sallymurphy.com.au

Sally Murphy, Australian author

Happy Happy Day!

by

Welcome to my website! You’ve arrived here just in time for  a party.

First things first, I always like to welcome my guests with a refreshment. Here’s a nice cold glass of virtual bubbles (alcohol-free of course, if you’re under 18) for you:

Keep an eye out for the wandering waiters who have a wonderful array of virtual nibbles, too. The best thing about virtual food is that it’s calorie free, so you can eat as many as you like and still have room for dinner.

Right, now that we’ve got that sorted, on to the formalities: the launch of my new book, 1915. Let me just mount the stage so you can see me a little better.

PWF12 gesticulating

(Excuse the happy dance, I find it hard to stand still when I’m excited).

Now, can everyone hear? Good! Let me get started then (clears throat nervously).

Thank you all so much for coming. 1915 isn’t just my newest book – it’s the product of two years of research, writing, crying, rewriting, crying some more, rewriting some more, worrying that I wouldn’t be able to do justice to Stanley’s story, lengthy phone calls with my editor, Claire, writing some more, and finally looking proudly at my author copies and wondering what all the stressing was about.

When I was asked to write this book, I said yes, even though I also knew it would be a big challenge. The story of Gallipoli has been told many times, by writers far more talented than I. How was I going to find a way to tell it that was fresh, that would appeal to young readers, but that also told a story which needs to keep being retold because it is an important part of our history?  I had never written a historical novel. I wasn’t even sure why Scholastic had asked me. Amidst all that doubt though, I was determined to have a red hot go. When the character of Stanley came to me as a teacher from Bunbury, where I currently live, he came as a very real young man. I found myself looking at the events of Gallipoli and asking myself, over and over, what would Stanley think? When I realised he had a twin sister, Elizabeth, back in Australia, worrying about her brother even as she carries on teaching his class, I asked the same questions from her perspective. Many times I had to remind msyelf that these two weren’t real – that I’d made them up. And many more times I reminded myself that even though that was the case, people like Stanley and Elizabeth were very very real, and I owed it to them to get the story right.

So, here it is: 1915, a book I’m proud of, and which I hope will play its own small part in sharing the story of Gallipoli.

1915

I’d like to thank Claire Hallifax and Scholastic for believing that I could write this book, and helping to take it from a very raw story to a finished novel. I’d also like to thank Tara, my agent, and my family, who have to put up with a lot of angst when I’m writing any book. I’ve talked a lot about this story with lots of friends and family – so thank you for listening, and for being interested. Thanks to you, too, attendees of this launch, for taking the time out of your busy day to attend my virtual celebration.  But mostly, thanks to Stanley and Elizabeth Moore, for letting me tell their story.

Thank you.

Phew. Well, that’s the speech out of the way. Now there’s just the celebrating to do. While you’re munching on those virtual sausage rolls the waiter is passing round, I’d love if you’d leave a comment to let me know you were here.  To celebrate the release of 1915, I’m going to give one  away a signed copy of the book to one lucky commenter who leaves a comment by  the end of Sunday. The winner will be chosen at random from all who leave a comment about the launch or the book.

1915 is available now from all good bookstores in Australia (if they haven’t got it, ask them!), or online here.

Want to know more about the book? I’m answering ten questions over at the Aussiereviews blog today and will be posting more on this blog, and on Twitter and my facebook page in the coming weeks.

Again, thank you for coming to my launch!

 

 

Comments

  1. Thanks for the invite and hospitality. Loved the food and wine. Will buy for sure. You are one of my favourite writers. Congrats and well done.

  3. Sally, your book title alone has inspired me to re visit my Grandfather’s war letters which include some on his time at Gallipoli. It’s time to share them with younger members of our family. Thank you. Regards Anne

    • Wow Anne – what an honour to feel that I’ve inspired you in this way. I hope that sharing the letters is a rich and rewarding experience for you and your family.

  4. Had to take some panadol after your launch as I drank too much …again. The new book looks fantastic and a great launch. Congratulations.
    Mo
    x

    • Thanks for the giggle, Mo. Hope you found the packet of virtual panadol discreetly placed behind the bar.

  5. Congratulations Sally! 1915 sounds like a tremendously good read and if it packs half the emotional punch of your previous novels I know we’re all in for lots of laughter and a few tears too. Can’t wait to read it!

    • Thanks Jodie. Not so much laughter in this one, though I tried to not make it too grim. War is a tough topic.

  6. What a great idea for a book launch! Most launches are either too far away, at a too inconvenient time or (the ones I’ve been able to go to) require battling too much traffic and paying too much for parking. Congratulations Sally, I look forward to reading your book.

    • Thanks Ella. I miss so many of my friends’ book launches because of distance, but it’s been lovely to have so many people come to mine 🙂

  7. My father was one of the original anzac’s at Gallipoli. The present generation needs to know how a failed military operation forged a nation.

    • Thanks for visiting Dorothy. You are right – it is so important that we keep telling these stories in ways that young people can connect with.

    • Thanks Libby. Can’t wait to see what you and the others do with the remainder of the series 🙂

  9. I have been eagerly waiting to purchase this book after discussing ‘1914’ with one of my year 7 students. It is my first year teaching & I am so excited to read ‘1915’ as our class novel. Congratulations!

    • Thank you Ella. Good luck with your first year of teaching, and thank you in advance for sharing 1915 with your students 🙂

  10. Don’t you wish you’d had your book to read when you were young? I do. How much richer and more informed I would’ve been. How much more grateful. How much more proud. So well done. Lucky readers – of all ages. x

    • How lovely of you to say so Janeen. I know that researching and writing this story has given me a wonderful new level of understanding, and can only hope it does the same for readers.

  13. Next time I’m in Dymocks, I’ll be looking out for your new book, Sally.
    So proud of all your accomplishments. Well done. Who knew when I was seating beside you in class all those years ago, how you would chase your dreams. So congrats my friend

    • Thanks Melinda. Even back the I was dreaming of being a writer 🙂 I remember how excited I was when you came to our school. Really want to catch up with you in person SOON!

  14. Congratulations . What a lovely way to launch a book that reaches out to many people.
    A subject that touches us all in some way and has shaped the life’s of many people.
    Look forward to reading your book.

    • Thanks Mary. I agree, a virtual launch allows people to come no matter how far away they are – and the calories are invisible too 🙂

  15. I’m here, I’m here. Can’t wait to read your brand new baby (book). You are an inspiration to us all Sally Murphy and what a smile 🙂 Wishing you and your new book all the best. Thanks too for the virtual snacks and bubbles, sending you a virtual hug and kiss xx

    • Thanks Luke! And good luck with your first day of teaching tomorrow. You are going to be brilliant!

  17. Thanks for your hospitality on 1915’s launch happy, happy day. It is such a significant year, I will be reading your book with great interest not only for its local and international history, but because both my dad and Thomas Merton were also born in 1915. Then I’ll pass it on to Ari (12) and Sam (9), who are eager readers of your books already, in the hope of seefing some great discussions with my eloquent grandchildren! All the best and congratulations! Annamaria x

  18. Great launch, Sally. I’m already thinking about Stanley and Elizabeth, and I can’t wait to read the book. Nice work!

Trackbacks

sallymurphy.com.au