Josie & Viv are out in the world!

This week, The Girls of Lake Evelyn was published!

I began writing my second novel during a global pandemic, during lockdown, with my four children learning at home, while flat out editing my first novel for publication. It was a challenging time, and sometimes I wonder quite how I managed to pull it off.

But finally, I’m holding my pandemic-book-baby in my hands! And she’s worth all the tears and anxiety of those difficult, determined months, all the false starts and dead-ends and rewrites and all-nighters pulled to meet deadlines, and especially all the hope and determination and love that went into her.

I poured my whole heart into this novel, and though for a long time I feared I couldn’t love another book as much as my first…in the end, I fell head over heels for this story, and my strong, spirited heroines — Josie Monash and Vivienne George.

To celebrate the release of the book (and my birthday!) my beautiful friends surprised me with a ‘book launch birthday party’, featuring MY novel turned into a cake. Absolute gorgeousness…

There were sunflowers galore, the gift of handmade rainbow earrings, delicious platters of nibbles, and birthday cake cocktails, followed by pink gin and marqueritas.

I couldn't have asked for a more delightful launch party; one so perfectly ME…

Lego sunflowers and a book cake.

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My novel hit bookstores across Australia, on March 29th.

I was so touched by the many messages and photos of The Girls of Lake Evelyn, pouring in throughout Publication Day from dear friends and family. Thank you!

I popped into town that morning to visit my local independent bookstore, Cairns Books, who are so wonderfully supportive of Far North Queensland writers. I don’t feel like such an ‘imposter’ when I see my books in stores now, so I suppose that means I’m not a newbie anymore.

Later in the day, I was tickled pink by the delivery of a most magnificent and richly fragrant bouquet from my lovely publisher. Once you read the novel, you’ll understand why these pink blooms — including orchids — meant so much to me.

- On a side note: how I adore seeing my two books, and my five amazing heroines side by side together on my library shelves! Already I am dreaming of another two strong, spirited women placed alongside them. -

I had already felt ridiculously spoiled, but then my husband arrived home at day’s end with my favourite white chocolates, yellow flowers and a gold bottle of Prosecco.

I don’t think my house has been so filled with flowers since returning from hospital after giving birth! But the arrival of something so wonderful as a pandemic-book-baby, a creation that must now make her own way in the world, does feels equally momentous.

Safe travels, little book.

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The Girls of Lake Evelyn is available at all great bookstores, or your favourite online bookseller. I hope you enjoy it as much you did Those Hamilton Sisters.

Warmest wishes for a wonderful Easter holiday ahead,

xx Averil