Category: Books

Posted in @KatemcCaffrey70, Books, Double Lives, Echo Publishing, Kate McCaffrey, literary appearances, Media Appearances, writing

Hello, Busselton Library!

Posted on by katemccaffrey

Join us at Busselton Library for the launch of Double Lives, a chat and a Q & A, on Friday 11th November.

Dymocks Busselton

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Established WA author Kate McCaffrey will launch her new novel Double Lives in person at the Busselton Library on Friday 11th November.

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.

Tickets are FREE but book now to secure a spot: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/…/an-evening-with-kate…

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, Books, Double Lives, Echo Publishing, Kate McCaffrey, Media Appearances, reviews, Uncategorized, writing

Double Lives on Better Reading

Posted on by katemccaffrey

If you missed out on the live ‘chat’, where I discuss my new novel Double Lives, never fear, here is a link to the recording at Better Reading…

https://www.facebook.com/BetterReadingAu/videos/1141994556404100/

And a link to their review

Read Our Review of Double Lives by Kate McCaffrey

https://www.betterreading.com.au/review/timely-and-compelling-read-our-review-of-double-lives-by-kate-mccaffrey/

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, Books, Crashing Down, Fremantle Press, Getting published, Kate McCaffrey, Literary Awards, Media Appearances, writing

Crashing Down Launch

Posted on by katemccaffrey

It seems appropriate to update this blog with the biggest news of late- my fourth novel Crashing Down was launched last night at Sacred Heart College Sorrento. It was a fantastic night, a turn out of about 140 people ranging from students, teachers, parents through to industry folk- oh, and of course, family and friends. Catherine Kolomyjec did an awesome job organising the event, aided by Emma Killian and supported by some of my Year 10 Lit kids- who were absolute standouts both in front of, and behind, the camera. News from my publisher is that the first print run of Crashing Down is already 3/4 sold! Not bad news to hear on the night of the launch.

Jan Nichols, in top form, dressed as a midwife to “birth” the new baby (the theme of the book being teen pregnancy). The celebrity guest in Norman Jorgensson (Jack’s Island and The Last Viking- to be launched in September at the State Library)  was a true crowd pleaser.

The reviews are coming in- the latest can be accessed via this link

https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/24687616/pregnant-teen-faces-choices/

And so, a good night was had by all!!

CD Book Launch CD Book Launch 2 CD Book Launch 3 CD Book Launch 4 CD Book Launch 5 CD Book Launch 6 CD Book Launch 7 CD Book Launch 8 CD Book Launch 9 CD Book Launch 10 CD Book Launch 11 CD Book Launch 12 CD Book Launch 13 CD Book Launch 14 CD Book Launch 15

Posted in Australian fiction, awards, Books, Bruce Whatley, Destroying Avalon, In Ecstasy, Jeff Raglus, Jon Doust, Kimberley Writer's Festival, Kununurra's Wrtiter's Festival, literary appearances, Liz Byrski, Media Appearances, Neil Murray, Phil Kettle, The Australian Therapists' Award, The Couch, Uncategorized

Whassup?

Posted on by katemccaffrey

Pics : Kate Mac, Jane  Mac & Jon Doust    Kate Mac, Liz Byrski & Jon Doust

Returned from Kununurra this week. I was flown up there to be a guest of the Kimberley Writer’s Festival. First impressions of Kununurra- man it’s hot! It might seem like stating the bleeding obvious- but for a city girl (whose furthest trip north was Monkey Mia, back in the 80s) I left hail storms in Perth to 37 degrees on my arrival!!! The other thing I noticed quickly- was unlike Monkey Mia, where they have dolphins, Kununurra has crocodiles!!! Several crazy authors dived from the boat and swam in the Ord- I wanted to scream, “People there are crocs in there!” But apparently the ‘freshies’ only take a small bite- unlike the “salties” who have a palate for humans. Either way I wasn’t taking any chances!!!

Writer’s Festivals are great in so many ways. Firstly you travel to exotic and remote locations (meet the locals and get eaten by them), you have an opportunity to discuss literature (and often yourself) to communities that often miss out and you get to meet other writers and illustrators. It’s like professional development for the Arts World. This trip was brilliant- I met some fantastic people. Here, let me list them:

Jon Doust- my favourite Perth author. Jon is the greatest ‘people person’ I have ever met. He was like the Pied Piper of Hamelin- with his trail of school kids who followed him everywhere.

Liz Byrski- my other favourite Perth author. Jane and I shared a place with Liz and it was wonderful- a girls’ weekend away, much laughter and merriment. Liz is a highly successful writer and shared a lot of advice.

Jeff Raglus and Vicki Phillip- musos and performers- what a fantastic team. Crazy cats!

Bruce Whatley and Rosie- they are lovely people and we shared some lovely moments.

Phil Kettle a most prolific writer of children’s books- somewhere in the vicinity of 5 million copies sold. I know, hold onto your hat!!!

Neil Murray- songwriter and poet (a lovely poem about step daughters), Anna Jarrett (story teller), Ambrose Chalarimeri (autobiographical writer).

We worked hard! Lots of functions, school sessions and public workshops, big thanks to Emma, Marie and Jo- for shuttling us around and catering to our strict dietry requirements (Jon and I are both vegetarians and gluten intolerant! Yes, we are those people! The caterer’s nightmare. But in my own defence at least I’m not lactose intolerant too!! Jon!!)

Then back to the real world- teaching, editing (my latest work) and spending time with my children! That’s the hardest thing about tours and festivals- leaving the kids. But they were pleased with the mosiac geckos and crocodiles in eggs I brought back!

What now? Book Week is coming up, I have a couple of visits to the Morley library. In October I have the Singapore Writer’s Festival and maybe a trip to Sydney. Did I mention that ‘in ecstasy’ won the Australian Family Therapists’ Book Award? I was so pleased- finally a gold sticker- it lives in Destroying Avalon’s shadow!!

I was on ‘the couch’- a Perth TV show aired on Aurora channel.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV5Zy8UlrBw

It’s actually quite horrible to watch yourself talk!

Posted in Books, Destroying Avalon, Getting published, In Ecstasy, Kununurra's Wrtiter's Festival, literary appearances, writing

Where do we go from here?

Posted on by katemccaffrey

Hi it’s me! So latest updates- as that is all I’m good for! Look, at the risk of sounding like I’m apologising- which as I’ve stated previously I’d never do for fear of insulting your intelligence– thought I’d update the latest news I have. ‘in ecstasy’ has been released in North America- and so far so good- no bad reviews (yet!!) Destroying Avalon shows no sign of that shelf life we worried about- unfortunately (for kids) cyber bullying goes from strength to strength-I just hope that someone, somewhere gets something out of the book that changes the path they’re on. It’ll be released in Hungary this year (I share JK’s publisher!!!) Also still have film option on it– so who knows there?

A few appearances coming up- in mid July I have Kununnarra’s Writer’s Festival- never been to the Kimberley– so that’s exciting. August is book week- and I’m doing a few libraries in Perth (my birthday is also in that week!!!)

New book! Yes, there really is one– two in fact. Let’s talk about one first. ‘Murder Within’ is its working name and is under contract with Fremantle Press for an April 2010 release. It’s done- and ready for edit and production- it’s the third in my YA angsty teeen fiction- though I  (and the publisher) both believe it is more psychological and less ‘issues’ based than the other two.

Book Four? I hear you ask– well now for something completely different. I have moved away from teen angst to enter the Contemporary Fantasy realm. For me this is interesting- and as yet I’m unsure as to whether it is successful. It’s at 25000 words and to paraphrase my ex- Masters tutor– it has a heartbeat. But whether others (publishers) will detect that remains to be seen. It is a genre I’m not in love with-as a reader-fantasy. Which poses the question why on Earth would I attempt it? Well, let me set the record straight- I never liked fantasy because it always seemed like too much hard work. Remembering worlds and monarchies- people and types, was always too hard.I hated having to look at the map and glossary to figure out what was going on. Okay- call me lazy, but I guess I am. My fantsy story could be categorised as contemporary fantasy- no ‘other world’ names and types just a parallel world if you like, set in contemporary times. But for me, it gets better. For this story I research Irish mythology- and in case you’ve not made the connection- McCaffrey is an Irish name. So I was able to explore my ‘roots’ mythological and geneological to write this one and its been fun and interesting.

Like I said it doesn’t have a publisher yet- in fact it’s unfinished. But I’m enjoying the change and the different focus. We’ll wait and see.

That’s me- how are you travelling?

Posted in ASLA Conference, Books, Booktalkers, CBC, cyber bullying, Destroying Avalon, drugs, ETA, In Ecstasy, international rights, Kununurra's Wrtiter's Festival, literary appearances, Literary Awards, Matt Ottley, Media Appearances, Somerset Writer's Festival

Why I Can’t Say Sorry

Posted on by katemccaffrey

I know I should– but it’s shallow and empty now, isn’t it? I leave this blog for lengths of time and then breeze in when I seem to have nothing better to do. So I will not insult you with another apology. Instead I’ll try and justify my absence by bringing you all up to date with the latest happenings.

I handed over the manuscript ‘Murder Within’ in January- just before school started– then was inundated with the trials and tribulations of teaching! I flew off quickly to Melbourne- for Booktalkers at the State Library of Vic, with none other than the legendery John Marsden– I pulled my 12 year old daughter out of school to attend with me. Unfortunately John’s farm fell within the bush fire zone and he was unable to get a car out to attend the night. Twas still great– with Kirsty Murray, Sue Saliba, Tim Pelger and Don Henderson in fine form commenting on what influences our writing.

A week later I was off to Somerset Writer’s Festival in Queensland. What a fantastic week that was. Andrew Stark– organiser of the library conference performed magical acts to pull the event together and then the Writer’s Festival itself followed. I was in the company of some brilliant people, terrific authors and illustrators– Lee Fox, Tobhy Riddle, Suzanne Gervay, Kate Forsyth, Garth Nix,Debora Abela, Tristan Bancks, Shamini Flint, Rob Newton, and Matt Ottley. Just on Matt, for a second, not only was I impressed with his sandgroper status– yes he also crossed the spinifex curtain to attend Somerset– but the man is an all out genuis. I tell you- how can anyone not read Requium for a Beast and not see genuis at work?? Not only are his illustrations brilliant– but Matt composes his own music! I’m not being parochial when I say that Matt deserves all the credit and kudos he is receiveing (especially with his latest nod from the CBC!!)

Following that– teaching, marking, reporting and a few visits to schools. School holidays- which is a laugh, isn’t it– whose holiday is this??? Not mine!! I’d received word from the publisher that I needed to re-write a part of the latest book– oh, only about 20, 000 words!!! Hello! So first week of my delightful holiday was spent doing such. Second week– marking 4 classes of work– delightful!! And now I’ve just teed up the latest gig guide with my publicist– so I’ll let you have it:

16 May- ETA panel-  at Perth College- discussing female vs male protagonists (I think!!)

23-27 July Kununurra Writer’s Festival (I’ve never been to the Kimberley– I’m really looking forward to it)

25 & 27 August- Morley library– for CBC Book Week (PS Aug 25 is my birthday!!!)

2 October– breakfast at Frasers for ASLA Conference. Later that day I’m sure I’m on a panel!!

That’s it so far. Will keep you posted on other happenings.

 

Oh, by the way– Hungary has bought rights to Destroying Avalon– now I can boast I share JK Rowlings publisher!! (if only it was her bank balance!!!) That’s me– up to date i think. Will try and be a better blogger!!!