Possibly the most telling bit of social media I've seen this week was a meme saying something along the lines of anyone merely posting "He's an idiot" will have like 90% of people knowing exactly who you're talking about. That's all I'll say. At any rate, it's somewhat staggering for me how prescient some of my older writing is when it comes to saying fuck you to the patriarchy. On Friday this past week, The Company of Birds saw its official release here in Cape Town and I've been absolutely overwhelmed by all the people letting me know that they'd bought their copies.
Here I am, living the author life by signing copies at my local Wordsworth, where I'm told they sold out within a matter of hours.
Anyhoo, while I'm not going to be buying that second property in the Klein Karoo anytime soon for that eco-retreat for artists that's my pipe dream, it's still lank cool to be able to have my book on shelves. But it's been a busy week, as you'll well see.
WRITING WORKSHOPS FOR TEENS
Something I've been passionate about for ages is the fact that there's so few resources available to encourage young people to write and to furnish them with the very important skills and knowledge to embark upon a career as a writer. The industry itself is either heavily curated by gatekeepers or is rife with predatory companies and individuals out to make a quick buck. And self-publishing itself is a veritable minefield of misinformation. I'm very pleased to be partnering with Fish Hoek Library to provide free monthly workshops for teens who wish to learn more about writing better stories, and am also available to advise and assist with any questions about the industry. We had our first meeting this past Thursday, and I'm once again blown away by the enthusiasm and brightness of the young minds I encountered. This is my way of paying it forward. Spaces are limited, so please get in touch with the library to book your spot.
RSVP 021 400 7101 or email fishhoek.library@capetown.gov.za
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE BIRDS
I'm tickled pink to say that I'm not having one but TWO launch events for The Company of Birds. On Tuesday, March 4, I'll be participating at the amazeballs Helen Moffett's Salon Hecate event at the Noordhoek Artpoint Gallery at 5.30pm. Rumour has it that local authors Sam Wilson, Diane Awerbuck, and Alex Latimer will be there, too, and they're some of my favourite people. So, join us for an evening of SFF bookish things, snacks, wine, and great company. My publisher, Marius, will be there with copies of The Company of Birds that you can pick up. What could be better than books in an arty environment? If the launch event at the V&A Waterfront Exclusive Books is a bit too much for you, then I recommend swinging past Noordhoek instead.
Then, of course, this is your reminder that the official launch event will take place on March 8, at the wonderful big V&A Waterfront Exclusive Books branch. This is honestly a dream come true for me to have my first solo launch event at an EB. In hindsight, I've always been part of some bigger event in the past. Please RSVP and join us on the day. I have it on good authority that there will allegedly be chocolate cupcakes.
MORE BIRDS
It's my birthday month. I forget how old I'm turning. I've been 46 for the past two years, LOL. Anyhoo, in lieu of gifts, I'm encouraging my friends to adopt a penguin on my behalf. Why am I so passionate about penguins? Well, back in 2000 there was a moerse big oil spill when the Treasure oil tanker ran aground off our coast. It got ugly. I wasn't working at the time, so I got roped into volunteering for a week at SANCCOB treating, feeding, and cleaning penguins. Needless to say, it's a quarter of a century later and I'm sure I can still wrangle penguins in my sleep. You spend a week covered in guano in a porta-pool with 100 angry African penguins... I had fish scales in my ears, up my nose, in my bra... hells, I even found fish scales in my knickers. No idea how they got there. It took me at least half a decade before I could ever eat pilchards again.
But anyhoo, thing is, the African Penguin needs our help. According to IFAW fewer than 19,800 mature birds remain. These happy little chaps live on my doorstep, and I would love to see them delight future generations with their antics. Adopt a bird today!
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