Dispatch #019
Entries open for the prestigious NIB prize; a writer is silenced at the Hay festival, books we're looking forward to; and much more in today's newsletter.
It gives us enormous pleasure to support the Mark & Evette Moran Nib Literary Award, and we’d like to encourage you to enter.
The award, now in its 25th year, is presented annually by Waverley Council with generous support from principal sponsors Mark and Evette Moran.
It is one of the most respected and valuable literary prizes in the country, and the winner is announced alongside the Nib People’s Choice Prize ($4000) and the Alex Buzo Shortlist Prize.
The prizes are judged by an independent panel of experts, and the criteria is literary merit, quality research, readability and value to the community. Previous winners include Helen Garner, Geoffrey Blainey, Clare Wright and Melissa Lucashenko.
Don’t hesitate. Entry details are here.
SILENCED: There was an extraordinary moment during the world-famous Hay literary festival last week, with a former Facebook executive forced to sit in silence during a panel discussion about her book, Careless People, after legal threats made by her former bosses at Meta. New Zealand-born Sarah Wynn-Williams (above) was introduced as “an author in a hostage situation” with her fellow panellists saying she had been prevented from saying anything to promote her book, which came out last year. The publishers have sold more than 150,000 copies but Sarah is banned from saying a single word to publicise it.
HAMMERTIME: Chris Hammer will release a standalone novel, Full Circle with Summit Books in October. We haven’t yet seen the cover but we’re told that it’s a cracker of a story, set in Sorrento, Victoria. Chris’s previous books have topped bestseller lists and been adapted for television. Treasure & Dirt will be coming to ABC and the BBC as a mini-series later this year,
BOOKSELLER WRITES BOOK: Joshua Hortinela is a beloved Sydney bookseller who last year turned his own hand to writing and immediately found an audience. He started posting about his novel, Late You To Love You, and thousands are now following along, waiting to see the end result. The cover reveal for Hate You to Love You received 40,000 views in the first 24 hours - unprecedented for a debut author. It’s a queer romance about two exes forced to work together on a book tour through Sydney, Dublin, Edinburgh and London. Warmest congratulations Josh !!
BAD SYDNEY: Head up to Blackheath on June 20th to see a variety of crime writers including the former criminal prosecutor Mark Tedeschi who will speak to Michael Duffy about the gut-wrenching murder of a beloved local, Kerry Whelan, who disappeared after leaving her car at the Parkroyal Hotel Parramatta car park on May 6, 1997. The following day her husband received a ransom note demanding $1 million. The killer was caught but Kerry’s body was never found.
PRIZE WINNER: University of Queensland Press (UQP) has announced Lenny Robinson as the winner of the $5000 Quentin Bryce Award, For her debut novel And in the Morning. The award, which recognises the brilliance of former governor-general Dame Quentin Bryce, is for a book on UQP’s list that celebrates women’s lives and/or promotes gender equality. In announcing the prize, Quentin said, “Lenny Robinson’s novel (is about) two subjects that have been such a major focus of my public life: the role of our armed services (including women in the military), and recognition of women’s wide-ranging contributions to society.” Congratulations, Lenny. You can read more here.
The Changeling by Kate Forsyth: historical fantasy inspired by the real testimonies of the women accused during Scotland’s 16th-century witch trials.
Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult: a novel bout a family under extraordinary pressure by the No.1 New York Times bestselling author.
Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason: she’s back! A new novel from the author of the beloved Sorrow and Bliss.
Rat Daniels by Alex Sawyer: a debut coming-of-age novel by the winner of the 2023 Richell Prize for an emerging writer.
Tight Lines by Allee Richards: set against the backdrop of a small coastal town in the 2000s, a novel that explores the sometimes devastating consequences of our choices.
A small but passionate group gathered at the bookshop last week to talk about the new Steve Toltz book, The Rising Of The Lights.
It was cold outside, but warm inside. You get a lovely glass of wine, some cheese, some chocolate, new friends, and great conversation, so do join us at any one of the following 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 (who will be joining us), hosted by Kelly Doust 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.
London Falling Bookclub, Bondi Literary Salon, Tuesday 30th of June: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, hosted by David Francis at Gertrude & Alice Cafe Bookstore. 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.
Hannah Richell, An Evening with the Author, Tuesday 21st of July: Hannah Richell will be in conversation with Vashti Whitfield as they discuss her book ‘An Ocean and a Day’ at Gertrude & Alice. 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.
What amazing news for Josh!!! 👏🙌🤩 thanks for spreading the good word ❤️🎉
Josh is SO beloved and an absolute legend for how he supports other authors, particularly Australian and debuts. And can't wait for Alex Sawyer's book too!