One thing I keep forgetting to mention in all my posts is the work I’ve been doing with another author, Linda J Bettenay, helping her get Secrets Mothers Keep off the ground. My capacity as a writer takes a back seat as I put on an actor’s cap for a bunch of author talks that include an element of theatre.
(That’s me in the hat and uniform reading from the folder.)
Bree Hartley (Roleystone Theatre) and I take over the talk, acting out parts for the characters in Linda’s book. It’s a bit like Love Letters as the two of us never see or touch each other, reading letters we send across the ocean. Mine are written from the war (WW1) front, hers from Outback Australia – and it’s been a successful journey on many counts. For Linda, it has brought the book to life and taken the black text off the paper. I’ve had the privilege of seeing a behind-the-scenes viewpoint of book publishing, another piece of the book marketing and promotions puzzle into selling books and reaching readers. Each time we performed, I learned something new about Linda’s process. It’s been a great help. Sure, our books are in no way alike, and we have different methods of promoting them. Nevertheless, we share bits of what we’ve learned during our respective journeys.
Yesterday I had the honour of attending the release of Linda’s second book Wishes For Starlight at Araluen Botanical Gardens, just a short distance from Roleystone, as a guest. For me, the connection to Linda had come full circle because it was one year ago, during a personal adventure of Araluen, when I first came across her name and her request for an actor. It seemed logical to return to Araluen and enjoy the event in familiar surroundings with perfect weather. What a day! What a release! If you want to know more about her new book or my current one, click the links.
Discover more from Michael Forman – Author of Dark Fiction & Drama
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