Kundela book launch a roaring success

Orroroo turned out in good numbers to attend the launch of my debut novel Kundela. Jenny and her team at the Orroroo Community Library had promoted the event with posters placed in prominent places throughout the town and used social media with great effect to get the message out. The small library looked resplendent with plenty of posters decoating the room.

Mick Rosenblatt has taught English to Orroroo's children for over thirty years so it was appropriate for him to introduce the novel to a crowd of approximately eighty people. Some had journeyed from as far away as Blinman, Port Augusta, Hawker and Geelong making the night even more special.

Mick as the custodian of the English language has inspired many of the district's children to excell in their literary pursuits. By setting homework and encouraging his students to do better he has by default, helped many a parent to improve their language skills too. He reveiwed Kundela for the gathering, explaing the structure and format without giving the story away. I found it interesting how much importance he gave to time and place and how the book related to him as he read about the names of roads and landmarks in the Orroroo area. He spoke about the aboriginal themes in the novel and how as a kid on a Lutheran Mission he experienced first hand the special relationship these people have with the land.

His was a truly great introduction particularly especialy when he recommended everyone to purchase a copy.

We had a quick question and answer session where I'm sure many of my school mates were astonished to realise I had improved my language skills enough to produce a book they could not only read but enjoy.

At the end of the night we ended up with empty book boxes and a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

To everyone who bought a copy of Kundela thank you, your support is very much appreciated.

Photos from the night:

 

These are some of the blokes I went to school with (Left to Right) Me, Colin Parkyn, Chairman of Carrieton and Orroroo Council. Geoff Gibb, long term Orroroo businessman and Rodger Mortimer, Motel Proprietor Port Augusta

 

 

Mick kept the crowd entertained with his introduction

 



 

Fantastic to share the night with Lisa, my writing journey started by telling her and her siblings stories at bedtime.

 



 

With the women in my life who inspire me my wife Ruth and mother Edna

 



 

Among local literary greats John O'dea musician and John Mannion filmaker and historian

 

 

With Rosie Luckraft from the Hawker Library

 

Mr Gerald Kuerschner is a legend in Orroroo and it was a priveledge to sign a book for him.

 

 

 

And at the end of the night I shared a beer with Mick Rosenblatt and relive writing stories with a local legend 

Kundela readers have commented

Over the past couple of weeks I have had some good responses to the story and I have included a few of them below:

E-mail from Tina

Just finished reading Terry's book. Wow! It held my interest throughout and it was good how he integrated the Aboriginal beliefs into the story. The respect for the Aboriginals was a plus too - so often they're depicted as no - hopers with little intelligence. How long before the sequel?

Congratulations - well done.

 

From Pam of Melton

I became so wrapped up in the story I had to keep telling myself it was Terry who wrote it.


From Coral of Melton

I didn't do anything much for a couple of days, the story gripped me and I couldn't put it down.


From Frank in Queensland,

I have read the first six chapters of Toby Farrier. So far so good. Looking forward to reading all.

Pre-release copies are available from:  Aesop's Attic Bookstore in Kyneton   Vic
                                                            Woodgrove Newsagent's in Melton      Vic

For a limited time you can order your copy by email at: kundela@bigpond.com Rec retail is $29.95 and includes postage until the end of June 2013

KUNDELA Book Launch

We are launching my debut novel KUNDELA in the small South Australian town of Orroroo on Tuesday 30th April at 7.00 pm. The Orroroo Community Library is the venue and I'm looking forward to catching up with many old and new friends.

About the Story:

            Vietnam Veteran Joe Gillespie is slow to anger but today, revenge drives his mood. He has had cattle stolen over the past twelve months and the police seem clueless.

            Jeff Rankin an Aboriginal police officer charged with solving the last cattle theft is thrust back into the high pressure world of the Bikie Squad after the Gillespie’s find their homestead trashed. Attracted by their openness and resolve he falls for Tilly, Joe’s daughter.

            A paddock full of poisoned animals set the trap for Joe to drive into an ambush. His assailants may be unknown but Joe is one farmer who won’t give in easy. Trying to outrun his pursuers Joe is in two minds as watches them in his rear view mirror. Through his dust he sees them crash off the road. Unsure about their condition he phones Jeff for assistance.

Three disfigured bodies lie beside the Hammond Road. Their identities wasted by shotgun blasts. DI Cassidy is soon on the scene and Joe becomes his prime suspect for the murders.

The Gillespies are still in danger. Joe has worked out who is targeting him, but all their research shows the suspect to be dead and lies buried in the Arlington War Cemetery. Joe is not convinced about the accuracy of the records and he and Jeff take to the air searching for the hideout.

Local Aborigines summon a Kadaichi to avenge their friends. Laura, Joe’s wife, sees his image salute her twice. A singing circle of women wail an ancient chant, their song aimed at helping Joe.

Too close to the family Jeff Rankin is angry, now removed from the investigation he and Joe independent of the police take on finding the killer. However their plans are thwarted when Joe’s mid air heart attack puts both of them in danger.

            Will the police catch whoever is targeting the Gillespies before Joe dies?

 

The setting for Kundela is the Mid North / Flinders Ranges Area of South Australia.

I am happy to offer free postage for all mail orders. The recommended retail price of the book is $29.95 including GST. Just e-mail your address details to kundela@bigpond.com and I’ll reply asap with my payment options.
If you would like the book signed please  remember to include who the dedication is for.

Thanks for your interest and remember to share this post with your friends and colleagues if you think they'd be interested in a signed copy of Kundela.

Orroroo is one of the towns where the story is set and it seemed fitting to introduce the story to the public there. To learn more about the area click on the links below: 
http://www.orroroo.sa.gov.au/page.aspx 
http://www.flindersranges.com/     
http://www.wadlata.sa.gov.au/

Lorraine Jones wins 2012 Stringybark Humorous Short Story Comp

Congratulations to a colleague from my 2012 writing group.

Lorraine Jones has received a Highly Commended placing in the 2012 Stringybark Humorous Short Story Competition for her tale Fifty Shades of Green. Lorraine has a smooth writing style that will capture your interest for a time and leave you chuckling all day as you relive her writings.

Fifty Shades of Green and other stories have been collated into a book titled: The Very End of the Affair... to be published in both e-book and hard cover. The e-book is available now and the hard cover will be available in May.

A special offer is being promoted to friends and family, you can purchase the e-book version for A$2.80 which represents a 25% discount. Just include the offer code RM79H when placing your order.

A book of laughs for $2.80 is a steal so this Easter treat yourself with a giggle to go with the chocolate and candy after all $2.80 to chuckle all day where can you get better value than that.

Well done Lorraine

Les Gillespies Gold 'the argument'

Today I finished a piece for the book where two people are arguing, and although I know I waffle-on in real life, I had a hard time knowing how long to keep this going for.
Are there any hard and fast rules in writing for arguments. I have about 900 words from beginning to end so in real life this would be about six minutes. Is it too long?

Les Gillespie's Gold -- Oops --

It's funny how careful planning can also bring you undone if you don't check your work. In responding to a comment on one of my posts I noticed that I had given one of my characters a different surname. She appears in KUNDELA and her character will have a bigger role in Les Gillespie's Gold. Bearing this in mind I had ploughed ahead creating mannerisms and features hair colour etc, Fiona was a complete and confident woman in the yummy mummy genre.

She appears in the story around chapter four and then her husband John shows up meeting her  in the same chapter. As I typed the story I knew his name was different. I could have maintained she kept her maiden name after marriage but she is not that big of character and if I refer to her parents at any time then they too have another surname. I would have to correct her profile sheet.

Therefore I had no option but to go back to the Kundela manuscript and complete a search. It took nearly half an hour but there he was.

Now that their family is over an identity crisis I can get on with the yarn that is Les Gillespie's Gold.

Check out Fiona O'Rourke's profile on my blog, if can you remember the wrong surname, I have three free copies of Kundela to give away to a random three people who get the answer right. Just leave the wrong name in the comments section.

Cheers,

Terry

Les Gillespie's Gold 'Cryptic Message'

In an attempt to put his mind to rest Joe Gillespie searches the property for clues and once more Les has left him a cryptic message carved into a slate stone.

 

This is my first draft of a poem that will help me to flesh out a couple of chapters in my new novel. I'm not intending to use it in the book for now but it will help me to create a scene with cause and effect action to introduce some new characters.

 

I hope you enjoy my draft.

 

 

 

The Chinaman’s Curse

This gift of gold I saved for you from deep within the ground

A pile or more lies hidden there in reef quartz like rivers sheen

From a winch you must descend to hear the water’s sound

And in its dampened darkness from your lamplight watch it gleam

 

My son now you have found my seam and behold its golden glow

Please remember me in loving terms and not when at my worse

It’s what gold fever’s done to me and a thing that you should know

The vapours they will linger long so beware the Chinese Curse

 

And beware the High Street Spruiker

And heed not the pull of greed when your pocket’s empty and bare

Stay clear of the sleazy spivs in spats who peddle mindless dope

And of the maid old and in rags a begging let not your eyes to stare

 

Beware of slick investors who want more than just your gold

This world has many treasure camped deep within its core

My secret is a keeper and through the years it’s only you I’ve told

For gold is not a treasure just currency it is really nothing more