In which I talk to the nice people at The Wheeler Centre about deadlines, dead ponies and derivative bush ballads written from deepest suburbia. I have ALWAYS wanted to do one of these Q&As. I made my teenage son read it, to show him how hilariously funny I am. He remained unconvinced...
So far? Joyous. My friends and family are all super happy for me and it's too soon for any dubious reviews. Quite the opposite, including this very nice one in The West Australian. People have even complimented me on my neat handwriting. In the past week alone I've had a launch party, two library talks and five radio interviews (including one with Wendy Harmer - yes WENDY HARMER!!!!!!) And every occasion was full of people who wished me well, and simply wanted to know more about Elizabeth Macarthur. The launch [...]
Today is yet another milestone: I've had an essay, titled Invisible Women, published in the excellent Inside Story magazine. Inside Story's contributor list reads like a Who's Who of quality Australian journalism, so I'm feeling bit lightheaded, frankly. A version of this essay began life as the final chapter of the biography. I wanted to discuss Elizabeth Macarthur's legacy, and to explain why she was important, and it all came out in a heated rush. But my editor thought not, saying that it differed (in tone and content) too widely [...]
Full confession: launching a book really is fun. And everyone is so nice! Over in Facebook land I've never had so many likes in my life. I went into Readings Carlton to sign some copies, and they've subsequently put a copy of Elizabeth Macarthur into the window. Truly, I can now die happy. I've had two radio interviews so far, and they both went well. Only one is available online, though: ABC Melbourne (774) Breakfast Show. Fast forward to 1:14:20 if you want to hear me rabbiting on for about 6 minutes [...]
Spent publication day (April 2) just horsing around. But that said, the horse did say he enjoyed the book. And, now that the book is out in the world, I can only hope that others are buying and reading it too. Plenty of signed copies at Readings Carlton, thanks for asking. My family keep asking me if I know how many copies have been sold yet, or if I've had any feedback. But (with the exception of two very kind online reviews so far, thanks Lisa and Bill) it's kind [...]
What to do in the limbo between the book being out of the box, and the book being out in the world (or at least in bookshops)? It seems like a long three weeks until the official publication date of April 2 but what does that mean anyway? April 2 is Easter Monday, so in reality the book will start appearing in shops during the week prior, and in the weeks after. But what does that mean for me? It's not like I'm going to rush out and buy a [...]
I've been doing the rounds of my local independent bookshops, and although the shops are well-stocked, and often beautiful, the economic picture is not pretty. At each shop I have a good browse, buy a book, then have a chat with the person at the counter (usually the owner) about my forthcoming biography. I let them know that, as a local writer, I'm open to suggestions, and happy to do talks, signings, events, whatever. I give them a flyer and my contact details. Usually the conversation ends there, with the [...]
So the blurbs for my book have arrived. I can't begin to explain how pleased, grateful and - well - humbled I'm feeling. So I'll stop explaining, and let you read them for yourself. ‘The triumphs and trials of Elizabeth Macarthur, a capable business woman and dedicated wife and mother, are given their due in this impressively researched biography.’ Brenda Niall ‘Finally, Elizabeth Macarthur steps out from the long shadow of her infamous, entrepreneurial husband. In Michelle Scott Tucker’s devoted hands, Elizabeth emerges as a canny businesswoman, charming diplomat, loving [...]
I'm excited too - because they've included my book on their blog, in a list of books to be excited about... https://www.readings.com.au/news
Worked like a demon to get the first big edit of the manuscript finished before the end of 2017 - and made it with, at least 48 hours to spare! Then my family and I went to the beach for a week. No wifi. Bliss. Then (thanks to my hard working editor) came back to find the first nine chapters of the manuscript ready to copy edit. So that's what I've been doing, instead of blogging. But if you would like to read a little something, try this Guest Post [...]