A new month, a new book ... and come write with me in Italy.
This month, I am excited to launch my new book, Cora Seen & Heard. Plus, hear about Deborah Abela's new book, enter a two-book giveaway and register for our Italian writing retreat in 2025.
Hello! Hope you’ve had an excellent April. I certainly have. And the month ends with my new book Cora Seen and Heard launching (folding/emerging/peeking) into the world …
Do you remember how you felt when you were twelve? A while back, I was reconnecting with twelve-year-old Zanni—phew, there was a lot going on in that little brain. Questions like, How come everyone has it sorted? and How can I unify the person in my head with the person in the world? and Does anyone like me? If so, why?! Are they mad?
I kept reams of journals full of questions. It wasn’t until years later, I realised so many people wrestle with these thoughts and feelings. I also realised that being vulnerable and embracing my flaws meant I connected with others. Connections have always been one of the most important things for me.
Fast forward to grown-up Zanni, who still doesn’t have it sorted but no longer worries so much about it. Grown-up Zanni came across a picture of an abandoned ballroom by French photographer Francis Meslet (whose name I butcher in the video below—please forgive me!) Boy, was I moved by this image. I wanted to set a story here. But what?
Enter Cora 2.0, stage left. Twelve-year-old Cora moves to an abandoned theatre in a small country town called Caroline Creek, Tasmania and the poor thing has to wrestle with the headspace of twelve-year-old Zanni.
I started writing Cora Seen and Heard in lockdown 2021. To hold the actual book in my hand years later is the dream. To read the lovely reviews, to sit with film producers at Adaptable this month to talk about it, to know it’s in bookshops as of today …
Below, my friend Deborah Abela asks me if there’s any of Zanni in this book. Well, yes. There’s a lot. My thoughts, feelings, personality, blood, sweat (thankfully no tears), and a whole lotta love. Because every book deserves that, at minimum, and every reader does too.
So this is my soul laid bared. I hope you enjoy the ride. Have a read of the first few chapters here. Buy the book at any bookstore you’d like to support. Signed copies are available through Book Room Collective and a special 20% bulk discount + free Zoom visit for book clubs and classrooms is available through Gleebooks. Contact Rachel for details here.
Also introducing The Kindness Project
Above, you met Deborah Abela, who is a good friend and critique partner. This month, Deb launches her brand new book The Kindness Project which is a verse novel about four kids who are flung together to work on a school project and come to understand the meaning of kindness. It’s one of the bravest, most experimental, most moving books I have read in a long time. Below, Deb talks about her journey.
If you’re in Queensland, please join Deb and I for a joint launch Wednesday 22 May at Where The Wild Things Are. Click the invitation below to register. A family ticket will get you a book!
So, how about that Tuscan writing retreat?
Yes, it’s happening. Spend three days with me in the Italian countryside next April alongside two wonderful US literary agents, Lori Kilkelly and Ammi-Joan Paquette, and an exceptionally talented Italian illustrator, Gaia Bordicchia. Lori and Ammi-Joan will offer pitch and first page critiques. Gaia will run a workshop, as will I.
The location is beautiful. Honestly. I nearly fall over every time I look at these pictures.
Held at picturesque Ancora del Chianti, 30 km from Florence, you can relax in your own room, wander the gardens and enjoy the communal areas. Fresh meals will be provided for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Vegetarian options available.
Between workshops and private sessions, you will have ample opportunity to work on your creative projects. We will also facilitate peer-to-peer feedback.
The retreat will be held just after the Bologna Book Fair next year, meaning you can travel to Italy for more than one children’s book experience!
There are very limited spaces. And honestly, I think this is going to be one of the best experiences of my life. I hope you can join me. Register here.
Book Review with Opi
Opi is my thirteen-year-old friend and student. She’s an exceptional writer and turns out, exceptional reviewer! Every month, Opi will share her latest reflections on a recent book.
The Night War
by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
The story follows a young Jewish girl in the time of WW2.
It was so heartbreaking but at the same time you got to really feel for this girl, and you just couldn't put the book down!
The characters felt so real and as you walk through the young girls thoughts and feelings, in a way you become her and you get to feel that grief and pain.
The story was told so perfectly and I really don't have any plot holes or bad comments, just a genuinely AMAZING book.
I would definitely recommend this to people who are interested in historical fiction.
I loved how the chapters were quite short mostly so on your way to school or sport you could easily knock out a chapter or two.
I also loved how it really made me think, about people in the time of WW2, even though no one could ever really understand there grief and loss, I found myself picturing it.
This book has been riveting, sad, exciting and full of drama. And a journey of discovery.
It had a very unexpected supernatural twist which I thought was a very bold and creative idea, but I ended up loving it.
I would say though if you are not a fan of sensitive topics, read with caution.
But truly a wonderful book and deserves 10/10.
By Opi
Creative Corner with Deborah Abela
Each month, I invite an author friend to reflect on their creative process. This month, we hear from Deborah Abela.
THE KINDNESS PROJECT – The Novel that Demanded to be Verse.
It all started with a scene. A young kid called Nicolette kidnaps her nanna from a nursing home - AKA Alcatraz. I thought it would be a light-hearted novel about the love between a kid and her nanna, in the same way I loved my strong, feisty nanna. But, as with all my novels, I started asking questions and everything changed. Who is this kid? Why are she and Nanna so close? Where’s Grandpop? Why is Nanna in a nursing home and why does Nicolette want to kidnap her? What about her friends? And her mum?
And most importantly….what is the story really about?
That kidnapping scene became just one part of the story. In fact, it’s the inciting incident that hurtles the novel into the second act, where much bigger dilemmas are faced.
I’ve written 30 books, all in prose, but this novel demanded to be written in verse, which I’ve never done before. I’ve always LOVED verse novels, but I kept thinking, ‘I can’t write in verse! I have no idea what I’m doing’. But the novel was insistent, so I tentatively started and soon found it freeing and fun! Not only did I have to tell the story in short, sharp verses, getting to the point of each verse very quickly, I also played with form, fonts, font size and verse length, which together, create the feel and meaning of the story. The Kindness Project is my first verse novel, but hopefully not my last.
The Kindness Project is about four kids who are given a class assignment to make the world a better place. Trouble is, they don’t like each other…until they discover they have much more in common than they realise and band together when one of them needs their help, and they create the most magnificent kindness project of all.
Signed Book Giveaway!
To help Deb and I celebrate our new books, we’d love to invite you to join our comp, where we will be giving away a signed copy of The Kindness Project and Cora Seen and Heard.
To enter, share this Substack with a friend or your community and reply here to let me know. Entries close midnight 5 May. Australian addresses only please.
Until next time …
Exhale. It’s been a big, big day for me. Big book deal news (details TBA). A sixteen km coast run. And most especially, a new book in the world. My husband Gregor occasionally jokes that my career (my life) is a rollercoaster. It is! A wonderful, wild, and dizzying ride. But one that has led me to rich friendships and a deep sense of fulfilment. Days like this, I’d just like to say, thank you.
There was a lot to download in today’s notes. Next month, I promise to be back to my usual philosophical ramble.
Until then, have a wonderful month.
x
Tuscany sounds so wonderful - hope you and the fortunate few have a wonderful time! Congratulations to you and Deb on your new books, too! Exciting times :-)
What an exciting time for you Zanni. I've shared with writers from the course we did with you.