THE WRITING LIFE

When publication day finally arrived last week, it felt...quiet. At some level I must have been expecting bells and whistles, or a trumpet fanfare, although on reflection that would have been less cosy than the luxury of tea and homemade marmalade on thickly sliced toast that I indulged in. Around lunchtime, I gave in to temptation and cruised the city bookshops. The big stores were slow to display them, so my first sighting took place at Mary Martin Bookshop on Rundle Street where a small stack graced the new releases table. I will never forget the pleasure of seeing them there. A chapter sampler (almost as cute as the book itself) will be distributed far and wide in the coming months.