evelyn's strange behaviours, accepting her neuro-diversity (my interpretation!) without judging her. Each character, no matter how minor, has their own heft and depth, and this adds to the richness of a seemingly simple tale of community and empathy. Lindy Jones Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
CHARLIE'S SWIMEdith Wright, Charmaine Ledden-Lewis
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/charlies-swim-9781922613103.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- This is based on the true story of the author's uncle, Charles D'Antoine, a Bardi man working in Broome. During the Japanese bombardment of flying boats in the harbour, Charlie risked his life to save a woman and her child from the water. Whilst the bombing of Darwin is better known, the attack on Broome also resulted in a massive toll, so this simply told and direct tale brings to young readers another episode of wartime history. Complemented by the colourful and expressive illustrations of Charmaine Ledden-Lewis, this is another fine example from Magabala Books highlighting indigenous experience. Lindy Jones
NEWS
NSW Premier's Literary Awards
Winners announced
The winners of the 2022 NSW Premier’s Literary Awards have just been announced, with a total of $295,000 in prize money awarded. Thirty judges considered a record of 746 entries across all the categories and the winners are:
Book of the Year ($10,000) & Multicultural NSW Award ($20,000)
Still Alive: Notes from Australia’s Immigration Detention System by Safdar Ahmed (Twelve Panels Press)
Christina Stead Prize for Fiction ($40,000)
Dark as Last Night by Tony Birch (University of Queensland Press)
Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-fiction ($40,000)
The Winter Road: A story of legacy, land and a killing at Croppa Creek by Kate Holden (Black Inc. Books)
Kenneth Slessor Prize for Poetry ($30,000)
accelerations & inertias by Dan Disney (Vagabond Press)
Patricia Wrightson Prize for Children’s Literature ($30,000)
My Brother Ben by Peter Carnavas (University of Queensland Press)
Ethel Turner Prize for Young People’s Literature ($30,000)
The Gaps by Leanne Hall (Text Publishing)
Nick Enright Prize for Playwriting ($30,000)
Orange Thrower by Kirsty Marillier (Griffin Theatre Company and National Theatre of Parramatta, published by Currency Press)
Betty Roland Prize for Scriptwriting ($30,000)
NITRAM by Shaun Grant (Good Thing Productions)
Indigenous Writers’ Prize ($30,000 - biennial award)
Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray: River of Dreams by Anita Heiss (Simon & Schuster Australia)
UTS Glenda Adams Award for New Writing ($5,000)
Hold Your Fire by Chloe Wilson (Scribner an imprint of Simon & Schuster Australia)
People’s Choice Award
The Shut Ins by Katherine Brabon (Allen & Unwin) 
2022 winner of The Australian/Vogel’s Literary Award
A Place Near Eden by Neil Pierce is this year's winner of The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
2022 Pulitzer Prizes
The 2022 Pulitzer Prizes have been announced and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family, by Joshua Cohen (New York Review Books). You can find the full list of the 2022 Pulitzer Prizes here.
Congratulations to those writers shortlisted for the ABA Booksellers Choice Awards 2022. You can find all the shortlists here.
Women's Prize for Fiction ShortlistMeg Mason was born in New Zealand and now lives in Australia. Her novel,Sorrow and Bliss, completely captivated me - the voice, the humour, the poignancy of it - and is now in contention for the 2022 Women's Prize for Fiction. I've got my fingers crossed for her!
Congratulations to Evelyn Araluen who has won the 20022 Stella Prize for her debut collection of prose and poetry, Dropbear.
Words on the Waves Writers Festival
I'm very excited to be interviewing Bryan Brown and Chris Hammer at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival on Sunday 5 June. Hope to see you there!
Writing Competitions
22 May 2022: ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize rewards original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style. Total prize money of AU$12,500 – 1st, $6,000; 2nd $4,000; 3rd $2,500. Entry fee $15 – $25.
31 May 2022: Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is an award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five and offers prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin with an advance against royalties.
1 June 2022: The Novel Prize
A biennial award for a book-length work of literary fiction written in English by published and unpublished writers around the world. The winner will receive US$10000 and simultaneous publication of their novel in Australia and New Zealand, in the UK and Ireland and in North America.
6 June 2022: Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize
The 2022 winner of the Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize will receive $3000 and two highly commended entrants will be awarded $500 each.
15 June 2022: ARA Historical Novel Prize
The ARA Historical Novel Prize awards $50000 to the Adult category winner, with $5000 awarded to each of the remaining two shortlisted authors. In the Children and Young Adult category, the winner will receive $30000 while the two shortlisted authors will receive $5000 each.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
4 July 2022: The ACU Prize for Poetry
The theme for the 2022 ACU Prize for Poetry is 'Hope.' The winner will receive $10 000, with a $5000 second prize and a $3000 third prize.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196
On 26 May, we'll be joined by two guest authors: Toby Roberts, whose debut novel is Two Mums and a Dad and Dina Davis, whose new novel is A Dangerous Daughter.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
My Recommendation
The Secret Wife by Mark Lamprell
Your Recommendation
Noela A
The Jane Austen Remedy by Ruth Wilson
Dina D
The Ripping Tree by Nikki Gemmell
Goodnight, Vivienne, Goodnight by Steven Carroll
A Dangerous Daughter by Dina Davis
Minal R
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Ravi S
The Chocolate Maker's Wife by Karen Brooks
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey
Barbie R
My Heart is a Little Wild Thing by Nigel Featherstone
This Is Not A Book About Benedict Cumberbatch by Tabitha Carvan
The Very Last List of Vivian Walker by Megan Albany
The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer
A Solitary Walk on the Moon by Hilde Hinton
For Kids
The Boy, The Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Macksey
Phyllis & Grace by Nigel Gray and Bethan Welby
Piano Fingers by Caroline Magerl
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions PaperbackAudible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
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You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
May 10, 2022
Hope to see you at Sydney Writers' Festival next week!
View this email in your browser
Dear Friends,Continuing last week's theme of mothers and mothering, I'm hoping you'll join me at Sydney Writers' Festival next week for the Mother of All Crimes. I'll be in conversation with Jane Caro, Dinuka McKenzie and Laura Elizabeth Woollett who, in their new novels, have each created complex, deftly drawn mothers pushed to their limits absolving, avenging and protecting their families. I'll also be in conversation with the magnificent Garry Disher. We'll be discussing his new standalone crime novel, The Way It Is Now, newly shortlisted for the ABA Booksellers Choice Awards and featuring Charlie Deravin, a police officer on disciplinary leave, desperate to discover what happened to his mother who went missing twenty years earlier.
Mark Lamprell's new novel, The Secret Wife, is also a story of mothers and mothering, and the yearning for independence in 1960s Australia. Email me if you'd like to join me when I launch the book tomorrow night.
In the meantime, hope your week has been a good one.
NEW RELEASE RECOMMENDATION
THE NATURAL HISTORY OF LOVE Caroline Petit https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-natural-history-of-love-9781922711434.doABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Based on the true story of French 19th century Count de Castelnau and his illicit love affair with an upper class daughter of Brazilian Portuguese descent, this novel is told through the voices of the main characters, and the lawyer called in to deal with the count's estate after his death in Melbourne. Francois is on an exploration in Brazil when he falls seriously ill and is delivered to the Fonceca plantation by his native guide. Carolina, the headstrong 16yo daughter falls passionately in love with the older Count, and he reciprocates - without telling her he has a wife and son back in France. When they are forced to marry by Carolina's brutal brother, she discovers her perilous position - but makes a decision which will have far-reaching consequences. Francois takes a position in the newly prosperous city of Melbourne, and the two maintain a façade of respectability, but their secrets undermine their happiness. It took me a little while to get used to the various forms of narration, but the story is one of those fact-is-stranger-than-fiction tales, and quite engrossing, with vivid characterisation and colourful settings. Lindy Jones Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
PHYLLIS & GRACE
Nigel Gray, Bethan Welby
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/phyllis-and-grace-9781912650514.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Grace is often sent by her mother to take a plate for her neighbour Phyllis. Phyllis is becoming increasingly forgetful, but Grace likes to visit and doesn't mind the odd or repetitive questions. Even when Phyllis moves away, Grace and her family still visit every weekend, because of their enduring friendship... A gentle book about dementia and the benefits young and old derive in each other's company and ways of looking at the world, one of the best I remember seeing since the sadly now out-of-print Wilfred Gordon McDonald Partridge. It's a difficult subject handled with great delicacy but also with straightforwardness, enhanced by Bethan Welby's assured and deft illustrations. Lindy Jones
NEWS
The 2022 Pulitzer Prizes have been announced and the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction is The Netanyahus: An Account of a Minor and Ultimately Even Negligible Episode in the History of a Very Famous Family, by Joshua Cohen (New York Review Books). You can find the full list of the 2022 Pulitzer Prizes here.
Congratulations to those writers shortlisted for the ABA Booksellers Choice Awards 2022. You can find all the shortlists here.
Women's Prize for Fiction ShortlistMeg Mason was born in New Zealand and now lives in Australia. Her novel,Sorrow and Bliss, completely captivated me - the voice, the humour, the poignancy of it - and is now in contention for the 2022 Women's Prize for Fiction. I've got my fingers crossed for her!
Congratulations to Evelyn Araluen who has won the 20022 Stella Prize for her debut collection of prose and poetry, Dropbear.
Words on the Waves Writers Festival
I'm very excited to be interviewing Bryan Brown and Chris Hammer at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival on Sunday 5 June. Hope to see you there!
Writing Competitions
15 May 2022: Eastwood-Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers Literary Competition 2022:
The Eastwood Hills FAW 2022 Annual Literary Competition offers prizes for flash fiction, short stories, memoirs, and poems. Entry fee $8 per entry or $30 for 4 entries.
16 May 2022: The Westwords/Ultimo Prize
Submissions are invited from emerging writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction with a completed, previously unpublished manuscript who have a connection to Western Sydney. This connection can be through their personal connection, their manuscripts or the subject matter they deal with and its relevance to the issues and concerns of this dynamic region.The winner will receive: $5,000 in prize money, a week at Varuna, The National Writers’ House and a publication deal with Ultimo Press.
22 May 2022: ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize rewards original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style. Total prize money of AU$12,500 – 1st, $6,000; 2nd $4,000; 3rd $2,500. Entry fee $15 – $25.
31 May 2022: Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is an award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five and offers prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin with an advance against royalties.
1 June 2022: The Novel Prize
A biennial award for a book-length work of literary fiction written in English by published and unpublished writers around the world. The winner will receive US$10000 and simultaneous publication of their novel in Australia and New Zealand, in the UK and Ireland and in North America.
6 June 2022: Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize
The 2022 winner of the Bruce Dawe National Poetry Prize will receive $3000 and two highly commended entrants will be awarded $500 each.
15 June 2022: ARA Historical Novel Prize
The ARA Historical Novel Prize awards $50000 to the Adult category winner, with $5000 awarded to each of the remaining two shortlisted authors. In the Children and Young Adult category, the winner will receive $30000 while the two shortlisted authors will receive $5000 each.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
4 July 2022: The ACU Prize for Poetry
The theme for the 2022 ACU Prize for Poetry is 'Hope.' The winner will receive $10 000, with a $5000 second prize and a $3000 third prize.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196
On 26 May, we'll be joined by two guest authors: Toby Roberts, whose debut novel is Two Mums and a Dad and Dina Davis, whose new novel is A Dangerous Daughter.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
My Recommendation
Your Recommendations
Minal RThe Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Ravi S
Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran
Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Hazel H
Afterstory by Larissa Behrendt
Fathoms by Rebecca Giggs
The Swift and the Harrier by Minette Walters
Noela A
Violeta by Isabel Allende
French Braid by Anne Tyler
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions PaperbackAudible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
Add us to your address book*|END:IFWant to change how you receive these emails?
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You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
May 3, 2022
A week of book launches.. and you're invited!
Dear Friends,Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers, daughters, carers and nurturers out there. May the day - sometimes a difficult one, too - be a good one for you on Sunday.
I'm really looking forward to the coming week. On Tuesday 10 May, I'll be at the Sydney Jewish Museum to launch Gagman by Dov Fedler with Joanne Fedler. The original launch was delayed - yes, you guessed it - due to Covid and I'm so pleased to be able to get back on stage with Joanne to discuss this startlingly original novel conceived by her father, the renowned South African political cartoonist, Dov Fedler. I'd love to see you there. The launch starts at 6pm and It's free to attend - all you need to do is register here.
On Thursday 12 May, I'll be launching Mark Lamprell's new novel, The Secret Wife. The beautiful cover says it all: set in 1961 it's the story of one woman's ambition to have a career at a time when a woman's place was firmly seen to be in the home. If you'd like to attend the launch at Berkelouw Paddington, please email me and I'll send you the details.
Last week at Thursday Book Club, we were entertained by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen who spoke about their friendship and writing collaboration as they celebrate the release of their new novel, The Lowest Depths. If you weren't able to join us last week, you can watch our interview here.
On 26 May, we'll have two authors joining us on Thursday Book Club: Dina Davis, author of A Dangerous Daughter, and Toby Roberts, author of Two Mums and A Dad. Save the date!
NEW RELEASE RECOMMENDATION
DINNER WITH THE SCHNABELS
Toni Jordan
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/dinner-with-the-schnabels-9780733645129.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Simon truly loves his wife Tansy, but her family is another matter. Gloria, his mother-in-law, is formidable, particularly in her role as Matriarch. Nick is the golden boy, effortlessly athletic, charismatic and indulged. Kylie moves through the world with equal parts efficiency and annoyance. They are the tightest of family units, and Simon, who has recently lost his business and home (and almost the will to keep going) feels like the perpetual outsider. Having been bullied into landscaping his best friend's backyard for the memorial service of the long-divorced now-deceased father-in-law David, Simon vacillates on the work. But it isn't long before the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons turns up - David's fourth child. And Monica wants her place with her older siblings… Combining charm and astute observations, wit and warmth and believable situations, this is a good-natured and enjoyable examination of what makes family, and how your relatives can be the worst things that happen to you - and the best. Lindy Jones
Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
MING AND FLO FIGHT FOR THE FUTURE
#1 Girls who Changed the World
Jackie French
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/ming-and-flo-fight-for-the-future-the-girls-who-changed-the-world-9781460760208.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- French is renowned for her historical novels for young readers, and this one combines elements of time-slip with history. Ming Qong, a modern 12yo girl, wonders why girls don't get mentioned in the history books. When she gets the chance to travel back in time by Herstory (History's sister), she finds herself in dire poverty and alone in 1898, taking the place of young Flo Watson. Rescued by her rich city aunt, Ming/Flo finds herself participating in Louisa Lawson's Suffragist Society, and gets a true taste for change and making a difference in the world. A pacy adventure that celebrates lesser known aspects of Australian history. Lindy Jones
NEWS
Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist
Meg Mason was born in New Zealand and now lives in Australia. Her novel,Sorrow and Bliss, completely captivated me - the voice, the humour, the poignancy of it - and is now in contention for the 2022 Women's Prize for Fiction. I've got my fingers crossed for her!
Congratulations to Evelyn Araluen who has won the 20022 Stella Prize for her debut collection of prose and poetry, Dropbear.
Words on the Waves Writers Festival
I'm very excited to be interviewing Bryan Brown and Chris Hammer at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival on Sunday 5 June. Hope to see you there!
Writing Competitions
15 May 2022: Eastwood-Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers Literary Competition 2022:
The Eastwood Hills FAW 2022 Annual Literary Competition offers prizes for flash fiction, short stories, memoirs, and poems. Entry fee $8 per entry or $30 for 4 entries.
16 May 2022: The Westwords/Ultimo Prize
Submissions are invited from emerging writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction with a completed, previously unpublished manuscript who have a connection to Western Sydney. This connection can be through their personal connection, their manuscripts or the subject matter they deal with and its relevance to the issues and concerns of this dynamic region.The winner will receive: $5,000 in prize money, a week at Varuna, The National Writers’ House and a publication deal with Ultimo Press.
22 May 2022: ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize rewards original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style. Total prize money of AU$12,500 – 1st, $6,000; 2nd $4,000; 3rd $2,500. Entry fee $15 – $25.
31 May 2022: Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is an award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five and offers prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin with an advance against royalties.
1 June 2022: The Novel Prize
A biennial award for a book-length work of literary fiction written in English by published and unpublished writers around the world. The winner will receive US$10000 and simultaneous publication of their novel in Australia and New Zealand, in the UK and Ireland and in North America.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196
On 26 May, we'll be joined by two guest authors: Toby Roberts, whose debut novel is Two Mums and a Dad and Dina Davis, whose new novel is A Dangerous Daughter.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
Ross Fitzgerald's Recommendations
The Dizzying Heights by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen
Fifty Years Sober: An Alcoholic's Journey by Ross Fitzgerald
The Cardinal Pell Media Pile-On & Collective Guilt by Gerard Henderson
Ian McFadyen's Recommendations
Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo
The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire by Edward Gibbon
Noddy Goes To Toyland by Enid Blyton
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions PaperbackAudible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
Add us to your address book*|END:IFWant to change how you receive these emails?
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You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
April 26, 2022
Thursday Book Club is back..with guests and giveaways
View this email in your browser
Dear Friends,Welcome back! Hope you enjoyed some down time during the holiday period which saw Easter, Passover, Ramadam and Vaisakhi overlap for the first time in 20 years.
I've been busy preparing to interview some really terrific writers over the coming weeks. Courtesy of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, I have free online tickets to my in-conversation event tomorrow with the fabulously entertaining and extraordinarily successful Dervla McTiernan. Just email me your latest holiday read to be in the draw.
Then join me at Thursday Book Club to welcome author, historian and commentator Professor Ross Fitzgerald and creator and producer of The Comedy Company, Ian McFadyen. Ross and Ian will regale us with the exploits of Dr Grafton Everett, hero of their latest satire, The Lowest Depths. In the meantime, scroll down for Ross Fitzgerald's thoughts on solace and where he finds it.
Courtesy of the Korean Cultural Centre and the Powerhouse Museum, I'll be joining journalist Saimi Jeong to co-host the Korean Book Club on Saturday. We'll be chatting about The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-eun. Join us on Level 3 of the Powerhouse Museum at 2pm. It's free to attend - just register online - you don't need to have read the book and you'll be in the running to win a copy of The Disaster Tourist. Hope you can join us!
NEW RELEASE RECOMMENDATION
MOTHER'S BOY
Patrick Gale
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/mothers-boy-patrick-gale-9781472257437.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Gale is one of those authors whose new books I look forward to with keen anticipation - and this one is perhaps his best yet! Set in the early 20th century, it is the story of an intensely loving relationship between a widow and her son. Laura lost her husband to the after-effects of war, so her only child Charlie fills the emotional void and becomes the centre of her world. Gradually she realises he is not like other lads in their rough working class neighbourhood, and that he has a talent for music that she tries to foster. But as he grows, she is blind to his increasing need for his own space, and smothers him somewhat. Charlie both loves and resents her, and begins to realise that he is pulled in a dangerous direction - and the new world war introduces him both to great passion and great pain... Based on the early years (loosely) of the Cornish poet Charles Causley, this is written with great delicacy and plain beauty, and is a thoroughly engaging portrait of a man and a time long gone. Lindy Jones Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
THE OGRESS AND THE ORPHANS
Kelly Barnhill
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-ogress-and-the-orphans-9781800783027.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Stone-in-the-Glen used to be a beautiful town, once. The people were kindly, travellers were welcome, the streets were lined with flowering trees and the Library was one of the wonders of the country. But when the Library burnt down, and its books were lost, something changed in the community; it became suspicious, uncaring and insular, and starts to forget its civic duties. To the orphanage particularly... The Mayor, who once killed a dragon (so he claims) is a charming and charismatic person who has the townsfolks' best interest at heart (so he says). So when an Ogress, who has spent a lot of time (easy when you're so long-lived) in a lot of places moves into a dilapidated farmhouse on the outskirts, she is an easy target for prejudice, even though she is the unknown benefactress of everyone in town and has no ill will towards anyone at all. The orphans have their own theories, and the crows - well they know things too! Told by an omniscient narrator whose identity is gradually revealed, this is a story of community, kindness, bravery of all sorts, deception - and just a little bit of magic. A wonderful read! Lindy Jones
NEWS
2022 CWA Gold Daggers Longlist
Congratulations to all the authors longlisted for the UK 2022 CWA Gold Dagger Award, for the overall best crime novel of the year. Included in the list is Before You Knew My Name by Jacqueline Bublitz, The Stoning by Peter Papathanasiou and A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins. You can find the full longlist here.
Dervla McTiernan in conversation with Suzanne Leal
Thursday 28 April 2022 | 6pm- 7pm | Online
Join me online when I'll be talking to Dervla McTiernan about her brand-new novel, The Murder Rule. The event is presented by BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival and I'd love to have your company both there and later that evening at Thursday Book Club.
Books and Banchan: The Disaster Tourist
Saturday 30 April 2022 | 2pm | Powerhouse Cafe/Bookshop Space
Journalist Saimi Jeong and I will be co-hosting the Korean Book Club at the Powerhouse Museum on Saturday. We'll be talking about The Disaster Touristby Yun Ko-eun. Register here to attend and to be in the running to win a copy of The Disaster Tourist.
Words on the Waves Writers Festival
3-6 June 2022 | NSW Central Coast
I'm very excited to be interviewing Bryan Brown and Chris Hammer at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival on Sunday 5 June. Hope to see you there!
WHERE I FIND SOLACE by
Ross Fitzgerald
Where I regularly find solace is at meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous which, even though I'm now 52 years sober (i.e. free of alcohol and other drugs), I still attend two or three times a week. It is especially at my home AA group at South Sydney, where I am known as 'Redfern Ross', that I feel a sense of peace and serenity and usefulness. As I often say, 'You don't have to like me, but I'm a remarkable example of how AA can transform a person who was so damaged by addiction and shock therapy into a functioning human being and a highly-regarded historian and novelist.'
My darling wife of 43 years Lyndal Moor Fitzgerald, to whom my recent memoir, Fifty Years Sober: An Alcoholic's Journey is dedicated, was 45 years sober when she died in January 2020.
Lyndal had nothing in her blood but blood since the day our mutual friend, Barry Humphries, introduced us. Lyndal’s AA nickname was 'Adequate from Arncliffe'. This was because she regularly talked about striving, in her work, for adequacy, not for perfection. It was as a result of hearing this that I actually started writing.
When I was drinking and using, I thought that I was a writer but then I didn't write a note to the milkman! Also, as a perfectionist, my rule pre-AA was 'If at first you don't succeed, stop.'
It was only after I was three years sober that I published my first book, a slim volume of poems, The Eyes of Angels. I've now authored or co-authored 43 books. And this is because I paid attention to the wise words of Adequate from Arncliffe.
It is not an accident that in my eight Grafton Everest novels, many of which I've co-authored with Ian McFadyen, the bumbling anti-hero is a longtime sober alcoholic.
It is also no accident that Dr Professor Grafton Everest's loyal, long-suffering wife Janet, who also does not drink alcohol, bears a striking resemblance to darling Lyndal, who encouraged me to work with Ian. As writing can be such a lonely business, I am grateful that our collaboration has proved so productive and enjoyable.
I agree with our nimble publisher, Louis de Vries of Hybrid Publishers in Melbourne, that the last two Grafton books, The Dizzying Heights and The Lowest Depths are the best.
Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on The Lowest Depths by Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen at Abbey's Bookshop.
Writing Competitions 29 April 2022 David Unaipon Award Emerging Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander writers are invited to submit unpublished manuscripts for the David Unaipon Award.
30 April 2022: The Best of Times Short Story Competition #33For humorous short stories up to 2500 words. First, second and third place prizes. Enter by email or post. $10 entry fee.
30 April 2022: John Gavin Writing Competition 2022Two Open Categories with the theme: The Life and Times of John Gavin
30 April 2022: Poetica Christi Press 2022 Poetry Competition
Poems up to 50 lines, including spaces, on the theme of Transformation. First prize - $300 Second prize - $100. Twenty-five poems will be selected to be included in the anthology to be published by Poetica Christi Press.
30 April 2022: 2022 Furphy Literary Award
The national award offers $20,000 in total prize money and publication in the annual Furphy Anthology.
4 May 2022: The Bristol Short Story Prize
The competition is open to all writers around the world whether published or unpublished. First prize is £1,000.
15 May 2022: Eastwood-Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers Literary Competition 2022:
The Eastwood Hills FAW 2022 Annual Literary Competition offers prizes for flash fiction, short stories, memoirs, and poems. Entry fee $8 per entry or $30 for 4 entries.
16 May 2022: The Westwords/Ultimo Prize
Submissions are invited from emerging writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction with a completed, previously unpublished manuscript who have a connection to Western Sydney. This connection can be through their personal connection, their manuscripts or the subject matter they deal with and its relevance to the issues and concerns of this dynamic region.The winner will receive: $5,000 in prize money, a week at Varuna, The National Writers’ House and a publication deal with Ultimo Press.
22 May 2022: ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize rewards original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style. Total prize money of AU$12,500 – 1st, $6,000; 2nd $4,000; 3rd $2,500. Entry fee $15 – $25.
31 May 2022: Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is an award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five and offers prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin with an advance against royalties.
1 June 2022: The Novel Prize
A biennial award for a book-length work of literary fiction written in English by published and unpublished writers around the world. The winner will receive US$10000 and simultaneous publication of their novel in Australia and New Zealand, in the UK and Ireland and in North America.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196
Tomorrow night, two guest authors will be coming to Thursday Book Club. Historian and political commentator, Ross Fitzgerald, will be joined by the creator and producer of The Comedy Company, Ian McFadyen, to discuss their latest collaboration, The Lowest Depths, another rollicking political satire featuring the hapless ex-President of the Republic of Australia, Dr Professor Grafton Everest.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
My Recommendation
The Way We Are Now by Garry Disher
Your Recommendations
Kata K
The Mother by Jane Caro
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Dina D
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
One Hundred Days by Alice Pung
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Elizabeth W
Smokehouse by Melissa Manning
Only one refused by Mireille Juchau (HEAT Series 3 Number 1)
Australian by Yumna Kassab
Barbie R
Remember Me by Charity Norman
The Ghost Tattoo by Tony Bernard
Under The Moonlight by Susannah Crispe
Noela A
French Braid by Anne Tyler
Give Unto Others by Donna Leon
Ravi S
April in Spain by John Banville
The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright
Welcome to the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
The Darkest Shore by Karen Brooks
Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions PaperbackAudible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
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You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
April 12, 2022
Happy Publication Day for The Lessons by John Purcell
Dear Friends,Once again, the school holidays have taken me by surprise and suddenly here we are! We'll be taking a break at Thursday Book Club until 28 April, when Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen will be my guests. It should be a lot of fun chatting to them about their latest Grafton Everest adventure, The Lowest Depths.
At 6pm on 28 April - just before I welcome Ross and Ian to Thursday Book Club - I'll be in conversation with Dervla McTiernan online, courtesy of BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival. Hope you can be there!
Today heralds the release of John Purcell's new novel, The Lessons. To celebrate, John has written a piece on solace, just for us. You'll find it in this week's Writers' Corner.
On Thursday 21 April, I'll be at Gleebooks to launch Emma Viskic's much anticipated new novel, Those Who Perish - the fourth - perhaps even the final - book in the Caleb Zelic series. It's a terrific read and I hope you can join us at Gleebooks to celebrate its release. You can register to attend here.
And then on Friday 22 April, the much-loved Peter Bishop, founding creative director of Varuna - The Writers' House, will be launching Lee Kofman's new book, The Writer Laid Bare. Everyone is welcome - all you need to do is register here. Hope to see you there! If not, I'll look forward to seeing you back at Thursday Book Club on 28 April. Until then, may you all enjoy the lead up to Easter and Passover.
NEW RELEASE RECOMMENDATION
AUSTRALIAN ARCHITECTUREA history
Davina Jackson https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/australian-architecture-a-history-9781760878399.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- If you just want one comprehensive but accessible volume on Australian architecture, then I think this is the one. I've always enjoyed looking at buildings, not as an architect or student, just as someone interested in styles, structures and materials, so I like a book that explains and gives insights into the many expressions of regional and historical architecture. It starts very briefly with the structures of First Nations people, then tracks chronologically from colonial tents and huts and onwards through the various styles of the nineteenth century, the revolutions of the twentieth and on to the innovations of recent times. It is fully illustrated with varying sizes of black and white, and coloured photographs, more than sufficient to illustrate the text, which is clear and informative. Dip in and out, or read from beginning to end, this is a must-have for anyone interested in our architectural heritage.Lindy Jones
Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
YOUNG PRECIOUS
The Collected Adventures
Alexander McCall Smith, Iain McIntosh
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/young-precious-the-collected-adventures-9781780277417.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Adult readers of McCall Smith's charming No 1 Detective Ladies' Agency novels know that Precious Ramotswe is kind, intelligent and perceptive - all traits she possessed as a small girl growing up in her rural village in Botswana. This is a collection of the four junior novels that follow her young childhood and her ability to solve the everyday mysteries that arise, with the quiet wisdom and help of her beloved father. Old-fashioned (in a nice way!) tales of simplicity and problem-solving, perfect for the youngster who likes their Enid Blyton adventures. Illustrated with black and earthy-red drawings by Iain McIntosh, which add to the pleasure of the volume. Lindy Jones
NEWS
The Nib Presents: Climate and cultural legacies
Wednesday 20 April I 7 - 8pm I Online I Free
To celebrate the opening of nominations for the 2022 Mark & Evette Moran Nib Literary Award, join Nib Award alumni Delia Falconer (2011 winner) and Ramona Koval (2021 finalist) in a compelling discussion facilitated by Rebecca Giggs (2020 winner). The acclaimed authors draw on their recent books to explore the impact of living in this time of unparalleled environmental change on future generations.
Author Encounters: Growing Up in Country Australia
Wednesday 13 April 2022 | 730pm-830pm | Online | Free
In this panel discussion presented by Geelong Regional Libraries, be part of a fresh, modern look at country Australia.
Dervla McTiernan in conversation with Suzanne Leal
Thursday 28 April 2022 | 6pm- 7pm | Online
Join me online when I'll be talking to Dervla McTiernan about her brand-new novel, The Murder Rule. The event is presented by BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival and I'd love to have your company both there and later that evening at Thursday Book Club.
WRITERS' CORNER
WHERE I FIND SOLACE
by
John Purcell
Solace isn’t something I consciously seek. But I do have moments of pain and distress when the world seems black and the obstacles I need to climb appear too great. In these times I turn to my wife. ‘Turn’ is too much. I know she is there. Nothing can be so bad if she is still there. In that knowledge there is much comfort. Stopping my brain is another matter altogether. I am a worrier. I like to worry solutions out from their hiding spots. Even when things are completely out of my control and no solutions can be found. In the worst of times, my instinct is to drown my worries in the worries of others. To watch the news obsessively, scroll twitter until my eyes bleed. To heighten my anxieties tenfold in an attempt to bring them to an end, like dynamiting burning oil wells to snuff out the flames. This never works. In the midst of the pandemic I discovered what works. At least for me. Lee Child works. His Jack Reacher novels hypnotise me. I abdicate all responsibility and place my faith in Reacher. And a great calm comes over me.
Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on The Lessons by John Purcell at Abbey's Bookshop. Abbey's also has signed copies of The Good Mother in stock.
Writing Competitions
14 April 2022: The Writer's Space Fellowships-Varuna
Twelve fellowships will be offered to writers with disability or who are D/deaf, from around Australia.
15 April 2022: Peter Cowan 600 Short Story Competition
This year there are three categories: Open, Novice and Youth.
19 April 2022: Writers Unleashed Picture Book Writing Competition
This competition seeks original picture book manuscripts of no more than 500 words. The winner will receive a cash prize and a mentorship with publisher Clare Halifax.
22 April 2022: Island Nonfiction Prize
The winning writer will receive $3000 and their work will be published in Island issue 165, due for publication in July 2022.
25 April 2022: Newcastle Short Story Award
The 2022 Newcastle Short Story Award is seeking submissions of short stories under 2000 words on any theme. The winner will receive $2000 and publication in the Newcastle Short Story Award Anthology 2022.
30 April 2022: The Best of Times Short Story Competition #33
For humorous short stories up to 2500 words. First, second and third place prizes. Enter by email or post. $10 entry fee.
30 April 2022: John Gavin Writing Competition 2022
Two Open Categories with the theme: The Life and Times of John Gavin
30 April 2022: Poetica Christi Press 2022 Poetry Competition
Poems up to 50 lines, including spaces, on the theme of Transformation. First prize - $300 Second prize - $100. Twenty-five poems will be selected to be included in the anthology to be published by Poetica Christi Press.
30 April 2022: 2022 Furphy Literary Award
The national award offers $20,000 in total prize money and publication in the annual Furphy Anthology.
4 May 2022: The Bristol Short Story Prize
The competition is open to all writers around the world whether published or unpublished. First prize is £1,000.
15 May 2022: Eastwood-Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers Literary Competition 2022:
The Eastwood Hills FAW 2022 Annual Literary Competition offers prizes for flash fiction, short stories, memoirs, and poems. Entry fee $8 per entry or $30 for 4 entries.
16 May 2022: The Westwords/Ultimo Prize
Submissions are invited from emerging writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction with a completed, previously unpublished manuscript who have a connection to Western Sydney. This connection can be through their personal connection, their manuscripts or the subject matter they deal with and its relevance to the issues and concerns of this dynamic region.The winner will receive: $5,000 in prize money, a week at Varuna, The National Writers’ House and a publication deal with Ultimo Press.
22 May 2022: ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize rewards original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style. Total prize money of AU$12,500 – 1st, $6,000; 2nd $4,000; 3rd $2,500. Entry fee $15 – $25.
31 May 2022: Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is an award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five and offers prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin with an advance against royalties.
1 June 2022: The Novel Prize
A biennial award for a book-length work of literary fiction written in English by published and unpublished writers around the world. The winner will receive US$10000 and simultaneous publication of their novel in Australia and New Zealand, in the UK and Ireland and in North America.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196
On 28 April 2022, two guest authors will be coming to Thursday Book Club. Historian and political commentator, Ross Fitzgerald, will be joined by the creator and producer of The Comedy Company, Ian McFadyen, to discuss their latest collaboration, The Lowest Depths, another rollicking political satire featuring the hapless ex-President of the Republic of Australia, Dr Professor Grafton Everest.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
My Recommendation
The Way We Are Now by Garry Disher
Your Recommendations
Kata K
The Mother by Jane Caro
Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Dina D
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
One Hundred Days by Alice Pung
The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Elizabeth W
Smokehouse by Melissa Manning
Only one refused by Mireille Juchau (HEAT Series 3 Number 1)
Australian by Yumna Kassab
Barbie R
Remember Me by Charity Norman
The Ghost Tattoo by Tony Bernard
Under The Moonlight by Susannah Crispe
Noela A
French Braid by Anne Tyler
Give Unto Others by Donna Leon
Ravi S
April in Spain by John Banville
The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright
Welcome to the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
The Darkest Shore by Karen Brooks
Hag-Seed by Margaret Atwood
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions PaperbackAudible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
Add us to your address book*|END:IFWant to change how you receive these emails?
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You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
April 6, 2022
Highlights from Newcastle Writers Festival
View this email in your browser
Dear Friends,There's been a lot happening in the world of readers and writers. The shortlists for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards have been announced as has the Stella Prize shortlist (scroll down for all the details). Over the weekend, the weather held up for Newcastle Writers Festival - a triumph for director, Rosemarie Milsom, manager, Sally Ebert, and the rest of the team and board. It was wonderful to be back on stage again - with champagne to celebrate Emily Brugman's first festival panel following the release of her beautiful debut novel, The Islands.
I'm delighted to be launching Emma Viskic's new novel, Those Who Perish, at Gleebooks on 21 April. To join us - and I'd love it if you could - you can book here.
Michelle Tom was my guest on Thursday Book Club last week. As well as being a wonderfull writer, Michelle is a great speaker. If you missed the discussion, you can watch it here.
On 28 April, authors Ross Fitzgerald and Ian McFadyen will be coming to Thursday Book Club to talk about their latest collaboration, The Lowest Depths, another clever political satire featuring the hapless Dr Professor Grafton Everest. Hope you can join us then!
Congratulations to author Rae Cairns whose novel The Good Mother has just hit the bookshops. In a short piece written especially for Thursday Book Club, Rae describes how her originally self-published novel came to be shortlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards and picked up by HarperCollins. Later in the year, Rae will be also be my guest on Thursday Book Club.
In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you at Thursday Book Club tomorrow night at 8pm. Just click on this link to join us: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343.
NEW RELEASE RECOMMENDATION
GIVE UNTO OTHERS
#31 Brunetti
Donna Leon
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/give-unto-others-9781529151619.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- There's always a special pleasure in picking up the new novel of a favourite author, and the annual Commissario Brunetti is certainly highly anticipated and enjoyed. This, the 31st case, has Guido doing a favour for a woman he once knew as a boy, someone whose mother did his own mother favours. In the complicated society of Venice, he feels he has a debt to repay, so when Elisabetta Foscarini asks him to investigate an incident involving her daughter, against his better judgement he does… Of course, it becomes much more complicated than a simple break-in, and the motives driven by more than maternal feeling! As ever, the novel is full of wonderful Venice, descriptions of life in a city where the pandemic was a back-handed blessing, and the moral conundrums and philosophical musings that make Brunetti such a beloved character. Lindy Jones
Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
LOCKED OUT LILYNick Lake, Emily Gravett
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/locked-out-lily-9781471194832.do ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Lily has been very ill and she hasn't coped well with the changes, so when her parents are expecting a new baby, she is upset beyond measure. She only wants to go back to the time when everything was the same, so when she is sent to her grandmother's place, she decides to return to her own home. In the meanwhile, a Crow, a Mole, a Mouse and a Snake wait for her - but so do a pair of sinister black-eyed almost-parents who have taken up residence in her family home… An engrossing tale of finding strength to endure, of acceptance and also of hope. With Emily Gravett's atmospheric illustrations, this is an adventure with a deep magical underpinning and a believable protagonist. For ages 9-12. Lindy Jones
NEWS
The 2022 Stella Prize Shortlist
TAKE CARE (Enunice Andrada, Giramondo)
Dropbear (Evelyn Araluen, UQP)
No Document (Anwen Crawford, Giramondo)
Bodies of Light (Jennifer Down, Text)
Stone Fruit (Lee Lai, Fantagraphics)
Homecoming (Elfie Shiosaki, Magabala).
2022 NSW Premier's Literary Awards
The shortlists for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards have been announced. Having been the senior judge from 2017 to 2019, the Awards are close to my heart and I'd like to congratulate all the shortlisted writers. You'll find the full list here.
Fakes I Stephanie Wood
Australian Story
In her book, Fake, journalist and author, Stephanie Wood, describes how her life was upended when she fell in love with a narcissistic fantasist. This tale of love gone wrong is explored in ABC TV's Australian Story. You can watch it on iview and find out more on Stephanie's website.
THE GOOD MOTHER
by
Rae Cairns
For me, writing has been a roller coaster ride of being brave, working hard and taking chances. I’ve had highs, like when writer and film director Mark Lamprell jumped off the Sydney Writers’ Festival stage to tell me he’d loved the story I’d pitched at his workshop. And I’ve sunk into lows, like when I finally got on top of my Rheumatoid Arthritis after two years of it wreaking havoc on my ability to write, only to have my agent inform me she was closing up shop.
In December 2020, with the encouragement of my mentors, I self-published The Good Mother. I had it professionally edited, hired a professional cover designer then sent it out into the world. The book garnered some high-profile reviews, then a vision impaired reader pitched it successfully to audiobook publisher Bolinda. But it was when my self-published book was shortlisted for the 2021 Ned Kelly Best Debut Crime Fiction Award, a competition I never dreamt my book had a shot at, that things took a new turn.
The shortlisting changed my life. My inbox filled with requests and rights enquiries. Two weeks afterwards, I signed with Cameron’s Management, and one week later I was offered a two-book deal with HarperCollins. This week HarperCollins released The Good Mother - a new version finessed for a wider audience, containing 10,000 new words. It has definitely been an incredible high on my writing journey, and a path that may never have emerged if I hadn’t taken a leap of faith and entered the Ned Kelly Awards.
Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on The Good Mother by Rae Cairns at Abbey's Bookshop. Abbey's also has signed copies of The Good Mother in stock.
Writing Competitions
8 April 2022: Griffith Review: Real Cool World
The 'Real Cool World' edition of the Griffith Review will explore Antarctica as a place and as a canvas for imagination. Submissions are invited for new work that responds to the theme in the form of essays, reportage, creative non-fiction, fiction, memoir and visual essays.
8 April 2022: Ada Cambridge Writing Prizes
Williamstown Literary Festival offers the Ada Cambridge Biographical Prose Prize ($500), Poetry Prize ($500) and the Young Adas ($250). $15 entry fee.
12 April 2022: Scribe Varuna Fellowships
The Scribe Varuna Fellowships offers writers of literary fiction the chance to spend a week in residence at Varuna with editors from Scribe Publications.
14 April 2022: The Writer's Space Fellowships-Varuna
Twelve fellowships will be offered to writers with disability or who are D/deaf, from around Australia.
15 April 2022: Peter Cowan 600 Short Story Competition
This year there are three categories: Open, Novice and Youth.
19 April 2022: Writers Unleashed Picture Book Writing Competition
This competition seeks original picture book manuscripts of no more than 500 words. The winner will receive a cash prize and a mentorship with publisher Clare Halifax.
22 April 2022: Island Nonfiction Prize
The winning writer will receive $3000 and their work will be published in Island issue 165, due for publication in July 2022.
25 April 2022: Newcastle Short Story Award
The 2022 Newcastle Short Story Award is seeking submissions of short stories under 2000 words on any theme. The winner will receive $2000 and publication in the Newcastle Short Story Award Anthology 2022.
4 May 2022: The Bristol Short Story Prize
The competition is open to all writers around the world whether published or unpublished. First prize is £1,000.
15 May 2022: Eastwood-Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers Literary Competition 2022:
The Eastwood Hills FAW 2022 Annual Literary Competition offers prizes for flash fiction, short stories, memoirs, and poems. Entry fee $8 per entry or $30 for 4 entries.
16 May 2022: The Westwords/Ultimo Prize
Submissions are invited from emerging writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction with a completed, previously unpublished manuscript who have a connection to Western Sydney. This connection can be through their personal connection, their manuscripts or the subject matter they deal with and its relevance to the issues and concerns of this dynamic region.The winner will receive: $5,000 in prize money, a week at Varuna, The National Writers’ House and a publication deal with Ultimo Press.
22 May 2022: ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize rewards original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style. Total prize money of AU$12,500 – 1st, $6,000; 2nd $4,000; 3rd $2,500. Entry fee $15 – $25.
31 May 2022: Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is an award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five and offers prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin with an advance against royalties.
1 June 2022: The Novel Prize
A biennial award for a book-length work of literary fiction written in English by published and unpublished writers around the world. The winner will receive US$10000 and simultaneous publication of their novel in Australia and New Zealand, in the UK and Ireland and in North America.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196
On 28 April 2022, two guest authors will be coming to Thursday Book Club. Historian and political commentator, Ross Fitzgerald, will be joined by the creator and producer of The Comedy Company, Ian McFadyen, to discuss their latest collaboration, The Lowest Depths, another rollicking political satire featuring the hapless ex-President of the Republic of Australia, Dr Professor Grafton Everest.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
My Recommendation
Those Who Perish by Emma Viskic
Michelle Tom's Recommendations
The Ticking Is The Bomb: A Memoir by Nick Flynn
The Anthology of Colonial Australian Gothic Fiction edited by Ken Gelder & Rachael Weaver
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions PaperbackAudible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
Add us to your address book*|END:IFWant to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
March 29, 2022
A peep of sunshine
View this email in your browser
Dear Friends,It's been a wet week and my thoughts are with everyone caught in the flooding and the torrential weather. For me, there's been a peep of sunshine with the return of so many writers' festivals both live and online. Last weekend, I really enjoyed interviewing Garry Linnell for Words at Wagstaffe and I'm looking forward to the Words on the Waves Festival on the NSW Central Coast on 3-6 June. On Friday, I'm off to Newcastle Writers Festival where I'll be on a panel with Jock Serong, Mirandi Riwoe, Emily Brugman and another with Kelli Hawkins, Lee Christine and Wendy James. You can find the full program here. Come and say hi if you can make it.
This week sees the release of some terrific new books. Mark Lamprell wears many hats: not only is he a much-lauded film director and screenwriter, he also writes books for both adults and children. His new novel, The Secret Wife, is just out. Set in the sixties, it's a great read: funny and poignant.
Lee Kofman's new book The Writer Laid Bare is also out this week and you're invited to her Melbourne launch at Readings St Kilda on Sunday 3 April. You can register for it here. In the meantime, Lee has written a piece especially for Thursday Book Club - just scroll down to read it.
Tomorrow night at Thursday Book Club, join me in conversation with Michelle Tom. Her memoir, Ten Thousand Aftershocks, is a moving account of how she managed to rebuild her life after the Christchurch earthquakes. It's a timely, hopeful read and I'll look forward to your company then. Click here at at 8pm to join us:https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343.
BRUNSWICK STREET BLUES
Sally Bothroyd
abbeys.com.au/book/brunswick-street-blues-9781867216018.do ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- A bright and breezy novel with a very entertaining bunch of misfits, and a likeable protagonist who is street smart, a good judge of character (as long as she isn't romantically involved with them) and who has the enduring mystery of her own origins. Brick (named for the lane she was abandoned in as a baby) tries to help her ex-footballer ex-session muso Uncle Baz and their beloved but battered Brunswick St pub, by taking a job with the local council - for which she is eminently unsuitable for and unsuited to. She soon finds herself faced with a few dilemmas, starting with the stinking corpse of the local mayor in the locked archives of the council building and winding up with murderous businessmen and corrupt politicians - via a possible romantic entanglement with an irritating journalist, the clandestine activities of a paranoid record shop owner and an assortment of fabulous characters who offer help of varying usefulness (the ASIO/parking-ticket inspector/drag-queen was one of my favourites!) Full of local colour and inner Melbourne settings, this is a great romp, thoroughly enjoyable with delightful cast of eccentric characters. I hope to see more of Brick! Lindy Jones Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
LOOKING AFTER COUNTRY WITH FIREAboriginal Burning Knowledge With Uncle Kuu
Victor Steffensen, Sandra Steffensen
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/looking-after-country-with-fire-9781741177824.do ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- A welcome addition to the growing list of children's books on Indigenous practices, this shares the knowledge of Aboriginal burning. Uncle Kuu takes two youngsters out on to Country and explains how fire has been used for thousands of years to look after the land. He teaches them how to light the fires in the right place, in the right season, and how slow burns are beneficial for plants and animals. He also tells them what happens when fire is not used properly, how it is a force for destruction, not renewal. A range of colours from bright healthy greens to burnt charcoal greys and expressive illustrations complement the dancing fonts used in the text. And yes, there is a friendly reminder that you should never ever light fires yourself! Lindy Jones
NEWS
Congratulations to everyone shortlisted for the 2022 Children's Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Awards. You can find all the details here.
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Mirandi Riwoe in conversation with Fiona Stager 1 April 2022
From the award-winning author of Stone Sky Gold Mountain comes The Burnished Sun, a collection of stories exploring the inner lives of those who are often ignored or misunderstood. Courtesy of Avid Reader, Fiona Stager is in-conversation with Mirandi Riwoe.To register to attend in store or online, click here.
Gleebooks Kids Club with Rachel
On 2 April, join Rachel at Gleebooks for a double author session beginning at 2pm with Matt Cosgrove and Eva Amores to celebrate the next book in their popular series Worst Week Ever. Stay to hear Sue Whiting talk about her new adventure series Pearly & Pig & The Great Hairy Beast. You can find all the details here.
Conversations on Creation with Kathryn Heyman & Tanya Heaslip How do you grapple with your own story to give a narrative structure? How do you take your own experiences and make them a story for others?
At 8pm tonight, join acclaimed writer Kathryn Heyman for a free online conversation as part of the 'Conversations on Creation' series hosted by the Australian Writers Mentoring Program. Kathryn will be talking with bestselling author Tanya Heaslip about how Tanya found a narrative shape for her experiences and transformed 'a mess of words and a mass of experiences' into three bestselling memoirs about her expansive outback life and how it prepared her for a European fairytale. There's also a giveaway for one lucky ticket holder. You can find all the details here.
Lynda La Plante in conversation with Sue Turnbull online on 31 March 2022 at 6pm Travel online to the UK to hear Lynda La Plante (Prime Suspect, Tennison and many others) talk with Sue Turnbull about her latest novel Vanished. Presented by BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, you can find all the details here. WRITERS' CORNER
FINDING SOLACE IN WRITING
by
Lee Kofman
I have two young children with so-called special needs. The older one is prone to unpredictable, sometimes violent, outbursts, often with no clear triggers. Every day in our house is an uncertain day. Occasionally, it is a full-blown civil war.
If I chose to be a full-time mother, my hands would be constantly full – on some days my eldest requires constant supervision and (my amateur) counselling. Instead, I choose to be an almost-full-time writer. (I’ve actually hit the peak of my writerly productivity since I had children). I often berate myself for my choice, but I don’t change my ways.
Recently, as I was working on my new book about the art of writing, The Writer Laid Bare, and struggling to say something of substance about combining parenting and writing, the following occurred to me. (Or perhaps I already subconsciously knew this, but writing is my way of crystallising my thoughts.) As much as writing interferes with my parenting, it also makes it more bearable. Sometimes, when the battles in our house escalate, my time in my study feels less a guilty pleasure and more a salvation, a necessary timeout from reality. I finish my working day and return to my family with more energy and goodwill to manage the crises. I’ll try to remember this the next time I feel my usual guilt for not being a more devoted mother.
Writing Competitions
31 March 2022: Art & Words Project – Northern Beaches Writers’ Competition
Submit entries of up to 2,500 words responding to the theme ‘tree’, along with at least one image that reflects and enhances that story.
31 March 2022: Flying Islands Manuscript Prize for Emerging Poets
The Flying Islands Manuscript Prize for Emerging Poets offers a $1000 cash prize and publication in the Flying Island Pocket Poets Series, with fifty free copies to the author.
31 March 2022: Best Australian Science Writing
The Best Australian Science Writing 2022 anthology is seeking published pieces that have appeared in print or online between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022.
8 April 2022: Griffith Review: Real Cool World
The 'Real Cool World' edition of the Griffith Review will explore Antarctica as a place and as a canvas for imagination. Submissions are invited for new work that responds to the theme in the form of essays, reportage, creative non-fiction, fiction, memoir and visual essays.
8 April 2022: Ada Cambridge Writing Prizes
Williamstown Literary Festival offers the Ada Cambridge Biographical Prose Prize ($500), Poetry Prize ($500) and the Young Adas ($250). $15 entry fee.
12 April 2022: Scribe Varuna Fellowships
The Scribe Varuna Fellowships offers writers of literary fiction the chance to spend a week in residence at Varuna with editors from Scribe Publications.
14 April 2022: The Writer's Space Fellowships-Varuna
Twelve fellowships will be offered to writers with disability or who are D/deaf, from around Australia.
15 April 2022: Peter Cowan 600 short story competition
This year there are three categories: Open, Novice and Youth.
22 April: Island Nonfiction Prize
The winning writer will receive $3000 and their work will be published in Island issue 165, due for publication in July 2022.
4 May 2022: The Bristol Short Story Prize
The competition is open to all writers around the world whether published or unpublished. First prize is £1,000.
15 May 2022: Eastwood-Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers Literary Competition 2022:
The Eastwood Hills FAW 2022 Annual Literary Competition offers prizes for flash fiction, short stories, memoirs, and poems. Entry fee $8 per entry or $30 for 4 entries.
16 May 2022: The Westwords/Ultimo Prize
Submissions are invited from emerging writers of fiction and narrative non-fiction with a completed, previously unpublished manuscript who have a connection to Western Sydney. This connection can be through their personal connection, their manuscripts or the subject matter they deal with and its relevance to the issues and concerns of this dynamic region.The winner will receive: $5,000 in prize money, a week at Varuna, The National Writers’ House and a publication deal with Ultimo Press.
22 May 2022: ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize rewards original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style. Total prize money of AU$12,500 – 1st, $6,000; 2nd $4,000; 3rd $2,500. Entry fee $15 – $25.
31 May 2022: Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is an award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five and offers prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin with an advance against royalties.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196 
On 31 March 2022, my guest is author Michelle Tom whose beautifully written memoir,Ten Thousand Aftershocks, explores her experience of the Christchurch earthquakes in the midst of family upheaval.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
My Recommendation
The Burning Island by Jock Serong
Your Recommendations
Noela A
A Single Thread by Tracy Chevalier
Ravi S
The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Daré
The Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
Violeta by Isabel Allende
Barbie R
The Ghost Tattoo by Tony Bernard
Under a Venice Moon by Margaret Cameron
Hidden Assets (SBS On Demand)
Unforgotten (ABC iview)
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions PaperbackAudible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
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You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
March 22, 2022
Congratulations to the Indie Book Awards winners!
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Dear Friends,
Congratulations to all the winners of the Indie Book Awards. I'm especially delighted that Lyn Yeowart has won the award for best debut fiction for her terrific novel, The Silent Listener.
The ABIA longlist is also out. While everyone on the list deserves a big cheer, I'd like to particularly congratulate Thursday Book Club guests Jacqueline Maley (The Truth About Her), who spoke to us last year and Emily Bitto (Wild Abandon) who will be my guest on 30 June and Lisa Millar (Daring to Fly) who will be coming along on 28 July.
Next week on Thursday Book Club, I'll be in conversation with Michelle Tom. Her memoir, Ten Thousand Aftershocks, is a moving account of how she managed to rebuild her life after the Christchurch earthquakes destroyed her home. It's a timely, hopeful read and I'll look forward to your company then.
SOILThe incredible story of what keeps the earth, and us, healthy Matthew Evans
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/soil-the-incredible-story-of-what-keeps-the-earth-and-us-healthy-9781922351418.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- Matthew Evan's enthusiasm is thoroughly understandable as you get drawn into his very accessible, non-technical love letter to under-appreciated soil. The book is full of amazing facts, some of which have just emerged in the first flush of discovery. I bought my copy because I'm a keen gardener wanting to 'next level' my knowledge around nurturing a healthy garden. Within the first few pages however it was clear that the knowledge contained within goes far beyond this modest goal.
This book is for the reader seeking knowledge about climate change and wanting to understand more about promising developments around biological reparation and rebalancing of agricultural and environmental soil life as a key strategy in meeting the monumental challenge of climate change. It is also for the reader with interests in food, nutrition, geology, evolution, anthropology... It's definitely not a book about dirt! Craig Kirchner Enter the code THURSDAYBOOKCLUB at the checkout for a 15% discount on Abbey's new release recommendations and our For Kids recommendations.This code will also get you a 15% discount on the books by my guests on Thursday Book Club and my latest novels, The Teacher's Secret and The Deceptions.
FOR KIDS
OUR COUNTRYAncient Wonders
Mark Greenwood, Frane Lessac
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/our-country-ancient-wonders-9781760652241.do
ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- A group of diverse people hop on a bus and go exploring the interesting geological sites of the continent. From Lark Quarry and the dinosaur footprints, to the lava tubes of Undara, the opals of Lightning Ridge, the wild rivers of Tasmania, the caves of Narracoorte, the weathered landscape of Lake Mungo and the beehives of Purnululu, and more, the adventurers explore and enjoy Australia. In a different font and text, a small paragraph explains what they are seeing, and how old rocks tell stories. Illustrated by Frane Lessac in her characteristically colourful and naïve style, this is a simple introduction to the geological diversity of the land. Includes a simple timeline and glossary at the back of the book. Lindy Jones
NEWS
Congratulations to all the Indie Book Awards winners!
Indie Book of the Year
Love Stories by Trent Dalton (Fourth Estate Australia)
Fiction
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy (Hamish Hamilton Australia)
Non Fiction
Love Stories by Trent Dalton (Fourth Estate Australia)
Debut Fiction
The Silent Listener by Lyn Yeowart (Viking Australia)
Illustrated Non-Fiction
Still Life by Amber Creswell Bell (Thames & Hudson Australia)
Children's
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief by Katrina Nannestad (ABC Books, HarperCollins Australia)
Young Adult The Monster of Her Age by Danielle Binks (Lothian Children's Books)
The longlist for this year's Australian Book Industry Awards is out. I've listed a selection below and you can find the full list here.
General Fiction Book of the Year
After Story, Larissa Behrendt (University of Queensland Press, University of Queensland Press)
The Younger Wife, Sally Hepworth (Pan Macmillan Australia, Macmillan Australia)
Apples Never Fall, Liane Moriarty (Pan Macmillan Australia, Macmillan Australia)
Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray , Anita Heiss (Simon & Schuster Australia, Simon & Schuster Australia)
Treasure and Dirt, Chris Hammer (Allen & Unwin, Allen & Unwin)
Before You Knew My Name, Jacqueline Bublitz (Allen & Unwin, Allen & Unwin)
The Way It Is Now, Garry Disher (Text Publishing, Text Publishing)
When Things are Alive They Hum, Hannah Bent (Ultimo Press, Ultimo Press
Literary Fiction Book of the Year
One Hundred Days, Alice Pung (Black Inc. Books, Black Inc. Books)
Once There Were Wolves, Charlotte McConaghy (Penguin Random House Australia, Hamish Hamilton)
Devotion, Hannah Kent (Pan Macmillan Australia, Picador Australia)
Seven and a Half, Christos Tsiolkas (Allen & Unwin, Allen & Unwin)
Love Objects, Emily Maguire (Allen & Unwin, Allen & Unwin)
Wild Abandon, Emily Bitto (Allen & Unwin, Allen & Unwin)
The Truth About Her, Jacqueline Maley (HarperCollins Publishers, HarperCollins Publishers)
Love & Virtue, Diana Reid (Ultimo Press, Ultimo Press)
Book of the Year for Younger Children (ages 7-12)
My Brother Ben, Peter Carnavas (University of Queensland Press, University of Queensland Press)
Exit Through the Gift Shop, Maryam Master (Pan Macmillan Australia, Pan Australia)
The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Peculiar Pairs in Nature, Sami Bayly (Hachette Australia, Hachette Australia)
Wandi, Favel Parrett (Hachette Australia, Hachette Australia)
The First Scientists: Deadly Inventions and Innovations from Australia’s First Peoples, Corey Tutt (Hardie Grant Publishing, Hardie Grant Explore)
Heroes, Rebels and Innovators, Karen Wyld and Jaelyn Biumaiwai (Hachette Australia, Hachette Australia)
Dragon Skin, Karen Foxlee (Allen & Unwin, Allen & Unwin)
Rabbit, Soldier, Angel, Thief, Katrina Nannestad (HarperCollins Publishers, HarperCollins Publishers)
Words At Wagstaffe
Words At Wagstaffe is a one-day literary event on Saturday 26 March 2022 at Wagstaffe on the NSW Central Coast, presented by Words on the Waves Writers Festival. I'll be interviewing author and journalist, Garry Linnell, and would love to see you there. You can book tickets here.
Conversations on Creation with Kathryn Heyman & Tanya Heaslip How do you grapple with your own story to give a narrative structure? How do you take your own experiences and make them a story for others?
At 8pm on Wednesday 30 March, join acclaimed writer Kathryn Heyman for a free online conversation as part of the 'Conversations on Creation' series hosted by the Australian Writers Mentoring Program. Kathryn will be talking with bestselling author Tanya Heaslip about how Tanya found a narrative shape for her experiences and transformed 'a mess of words and a mass of experiences' into three bestselling memoirs about her expansive outback life and how it prepared her for a European fairytale. There's also a giveaway for one lucky ticket holder. You can find all the details here.
Lynda La Plante in conversation with Sue Turnbull online on 31 March 2022 at 6pm Travel online to the UK to hear Lynda La Plante (Prime Suspect, Tennison and many others) talk with Sue Turnbull about her latest novel Vanished. Presented by BAD Sydney Crime Writers Festival, you can find all the details here.
Seizing Justice online on 25 March at 8 pm, courtesy of Sisters In Crime
The formal criminal justice system doesn’t always deliver for women, so what can happen when women decide to exact justice themselves? Jane Caro, Debra Oswald, and Nina D. Campbell will explore the moral dilemmas and much more with award-winning short story writer (and autopsy expert), Philomena Horsley. This online event is presented by Sisters In Crime and you can register for it here.
Sheila Fitzpatrick – The Shortest History of the Soviet Union - Friday the 25th of March - In conversation with Linda Jaivin - Gleebooks
More than a hundred years after the Russian Revolution, the tumultuous history of the Soviet Union continues to fascinate us and influence global politics. Sheila Fitzpatrick provides vivid portraits of key Soviet figures and traces the aftermath of the regime’s unexpected fall, including the rise of Vladimir Putin. You can register to attend here. WRITERS' CORNER
Writing Competitions
28 March 2022:Queensland Writers Centre Established Writers Fellowship and The Queensland Writers Centre Underrepresented Writers Fellowship.
Each of these Fellowships includes a two-week residency at Varuna, with full board and accommodation including a prepared evening meal, uninterrupted time to write in your own private studio, a one-hour mentoring session with a writing consultant, and the companionship of your fellow writers. This opportunity includes travel costs and a manuscript consultation and is open to members of the Queensland Writers Centre.
30 March 2022: Kygole Writers Festival – Writer in Residence Program
The 2022 residency will be offered to an emerging or early career Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander writer based anywhere in Australia.
31 March 2022: Art & Words Project – Northern Beaches Writers’ Competition
Submit entries of up to 2,500 words responding to the theme ‘tree’, along with at least one image that reflects and enhances that story.
31 March 2022: Flying Islands Manuscript Prize for Emerging Poets
The Flying Islands Manuscript Prize for Emerging Poets offers a $1000 cash prize and publication in the Flying Island Pocket Poets Series, with fifty free copies to the author.
31 March 2022: Best Australian Science Writing
The Best Australian Science Writing 2022 anthology is seeking published pieces that have appeared in print or online between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022.
8 April 2022: Griffith Review: Real Cool World
The 'Real Cool World' edition of the Griffith Review will explore Antarctica as a place and as a canvas for imagination. Submissions are invited for new work that responds to the theme in the form of essays, reportage, creative non-fiction, fiction, memoir and visual essays.
8 April 2022: Ada Cambridge Writing Prizes
Williamstown Literary Festival offers the Ada Cambridge Biographical Prose Prize ($500), Poetry Prize ($500), and The Young Adas ($250). $15 entry fee.
12 April 2022: Scribe Varuna Fellowships
The Scribe Varuna Fellowships offers writers of literary fiction the chance to spend a week in residence at Varuna with editors from Scribe Publications.
14 April 2022: The Writer's Space Fellowships-Varuna
Twelve fellowships will be offered to writers with disability or who are D/deaf, from around Australia.
15 April 2022: Peter Cowan 600 short story competition
This year there are three categories: Open, Novice and Youth
4 May 2022: The Bristol Short Story Prize
The competition is open to all writers around the world whether published or unpublished. First prize is £1,000.
15 May 2022: Eastwood-Hills Fellowship of Australian Writers Literary Competition 2022:
The Eastwood Hills FAW 2022 Annual Literary Competition offers prizes for flash fiction, short stories, memoirs, and poems. Entry fee $8 per entry or $30 for 4 entries.
22 May 2022: ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize
The ABR Elizabeth Jolley Short Story Prize rewards original short stories of between 2,000 and 5,000 words on any subject and in any style. Total prize money of AU$12,500 – 1st, $6,000; 2nd $4,000; 3rd $2,500. Entry fee $15 – $25.
31 May 2022: Australian/Vogel's Literary Award
The Australian/Vogel's Literary Award is an award for an unpublished manuscript by a writer under the age of thirty-five and offers prize money of $20,000 plus publication by Allen & Unwin with an advance against royalties.
17 June 2022: Writing for the Environment Prize
The 2022 Sutherland Shire Environment Centre’s national invites writers to submit a fictional piece of prose on the topic of peace and sustainability.
What is Thursday Book Club? Thursday Book Club is a relaxed, friendly book club connecting readers online. We meet on Zoom from 8 - 8.30pm. There are no scheduled books to read: we simply chat about books we like & books we’re reading. Once a month, a guest writer joins us.
Zoom in as you can – it doesn’t matter if you’re late or have to leave early. Just join my Zoom conference room between 8pm and 8.30pm on Thursdays by clicking on this link: https://us04web.zoom.us/j/8521042343
If prompted, here are the details to manually enter:
Meeting ID:852 104 2343
Password 886 196
On 31 March 2022, my guest is author Michelle Tom whose beautifully written memoir,Ten Thousand Aftershocks, explores her experience of the Christchurch earthquakes in the midst of family upheaval.
Thursday Book Club Recommendations
My Recommendation
The Mad Women's Ball by Victoria Mas
Your Recommendations
Kata K
The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
American Son (2019 film) available on Netflix
Noela A
The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott
Ravi S
The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin
The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin
Violeta by Isabel Allende
Hazel H
The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott
Take care,
PS. Would you like me to drop in to your book club?
If your book club has chosen to read The Deceptions or The Teacher’s Secret, I’d be delighted to attend your meeting by Zoom (whether your group is meeting online or gathering together in person) to answer any of your questions. To schedule a date, please email me here. Click here for my Zoom Meeting You can buy The Deceptions and The Teacher’s Secret
directly from my publisher here:
Kindle version
Paperback
The Deceptions PaperbackAudible Questions? Email me You can buy
The Deceptions
and
The Teacher’s Secret
on Booktopia and from your local bookshops, including https://www.gleebooks.com.au/product/deceptions-the/
https://www.gertrudeandalice.com.au/product/the-deceptions/
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-deceptions-suzanne-leal-9781760875275.do
https://www.abbeys.com.au/book/the-teachers-secret-book-9781760297053.do
Suzanne Leal | suzanne@suzanneleal.com |
| Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
All rights reserved. Copyright © 2022 Suzanne Leal
Suzanne LealPrince Edward StreetMalabar, Nsw 2036Australia
Add us to your address book*|END:IFWant to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
You are receiving this email because of your interest in the latest novel, The Deceptions
