This week I had my launch for All These Perfect Strangers.
The venue was Readings in Carlton which was the perfect setting as I went into that bookstore on my very first night in Melbourne and loved it from that moment.
So many people turned up. Family, friends and familiar faces that represented every aspect of my life; school, university, my time in the union movement, my mothers’ group in Brunswick, neighbours and my kids’ school gate were all there, as were my wonderful publishers Simon & Schuster, Bolinda Audio, representatives of Sisters in Crime and my fabulous agent Clare Forster of Curtis Brown. A perfect blend of personal and professional.
My book was launched by the Attorney General of Victoria Martin Pakula who I worked with prior to him going into Parliament. The criteria I was given for finding someone to launch the book was find someone who knows you and doesn’t mind public speaking, a perfect description of Marty. His speech was great, I couldn’t have asked for better.
Then it was my turn to speak, I pretended it was the Oscars and thanked everyone I ever met. The crowd was generous (not just with applause - I got flowers and champagne!). It was so much fun that I can't wait until the next one so I better start writing the second book.
