A Light on the Rocks Book Launches & Tour!
A Light on the Rocks was officially released on 28th January and it has been a whirlwind ever since! I have been meaning to share the events on my blog and in my newsletter, but have been too busy out in the world, visiting bookshops and libraries, on tour across the Limestone Coast to Portland and Port Fairy, meeting so many wonderful people and sharing the history behind the SS Admella and the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse. I am finally able to sit and take a breath, before I move onto writing new stories!
Adelaide Launch
The Adelaide launch was on the 7th February at a local park, beneath the shady Moreton Bay Fig Trees. A lovely group of family and friends and fellow authors turned up to welcome the book into the world. Many books were bought and signed, cup cakes eaten and stories told. The Adelaide KidLit community really are a special bunch and I am ever grateful to my family and friends who always turn up to cheer me on.
Book Tour – Adelaide to Port Fairy!
My “Manager” John, (husband), and I, headed off on 11th February, on a hot and humid Adelaide morning, to travel 3.5 hours along the Limestone Coast to Kingston SE, home of the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse. We stayed at the fabulous caravan park across the road from the sparkling beach. We could see the lighthouse from our cabin! We visited the light keepers’ cottages, where we had a photo shoot with the book. We stayed inside the cottage on our reasearch tour and it was so special to return with the actual book!
The next day we travelled to Robe and I spoke to the very excited year 4/5 and year 6 classes about A Light on the Rocks and my other books. On Friday we spent the morning at the Kingston Primary School, where I spoke with years 3, 4, 5 and 6. We had a wonderful time, sharing the history, making up our own maritime stories and acting them out! We also visited the actual settlement of Cape Jaffa, walked on the jetty and the beautiful beach. It wasn’t a clear enough day to see the remains of the lighthouse platform, which is 8 kms out to sea, but the beach and jetty are gorgeous.
The official launch at the Cape Jaffa Lighthouse was held on Saturday 14th February. It was a dream come true! The lighthouse was recently renovated and she was glowing. We sat underneath the lighthouse, the red struts all around us, the signal flags flying, spelling out – A Light on the Rocks. The lovely locals filled the seats and purchased lots of books. Perfect hosting by Allison Stillwell and all of the National Trust committee and lighthouse guides, and EXCELLENT and thoughtful questions from Amanda (many I’d never been asked before!). This was a dream launch. Photos in and under the lighthouse. Conversations about history, lighthouses and writing. Perfect weather. I am so grateful. Thank you to everyone who came and who supported the launch of this special book.
The following day, we packed up and headed to Port MacDonnell. A gorgeous seaside town, with a fabulous local community. Country people really are my kind of people! It was such a warm chat at the Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum and Port MacDonnell Community Complex, beautifully hosted by Sarah and Emma, with full seats and a very engaged crowd for a Sunday morning! A long signing line of people kindly found cash to share with each other to purchase books when my eftpos system played up!
Met some lovely people, including Uncle Ken from Bush Adventures who had just arrived back from fishing all night! We spent the afternoon and night in Port MacDonnell and would love to go back for a longer time. The beach is gorgeous and there is a lot of history in the town.
On Monday morning we were up early and off to Portland, Victoria. It was HOT! And humid. Our accommodation had a glorious view across the ocean and port. We explored the area and had a rest! On Tuesday, we visited the Portland Maritime Discovery Centre, hosted by Agostina, where some students came to listen to my author talk, held right beside the actual lifeboat that rescued people from the SS Admella. Later that evening, we returned to present another talk to the local community. Both events were wonderful! To be able to stand beside some of the real relics from the shipwreck, as well as stories about the heroes, and visit places like Mac’s Hotel, which features in the book, was really exciting. The support from the Portland Maritime Museum and Library was outstanding.
Our final destination was the pretty seaside town of Port Fairy, where Jo from Blarney Books and Art hosted me for an evening event. A lovely fan came to see me earlier in the afternoon to get her copy of The Rebels of Mount Buffalo signed, and her grandmother returned in the evening to buy all my books! The audience were wonderful and even asked me to read my first ‘published’ book written when I was 6! This bookshop is divine! Like a magical world. I didn’t want to leave! We will be back!
This was honestly the best book tour we have ever had! Thank you to everyone who came out to support me and bought copies of A Light on the Rocks and my other books. And to all of the generous people who hosted us, championed my story and joined us in celebrating their local history. Most of all, thank you to my husband, John, who is my biggest supporter, best road trip buddy and excellent tour manager.
A Light on the Rocks is available from bookshops across Australia, online and my bookshop. All books sold via me come with my very special charm boomarks, which ran out on tour! I have now restocked!
Now, to get on with writing the next few books!
xx Helen
