The other anniversary today is the release of my memoir – Say Hello. It turns four!
We had a big event at The Wheeler Centre – a venue that has been central to my writing career. Kevin Mitchell (Bob Evans) hosted it. Over 200 people were there. This event marked the start of a whirlwind book tour where I traveled around the country and to Indonesia, talking about the book at events and to media, and meeting some wonderful people. No work week was the same! What a year!
The Melbourne launch was on a very hot night – 45 degrees. In an unglamorous moment between signing books and getting on stage, I lay on the toilet floor at the venue to cool down , because I was overheating (ichthyosis means my body doesn’t regulate its temperature). I had a fan (written on it was “so fucking cool) and my agent brought me an ice pack while I was on stage.
When Say Hello was launched into the world, I didn’t know the impact it would have. While writing it, I was struck with anxiety – I thought it was going to fail. I wanted to hand back the advance. Lucky, with the reassurance of many, I persisted.
What a privilege it is when doctors and nurses tell me they use it in their work and refer it to dermatology patients. I love that it’s on the reading list of some university courses. And I adore hearing from readers – not just in Australia but around the world. I love hearing how Say Hello has helped you.
Say Hello is available in paperback, ebook, audiobook (narrated by me) around the world – see this page for more info on where to purchase it. It is available in Australian libraries too. A big thanks to Catherine Milne, Nicola Robinson, Lara Wallace and the team at HarperCollins; my agents Jacinta Di Mase and Danielle Binks; Writers Victoria and The Wheeler Centre; bookshops, libraries and festivals for organising events; to Haben Girma whose request for accessibility helped get the book in all formats around the world; to the media who got behind me; and to readers who have bought, borrowed, read and recommended Say Hello. You’re so appreciated.
Watch the Melbourne launch here:
Images: 10 photos from the Say Hello book launch – me with various people and my book.
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