Well hello there!

It’s been a little while between newsletters so I thought it was about time I was in touch to let you know what I’ve been up to.

It’s been a hugely busy year and I can’t believe we’re now fewer than seven weeks until Christmas. I have to admit, I did my first bit of Christmas shopping the other day when something fun popped into my Instagram feed. It’s a puzzle board for my Mum, who loves puzzling. This one elevates at the back and has little drawers at the front for all the puzzle pieces. I’ll let you know when it arrives if it’s any good! (Do you follow me on Instagram? Why not?!! I often post photos of the most beautiful Golden Retriever in the whole world, Maisie. And books I’m reading. And other stuff!)

Back in May and June, I went on book tour to SA, ACT, NSW and QLD for the release of this year’s book, THE RADIO HOUR. Thanks to everyone who came out to see me. I absolutely LOVE meeting readers, talking books and meeting booksellers and librarians and small business owners all over the country who are so passionate about connecting people and communities with stories.

In August, I was lucky enough to be invited to the Byron Writers Festival where I sat on a panel with the fabulously talented Meg Keneally talking all things historical fiction, and then chaired a session about advice for prospective authors. Here’s me with Pantera Press publisher Lex Hirst and agent extraordinaire Alex Adsett. I enjoyed it so much, I’m going next year too. The weather was perfect (as you can see) and the location at the Bangalow Showgrounds was brilliant. I highly recommend going.

Also in August, I was on an author panel in Balaklava in South Australia’s mid-north with everyone’s favourite Rachael Johns and crime writers Rhys Gard and Tim Ayliffe. Let’s just say my TBR pile got a whole lot bigger.

And then in September, the Hubby and I did the long-awaited trip to Europe that we had to cancel in 2020 because of you-know-what. We spent two weeks in Italy and a week on the Greek island of Corfu and we had a brilliant time. I had the best surprise in Bologna, in northern Italy, when our foodie tour guide, Ilaria, produced a copy of THE LAST OF THE BONEGILLA GIRLS she’d managed to find online. (She only speaks four languages so reading English was no problem!) Here we are at a Parmigiana Reggiano factory in Emilia Romagna. After the photo, we headed inside to see how the delicious cheese is made. And eat some…

They make a LOT of cheese!

A few days after we got back, I was so thrilled to be In Conversation with my dear friend Tricia Stringer at Mount Barker Library here in South Australia for her new book HEAD FOR THE HILLS. (And yes, aren’t our shoes fabulous!!)

And speaking of shoes, HOW COULD I RESIST THESE ITALIAN SNEAKERS!

Enough of my braggy travel adventures and my love of shoes. (Did I mention I bought six pairs when I was away?!)

This was my last read – the fabulous THE DEATH OF DORA BLACK by Lainie Anderson. I did an In Conversation with her a couple of weeks ago at Marion Library here in Adelaide. If you love Phryne Fisher, you’re going to love Miss Kate Cocks and her feisty sidekick Ethel Bromley.

I’m reading Richard Osman’s WE SOLVE MURDERS at the moment. I absolutely devoured his Thursday Murder Club series so I have high expectations of this one. And what’s next? Something from my TBR pile or I may be buried under it!

Thank you for having me in your inbox. I really appreciate you taking the time to read my newsletter. Although I post regularly on the socials, the algorithms are getting so tricky these days I can’t be sure anyone sees them. So, I’m going to be doing more regular newsletters, hopefully monthly so you can hear directly from me.

And of course, with the festive season so close, it’s also time for posting my Christmas cards. If you’d like one mailed to you, all you have to do is reply to this email with your postal address and I’ll add you to the list. (Or if you have received one from me in the past and have moved house or changed address, please let me know and I’ll update your details.) By the way, I NEVER share your personal information with anyone.

Until next time, happy reading!

Victoria

PS. It’s not long now until THE RADIO HOUR will be released in North America and I’m so thrilled it will be on shelves over there! Have you seen the US cover? I love it!