Sally Partridge's Blog, page 4

Something new for 2021

It’s been a while since my last post. I don’t know about you, but after a year in lockdown and worrying about vaccine availability, the last thing on my mind was updating my website.

I do have a little bit of news to share. My fourth novel, Sharp Edges, is now available in Afrikaans from Lapa as Skerwe. I am thrilled with the translation by Zelda Bezuidenhout and even more so with the amazing neon cover by Megan Bird.

What do you guys think?

The English version won the M.E.R. Prize for Best Youth Novel in 2014.

Get it now:

Takealot
Graffiti Books
Exclusive Books

On the subject of Afrikaans books, I have another Afrikaans story (a short story) included in Die Meisie Met Uitroeptekens In Haar Oë & Ander Stories hitting shelves in June this year. The anthology features well-known local authors like Jaco Jacobs, Zelda Bezuidenhout, Refiloe Moahloli, Cliffordene Norton, and Mercy Kannemeyer.

Here’s the cover:

Pre-order it here.

Last but not least, keep an eye open for news about The Girl Who Chased Otters, my new English novel coming out from Modjaji later this year. I’m literally refreshing my Inbox every half an hour for news of the cover.

How To Survive Lockdown

We can all agree that 2020 was an annus horribilis of note – for many reasons, not least of which was a global pandemic that’s forced most of us to stay home.

The Wild Child and I have been in lockdown since February last year – almost a year. We went out to eat once (never again) and took a safe-as-we-could-manage roadtrip to Jeffrey’s Bay to end the year off, just before the beaches were closed, so even there we had to stay indoors.

I’m sure you’ve discovered by now that lockdown isn’t all pyjama parties and funny Zoom backgrounds. It can be lonely, and boring, and repetitive.

I thought I’d share what I’ve learned over the past year to make the best out of my time at home.

Bake

When we entered hard lockdown in March, there was a lot of panic around going to grocery shops. As a result, I stocked up on baking ingredients and started making my own bread, rolls and flatbreads. This quickly led to forays into cinnamon buns, meringues, cakes, brownies and other delicious things. We now know more about the virus and how to stay safe when shopping, but I’ve kept up the practice. I might not be making as much bread, but I love the quiet focus involved in baking. You have to get every measurement exactly right or else the results will flop. Constant vigilance!

And nothing beats starting the day with a slice of chocolate cake and a cup of coffee.

Start a garden

I have a little flower bed in the back yard that was pretty bare when I moved in (I won’t mention the grass).  Being a novice gardener, my idea of randomly planting my favourite flowers and plants (hydrangeas, roses, pansies, blueberries, strawberries) was an unmitigated disaster. Everything died. This is because certain plants are best for certain soils and levels of sun exposure and other factors I remain clueless about. After one too many failed attempts, I created dedicated flower boxes for plants that actually live together, and edible plants and herbs that I regularly harvest for meals. As for the flowerbed – I bought several packets of wildflower seeds and tossed them in to see what would happen. The result is a wild mess of beautiful flowers that constantly change and I couldn’t be happier.

My favourite place is my little reading nook in the garden, which is the best spot to spend a sunny Saturday afternoon.

Make an event out of silly things

When you’re at home, there is not much to look forward to and weekends can be quite boring. After countless weekends spent reading, binging reality TV and staring at my phone, I came up with the idea of Theme Days, like Batman Day, Anime Day, The Backyard Putt Putt Date Day, Competitive Gaming Day, the Birds of Prey movie Day, and Agatha Christie Day.

On my birthday we watched all the Batman films, from 1966 onwards. It was the best.

Bonus tip: The Velvet Cake Company delivers, so make sure your special day is complete with a slice of rainbow or carrot cake.

Find an online community

When my latest novel was published early last year, I was pretty disappointed that I couldn’t go on tour to publicise it. Luckily, I remembered the huge book community on Instagram and re-activated my account. I may not have been able to go on an actual book tour, but the #SeaStarSummer Intsa tour was just as fun, and I made a lot of new friends in the process. Plus I have an excuse to take more cat pics.

Get to know your cats

This goes without saying.

Get everything delivered

Even though its safe, the idea of walking into a mall fills me with dread. So for the last year, I’ve been getting everything delivered. I order my groceries through the Checkers Sixty app, my special once-in-a-blue-moon treats from The Velvet Cake Company and Woolworths, my medication from Dischem, must-read books from Google Books and Takealot, and my collectable figurines from Raru.

I have a special designated area at the front door for deliveries and shoes, so the rest of the house remains a “safe” zone. Really, its just an added precaution to make myself feel like I’m doing everything I can. I still wipe down my groceries… it’s all about feeling safe.

What are your top tips for surviving lockdown?

Good riddance to 2020 (almost)

Last year I wrote a blog to end off a very difficult year. My father passed away in August and I left a good job to deal with it. It took me a long time to get back to a place where I felt happy and fulfilled, plus I had a new book coming out to look forward to. But as you know, 2020 happened and with it came an avalanche of disasters: a global pandemic, lockdown, cancelled book launches and tours, all culminating in the death of my mother, a year after my father.

It was a nightmare year.  And yet somehow, I survived. You’re probably thinking that the year isn’t over yet, and it’s true that Cape Town is seeing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases and hospital admissions. We’ve learned to live cautiously – avoiding crowded places, ordering in our groceries, wearing a mask when we do venture outside, and always, always washing our hands. And of course, staying home as much as possible.

I’m not going to lie, being home has helped me tremendously. Life doesn’t feel like it’s racing ahead at lightning speed. It’s quiet and peaceful, and long days in front of the computer are interspersed with comforting coffee breaks in the garden. I have more time to read and write, without compromising a second of my work day. And without the daily joyless commute, I can get enough sleep and think and reflect. And clean the house.

This bubble of solitude did come at a price. I couldn’t go out and market my new book as I normally would have, and almost all launches and festivals were cancelled out of safety. Yet despite this, there were some sales, which I’m very grateful for. I’m also grateful for the time to grieve for my mother, which like the dreaded second wave, hasn’t hit properly yet.

Some good things that happened this year:

Sea Star Summer made the Exclusive Books Homebru listThe Outcast Hours anthology was nominated for a World Fantasy AwardI make some new friends on InstagramThe Harley Quinn movie came outI saw the cover of a secret project I’m sworn not to talk aboutI have another book coming out next year and a few short stories for kidsThe old family cat Hannibal came to live with usWe started growing our own foodI learned how to bake bread! See below.



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It seemed like only a few weeks ago that I was laying out my resolutions and hopes for the coming year. I think it’s better to not do that yet, and let whatever is meant to happen do it’s thing.  As I said, the year isn’t over it.

The future may look a little foggy right now, but there are some rays of light visible. I’m writing again, and loving it.  And the garden is looking beautiful. But most importantly, I’ve learned to find joy where I can, and enjoy the moment.

What’s keeping the smile on your face in these uncertain times?

How To Support Local This Christmas

It’s been an insane year, most of it spent under strict lockdown conditions. Local businesses took a huge knock with many small enterprises only managing to hold on.

The local book industry was one of the many sectors hit. If you look past the bigger publishing houses and chain bookstores you’ll see a wide network of independent bookshops, small publishers, authors, freelance designers, editors and proofreaders, and bright young people just starting out their career.

It’s a sector characterised by passionate, creative, and visionary people who devote their lives to promoting local literature and artists.

So now that restrictions have been lifted and everyone is readying for a safe and sunny festive season, please consider spending your spare Rands and cents (if you can) on helping the small businesses who keep the industry alive.

Here are a couple of ways you can help.

[image error]Karavan press titles



Support a Small Publisher

South Africa is pulsing with small presses doing exciting things. What makes these businesses even more special is that they are run by some truly amazing people who really care about growing South African talent.

Here are a few, off the top of my head. Let me know if I missed anyone.

Female-led Karavan Press, Modjaji Books, and Blackbird Books produce excellent books by some of the best new voices that definitely deserve a place under the tree.

uHlanga Press and Dryad Press produce award-winning poetry collections – perfect for that weekend off.

And for the younger members of the family, Cover2Cover Books and New Africa Books have an excellent selection of proudly South African children’s books available.

Visit an Indie Bookstore

In every city across the country you’ll find an independent bookstore that not only puts local titles in pride of place, but are great places to just hang out and browse.

This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but some of my personal favourites include The Book Lounge, Kalk Bay Books, Clarke’s Bookshop, Love Books, Blank Books, and Bridge Books.

Pop me a message if you’d like to see your favourite bookshop listed.

[image error]Image source: Book Dash



Donate to a Great Initiative

The local book industry has its fair share of heroes doing amazing work.

Book Dash pulls together some of the country’s brightest creative talent to produce stunning illustrated children’s books. You can download every single book for free, but you can also purchase them at selected outlets. Donate to this incredible project here.

Short Story Day Africa is an organisation dedicated to promoting African fiction. Every year the project runs a short story competition that results in an award-winning anthology of stories by writers from across the continent. Many have gone on to achieve great acclaim. You can help SSDA continue their great work by donating here.  

[image error]2020 South African YA titles



Buy a Book by a Local Author

For South African writers, it was a terrible year to release a book. For safety reasons all events, launches and tours were cancelled, and all promotion had to take place online. Getting the word out is crucial for sales, and providing a much-needed income to everyone involved.

Here is a small selection of some local titles published this year that I’m looking forward to reading (including a sneaky plug of my own book. Shhh.)

Again, this is not an exhaustive list. You can also visit your local bookstore for their favourite recommendations.

Fiction
A Family Affair – Sue Nyathi
An engrossing look at a family with their fair share of secrets.

Paradise in Gaza – Niq Mhlongo
A city man returns to his village for what he hopes is a short visit… until his son disappears.

Critical but Stable – Angela Makholwa
An elite club full of rich, glitzy couples – all with their own secrets and motives.

The Fall – Jen Thorpe
A diverse cast of characters, high stakes, an alternative Cape Town and the very future at stake.

The Gospel According to Wanda B. Lazarus – Lynn Joffe
What if … the Wandering Jew … was a woman? This book comes recommended by Stephen Fry!

Mermaid Fillet – Mia Arderne
Magical realism meets crime noir in this colorfully re-imagined Cape Town. I can’t wait to read this one.

Charlotte – Helen Moffett (I LOVED this one. Read my review here.)
A look at what happened to Charlotte Lucas after she married Mr. Collins.

Non-fiction
Death and the After Parties – Joanne Hichens
A memoir about grief and friendship, by one of South Africa’s most loved crime writers.

Young adult
Brandejaer – Joha van Dyke
A young surfer with secrets, a girl who wants to unravel them.

Wêreld van wolwe 1 – Fanie Viljoen
Book one in a new fantasy series set in a small town where werewolves are real.

Sea Star Summer – Sally Partridge
A holiday love story set in one of South Africa’s most beautiful beach destinations.

If you’re still reading, thanks for your time. I hope you’ll consider a local gift this year. You’re sure to end up on Santa’s Nice List if you do, and even if you’ve outgrown the jolly old man, you’re definitely putting a smile on someone’s face.

The Girl Who Chased Otters to be Published by Modjaji

I am beyond thrilled to announce that my seventh novel, The Girl Who Chased Otters, is going to be published by Modjaji Books in 2021.

The book was originally published in Germany by CBJ, an imprint of Random House in 2016. The book is still available on Amazon if you want to read it in German.

Here’s a little more about what to expect.

The Girl Who Chased Otters is a sensitive tale of friendship, love, and acceptance.

Nathan is on the spectrum. He’s never really cared about what anyone thinks of him… until he meets Olivia. As their friendship blooms, Olivia confesses that all she wants is to be popular. Nathan thinks he knows what it will take, but people are more complicated than he anticipates, and as their careful deception begins to unravel, they must both question what they really want.

The book takes place in Rondebosch before the pandemic.

I’m known for my dark and gothic fiction, but The Girl Who Chased Otters forms part of my “romance collection”, which includes Mine and Sea Star Summer. That said, I tackle some heavy themes in this book, including bullying, racism, and suicide. Think of it as Mean Girls on steroids. But with any good love story, there is always light at the end of the darkness, and I hope this book finds its way into your heart.

 

Lockdown LEGO Book Reviews

One thing that’s become apparent to me on social media is that lockdown has affected us all differently, especially our sleeping and reading habits.  I’ve been home for more than half a year now and I’ve only just started enjoying reading books again. In the first few months, all I wanted to do was watch Netflix and read graphic novels. I must have read hundreds of them (my poor credit card will vouch for that.) I think it was the nagging anxiety caused by the spreading virus – I didn’t want my attention drawn away for too long.

I have finally found my reading groove again, which I’m sure my new friends on Instagram were partly responsible for.

So here is a roundup of some of my lockdown reads so far.

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Charlotte by Helen Moffett

Everyone remembers the scene in Pride and Prejudice when Charlotte Lucas’s engagement to Mr. Collins is announced and the shock and disbelief it caused among the Bennets. This book explores what happens after. We meet Charlotte, now married and settled, and her two children. Life is comfortable enough, although she is still reeling from the death of her son. We hear from Elizabeth (now Mrs. Darcy) whose life is far from perfect, and also Lady Catherine’s daughter and heiress, Anne, who has problems of her own. The book follows the bond these three women share and details their daily struggles for independence, their small acts of rebellion, and the pure joy their friendship brings them. It’s a wonderful dive into the Regency period told by an academic with a deep understanding of the time. Hold on tight though, as one particular scene is going to cause you to inhale your tea in surprise.

I spent a lovely Sunday afternoon on the couch with this novel and was transported right back to where Pride and Prejudice left off. It is so beautifully written and captures the time period effortlessly. I loved it.

 

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Wilder Girls by Rory Power

I was surprised by the amount of recommendations I received for this novel on Instagram. I guess you could say I was duly influenced because I dove right in.

The students of The Raxter School for Girls are under strict quarantine. The island on which the school is located has been affected by a mysterious pandemic that affects the inhabitants of the island in different ways. The trees grow wilder, the animals fiercer, and the girls experience strange mutations. The last remaining teachers try to keep a familiar regimen, but with supplies dwindling and girls disappearing, Hetty starts to wonder what is really going on.

This is a fiercely imaginative novel that will keep you turning the pages till the midnight hours. Underneath the intrigue and horror of the mysterious plague, lies a story of female friendship, fragile first love, and the strength and resilience we all store within us.  As Val Garland says in Glow Up, DING DONG.

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The Killings at Kingfisher Hill by Sophie Hannah

I’ve been a reader of Agatha Christie my whole life. My mom was a fan, so naturally, I became one too. I was brought up watching the film adaptations and the Poirot series on TV. While the films and the series are great fun, the books were written during a particular period in history when not all people were considered equal. Some of the book titles were changed to be less offensive, but it’s not unusual to open an old paperback and be shocked to the core by the inexcusable slurs used therein.

The good news is the classic whodunnits have had a much-needed update. Crime writer Sophie Hannah has taken up the mantle of the Christie name and has released a series of brilliant, modern mystery novels featuring Hercule Poirot. The books are written in the same style as the originals, narrated by Detective Catchpool, a character of the writer’s own invention.

In The Killings at Kingfisher Hill, Poirot and Catchpool find themselves on a luxury train headed towards an old manor house where the famous detective’s help is needed. On the train, they encounter two strange women. One claims to be a killer, the other claims to have been warned of her own impending murder.  It is the start of a mystery that will have you scratching at your head and wondering which of the inhabitants of Kingfisher Hill are killers and which are the red herrings.

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

This was the only book I managed to pick up and finish during the first few weeks of lockdown. It’s a difficult novel to describe. The raw, vivid scenes affected me for days after and I found myself walking around in a dark cloud as I came to terms with what I just read.

Fifteen-year-old loner Vanessa finds herself the target of a predator – her English teacher. The book describes in disturbing detail how she is groomed and moulded by this man when she is a child and the mess the experience leaves her in adulthood. As a woman, Vanessa does not see what happened to her as abuse and is shocked when allegations from other girls begin to emerge. Her knee-jerk reaction is to defend her old teacher, but as the accusations keep coming, Vanessa is forced to relook her past without rose-tinted glasses.

If you can stomach the subject matter, this book is a brilliant exploration of the psychology of abuse and how our painful experiences frame us later in life.  I was left angry at the theft of Vanessa’s future and wondered who she was destined to become before this man set his sights on her. It’s a shocking and thought-provoking book, but the brilliance comes afterward when you’re forced to think over what you just read and examine your own experiences in a new light.

Watch this space for more LEGO reviews to come. You can see more of my LEGO stories on Tumblr.

 

Review Roundup

Sea Star Summer has been out in the world for five months. It had a bit of a delayed start due to the pandemic. Books weren’t able to leave the warehouse before lockdown, and review copies were locked away in an office while everyone worked from home. But we got them out in the end, and books soon made their way to readers.

Here is a roundup of all the reviews and press coverage I could find so far.

Press reviews

“Even the sea and sky seem larger, more real than before, like I’ve been walking around half asleep this whole time and have only just woken up.” The sea moods and beach adventures of Jeffreys Bay are vividly portrayed in this sensitive and empowering story that will appeal to young people and those young at heart alike.

Cape Times

It sounds like a tongue twister, but Sea Star Summer is Sally Partridge’s sixth novel for young adults – and a magical one at that. In the book, Partridge explores a setting close to her heart, Jeffreys Bay. Sixteen-year-old Naomi and her family drive all night from Cape Town to the picturesque beach town where she starts to make friends for the first time in her life.

The Sunday Times

A story about young love and self-discovery which cements Partridge’s status as one of SA’s best young adult authors.

You Magazine

Interviews

Kouga Express

Northern News

The John Maytham show on Cape Talk

The Book Club blog

Khuluma Magazine

Litnet

Blogger reviews

It’s not often a book provokes nostalgia in me, but this had me digging through old photographs, old diaries remembering my 20year old self, remembering past girlfriends, those first kisses. Remembering how young and inexperienced and naive I was. How our life paths ramble along in ways we don’t expect, friendships that make us, that change us. How fear of being different can limit our lives in ways we least expect.

The Book Club Blog

Sea Star Summer has incredibly well-written characters, a beautiful setting based on a real South African holiday place, that will sweep you away from the here and now. Beautifully written, Sally’s style smooth and rather elegant, this book also addresses real issues relevant to the youth, especially acceptance and conformity.

Mr Pink Ink

Sea Star Summer is the sort of YA novel you pick up and read in one sitting and when you’re done you feel a bit sad that the adventure is over. It feels like coming to the end of a really good December school holiday and having to come to terms with going back to normal life. Sally Partridge’s writing in this book is, for the lack of a better word, delicious.

Goodbuddies inc

I loved this easy read from page one right until the final page. Wonderful characters I could relate to. An important story told in a fun way. And an author that has a magical way with words. Highly recommended.

Journal of Entertainment

Sea Star Summer by Sally Partridge is the summer vacation book I didn’t realise I needed as a diversion from all the dross in my current days. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a seaside town, but the ocean has special meaning for me, and Sally *gets* what this is like. Also, her love for the little South African resort town of Jeffrey’s Bay, with its ephemeral summer population, shines through. Now I’d love to go visit just to see it for myself.

Nerine Dorman, author

Goodreads reviews

I read this book mainly in one sitting and it was so refreshing. I loved seeing places I’d visited through the pages of a book. I thought the writing style was really lovely and the descriptions were so spot on.

Ruby Rae Reads

I’m sure I’ve said it before: Sally Partridge gets better with every novel. This is her best yet, a beautiful, sensitive romance, tender and truthful.

Jayne Bauling, author

Finding a LGBTQ+ novel written for younger ages and set in South Africa immediately excited me – and I was not disappointed. Our culture and heritage is neatly intertwined in the story. The beautifully descriptive writing put me on the beach, watching Naomi and Elize from the side and made me root for their relationship from the beginning.

Hannia Kempen

A very necessary book in South African YA. Partridge has provided us with a beautiful F/F romance, filled with whimsy and the joy of summer. An immersive experience of Jeffrey’s Bay, I’m even more eager to visit it now!

Joha van Dyk

See more Goodreads reviews here. 

Instagram reviews

Books like Sea Star Summer would’ve helped teenage me feel more comfortable in my own skin. I’m glad the younger generation get to grow up with this. Thank you so much @partridge_sally for this touching coming of age story about accepting and staying true to yourself and the magic of the beach (there is almost nothing better than reading on the beach and I have been reminded of how much I miss it) I will definitely be recommended this to any and every customer possible.

msliterary

Sea Star Summer fizzes with everything that makes a coming-of-age novel worth reading: the bubbling connection of friendship leaning on the edge of something more, and the bittersweet knowledge that what is found over a season of summer, may or may not last. Most importantly it’s a book about living your truth in a way that’s comfortable for you.

tammy_bookbell

A highly enjoyable and fun to read, coming of age book. I really enjoyed the location of the book as I truly felt I too was on a summer seaside holiday. This book is about a lonely girl finding herself and the many issues she has to deal with. Perfect for Pride month as this is an LGBTQIA+ read.

magicalbookthieves

Sea Star Summer is definitely one of my favorite books of 2020. I absolutely fell in love with this local South African LGBT book. The use of local slang gave it a wonderful homily feeling thats made be smile and laugh. I will definitely recommend this book, if you are a fan of Holly Bourne you will definitely love this book.

davina.reads

The feminism in the book has to be applauded. The main character challenges sexism more than once and questions society’s views on the ”norms” of sexuality profusely. Partridge illustrates how these norms affect those who do not conform to them – especially when expressed by those whose approval we desperately seek.

pagesofepeolatry

It’s written so beautifully and with so much passion, this book has so much time and thought put into it. The way Sally allows Naomi and Elize to be themselves without any fear around each other is really amazing and the way they are described and how magical Jeffreys Bay is. The way the story plays off is just magnificent!

read.tea.chill

How amazing are these bookstagrams???

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I’ll keep updating this post as reviews and interviews appear. Watch this space!

Cover image by read.tea.chill 

The Outcast Hours Nominated For World Fantasy Award

So this morning I found out that The Outcast Hours, edited by Mahvesh Murad & Jared Shurin, is up for a World Fantasy Award for Best Anthology.

The brilliant collection was published by Solaris last year and features stories by authors from across the globe, including myself and fellow South Africans S.L. Grey, Lauren Beukes, Dale Halvorsen, and Sam Beckbessinger.

I am so immensely proud to have a story included in this collection. The Collector is a Taken/John Wick type tale of a security guard determined to get revenge on the people who conned him, and get back what belongs to him – a Mountain Boy Ice Crystal My Little Pony. (SFX thought my story was”excellent.”)

The full list of contributors includes China Miéville, Sam Beckbessinger, Lauren Beukes, Dale Halvorsen, Will Hill, Sami Shah, Frances Hardinge, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Lavie Tidhar, Maha Khan Phillips, Daniel Polansky, M. Suddain, Genevieve Valentine, Sally Partridge, Indrapramit Das, Karen Onojaife, Amira Salah-Ahmed, S. L. Grey, Leah Moore, Marina Warner, Celeste Baker, Cecilia Ekbäck, Jesse Bullington, Yukimi Ogawa, Omar Robert Hamilton, William Boyle, Jeffrey Alan Love, Kuzhali Manickavel.

I want to extend my hugest congratulations to editors Mahvesh and Jared, and to fellow contributor Genevieve Valentine, whose story Everyone Knows That They’re Dead. Do You? is up for Best Short Fiction.

See the full list of World Fantasy Awards nominations here. 

See more LEGO versions of stories from The Outcast Hours here. 

Win a copy of Sea Star Summer

It’s giveaway time!

I had to wait for my giveaway copies and bookmarks to be rescued from a locked office, but they’ve finally arrived!

I am giving away a copy of my brand new book, Sea Star Summer. If you love romance, roadtrips, the beach, and dreamy South African coastal towns, then this might be your next read.

I call this “the romance bag” and you’ll soon see why.

Inside you’ll find:

Signed copies of both my YA romance novels, Sea Star Summer and Mine, gift wrapped by yours truly.
A sea-blue (or mermaid-blue if you prefer) cotton book bag.
Mermaid lip-gloss.
Bookmarks and stickers.
Paper straws for two.
Candy treats.
Bathbomb.
A bottle of baby seashells I collected myself on Dolphin Beach in Jeffreys Bay.

To enter, simply message me your name and email address here. 

South African residents only.

Sea Star Summer Makes the HomeBru list

I woke up this morning to some amazing news. My new book, Sea Star Summer, has made the Exclusive Books HomeBru list!

This is a big deal for local authors for several reasons. Number one, its free publicity to a national audience from one of the country’s biggest retailers. Two, your book gets featured on in-store promotional material and gets placed front and centre where customers can see it – in all stores. Three, HomeBru titles get promoted digitally across mailing campaigns to a huge database. Four, Exclusive Books Fanatics cardholders receive double points when they purchase any HomeBru title, so it’s a great opportunity to promote sales for local titles that can sometimes go forgotten among the shelves.

It’s a great boost, especially at a time like this when events, launches, and festivals have been cancelled due to COVID-19.  Exclusive Books hosted a wonderful digital launch for me, but it’s still a huge loss not to be able to attend festivals like the Franschhoek Literary Festival or go on tour to other cities. Plus I missed out the big weekend bookstores reopened when Lockdown entered Level 3 as my books were delayed in the warehouse.

This promotion came at exactly the right time for me.

My last novel, Mine, made the HomeBru list in 2018 and as you can see, the in-store promotion is pretty wild.

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Here’s what the official press release says:

Homebru is one of Exclusive Books’ biggest promotional campaigns for the year and this year highlights how the book seller stands behind SA authors.

The books are chosen across a wide range of genres – reflective of the current burgeoning publishing of local writing. Cookery, biography, fiction, current affairs, inspirational and children’s writing are all covered in the selection. There are more than 60 titles in the Homebru selection.

This year, the Homebru campaign is planned to run over five weeks, from June 22 to the end of July 2020.

There are some fantastic titles on the list this year, including Thembi Mtshali-Jones Theatre Road as told to Sindiwe Magona and Afterland by Lauren Beukes.

You can buy Sea Star Summer here.