Tomorrow I’m going to a trade fair – the annual Independent Booksellers of Australia and Leading Edge Books Trade Exhibition, which is being held in Melbourne at the State Library of Victoria. It will be absolutely fascinating, and I can’t wait. I’ll be at the Simon and Schuster stand with The Lost Swimmer, meeting people who are so crucial to an author – those who take our books into their beautiful stores and introduce them to readers.
Writing The Lost Swimmer I was absorbed with creating characters and wrestling with plot, themes and locations. Now I’m about to discover the stages that happen after my baby is brought into the world, and learn more about the book industry. I’m very grateful that I’ll be with the fantastic sales team at Simon and Schuster and get to see this part of the business.
Then I’ll away with them to drinks where the extraordinary Rosie Batty, Australian of the Year, will be speaking, and then on to the Australian Booksellers Association Gala Dinner, where the remarkable journalist Kerry O’Brien is the guest speaker and the ABA gives out awards to booksellers. It promises to be a day and night to remember as I see a quite a different side of the world on my author’s journey.
I shall keep you posted!