Dispatch #018
A QLD writer makes it all the way to the top of the New York Times bestseller lists, a film about a poet in New York City, plus an exclusive discount for our readers to Kae Tempest's author event!
Bestseller: Some absolutely magnificent news to kick off the newsletter this week. Queensland writer Sarah A. Parker’s new book, The Ballad of Falling Dragons, has debuted as a #1 New York Times Bestseller, #1 USA Today Bestseller, #1 Sunday Times Bestseller and #1 in Australia, and #1 in New Zealand.
She’s absolutely blown away.
Sarah interviewed emerging writer Olivia Croker last year, in which she explained that she had given “everything” to her decision to become a writer, including closing an online business and investing all her savings. Her husband also stepped back from his career as a commercial lawyer to take care of their three kids while she gave everything to her craft.
“I was financially responsible for our family,” she said, “It was a huge risk I was taking.” And hasn’t it paid off? Three cheers for Sarah. Go, you good thing!
Book films: We’ve been lucky enough to have a sneak peek at some of the lit-themed films due to be shown at this year’s Sydney Film Festival. Late Fame stars Willem Dafoe as a poet who was part of the whole arts counter-culture scene in New York City in the 1970s. Some people said he was a genius, but his career never quite took off, and now he works as a postman. But then some hip young things rediscover his work, and track him down, and what follows is a lovely film about the ways in which New York has changed, from a city where beatniks like Bob Dylan, Alan Ginsberg and Charles Bukowski took up the challenge of making art for a living into one where money doesn’t talk, it swears. You can get tickets to Late Fame here.
Boss Cat: This is not strictly a book-related film, but one of the brilliant women in my book club had a bit to do with next week’s world premiere. Deanne Weir is the lead producer on this rollicking film about a young woman with Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome) who is campaigning against the plans of her estranged grandmother to sell the family home and send her away. And she’s relying on Krump dance to do it! Deanne is passionate about stories, and mainly invests in female-driven screen projects, and she says this a ripper of a film, so don’t miss it. You’ll find the whole program for the Sydney Film Festival here.
Top 100: ABC Radio National’s annual Top 100 Books Countdown will this year focus on Australian books (including books by Australian writers, illustrators, translators and editors). Listeners will be able to vote for their favourite 10 books, from an “inspiration list” of 1000 titles. You can also add your own ideas. Radio National will broadcast the results on the weekend of 17 and 18 October. You’ll find more information on the ABC website.
Hammer Time: the great Chris Hammer has jumped ship, moving from Allen & Unwin to work with Jane Palfreyman at Simon & Schuster. They have acquired rights to his next three novels. Jane said: “Working with Chris has been one of the joys of my career. It’s hard to believe that in just eight years he has written eight acclaimed bestsellers, inspired two successful global TV adaptations with another two in production, and achieved sales of over a million copies.” Chris said: “I am so excited to be working once again with the brilliant Jane Palfreyman” and we readers can’t wait to see what he writes next.
Bondi Beach Book Swap for National Reconciliation Week: Held last Sunday, this annual fundraiser for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation happens during NRW. Organised by Eveleyn Levisohn, it was another roaring success! Bigger than the previous year, with more than 100 people visiting to raise nearly $3,000.00 for the ILF. This event will be held annually at the Depot Cafe in Bondi. You can still donate on the page if you missed out on the Book Swap. Follow on Instagram for all the updates.
Special Offer: Here is a deal especially for readers of this mighty little newsletter. Britain’s Kae Tempest will be performing at City Recital Hall for just one night - 9 June - for Vivid Sydney. Kae’s new album Self Titled is described as a “love letter to a younger self and a dialogue between past, present and future.” He’s also a Sunday Times bestselling novelist and acclaimed playwright, and his new book, Having Spent Life Seeking, is also out this week. Gertrude and Alice newsletter subscribers can access 20% off all tickets to this special performance by clicking here or using KAEGA20 at checkout.
Hannah Moore, one of the hosts for ABC TV’s Gardening Australia, reflects on the two decades she has spent getting her hands dirty in the garden.
One of Australia’s leading political commentators, Paul Kelly, offers bold and fearless commentary on the crisis besetting the Coalition.
From the two-time Booker shortlisted Nicholas Shakespeare, a novel about a man trying to live a quiet life, while the universe has other ideas.
From the Miles Franklin winner Amanda Lohrey, a novel about people who are convinced that they have been abducted by aliens.
A memoir of growing up, parenting, teaching, and discovering what children need to thrive, by Brendan James Murray.
Can you believe that it’s already June? Cosy up, including in our bookshop after hours, with these great events:
Roxane Gay: In Conversation, Vivid Sydney, Friday 12th of June: Join prolific American author and cultural critic Roxane Gay at City Recital Hall for an exclusive conversation with Whadjuk Noongar journalist, author and broadcaster Narelda Jacobs OAM, as part of Vivid Minds’ Creative Trailblazers series. Gertrude & Alice are the official booksellers. Click here for tickets.
The Woman In The Seal Skin Bookclub, Bondi Literary Salon, Tuesday 16th of June: The Woman in The Seal Skin by Lauren Keegan, hosted by Kelly Doust with the author, Lauren Keegan, herself at Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore. Click here for tickets.
Marc Fennell, An Evening with the Author, Monday 29th of June: An uproarious, illuminating journey through contested history live on stage with larger-than-life author of Stuff the British Stole, journalist and TV presenter Marc Fennell. Gertrude & Alice are the official booksellers. Click here for tickets.
John of John Bookclub, Bondi Literary Salon, Thursday 2nd of July: John of John by Douglas Stuart, at Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore. Click here for tickets.
The Things We Never Say Bookclub, Bondi Literary Salon, Tuesday 7th of July: The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, at Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore. Click here for tickets.
And that’s all for today, folks! Thank you for reading, and please do forward our newsletter to your friends so that we can build our community here. We have over 2,000 subscribers, and we would love to welcome more!
Have something you’d like to include? Our newsletter is compiled by a Bondi local, Caroline Overington. You can follow her on Instagram or Facebook, or get in touch here if you’ve got news to share.
Great to see an Aussie #1 on the NY Bestseller List! Long may it continue. Congratulations, Sarah!