Crookwell Book launch, 17 November 2018

I think it is safe to say, many are aware that my new SciFi book has been released into the wild to run amok. Yes, I’m still excited, and no, I’m not going to shut up about it.
I held a book launch at Crookwell. Being a small country town in NSW, Australia, SciFi isn’t the most popular type of book that the denizens are reading. Thus, I did not expect a huge turnout and was delighted with the turnout.
My dog Chester, who features in the book, had a bath and scrubbed his paws ready to pawgraph. He waited outside with eager anticipation, but alas, there were no takers.
I opened with a welcome to country, before handing over to Heather who kindly offered to interview me. She had read the book the week before and I’ll paraphrase her review.
I intended to only skim read the book as preparation for the interview, but after the fourth page I couldn’t put it down and finished it in two days. Dion has mixed contemporary environmental issues, with well-researched science, added a good dollop of humour to create a SciFi thriller. Having read all of his published work and a great deal of his unpublished work, I think this is the best book he has ever written.
Well thank you Heather. Before Heather could then advance beyond her opening remarks, the interview became a free-for-all. For the next forty minutes, I answered all manner of questions which included: how the characters came about, why I chose the plot I did and how the science was researched.
As participants were enjoying a fizzy fermented grape beverage while the inquisition was in progress, there were a few pointed remarks. Mainly about how long it has been since I’ve published a book and why have I kept my fans waiting? Followed by a discussion of how much they enjoyed my other novel Target 2013. Thankfully the questions were forgotten amid that discussion, but I did allude to the fact that there may be a sequel on the horizon.
Afterwards people rushed forward with such vigour to purchase and get an autograph that fleetingly I feared the signing table would be knocked over and I’d be crush beneath the mob. Thankfully, order was quickly restored and my wife took over taking the cash while I signed away.
I’d like to thank Doug for hosting the event and all those who attended. I’d also like to respectfully ask that if you have read and enjoyed the book could you please post a review or even just a few sentences on social media. Your opinions matter, not just to me, but to other potential readers.
Until next time, happy reading and writing.

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