Category: Australian fiction

Posted in @KatemcCaffrey70, Australian fiction, Double Lives, Echo Publishing, Kate McCaffrey, literary appearances, The Dying Alchemists, Uncategorized

See ya, 2022!

Posted on by katemccaffrey

It’s been a big year! It started with signing the contract with Echo Publishing for Double Lives on the 10th of February (thanks to my agent Fiona) which also happened to be my mum’s birthday- and the first birthday we had without her. The book was set to be released in September, now I’m pretty sure, by anyone’s standards, that’s a pretty quick turnaround. As it was, Double Lives hit the shelves on the 5th October this year- all because of the amazing efforts of the team at Echo- big shout out to Juliet and Diana and my major editors, Rochelle and Erin.

Then it was DMCPR’s turn, the mighty PR company- headed up by Deb and also a massive thanks to Anna for all of her efforts. We have had podcasts, interviews, a book launch, book signings and a few trips across the country. It has been exhausting and satisfying and makes me reflect with gratitude!

Nick and I have recently returned from Queenwood School for Girls in Sydney, where I was the writer-in-residence for three days and what an amazing time that was. Shout out to Gabrielle, Karen and Cassandra for their amazing hospitality and immediately buying Double Lives to include in the Year 11 girls’ contemporary studies class!

We are weeks out from Christmas- unbelievable, I know, and Nick and I have decided to round out the year and our wedding anniversary with a cheeky little trip to Bali. Oh, how we’ve missed you Bali- super excited to get back there and write! I will be working on my manuscript for my PhD and also another little crime novel that my agent is very interested in.

So, from this side of Christmas I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing time and see you on the flip side- when we welcome in 2023 and a return to life as we (once, kinda, maybe) knew it!

What big events have taken place in your life this year?

Double Lives rubbing shoulders with Wilbur Smith and Lisa Barr at Perth airport on the way to Sydney.
The ‘Kate McCaffrey’ display at Queenwood Girls’ School!
Me and Nick at Bathers’ Pavillion.
Double Lives- back in Perth, at the airport!
Posted in @KatemcCaffrey70, Australian fiction, Books, Double Lives, Echo Publishing, Kate McCaffrey, Media Appearances, Open Book, Shirley Marr, writing

Double Lives Book Launch

Posted on by katemccaffrey

Open Book in Mosman Park hosted the launch of Double Lives on Thursday night. Oscar and Keely had set up the magical courtyard for the event however minutes before start time there was a torrential downpour and swiftly the launch was moved indoors. Nonetheless it is a beautiful bookshop and today being Love Your Local Bookshop I’m sending my love there- despite the fact it is not my local!

This looks like an interesting conversation!

We had a full house and Barbara Horgan was the official ‘launcher’ of Double Lives, with an ‘in conversation’ later. As always, she did an amazing job.

There was wine and cheese and books and did I mention wine? And lots of laughter and fun!

With Barbara Horgan
Me with a super fan!

Sydney next week for a jam packed day signing books. If you are in Sydney, pop in to one of these local bookshops and say hi!

FRIDAY 14 OCTOBER

9.30am Abbey’s Bookshop York Street

10.00am Kinokuniya George St

10.30am Dymocks George St

11.00am Roaring Stories Darling St

1.00pm Better Read Than Dead King St

2.00pm Gleebooks Glebe Point Rd

Two of my faves!
When the real talent turns up- Shirley Marr!
Posted in @KatemcCaffrey70, Australian fiction, Double Lives, Echo Publishing, Kate McCaffrey, literary appearances, Media Appearances, teacher librarians, Uncategorized, writing

New Book Release: Double Lives

Posted on by katemccaffrey

I know, I know, I’m terrible on social media. My profuse apologies but, you know, time gets away and the next thing you look back and it’s a year (actually to the day!) since the last post! Madness!

So, behind the scenes I’ve still been working. I’m in the middle of my PhD- a creative component and exegesis. The manuscript is about toxic masculinity and I have completed the first draft, so that has been productive.

In February, this year, I signed a contract with Echo Publishing on my first adult novel- Double Lives. As the title of this post suggests it is about to be released, officially on October 4th. Here is the promotional material..

Double Lives is the first adult novel from established Young Adult author Kate McCaffrey, exploring notions of truth, gender, identity and acceptance in a compelling account of a cold-case podcast.

When Western Australian radio journalist Amy Rhinehart decides to use a crime podcast to explore a gruesome murder, she’s seeking ratings, awards and career glory. Her idea: to use the listeners of the show as its co-creators, with live-time calls and suggestion boards. The case: Jonah Scott, charged and imprisoned for life for the murder of his girlfriend, Casey Williams. Although Jonah went to great lengths to hide the body, when arrested, he confessed immediately and pleaded guilty. Is the case really as open-and-shut as it would seem? Or is something more sinister afoot?

Amy’s investigation plunges her into a world of drugs, sex, gender identity and religious cults … and in her search for the truth, she finds she also has to answer questions within herself.

Threaded through the main narrative, the podcast transcripts represent a story-within-a-story, exploring the characters of Jonah and Casey and the relationship between them, expertly interwoven with Amy’s investigation.

Double Lives is both a sensitive and thoughtful examination of identity – who we are and how we are shaped – and a gripping detective novel. Throughout the book Kate focuses on the concept of truth, highlighting the bias that can be present in some reporting.

Double Lives is a thought-provoking exploration of what it means to live outside society.

So, there is a launch at Open Book in Mosman Park on the 6th October and a whole pile of podcasts and library visits coming up (which I will endeavour to update this blog with!). Book your tickets for the launch here .

Posted in #authorsforfiries #authorsforfireys, Annick Press, Australian fiction, fundraising bush fires Australia, In Ecstasy, Kate McCaffrey, Uncategorized, WritingWA

#authorsforfiries #authorsforfireys

Posted on by katemccaffrey

Please check out the hashtags on Twitter to see what authors and illustrators around Australia are auctioning to help with bushfire relief

A signed copy of the US edition of In Ecstasy and a 5000 word manuscript appraisal plus one hour conversation… bid on Twitter

twitter.com/katemccaffrey70/status/1214799983272050688

Posted in Australian fiction, awards, beautiful monster, Crashing Down, cyber bullying, Destroying Avalon, Fremantle Press, Getting published, In Ecstasy, Kate McCaffrey, literary appearances, Saving Jazz, The Australian Therapists' Award, WritingWA

Book Talks 2019: An Open Invitation

Posted on by katemccaffrey

Dear Schools and Libraries,

It’s now time to start thinking about booking your guest speakers for 2019.

I am available for classroom talks, seminars and workshops.

I can discuss the issues in my novels: cyberbullying, drugs, eating disorders, mental health, teenage issues, as well as the road to publication and the life of an author. I can deliver Professional Development in Creative Writing to English teachers, as well as Creative Writing workshops for students.

Don’t delay! Book now for 2019.

Cheers,

Kate

Posted in Australian fiction, Books, cyber bullying, cyber bullying resources, Fremantle Press, friendship, Getting published, Kate McCaffrey, Lamont's Standing Order, Penguin Books, Saving Jazz, teacher librarians, teachers, teaching notes, Uncategorized, writing, WritingWA

Saving Jazz Book Launch

Posted on by katemccaffrey

 

SJ banner

It was a great turn out on Tuesday night- despite the wet weather and the Census Epic Fail. About 150 guests turned up to greet Saving Jazz as she enters the world!

My thanks to Catherine Kolomyjec and her team at Sacred Heart for all their work. Peter Bothe ( and Trevor Lynch) for so graciously allowing Sacred Heart to host it. Justin Whitt for an amazing job as the official launcher. Bianca, Zoe, Anthony for their contributions on the night. All of my students who had an input and interest in the development of the novel. Fremantle Press, in particular Cate – for her ongoing support and Naama for her meticulous editing and appreciation of who Jazz is.

And Jasmine Lovely is officially here…

Justin SJ

Justin Whitt

Kris Norman SJ

Kris Williams and Norman Jorgensen

SJ launch

Dymocks

Posted in Australian fiction, cyber bullying, Fremantle Press, Getting published, Lamont's Standing Order, Magpies, ReadPlus, reviews, Saving Jazz, teacher librarians, teachers, Uncategorized, writing, WritingWA

Reviews Saving Jazz

Posted on by katemccaffrey

The book launch is nearly upon us and the reviews are starting to come out… so far, so good…

Writing WA:  Love to Read Local

In Saving Jazz, the lives of Jasmine Lovely and her friends are destroyed after a sexual assault at a party goes viral. The narrative takes us beyond the immediate aftermath of the assault and shows its long-term consequences, as well as the complicated moral landscape Jazz finds herself traversing. The novel deals with gender relations, the power of the internet, and personal responsibility in a comprehensive and compelling way; this is a book that will keep you up all night and keep you thinking for weeks afterwards. Saving Jazz is McCaffrey’s most powerful book yet, and it deserves to be widely read and discussed.

Magpies
Kate McCaffrey is known for tackling issues that may be prevalent in the lives of young adults, sometimes before these issues are recognised in the wider community. She has explored cyber bullying, drug use, abortion and eating disorders. Her new novel Saving Jazz is so confronting it gave me nightmares, but this should not deter people from reading it (except maybe at night) because it is an important cautionary tale.
Lamont’s Standing Order
Kate McCaffrey writes hard hitting, contemporary issue based novels and Saving Jazz is precisely that.
Jazz lives in a small, reasonably well off community north of Perth, where you make your own fun. This all gets out of control, when at an alcohol fuelled party, things are done to Jazz’s best friend Annie that Jazz had a part in at the start.
When one of the boys boastfully posts photo’s and eventually a video that lead to scorn for Annie and Jazz and rape charges for three people, including Jazz, their worlds are forever changed.
We see the result of this bad decision and its far reaching, devastating effects on all their lives.
The subject matter of this book probably makes it best suited for older secondary students, but in some ways, younger mature students would certainly understand the precautionary tale that is being presented.Well written, insightful and wholly believable, Saving Jazz can change attitudes and actions that could indeed save some.

Read Plus
McCaffrey has written a book that will be hugely popular, gaining an audience through word of mouth, readers taking to heart this cautionary tale comparing it with the ‘what might have been’ in their own lives and questioning the role of social media in their lives.
Posted in Australian fiction, Buzz Words, Crashing Down, Fremantle Press, Getting published, Kate McCaffrey, Neridah McMullin, Uncategorized, writing

Another Review- thank you Neridah McMullin

Posted on by katemccaffrey

Crashing Down

Crashing Down by Kate McCaffrey (Fremantle Press)
PB RRP $19.99
ISBN 9-781-922-089-854
Reviewed by Neridah McMullin

Crashing Down is an engaging, insightful and realistic read for teenagers and adults alike.

This story is fast paced and fun and McCaffrey uses common turns of phrase that are engaging and accessible to today’s teenagers. Her writing voice and narrative is strong and genuine and written in an Australian cultural context that we would all understand.

Lucy is in Year 12 and under pressure to succeed. The last thing she needs is an intense boyfriend. So Lucy innocently breaks up with Carl at the school dance. She admits it wasn’t great timing with exams coming up, but it felt like the only way to keep her dreams on track.

Things haven’t been great with her and Carl for a while now and she knows this is the right thing to do. She feels completely smothered by him and his expectations of the future are so very different to her own. All he can talk about is living locally, with no plans of university, settling down and having kids.

Unfortunately some good decisions can have bad consequences.

Carl leaves the dance angry and hurt and stoned. Driving recklessly, he crashes his car, badly smashing up not only himself but also his best mate JD.

After coming out of his coma, Carl is a changed man. As a result of his brain injury, he’s angry and paranoid and acting completely irrationally. And he can’t remember breaking up with Lucy. She doesn’t want to hurt him so she keeps up the pretense.

Everyone is extremely upset and then McCaffrey throws in a curve ball that will send you into a spin: Lucy is pregnant. She tells Carl she doesn’t want to keep it and he has a brain aneurism! His parents then slap an ‘injunction order’ on Lucy to stop her from having the baby aborted.

Wow, this story has got it all. It’s fast past with a winding plot and complex characters. Even so it raises some valid questions about how these situations could be handled.

Crashing Down is written in a distinctive and engaging style and is thoroughly recommended to Young Adult readers.

This is Kate McCaffrey’s second novel and now I’m going to track down her first book to read!

Neridah McMullin is the author of five books for children. Her next book is an Indigenous folklore story called ‘Kick it to Me’. It’s an ‘aussie rules’ story that’s being endorsed by the Australian Football League. Neridah loves family, footy and doing yoga with her cat Carlos (who also happens to love footy!).