MY LAST TWO WEEKS!!!
Welcome to my first blog of 2021! As you might know, THE BOY FROM THE MISH was released into the world in February, so stay tuned for a blog about the rollercoaster that was release day/week/month!
My last two weeks have been hectic and overwhelming but at the same time, have left me feeling an enormous sense of gratitude.
Over the first weekend of May, I was lucky enough to be involved in five events for Sydney Writer’s Festival, and this weekend just past, I flew to Brisbane to take part in the Brisbane Writer’s Festival’s Love YA day.
My Sydney Writer’s Festival experience began with the first of three Secondary School Days sessions, alongside MC and author Jeremy Lachlan, and other amazing authors such as Garth Nix, Leanne Hall, Michael Pryor and Zana Fraillon. What surprised me most about these sessions was just how engaged the students were during these sessions and the intelligence of the questions they asked. My highlight of the festival came from one of these School Days sessions (but more on that later!) and I had so much fun speaking to the students in three amazing theatres across Sydney.
With author Michael Pryor at The Concourse, Chatswood.
I was also thrilled to be able to share a stage with Benjamin Law at SWF, in a session where we discussed my book and the hard work that went into writing THE BOY FROM THE MISH.
As you might know, Benjamin provided an amazing quote for the front cover of the book and I was absolutely thrilled he was happy to do the event with me to a sold out crowd.
With Benjamin Law at Sydney Writer’s Festival.
Another major thrill for me was sharing the stage with a line-up of amazing YA authors for the SWF YA Gala, MC’d by author Will Kostakis. The idea for the session was that we would each share a story with the audience around characters we would protect at all costs. The character I spoke about was Holden Caulfield from THE CATCHER IN THE RYE. Luckily, I was the first to speak so I was able to sit back and enjoy the rest of the session with the audience.
Two of my favourite moments from that night were Jenna Guillaume taking us back to our childhood trauma by reading the death scene of Artax in THE NEVERENDING STORY and Michael Pryor’s hilarious story about an encounter with a ninja, which almost killed me!
At the SWF YA Gala with authors Garth Nix, Will Kostakis, Leanne Hall, Zana Fraillon, Michael Pryor & Jenna Guillaume.
The absolute highlight for me from Sydney Writer’s Festival came during the first Secondary School Days session I did. When it came to question time, heaps of students lined up at the microphones. I know Jeremy felt the same, that these kids were asking amazing questions - intelligent questions - and really engaged in our session. Then one student, before asking their question, thanked me and Jeremy for writing books with queer characters and the theatre erupted into applause. That moment absolutely warmed my heart and reminds me why I write young adult fiction, why I chose to write THE BOY FROM THE MISH in the first place. I write for those teens who need to read books like mine and I’m so pleased those readers are finding the book. Representation and diversity is so important in books, especially young adult books. Everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the pages.
At Brisbane Writer’s Festival with authors Rhiannon Wilde, Frances Chapman, Anna Whately and Sophie Gonzales.
My last two weeks ended with a trip to Brisbane for Brisbane Writer’s Festival. It was the first time I’d been on a plane since before Covid and it was interesting being greeted by what seemed like the whole Brisbane police force at Brisbane airport.
It was a short and sweet trip, but it was awesome to be a part of an amazing panel of YA authors to talk about love in YA books. The session was hosted by Rhiannon Wilde, whose debut YA novel, HENRY HAMLET’S HEART, comes out in July 2021! It was a really fun conversation to be a part of, and you can find a link to the session in my media and interviews page.
I’ve absolutely enjoyed these last two weeks of my life and look forward to many more experiences like these ones! I’m definitely feeling an enormous sense of gratitude to be in the position I’m in, where I’m able to share my book with so many people. I must give a quick shoutout to Yvette Gilfillan, Anna McFarlane and Deb Savage from Allen & Unwin for making me feel so comfortable and supported during these festivals.
As for now, I’ll have a short break, then a trip south for the inaugural Headland Writer’s Festival, where I’ll be in-conversation with my mate and fellow author, Gabbie Stroud.
Gary
