If you’re interested in hearing more about What Will Be Worn: A McWhirters Story come along to one of these author talks.
So far in 2019, I’ve spoken about What Will be Worn at events in Brisbane, Maleny, Maryborough, and the Gold Coast. More events in Brisbane, Thirroul and Hervey Bay coming up. I’ll be talking about the McWhirter family saga, the rise and fall of department stores, matrilineal inheritance, women and clothes, patterns that repeat across generations—and more. Books will be available for purchase, or bring yours along to be signed.
If you would like me to speak at your event, local library or bookstore, or book club, please get in touch.
FEBRUARY
Sunday 10 February: Brisbane Square Library
Brisbane Square Library, 266 George Street, Brisbane City | 11am–12pm
I’ll be sharing my research and discoveries that I made while writing What Will Be Worn: A McWhirters Story at this hour-long event. Tickets are free, but please make your you register to secure a place. Parking is available at King George Square for $5.
Books will be available for purchase on the day, or if you already have a copy, you can bring it in and I will sign it!
This event is presented as part of Brisbane City Council’s Lord Mayor’s Writers in Residence series.
MARCH
Sunday 3 March: Outspoken Maleny event with Dr Anne Summers
Maleny Community Centre | 5.30pm (doors open at 4.45pm)
Tickets: $20 | $15 students
I’m thrilled to be joining Steven Lang and the legendary Anne Summers as the support act for the opening event of the Outspoken 2019 season. I’ll be talking with Steven about What Will Be Worn from 5.30, then sitting back to listen to Anne Summers talk about her new book Unfettered and Alive, the feminist classic, Damned Whores and God’s Police, as well as her brilliant career.
Local bookseller Rosetta Books will be selling books on the night.
Monday 4 March: Local history talk at Maryborough Library
127-129 Bazaar Street Maryborough | 1.30–2.30pm
In its heyday, McWhirters boasted a thriving mail order business; in homes across regional Queensland and beyond, the arrival of its seasonal catalogues in the mail was an event. In this local history talk, I will discuss this and other aspects of McWhirters history, as well as the process of writing What Will Be Worn. Books will be for sale during the session. Presented by Fraser Coast Libraries.
Register for your free ticket.
APRIL
Friday 5 April: Author encounter at Elanora Library
The Pines shopping centre, Guineas Creek Road, Elanora | 10–11am
Join me for a discussion about the process of writing and researching What Will Be Worn: A McWhirters Story, including the tricky business of writing about family and the story’s Gold Coast connections. Books will be for sale, thanks to Bookface Pacific Fair, or bring along your copy to be signed. The event is free, but please register your attendance at the Gold Coast Libraries events portal.
MAY
Wednesday 8 May: Flashback to the 50s
Elizabeth Street Picture Theatre, 175 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane | 5–9pm
I’ll be speaking at the Flashback to the 50s event hosted by The National Trust’s Brisbane Branch, at the Elizabeth Street Picture Theatre, as part of the Australian Heritage Festival 2019.
There’ll be drinks and canapes on arrival, a private screening of Ladies in Black (based on Madeleine St John’s bestselling novel Women in Black), and prizes for best dressed!
Books will be available for sale and signing on the night thanks to Folio Books. Tickets, from $35, are available via the Elizabeth Street Picture Theatre box office.
Friday 10 May: Author talk at Cleveland Library
Cleveland Library, Bloomfield Street, Cleveland | 10–11am
Join me as I share my research and discoveries in writing What Will Be Worn: A McWhirters Story, a book which explores the lives of my mother and grandmother, and reminds us of the ways in which retail stores and fashion have connected women throughout history. Books available for sale and signing. Book free tickets here.
Wednesday 15 May: Author encounter at Southport Library
Corner Garden and Lawson Streets, Southport | 11am–12pm
Join me for a discussion about the process of writing and researching What Will Be Worn: A McWhirters Story, including the tricky business of writing about family and the story’s Gold Coast connections. Books will be for sale, thanks to Bookface Pacific Fair, or bring along your copy to be signed. The event is free, but please register your attendance at the Gold Coast Libraries events portal.
Tuesday 28 May: Meet the author at Strathpine Library
1 Station Street, Strathpine | 10am–11am
Hosted by Moreton Bay Libraries, I’ll be speaking about What Will Be Worn at Strathpine Library at the end of May. QBD Strathpine will be selling books on the day, or bring along your own to get signed. The event is free to attend, but please register your attendance here.
JULY
Wednesday 24 July: Presentation at Genealogical Society of Queensland
25 Stackpole Street on the corner of Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road, Wishart | 7pm–8.30pm
AUGUST
Saturday 17 August: Author talk at Logan North Library for Family History Month
Corner Sports Drive and Springwood Road, Underwood | 10.30am–11.30am
Hosted by Logan City Council Libraries, I’ll be speaking about What Will Be Worn at Logan North Library as part of Family History Month. Local Hillcrest bookseller, The Really Good Book Shop will be selling my book on the day, or bring along your own to get signed. The event is free to attend, but please register your attendance here.
SEPTEMBER
Sunday 15 September: The Heroines Festival, Thirroul, The Women’s Reading Room,
Thirroul District Community Centre & Library, 352/358 Lawrence Hargrave Dr, Thirroul | 10am–6pm
I’m thrilled to be a guest at the 2019 Heroine’s Festival, which celebrates women writers writing women’s stories. The day-long event includes panels, authors in conversation and reading from their works that highlight the experiences of women in Australian history. Among other things, guests will speak about the craft of finding or inventing lost herstories, and women’s imagined futures. I’ll be appearing alongside authors including Jesse Blackadder, Robyn Cadwaller, Kate Forsyth and Jessica White.
Friday 27 September–Sunday 29 September: Lines in the Sand, Hervey Bay
Hervey Bay Library, 161 Old Maryborough Road, Pialba | Friday 27 Sept 1–4pm (memoir workshop), Sat 28 Sept TBA
At the end of September, I’ll be participating in the Fraser Coast literary festival Lines in the Sand alongside Kerry O’Brien and others.
On Friday afternoon, 1–4pm 27 September, I’ll be hosting a hands-on writing workshop focusing on writing memoir and personal essays. On Saturday 28 September, I’ll be speaking about my book, What Will Be Worn. More details to come.