Inner city Sydney bookshop, Glebe Books was packed at the launch of ‘A Country Too Far’ (Penguin) – a collection of writings on asylum seekers by some of Australia’s most renowned authors – edited by Tom Keneally and Rosie Scott.
I sat between Professor Elizabeth Webby, who is at the heart of Australian literature, and Sharon Rundle editor of the anthology ‘Alien Shores’ published by Brass Monkey. I had the privilege of contributing a story to ‘Alien Shores’ which also welcomes discussion and debate.
Rosie Scott and Tom Keneally were moving as they spoke about A COUNTRY TOO FAR:-
Elliot Pearlman writes: -’It took me almost six years to research and write… The Street Sweeper’, a novel that deals with … racism.’
‘Tom Keneally writes: One hundred and seventy thousand displaced persons came to Australia between 1947 and 1952, bearing their United Nations Displaced Persons/Refuge identity cards.’
Geraldine Brooks writes: ‘I am pretty sure that for much of his life my father was an illegal immigrant.’
Bella Vendramini.writes: ‘I was seventeen years old when I got locked up in a Spanish jail.’
It’ll make you think, cry, hope, feel in this powerful and moving anthology which opens debate about escape 
from terror to find a safe place.
The post Thomas Keneally, Rosie Scott, Debra Adelaide, Elliot Pearlman ~ launches ‘A Country Too Far’ appeared first on Susanne Gervay's Blog.
My friends piled into Readings Bookstore for the launch of ALIEN SHORES - authors Jen McVeity, Hazel Edwards, Meredith Costain, Paul Collins, Rose Inserra, illustrator Marjory Gardner. Love them.
Julian Burnside QC gave a moving speech to launch ‘Alien Shores’ edited by Sharon Rundle and Meenakshi Bharat. I felt overwhelmed by Julian’s description of a refugee who converted to Christianity and would have been stoned brutally if forced back to Iran.
Arnold Zable read a segment from his story in ‘Alien Shores’.
Sharon Rundle and I spoke on ABC Radio National with the insightful Michael Cathcart about ‘Alien Shores’.
Michael Cathcart also talked about my personal story in ‘Ships in the Field’ illustrated by Anna Pigantaro and how that related to ‘Alien Shores’.
Desperately on Sunday morning at 9 am, I rang Berkelouw’s Bookshop Paddington and IGOR answered.
‘Help’ – I have a book launch of ‘Alien Shores’ at The Hughenden Hotel this afternoon except there are NO books for sale.
Igor organised the Berkelouws’ bookshops to help me out. I drove from Mona Vale, to Balgowlah to Rose Bay to Newtown collecting ‘Alien Shores’ books on the way.
The Book launch was saved – and all the books sold out at the event too!
The Consul General for India, editor Meenakshi Bharat and Sharon Rundle, authors Linda Jaivlin, Rosie Scott, David Malouf, Andrew Kwong, Mabel Lee, writers, readers and people packed the Hughenden sun lounge for readings that moved us about those who are dislocated by war and poverty to seek new lives.
Roanna Gonzales writer was the MC for the event.
It was a fantastic launch with sweet treats baked by The Hughenden chef and plenty of talking and celebrations.
Great little reviews in Sydney’s Sun Herald and Melbourne’s The Age:-
‘This collection is overall strong and affecting.’
Libraries, libraries, libraries – you’ve got to LOVE them.
They’re spreading the reading message and as an ambassador for The National Year of Reading, I’m speaking at writers’ festivals, book launches, libraries, schools, bookshops.
Is it fantastic? YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Here’s a snapshot of my May tours for The National Year of Reading - www.love2read.org
4-6th May ~ Keynote at the Gloucester Writers festival – www.gloucesterwritersfestival.com
6th May – Launch at Gloucester Festival of ‘Alien Shores’ an anthology of refugees narratives that reach into struggles, humour, life of finding home with authors including speaking Sharon Rundle and Andrew Kwong. I’ll be speaking about my story.
17th -18th May -Coff’s Harbour region speaking at schools and the Catholic Diocese of Lismore in Northern NSW Teacher-Librarian Conference
20th May – Melbourne for the launch of Alien Shores by the Human Rights QC Julian Burnside with authors, Arnold Zable, Sharon Rundle, Professor Meenakshi Bharat, Susanne Gervay at 6 p.m. Readings Bookstore Carlton. http://www.readings.com.au/review/alien-shores-by-sharon-rundle-meenakshi-bharat-eds
22nd May – Launching Alien Shores in Sydney at The Hughenden Hotel with authors Linda Jailin, Sophie Masson, Sharon Rundle, Rosie Scott with the Consul General of India www.thehughenden.com.au
23rd May- Randwick Library in Sydney for Simultaneous Reading Time where ambassadors will read to parents and littlies across Australia – can’t wait, it’s going to be gorgeous! http://www.alia.org.au/nss/
24-May – Taree Library speaking about ‘Always Jack’ for the Biggest Morning Tea in support of the Cancer Council at Taree Library brought up by the Australian Library and Information Association
25th May -Halliday’s Point Library on North Coast NSW
28th May – speaking at 10 am in Warringah Library in Sydney’s Northern Beaches about my first picture book ‘Ships in the Field’.
29th May – Teacher Librarian Conference at Maroubra Junction Public School Sydney
That’s my MAY spreading the National Year of Reading Celebration of Books!
Love you to come along and chat to me, or log onto the www.lovetoread.org website and joi
Inner city Sydney bookshop, Glebe Books was packed at the launch of ‘A Country Too Far’ (Penguin) – a collection of writings on asylum seekers by some of Australia’s most renowned authors – edited by Tom Keneally and Rosie Scott.
