I received the very exciting news that Double Lives has been shortlisted in the Danger Awards for 2023. The Danger Awards champion books featuring Australia as a setting for stories about crime and justice. This year the festival theme is ‘A place for every crime story and a crime story for every place.’
Perusing the list I was honoured to be acknowledged alongside some of Australia’s heavyweights of crime writing:
Brunswick Street Blues (Sally Bothroyd, HarperCollins)
Daughters of Eve (Nina D Campbell, A&U)
The Tilt (Chris Hammer, A&U)
Exiles (Jane Harper, Pan)
Double Lives (Kate McCaffrey, Echo)
The Torrent (Dinuka McKenzie, HarperCollins)
Black River (Matthew Spencer, A&U)
Dirt Town (Hayley Scrivenor, Pan)
This year, a People’s Choice Award has been introduced and will be announced on 3 November. Readers can cast their vote on shortlisted titles until 28 October. So if you liked Double Lives go over there and vote! Or, you can use the link below:
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!
Pop in to Whitford Library tomorrow night and get in on the conversation!
City of Joondalup Libraries, together with Dymocks Joondalup, present Kate McCaffrey. Kate is a local WA author, her latest book, Double Lives, examines notions of truth, gender, identity and acceptance in a compelling novel about a cold case crime podcast.
Truth is like a lens we apply to everything we see, it is malleable and transformative, we can bend it, mould it, shape it, vanish it. We do this to present the versions of ourselves we want the world to see, and to hide the versions we can’t bear to reveal.
Newly returned to Western Australia, journalist Amy Rhinehart pitches a crime podcast to increase her radio station’s ratings. 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, transgender woman Casey Williams. Jonah went to great lengths to hide the body – but when arrested, confessed immediately and pleaded guilty, negating the need for a trial. Amy believes there is something darker at the heart of this case and sets about finding the truth, investigating a world of drugs, sex, gender identity and religious cults.
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, interwoven with Amy’s investigation into the cult run by Jonah’s family and its potential involvement in Casey’s murder.
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Kate’s book will be available for purchase and signing on the night.
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 .
It’s been a mad few weeks. We had Book Week and the opportunity to visit many schools across the state: Peter Moyes, Swan Valley Christian College, Kolbe College, Duncraig SHS, St George’s, Belridge SHS, Servite College,John Wollaston meeting students from all age groups talking about writing and reading.
Peter Moyes Anglican School
Today it is Australia Reads. As an Ambassador for Australia Reads I decided to sit outside and read The Dying Alchemists a debut book by author Nicholas Bennett. It is a fusion of science and wonder with poetry and art. The illustrations are by Tina Wilson. It is a truly beautiful book and one you should look out for.
It’s a real thrill to be with these twenty five short listed authors and have the opportunity to go to the Gold Coast in April to pitch Destroying Avalon to producers and show runners.
Thanks to the Queensland Writer’s Centre for this initiative.
Kate McCaffrey 