The Edge of Limits by Susanne Gervay

Released: 1 November 2022

Published by: Flying Elephants Media

Genre: YA Contemporary

Pages: 305

Booktopia | QBD | Susanne Gervay Website

When Sam, 17, treks into the wilderness on the school survival camp, he misses his girlfriend Laura with her belly-button ring. The gruelling physical challenges are hard, sometimes hilarious, sometimes cruel as he treks deeper into unknown territory forced to confront the underbelly of real mateship, sexual consent and the dangers of guys like Watts. Ultimately, the camp winds to the final place of initiation, to the edge of limits, where Sam must choose what he stands for. This is a journey from the city culture of beach parties, girlfriends, sex and consent, to the vast wilds of trekking, abseiling, rock climbing, white-water rafting, sweaty days and freezing nights. This is a novel which needed to be written and needs to be read.

The YA space is one where authors have the opportunity to explore the real issues facing young people through fiction that pushes the boundaries and confronts readers with its raw honesty. It's an honour to host Susanne Gervay on the blog today, an Australian writer who is well-known for her books in both the children's and teen arenas, with a focus on young people finding their voice. In The Edge of Limits this comes to the fore - a novel that goes to the heart of the complexities of growing into the identities that shape us at this turbulent stage of life. 

Author Interview with Susanne Gervay

What are the main elements of The Edge of Limits that make it relatable to its target audience?

‘The Edge of Limits’ is a camp trekking into the mountains with the dreaded ‘long-drop’, no showers, sleeping on rocks, hard trekking, abseiling, climbing, wild rivers, wilderness. There are the boys on the camp, but there’s are the girls too at the parties, beach culture, school. There’s humour, challenges, stories of mateship, enemies, friendship, families, school and personal relationships. It goes deep into the ethos of male identity and comes out with a courage. It gives girls insight in the way boys see them. It gives boys the powerful opportunity of thinking about how they will act. It’s a book that changes you.

A stand-out element of the story for me was Sam's relationship with his grandfather. What drove you to explore the influence of different male role models in the life of teenage boys?

Men matter. Boys matter. Sam’s relationship with his grandfather matters. His grandfather has life experience and he shares it with his grandson. It gives Sam choices. His grandfather is beside him, even after his death, although it takes time for Sam to understand this. As the boys go deeper into the mountains, they confront their search for identity. ‘Heroic’ Luke reveals his father has expectations he struggles to meet. The teacher Mr Seaton, who Sam calls the ‘orangutan’ just doesn’t get the complexity of identity crisis. ‘Fat George’ with his Italian background is ‘beautiful’ although he doesn’t know it. Sam’s relationship with George helps him define who he is. The girls matter too. How the boys treat them from a stereotypical object to discard or not, to that deep sharing of youth. The search for identity is complex and confronting.

There is a strong yet subtly woven storyline surrounding consent and the manifestation of toxic behaviour with a "nothing to see here" culture driven by some of the characters. Given it is such a big issue, did you have any challenges in coming up with how this would come through in the book?

It was hard writing ‘The Edge of Limits’. I had to get into the male mindset. Identification with the character drives ‘The Edge of Limits’. Sexuality is the trigger, but the search for identity is the journey. ‘Nothing to see here’ is on the surface, but there is so much to see. It’s about girls – getting them, discarding them, wanting them where consent is subjective or coercive or real love or distorted through peer group pressure of the Rave Party and the rape. 

Without giving too much away, is there a particular line or scene in The Edgs of Limits which you found particularly powerful while writing it?

‘The Edge of Limits’ holds so many powerful moments. I find it difficult to decide what moves me most. All of it really. This scene with Sam and the grandfather stays with me:-

We were walking back from the river, pretty satisfied with ourselves. We’d caught three trout and dinner looked like it was going to be great. Grandpa had his fishing rod over his shoulder and I was holding the fishing box and bucket with the trout. We’d seen dogs in the area, so when we set up camp we’d been careful to move away from their territory. "Don't trespass," Grandpa said.

But these were looking for trouble. They found us walking back and started to follow, tagging us with low growls.

"Grandpa," I whispered.

 

Grandpa looked back at them. "It's all right, Sam."

 

I saw from the periphery of my eye their snarls, the black undersides of their lips, their yellow fangs, their butcher tongues.

 

"Walk next to me," Grandpa said quietly. "Not too fast."

 

I wanted to run. I knew they’d get me if I ran, but that was what I wanted to do. I started to walk faster. They did too. Then they began to gain on us, worrying the bush, snarling jarring growls. I walked faster, they moved more quickly. I smelt their spit.  Suddenly Grandpa clenched my arm, forcing me to stop. I could hardly breathe. He turned around.  I turned around after him.

 

Snarling saliva dripped like blood. They were going to rip out our throats for sure. I was cold, frozen, breathing razor blades. I looked at Grandpa. We had nothing to fight with. He stared into their eyes and they stared back still edging forward. Then Grandpa started. I’d never heard him swear like that before but he swore then, angry frightening swearing, obscenities of words, spitting out “fucking bastards” “crap dogs”  "bloody animals”  “killing shits" "fuck off”. 

I couldn’t move. The ferals stopped edging towards us unsure of whom this ferocious Grandpa was in his checked flannel shirt. He took out his flimsy fishing rod whipping it at the dogs, then he charged them, my Grandpa with his white hair and heavy rimmed glasses.

They stopped snarling, unsure, then they turned, running like cowards into the scrub.

I learnt something that day.

How did the experience of writing this novel compare with your previous works? I still remember reading I Am Jack and Super Jack when I was a child!

All my writing is inspired by my experiences. When I wrote the ‘I Am Jack’ books I was shell-shocked that my son was bullied at school and I did not know. My kids mean everything to me, but I was so busy working and managing life. When I asked Jack if I could write the book, he said – ‘It helps kids and teachers and parents. So it is okay.’

 

As it is a younger book, I entered into the mind of Jack and his community, and wrote from his perspective. Kids are remarkably resourceful. When Jack is happy and safe, he is adventurous and hilarious. When confronted by the bullying, he tries to keep brave, until he can’t anymore. There is so much in ‘I Am Jack’ and the other books ‘Super Jack’, ‘Always Jack’, ‘Being Jack’.  They are such gorgeous books about resilience and courage.

 

When I wrote ‘The Edge of Limits’ I went into tough territory. It is YA so I wrote with truth. It was so liberating. I did not have to make compromises. I wrote the narratives that capture male humour, challenges, stories of mateship, enemies, friendship, families, school and personal relationships. ‘The Edge of Limits’ take teens to the edge. They can confront racism, homophobia, misogyny, sexual abuse. However more importantly they confront their personal journey of identity. Who they want to be. ‘The Edge of Limits’ is an edgy place to make those critical choices.

The boys in this book all have very different personalities and ways of coping with the challenges of the camp. What were the easiest and most challenging aspects of capturing the adolescent experience in this situation?

During teen and young adult years, the brain that is responsible for reasoning, planning, and problem solving, is developing. When you add puberty, peer group pressure and often alcohol, it can lead to impulsive action. As an author, I go to the hard places of identity. I laughed when there was the leech invasion, but could hardly breathe when Sam witnessed the rape. There are so many choices, dead-ends, feelings of ‘If Not Me, Who? If Not Now, When?’  

I love the personal growth we see in so many of the main characters in your stories and unique, honest voices of the protagonists that shine through. Could you give us a sneak peek as to what you're working on next? 

I am having a ‘rest’ from confronting YA literature and delving into joy. ‘There’s a Gang on Our Street’ stars sulphur crested cockatoos and kids. It is so funny and naughty, celebrating diversity, games, adventures. It has a non-fiction element with lots to learn. Did you know that sulphur-crested cockatoos play tricks? Did you know that kids are just like the cockatoos? Big Sky publishers fell in love with this picture book. Looking forward to its publication in 2023.

About the author

You’ll find Susanne Gervay planting 3000 mangroves in Kiribati as part of a mission for action against climate change. In Istanbul speaking to 1000s of young people about NO bullying. In remote Aboriginal communities supporting education. In a juvenile detention centre sharing books with teenage girls. At the World Burn Congress in New York presenting ‘how the inner person can triumph over a preoccupation with surface scars and know that basic values of commitment, caring and trust are more important than the texture of the skin.’

 

Why? Gervay’s passion is empowering people to be critical thinkers and develop the resilience to advocate for justice. As the child of refugees, growing up with the emotional complexities of parents who had been through the Holocaust, migration and loss, books were Gervay’s source of escape, comfort, insight and courage.

 

Gervay tackles themes from feminism in Shadows of Olive Trees, harmony and inclusion in Elephants Have Wings, extremism and the war in Heroes of the Secret Underground, and consent and control in her new Young Adult novel out November 1, The Edge of Limits. What she writes matters to her deeply and is grounded in personal experience.

 

Gervay has been awarded the Lifetime Social Justice Literature Award by the International Literacy Association, Order of Australia, nominee for Australia for Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, amongst others. Her acclaimed stories are published in prestigious literary journals and anthologies including the Indian-Australian anthologies alongside the works of Sir Salman Rushdie and Thomas Keneally. She represented Australian in “Peace Story” an IBBY, UNICEF anthology with 22 authors and 22 illustrators from 22 countries. She continues to write for pathways to peace.

 

Her books are endorsed by The Cancer Council, Room to Read, Books in Homes reaching Indigenous and disadvantaged children, Life Education, as well as many anti-bullying and literacy organisations. Susanne heads the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (ANZ), is patron of Monkey Baa Theatre, ambassador for Room to Read, Reading and literacy Ambassador for many campaigns and is an acclaimed national and international speaker.

 

You can find more information at www.sgervay.com or contact anna@allaboutpr.com.au.

Author Interview with singer-songwriter Ziggy Alberts: Brainwaves

Brainwaves by Ziggy Alberts

Released: 3 February 2021

Published by: Commonfolk Publishing

Genre: Poetry

Pages: 88

Booktopia | Angus&Robertson | Ziggy Alberts Website

A debut collection of poetry from platinum ARIA accredited artist Ziggy Alberts, 'brainwaves', explores life's experiences and emotions, inwards and out. Deeply personal, frank, insightful yet relatable, Alberts uncovers his introspective thoughts and lessons learned in conscious and intentional living. Differentiating from his lyrical work, readers can discover some of Alberts' most personal realisations from life at home and on the road. Divided into 4 chapters, each poem entices the next train of thought. Alberts masterfully draws observations of the natural environment to paint his experience of introspective moments. He contemplates modern-day dilemmas, timeless topics of purpose, trust, stillness, and love.

I've long been a fan of Ziggy Alberts' music, with the lyrics that sing homage to nature, love and appreciating small moments of stillness bringing so much joy to listen to - especially on the open road driving down the coast! In Brainwaves, there's a thought-provoking exploration of these same themes, with even deeper insights through poems that demonstrate the talent of one of Australia's best independent artists.

Author Interview Ziggy Alberts

What were some of the best and most challenging moments during your time bringing Brainwaves together?

The best time was holding the first copy I had printed and collated myself while I was on tour - that was beautiful. The most challenging part was rising above the burnout I had a couple of years ago that inspired the beginning of this project.

Did your writing process for Brainwaves coordinate in any way with writing for your Searching for Freedom album? How does the creative process differ between lyrics for a song and a stand-alone poem?

There are some small crossovers you will find in the book - I hope you like them :) Largely they are stand-alone projects, with very few lyrics found in the poetry book. Poetry wells up largely from mindfulness, whereas lyrics are written with a message in mind! That is the best way I can describe the difference in the creative process. 

What I've noticed in a lot of your songs and this poetry collection is the recurring theme of the healing and peace afforded through a connection to the ocean. Was there a specific moment in your life that helped you reach this realisation?

There have already been many important moments in my life where nature has provided me with much-needed peace - it's an ongoing realisation for me. 

The phrase "The things I am most gravely frightened of is not experiencing life as beautifully as I can express it in words" is a powerful statement in the book. In Brainwaves you seem to reflect on some deeply personal experiences, heartbreak and finding beauty in the quiet moments in life. What inspired you to share these in the open with your readers?

Through sharing my songs, my life has been a wonderful adventure. With that in mind, I wondered if sharing my poetry could do the same, and perhaps even more!

Searching for Freedom, Bright Lights, Simple Things and the reminder that it's simply being 'guided by the warmth against your skin' from Brainwaves (p. 86) celebrate embracing the release of time pressures, societal expectation and being guided by more than just the usual 'formula' of life. What advice would you give to people aiming to live simply?

I don't know if I can give advice on that topic; I'm still learning (haha) - but I would like to encourage people to value themselves enough to be fulfilled in their work. If you can find something that does that, it will be amazing for yourself and many others.

What is your favourite aspect of performing on stage? I'm pretty sure there are many fans looking forward to attending readings of Brainwaves too when we can! Could you give us a sneak peek at what you might be working on next?

My favourite part is the connection with the crowd and musician, writer and reader. Doing these poetry nights has been unreal so far - I look forward to doing more. I can't give a sneak peek, but we continue to have exciting releases in the following months so keep your eyes and ears peeled! :) 

About the author

Ziggy Alberts is an Australian singer-songwriter and author, whose genuine grassroots story and captivating live performances have built his career as one of Australia’s leading independent artists. When it came to making his musical vision a reality, Ziggy Alberts was always intent on establishing himself as an independent artist. In 2015 Ziggy’s older sister Anneka began managing him. In 2018, Ziggy alongside his sister and father, co-founded Commonfolk Records and soon after in 2020, his independent publishing house, Commonfolk Publishing. Alongside the release of brainwaves, Ziggy’s new album searching for freedom celebrates the next chapter in the evolution of Ziggy Alberts. The 12-track record promises to be an exploration into some of humanity’s most heartfelt and complex emotions, translated into beautiful simplicity by Ziggy’s capable hands. In his own words, the album is “an expression of an adventure that I’ve realised will last a lifetime”  

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Author Interview with Sophie Cunningham: Wonder - 175 Years of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Wonder: 175 Years of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria by Sophie Cunningham and Peter Wilmoth

Released: 29 September 2021

Published by: Hardie Grant Books

Genre: Non-fiction, Gardening

Pages: 264

Booktopia | QBD | Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

They sit in the physical and emotional heart of our city, and have done so for 175 years. Most of us have spent time there, and they mean different things to each of us. The Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne have been a place of calm, a site for reflection, creative inspiration, discovery, romance and even refuge. Anyone who has visited has a story. Now a range of these stories from Victorians from many fields is gathered in the lavish publication Wonder: 175 Years of Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria

Told through conversations with writers Sophie Cunningham and Peter Wilmoth, there are stories of Nick Cave conceiving the first lines of a novel there, of actor and writer Michael Veitch being taught the classics on its lawns, of a marriage that took place just days before COVID-19 began its grim sweep across the world, closing sites such as the Gardens for the first time in history. Boonwurrung Elder Aunty Carolyn Briggs tells stories of Country that reach back through millennia, while Landscape Architect Andrew Laidlaw shares the inspiration for some of the Gardens’ more recent landscapes. Horticulturalist Gemma Cotterell tells us about her work on the Australian Forest Walk; architect Kerstin Thompson reminds us of the secrets the Gardens hold and the way those secrets transform landscape into dreamscape; and botanist Neville Walsh shares his excitement on the discovery of a new species of wattle.

The important matters of plant extinction and climate change (including water usage) are also addressed, reminding the reader of the critical role played by our public gardens in securing the future of the planet through its science, irreplaceable collections and conservation action.

With superb photography by Leigh Henningham, the book is about the people’s gardens, and these stories will resonate with readers who cherish their own experiences there.

Some 'coffee-table' books will sit on the mantelpiece or be discarded among the ornaments, scented candles and long-lost scented candles. Others, like Wonder draw you into their pages with personal stories that celebrate the beauty of nature and importance of green spaces in our everyday lives. This is a collection which specifically focuses on the Royal Botanic Gardens in Melbourne, but also reaches further in exploring what it means to look up at the trees, breathe in the fresh air and get lost among the paths of shrubs and flowerbeds to find your own hidden oasis. Read on below for my interview with one of the authors, Sophie Cunningham!

Author Interview Sophie Cunningham

One of the really interesting elements of this book is told as exploring "secrets the Gardens hold and the way those secrets transform landscape into dreamscape". What does this mean to you?

I love the way that public spaces can have private and personal meanings. As a child I always loved playing in gardens that I imagined to be jungles, and places of adventure. One of my favourite books was 'The Secret Garden'. But the point is, I suppose, that most people feel like that. It was lovely to be able to talk to people about their emotional responses to the RBGV.

What are some of your own favourite memories and experiences in the gardens?

I really love walking around the bottom of the gardens, where you can find traces of the Yarra's original path, and walk around the lakes that were once part of the wetlands in the area. There are some very special river red gum down there as well. The lion head tree is probably my favourite in the gardens. I also love the Oaks that have been planted throughout Melbourne's Botanic Gardens. Sitting under them is good for the soul.

How did the writing process for this book differ from some of your other works?

The book was interview led - it gives voice to other people's voices and experiences. I did write a book about Cyclone Tracy which also took this approach. I enjoy working this way. Other people's stories always strike me as more interesting than my own.

In collating these stories, was there one in particular which especially resonated with you?

To be honest I have trouble picking a favourite. I loved hearing from Senior Conservation Botanist Neville Walsh - I’m particularly interested in the research and conservation work that the RBGV does. Horticulturalist Gemma Cotterell is doing great things with the Australian Forest Walk. I had a very nice time hanging out with the Manager of Arboriculture, Charlie Carroll, and talking about trees. My interview with Dean Stewart, about the pre-white settlement life of the RBGV landscape, and setting up the Aboriginal Heritage Walks in 1998 were fascinating. Stewart is a great story teller and historian.

How do you feel that being immersed in nature through both the wilderness and in structured landscapes such as botanic gardens can improve and add value to our everyday lives?

I think that having access to natural spaces - designed or not - is as essential to us as breathing. (Indeed, if you want to draw a long bow - trees help us breathe). 

After bringing this book together, what would be your top recommendations of sites to see for people visiting for the first time?

I’m not sure I can or should make recommendations - everyone will be looking for a different private moment, to get back to your first question. As Den Fisher said when I interviewed Dennis Fisher, who has led Aboriginal heritage walks for more than ten years, picking a favourite section of the gardens would be like picking a favourite niece or nephew. Impossible!

 

What would be the top three things you've opened your eyes to after penning these experiences and stories of the Gardens?

1. The extraordinary leadership work of the RGBV particularly with the development of its Landscape Succession Plan, and founding of the Climate Change Alliance

2. The work of the Victorian Conservation Seedbank

3. Being allowed to see some of the early collections that are held by the RGBV, which includes a banksia collected by Joseph Banks

About the author

Sophie Cunningham AM is the author of six books, including City of Trees – Essays on life, death and the need for a forest; Warning – The story of Cyclone Tracy; Melbourne; Bird; and Geography. She is also editor of the collection Fire, Flood, Plague: Australian writers respond to 2020. Sophie’s former roles include as a book publisher and editor, chair of the Literature Board of the Australia Council, editor of the literary journal Meanjin, and co-founder of The Stella Prize celebrating women’s writing. She is now an adjunct professor at RMIT University’s non/fiction Lab. In 2019, Sophie was made a Member of the Order of Australia for her contributions to literature.

Author Interview: The Unflinching Ash by Angela Armstrong

The Unflinching Ash by Angela Armstrong

Released: 12 July 2021

Published by: Norsou Books

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 353

Amazon | Author Website | Goodreads

In a world like ours, Mystics once ruled the night. Well, so long as they were men. On Ash’s day of naming, she chose the Mystic path nonetheless. The same illusions that garner gasps of awe from the lamp-lit crowds earn her scorn from the basilica. There is only one way forward: a perilous quest – earn the Queen’s Seal, a badge of honour, and immunity. She’ll simply have to avoid being hanged, burned or drowned first.                                                                                                   

When one of my favourite authors of all time, Rachael Craw, put this book on my radar I knew it must be something special! It's clear that Angela Armstrong knows how to pull together a YA-crossover-fantastical story with a strong female lead, healthy dose of humour and key message echoed below that "there isn't one right way to forge a brave path". Read on for more!

Author Interview with Angela Armstrong

Firstly, a big congratulations on publishing The Unflinching Ash! How did the experience of writing this book compare with the novelettes you have released in the past?

The writing experiences for the Gen2K novel and novelettes and The Unflinching Ash had a surprising amount in common. Both were written in answer to disappointment, and then asking, “What if..?”. The Gen2K stories were born of my own infertility crisis, and the discovery of little-known consequences for undertaking IVF treatment.  I then asked, “What if after millions undertook this treatment, the worst happened?” For The Unflinching Ash, I left an international magic show with my three daughters, frustrated by their uncertainty about whether they could aspire to be a magician or only a magician’s assistant. I then asked, “What if there were more renowned female Illusionists?”

While the impetus for writing in both worlds was similar, my approach for each was very different. The Unflinching Ash was written for a long time with an excellent editor from one of the big houses giving me feedback – it was always intended as my chief commercial debut. The Gen2K pieces were what I wrote while I waited. As most people know, busy editors don’t always reply right away. So I could giddily send 15K words of new Ash materia and watch my Inbox, but it would be some time before the editor would come back with notes on what had become a new version of a 100K manuscript. So I filled my back catalogue, did next to nothing to promote it, and waited for the next set of directives for Ash. This allowed me to always be writing, and hopefully offers any keen readers who devour Ash the pleasant surprise of finding more by this author, if they go looking.

What drove you to write in the genre of YA fantasy and what's it like as an author coming up with worldbuilding elements as well as portraying characters which readers can relate to?

A double-barrel! Like a fair share of other writers, I was once a High School English teacher.  I also reviewed screeds of YA ARCs and interviewed YA authors for publishers such as Walker and Hachette for a decade. So I know a little about this age group, the YA market, and the coming-of-age characters populating it. I love YA. While it’s never too late to discover the magic of reading, so many life-long readers’ devotion is earned during those crucial years, and that’s something I want to be a part of. There is a lot of discussion right now about YA no longer being for YA. I lament if this is true!  I hope that instead of striving to push any adults who are reading YA out, we do our best to reclaim any young adults no longer in. For me, one of the most beautiful things about strong YA, is that those stories appeal beyond the young adult years. How incredible if a book keeps being good, as you grow older? Thus, I hope bookstores will file The Unflinching Ash as Cross-over Fiction – great for ages 15+, or confident younger readers. I’m hoping adults will read Ash alongside the young people in their lives. 

You also might find it in the Alternative History, Historical Fiction or YA sections.  Ash is often dubbed as Fantasy, but strictly speaking, I’m not sure it’s fantastical. This is a story about the magic and mystique drawn from within, rather than the magic a mage might conjure with a wand. It’s about illusions, mentalism and showmanship rather than spells.  I hope in it you’ll find a world like ours, but different, with a sassy heroine worth rooting for.  I thrilled in re-imagining our dark ages a little brighter for having Ash in it.

What are some of your favourite and also most challenging aspects of writing that people may not always recognise or talk about?

One of my favourite things about writing is re-reading my own stuff after I’ve set it aside for a while to work on something else. It’s a treat to return to something with fresh eyes and have you sneak up on you. 

I have always backed myself – I know I can write.  But self-promotion is hard. I want readers to know I can write, but I’m no peacock. Finding a way to say, “Do you see my feathers?” without fanning them out is proving difficult.  

Without giving too much away, is there a particular quote or moment in the book which is particularly meaningful to you?

This quote comes from when we meet Ash’s sister, Grete:

Grete wore caution like a crown.  Although Ash and Grete were both born from the same Mapa and Papal, the sisters were antipodean enchantresses.  To Ash the Mysteries had dealt passion, grit and tireless intent, which she carried like a loaded quiver on her strong, lithe frame.  Grete’s appeal was no less, but instead came by way of caution, calm and censure – an attractive safe harbour expressed in her soft edges and soft speech.  Both young women had thick dark hair and the blessing of symmetry on their side.  Both could sneak.

This quote is particularly meaningful to me because it introduces an essential paradigm for the story – these two are both strong, impressive women, but they have responded to trauma and plotted their course in very different ways, and that’s okay – there isn’t one right way to forge a brave path.

If there were three key messages you'd hope readers would be able to take away from The Unflinching Ash and bring into our world, what would they be?

1) There isn’t one right way to forge a brave path. Find yours and take it, allows others to choose their own. 

2) Don’t let the haters get you down.

3) Confidence does not make a woman a b*tch. 

Can I say that?

After this impressive release, could you give us a hint at what you're working on next?

Kind. I'm already elbows deep in a contemporary middle grade magical realism novel set in New Zealand.

About the author

Before writing books, Angela studied English and Film at the University of Otago, taught full-time in schools, owned an art gallery, and reviewed books for trade publishers. She lives with her husband Haki in Northland, New Zealand, where she devotes her non-writing hours to home-schooling three chatty daughters who have inherited a fierce love of words from their mother.

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Review & Author Interview: Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker

Waking Romeo by Kathryn Barker

Released: 1 March 2021

Published by: Allen and Unwin

Genre: YA Science Fiction

Source: Publisher

Pages: 396

Rating: 5 of 5 stars

QBD | Booktopia | Goodreads

What if Juliet Capulet met someone who made her doubt true love? What if Wuthering Heights was a message to a time traveller? A cosmic reimagining of Romeo and Juliet and homage to two literary classics in a compelling novel about fate, love and time travel from an award-winning author. YEAR: 2083. LOCATION: LONDON. MISSION: WAKE ROMEO. It's the end of the world. Literally. Time travel is possible, but only forwards. And only a handful of families choose to remain in the 'now', living off the scraps that were left behind. Among these are eighteen-year-old Juliet and the love of her life, Romeo. But things are far from rosy for Jules. Romeo is in a coma and she's estranged from her friends and family, dealing with the very real fallout of their wild romance. Then a handsome time traveller, Ellis, arrives with an important mission that makes Jules question everything she knows about life and love. Can Jules wake Romeo and rewrite her future? A highly original mashup that delights as it disorients ... and asks what would have happened if two great literary love stories were somehow intertwined. 

Six years ago I read an amazing book by a debut Aussie Author - In the Skin of a Monster. This year Kathryn Barker is back with another equally captivating read, and wow did it deliver. I'm calling it - Waking Romeo is the most unique book I'm going to read this year! Full of mind-bending twists, super clever links to classic literature and a message on love and life that is both delicately and fiercely told, all I can say is...read it. You won't be disappointed.

Author Interview with Kathryn Barker

Firstly, congratulations on another stunning release. In the Skin of a Monster has still stuck with me 6 years after reading it and Waking Romeo is just as captivating! How did the idea for this new book come about and what were your biggest motivators to release a second book?

Thanks so much for your kind words - I’m trilled that In the Skin of a Monster and Waking Romeo resonated with you! As for where the idea for Waking Romeo came from… I suppose it was from contemplating love stories and the romantic ideal. I read both Romeo & Juliet and Wuthering Heights when I was in high school, and (as a hopeless romantic) I was captivated by the love stories. But when I got older, I realised that the examples they set weren’t exactly healthy - especially when it came to the women. I wanted to deconstruct those two classics and imagine a story where the girl had more agency. 

As for my biggest motivators to release a second book… the simple truth is, I love writing. I also find that it helps me understand my truths, the world and my own experiences. 

Was there a particular person or influence in your life at the time of writing Waking Romeo which made a special contribution to your writing process for the book in any way?

Waking Romeo was written at a time when I was reconfiguring what love meant to me, and who I was as my own person. That experience clearly reflected in the book...so perhaps the 'significant influence' was my own personal growth and revolution.

As a time travel novel, there are so many different plot points and significant moments which you've woven so cleverly together - what was it like writing a book with such an interconnected storyline that makes use of bending timelines?

It was a challenge! Getting the plot right was enormously tricky, especially since I didn’t want it to detract from the characterisation. Having said that the Universe is full of beautiful coincidences, and so often connections would just land in my lap. When that happened, it reinforced the feeling that I was on the right track, which was wonderful.

The characters in this book were so vividly portrayed, and I especially enjoyed how the classic literary references had influence in a way I've never seen before. What were some of the most challenging/enjoyable aspects of mixing genres in this way?

Thank you so much! I suppose the biggest challenge was finding the right balance between respecting the source text/ characterisation, while giving myself permission to explore something new without feeling constrained. The most enjoyable aspect was definitely getting to dip into Shakespeare and Bronte! Getting to incorporate some of their incredible words/ worlds/ characters into my story was such a gift. 

Without giving too much away, is there a particular quote or moment from the book which means a lot to you personally?

The final page of the book is my favourite, because it encapsulates both Jules' truth and my own.

For young and older readers alike picking up Waking Romeo, is there a particular message to think about you hope they can gain from it? For me, it was definitely the focus on living each moment fully and appreciating the present, while also gaining insights on how to build on a better future.

Yes - investing in the ’now’ (rather than focusing on the past or on the future) is a big one for me too, as is caring for our environment. However, I think one of the core themes that underpins Waking Romeo is the idea of challenging romantic ideals and our concept of what love is. I hope to give readers the space to consider the ‘epic romances’ in stories like Romeo & Juliet and Wuthering Heights and think about how that stacks up against more modern ideals. 

Is there anything you can share with us on what you're currently working on/doing outside of writing?

With Waking Romeo, I really enjoyed delving into classic works of literature and then finding an angle for a modern retelling. I’m working on a new story which explores that territory again…  but the threads haven’t woven themselves together enough yet for me to explain it coherently! 

As for what I’m doing outside of writing… I’m planning a camping trip, because I want to sleep under the stars!

 

About the author

Kathryn Barker was born in Canberra, started primary school in Tokyo and finished high school in the woods outside Olympia, Washington State. In the years that followed she went to university, became a lawyer, completed her masters in film production and worked in television. She currently lives in Sydney with her family. Kathryn's first novel, In the Skin of a Monster, was published to high acclaim and won the Aurealis Award for Best Young Adult Novel, was short-listed for two Davitt Awards and was a CBCA Notable Book. Waking Romeo is her second novel.

Author Interview: Talking Sense Audiobook - Living with sensory changes and dementia by Agnes Houston and Julie Christie

Talking Sense: Living With Sensory Changes and Dementia by Agnes Houston with Julie Christie

Released: 19th September 2020
Published by: Dementia Centre

**Download a free copy of the book here!**

Dementia Centre | Hard copy book | More on Agnes Houston

Talking Sense: Living with sensory changes and dementia, written by Agnes Houston MBE with Dr Julie Christie, is a popular print and online resource and now for the first time will be available as an audio book. This is one of the first audio books in the world to use dementia-friendly audio to ensure it is readily accessible for people living with dementia, along with carers and supporters. “We’ve created this new audiobook version of Talking Sense to support people who are more comfortable with auditory learning – particularly people with dementia who may find it difficult to read or focus on words on a page.” A/Prof Cunningham said. The audio book provides an opportunity for people with dementia to engage with helpful information and practical advice in a format which is especially tailored for their needs. Talking Sense is the culmination of more than a decade of research by Agnes Houston after she was diagnosed with younger onset dementia in 2006. She found that not only was there little support for continued independence, but what support there was had virtually no awareness of the common experience of sensory change. “It was as if I had been given a diagnosis, was assessed cognitively, medication monitored and left to my own devices,” Ms Houston said. “Instead, I chose to go on a quest for knowledge to understand what was happening to me. Surely, I was not the only one having these sensory changes?” Ms Houston is known internationally as an advocate for people living with dementia and in 2016, she completed a Churchill Fellowship to continue her learning about the often-overlooked issue of sensory challenges.

Last month I had the opportunity to attend HammondCare's international dementia conference, showcasing a range of speakers and events surrounding topics on residential care design, different approaches to caring for people living with dementia and emerging research/educational resources being published in the area. With a rise in Australia's ageing population and the need for increased services and resources specifically directed at understanding dementia and how it affects people's lives, I believe that books like Talking Sense are more important than ever to raise awareness on this important issue. More information can be found on the Dementia Centre's Knowledge Hub here. 

Author Interview

How did the idea for writing Talking Sense first come about? Were there specific gaps in current literature and resources for carers and people living with dementia which acted as a key influence?

Agnes: I was diagnosed with younger onset dementia of the Alzheimer’s type in 2006.  My care afterwards was in the hands of the old age psychiatry service.  It consisted of a dementia ‘early onset’ nurse to monitor my medication and my cognitive function. I found it to be a negative experience, which was all about loss.  There was no attention paid to my sensory challenges, no rehabilitation programme and no counselling.  I felt as if my care was out of my hands. I consulted my optician who knew little about dementia.  My GP team knew little about the sensory challenges associated with dementia.  My psychiatrist made time to talk and listened to my experiences but I felt that little practical help was given to me. Something was missing.  It was as if I had been given a diagnosis, was assessed cognitively, medication monitored and left to my own devices.  Instead, I chose to go on a quest for knowledge to understand what was happening to me.  Surely, I was not the only one having these sensory changes.  This prompted me to ask other people living with dementia about their experiences. As a result, I produced in 2015 a booklet ‘Dementia and Sensory Challenges’ (funded by the Life Changes Trust in Scotland.  In 2016, I obtained a Churchill Fellowship to travel to other countries to learn more.  My findings confirmed the need for this handbook, which we hope will be a starting place for others to discover information on sensory challenges. Among other things, it shows who to go to for help, where support organisations can be located and how to access services and support.

What was the process for coming up with the idea of creating the work as an audiobook?

Julie: It was always our intention to have an audiobook. Talking Sense at its heart is about accessible information. Many of the people interested in this area are living with visual changes and so an audiobook is essential.

Agnes: As I previously was an army nurse, I was assessed for support by Scottish War Blind, who have been fantastic.Through their support I have learnt many skills for coping with sight challenges and have discovered how important audio versions are to ensure this information can be accessed by as many people as possible – friends supported by Scottish War Blind said is was “Always a hassle having to ask people to read it out to me”.

Through your research for the book in relation to dementia symptoms, what were some of the most surprising findings that general readers may not have expected?

Agnes: I was so surprised to discover that there isn’t a specialism and that people are expected to live with often severe changes without the support they might otherwise get with another health problem. You can get a test for hyperacusis, but it wasn’t being routinely offered. You need to ask for it – “the uncomfortable loudness test”. I was also surprised at the numbers of people having sensory challenges, which was higher than I ever anticipated and that these sensory challenges were causing them the most effect of their lives, rather than the memory problems.

Julie: From my perspective, as a nurse and a social worker, it was looking at the experience of sensory changes from the perspective of day to day impact. The ways in which sensory changes make you feel, for example, as a result of losing confidence in going out, the things you miss out on through this, the conversations you can’t take part in. Helping people to regain confidence or find new ways to self manage problems has been very rewarding.

How did you discover that sensory changes were a significant impairment associated with dementia?

Agnes: Many people who receive a diagnosis of dementia are aware that they may experience memory problems. But they are often surprised when they begin to encounter ‘unexplained’ sensory changes. I began having problems seeing things and went to my optician.  My optician said that my eyesight was perfect, but my brain was having problems processing what my eyes were seeing – something known as ‘brain blindness’.

In your opinion, what are some improvements that can be made in relation to community awareness about dementia, and particularly surrounding young onset dementia?

Agnes: Design, in my opinion. What is missing when people talk about improvements is the design – thinking about sensory changes.  You must speak to people with dementia. Signage – too much, the wrong information, too many words.

Julie: My own research is focused on the resilience of people living with dementia. Helping people to stay connected, have more control over their circumstances and have the opportunity to make sense of their lives all help to promote resilience and a sense of well-being. Whether this is something practical, such as, better design and way finding support, or making time to talk to people about their lives and what they want.  There is a lot we can do.

What are some of your top pieces of advice for aged care workers to better care for residents who are living with dementia? Are there differing challenges to watch out for compared to at-home carers?

Agnes: Think problem, think sensory, think solution. Read the book! It’s all in there. Just ask the person living with dementia. Be a detective.

Julie: Caring is a skilled job no matter the setting. Good care is built on relationships. This involves taking the time to get to know the person and working at their pace. Realising the importance of individuality, of everyday personal moments and routines. It is often the small things we do that are the most important. Ensuring we take the senses into account is an essential part of this.

Could you provide us with a glimpse of any other current research projects you're working on in this space?

Agnes: I am currently looking at research ethics regarding people with dementia. I am part of a panel, Dementia Enquirers, which has set Gold Standards to help people living with dementia to choose which research projects to be involved with. 

Julie: I’m continuing to work in the resilience space focusing on how care staff can use resilience in their day to day work with people living with dementia. Agnes and I are both advocates of learning about life through our shared experiences and resilience is often a subject we discuss. I admire her greatly for bringing this work to life for so many people.

About the authors

Agnes Houston MBE is a dementia activist who has always put others first. She was diagnosed with younger onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2006 at the age of 57. She has campaigned for best practice and improving the lives of people with dementia (especially those experiencing sensory issues) in Scotland and received a lifetime achievement award from Alzheimer Scotland in 2013. Agnes is former Chair of the Scottish Dementia Working Group and currently Vice Chair of the European Dementia Working Group and a board member of Dementia Alliance International. In 2015 Agnes was awarded an MBE and in 2016 was awarded a Churchill Fellow.

Dr Julie Christie is Service Manager - International at the Dementia Centre, HammondCare, based in the UK. Dr. Christie is a visiting Research Fellow with the University of Edinburgh and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of New South Wales with a focus on resilience, citizenship, and co-production.  She is a reviewer for the Journal of Research in Nursing, Ageing and Society and Dementia: The International Journal of Research and Practice. Dr Christie is currently the lead for the  Dementia Dog Programme evaluation and the Life Changes Trust funded Dementia Friendly Communities Programme, both in Scotland. She oversees the work of Dementia Support UK: Connect, Consult HammondCare’s UK consultancy service for care homes.  

Author Interview: Before the Beginning by Anna Morgan

Before the Beginning by Anna Morgan

Released: 29th September 2020
Published by: Hachette

Genre: YA Contemporary

Source: Publisher

Pages: 235

Author website | Booktopia | Goodreads

The story of four friends, a mysterious stranger, and the week when everything changed. For fans of We Were Liars. Schoolies week: that strange in-between time when teenagers move from school into the adult world. It's a week when anything is possible, and everything can change. Grace is questioning everything she thought about herself, and has opted not to join her clique of judgemental friends for schoolies, instead tagging along with her brother Casper and his friends. Casper, an artist, is trying to create the perfect artwork for his uni application folio. Overachieving, anxiety-ridden Noah is reeling from a catastrophe that might have ruined his ATAR result. And Elsie is just trying to figure out how to hold their friendship group together. On the first night of the trip, they meet Sierra, a mysterious girl with silver-grey hair and a magnetic personality. All of them are drawn to her for different reasons, and she persuades them to abandon the cliched schoolies experience in favour of camping with her on a remote, uninhabited island. On that island, each of them will find answers to their questions. But what does Sierra want from them? An empathetic and suspenseful coming-of-age story from the author of All That Impossible Space.

Equal parts suspense and coming-of-age novel, Before the Beginning is a unique offering in the YA contemporary space exploring the time between school ends and the future beyond. 

Author Interview with Anna Morgan

How did the writing process for Before the Beginning differ from the experience coming up with the plot for your first novel All That Impossible Space?

It was very different! I wrote All That Impossible Space over about four years of writing and redrafting (much longer if you count all the years the story was growing in the back of my mind). I wrote the first draft of Before the Beginning in about six months, so it was much faster. With my second book I knew from the start the specific characters and themes I wanted to explore, and I knew I wanted to set it over one week from different perspectives: having that structure in place helped focus the writing process. Since I was working with my publisher from the beginning, I had editors involved from much earlier in the drafting process. That was a little scary at first for me, but it made the book SO much better and I feel very grateful to have shaped the story with their guidance from those early stages. Oh, and I had more confidence in myself as a writer the second time around, since I knew I'd done it once and could do it again.

What drew you to exploring the coming of age period of time just after high school in this book?

One of my favourite aspects of YA novels is that in-between feeling of transformation and change, that is such a classic teenage experience. Schoolies week - that week just after school finishes - is an especially intense time for this feeling. It's after exams, but before your results, after school, but before many teens know what they are going to do next. It can bring up a lot of anxieties for people too since it's such a pressure-cooker setting - lots of emotional issues can bubble up to the surface, but there's also such a sense of energy and possibility over the week.

Was there a favourite character out of the group which you found was easier to make come to life on the page?

It's impossible to choose a favourite! I love all my characters and am frustrated by them in equal parts - even though all four are very different, they are all based on aspects of myself and they experience versions of what I went through in my teens and early twenties. I've had unreasonably high expectations of myself like Noah, or had a worldview that didn't fit with my experiences any more like Grace, I've struggled with creative blocks like Casper, and I've underestimated myself like Elsie. I did find that Noah's section flowed particularly well as I was writing - and every time I re-read it I just want to give him a big hug! - so I do have a soft spot for him.

What are some of the main messages you hope teens in the same position as some of the characters in this book will be able to reflect on?

The end of school was such an anxious and all-or-nothing time for me, and it is for some of my characters - the main message I want to pass on is that it is okay to change, it's okay to be unsure, and you will figure it out. It's much more important to figure out who you are and what you want from your future than it is to chase a perfect score or to get into the best course. I know this year's school leavers in particular have shown incredible resilience as they deal with the upheaval of 2020, and I hope they can take some comfort from the upheaval my characters go through - even if nothing goes to plan, you will get through to the other side.

Could you give us a sneak peek into what you may be working on next?

I really loved all the research I was able to do around setting for this book - I set the novel on a fictional version of an island I love off the South coast of NSW and I learned so much about all the wildlife and plants that live there. It was also a place under threat by the fires this January, which emphasised to me even more how important it is to celebrate this land in literature and how much we need to protect it. So that might be working its way into my next book - possibly looking at climate action and young people growing up in regional Australia. But don't hold me to that because it could completely change!

About the author

Anna was born in Sydney, but spent most of her childhood surrounded by mountains in Nepal and Tibet while her parents were part of an international community of health professionals. Navigating this cross-cultural life made her a curious observer of people, although most of her time was spent reading Enid Blyton and dreaming of going to boarding school. This did not cushion the shock of shifting from home-school in Tibet to an all-girls high school in Melbourne when her family returned to Australia. ALL THAT IMPOSSIBLE SPACE explores some of the intense and convoluted friendships that thrive in this setting. Anna completed a MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University in 2015, and now lives in Melbourne with her husband. She works as a bookseller.

Author Interview: A Taste of Life and Love in Australia by Margaret Lynette Sharp

A Taste of Life and Love in Australia by Margaret Lynette Sharp

Released: 10th May 2011
Published by: Self-published

Genre: Short Stories, Australian

Source: Library

Pages: 368

Author website | Amazon | Goodreads

This is a highly readable volume of Short Stories, set in modern Australia. Most tales are romantic. The book kicks off with 'The Girl Next Door', an engaging tale of a young man's affection for his neighbour, which sadly goes amiss just as he summons the courage to ask her out.

Other favourites include 'A Song for Ellie': a young man's struggle to be noticed by a singer; and 'The Blossoming': a young woman emerging into life and love. Like all Margaret Lynette Sharp's books, this is edited by her husband Ronald Sharp B.E.M., the creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House concert hall.

It's been so refreshing to visit the library again and stumble across some unexpected finds - I came across 'Tales of Life and Love in Australia' while on the lookout for some local authors. The short stories within it are wonderfully told and perfect for small snippets into the character's lives. I soon discovered that Margaret has written quite a few collections so will be checking them out soon!

Author Interview with Margaret Lynette Sharp

What have been the best/most challenging aspects of writing both short stories and longer fiction? How does your writing process for each style of book differ?

Part of the emotional reward I derive from writing fiction is the validation of garnering positive reviews from independent sources – which makes me feel as though I've brought a bit of pleasure to an audience – but probably the more important element is my own personal pleasure in reading the stories sometime later.

The most challenging aspect? There are several. Simply getting the first sentence on paper can be quite daunting. Waiting to see what others make of each book can also be stressful – especially when critics make unkind, and at times untruthful, observations.

My writing style is determined by the type of writing I’m attempting. My Australian romances are written in a fairly informal style, quite unlike my Jane Austen Fan Fiction tales, which are written to replicate Jane Austen’s voice as a revered Regency writer.

I really enjoyed your book A Taste of Life and Love in Australia! Back when you were focusing on Australian fiction, what drew you to the genre and where did your inspiration come from?

I’ve always liked writing short stories – especially romantic ones – and so it was an easy decision. In common with the other titles in this series, “A Taste of Life and Love in Australia” is written in the style of narrative (and thought) that comes most naturally to me. My own "stylistic register," I suppose you'd call it.  A few of the stories are loosely based on actual events in my own life.

Outside of writing, what are some other hobbies which bring you joy?

I’m a keen swimmer, especially in salt water in the summertime. My other favourite pursuit is playing the piano, to which I recently returned after a decade’s absence. Other matters had occupied my attention (and our Steinway had been in storage), but I've so enjoyed my return to the keyboard, that I now wish I’d never stopped playing…  Several of my books – and the "Elizabeth Simmons" series, in particular – have featured young female protagonists who were avid pianists and piano teachers (alter egos, I suppose, though much more proficient than I).

What are the three of the biggest life lessons you've learned through your journey as an author?

First, cultivate patience. It’s the lucky few who are overnight successes after a mere ten years…

Second, develop a thick skin. Remember, reviewers review themselves, and as they say (if they happen to be ancient Romans), "de gustibus non disputandum."

Third, never write purely in the pursuit of money. How can you be true to yourself when you’re simply striving to attract and secure a paying audience? And if you really want to generate income, there are certainly more reliable ways of doing it.

What types of books do you like to read?

I’ve always enjoyed the classics, and as a teenager and young woman, I devoured them in rapid succession. I also like stories such as those written by James Herriot.

Could you give us an insight into your latest release, and a sneak peek into what you're writing next?

My latest release is a Jane Austen Fan Fiction vignette, “A Ball at Longbourn,” which sheds light on the character of the Bennet girls, and especially Lydia. Further vignettes in this series are in the pipeline.

Without giving too much away, is there a particular moment/favourite line in one of your works that stands out to you as being something that you think is quite moving to readers?

I think the conclusion of “Of Love and Secrets,” a short novel that also forms part of the compilation entitled “Love, Now and Then,” is rather moving. The heroine finds happiness after enduring a long train of adversities. This story was highly praised by a Readers Favorite reviewer.

About the author

My early life was spent living near the city of Sydney. I was glad when my family moved us all to an old house in the Georges River district. Here, I found peace, and discovered the beautiful, nurturing environment of Oatley Park. As I grew older, I cared for my ailing mother – meanwhile, studying the art of writing. Six months after she passed away, I met and later married the creator of the Grand Organ in the Sydney Opera House, Ronald William Sharp. We still live in my family home, along with our Maltese, Chicki, and a blue budgerigar named Albert.