Going with the flow for the launch of Ocean Hearts ~

With the blooming of Spring we were overjoyed to be able to attend and witness the welcoming of friends, family and the new and previous adoring fans of N Dumindi as she launched her debut collection of poetry Ocean Hearts – Poems of Overflowing which is a soulful, emotionally rich and prose-armed venture into the human condition.

Like breaking waves lapping the shore, sweeping away grains of sand and fragments of shell, Ocean Hearts is both tender and devastating. N Dumindi uses words as a painter uses colour. Her book of prose quivers with passion, pain and sweetness, and claws its way into the softness of your heart. Ocean Hearts is is a rare book of beauty and strength. Let yourself be washed over by its words and emerge renewed and inspired and in awe of what it is to be a human being.

A room full of those waiting on bated breath for N Dumindi to address the room and formally launch ‘Ocean Hearts’

If you haven’t yet soothed your soul with the radiant prose of N Dumindi you can purchase Ocean Hearts you can find copies at all good bookstores and can order directly by contacting markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com

ISBN: 9780648327745

 

You didn’t have to leave Melbourne to Meet Japan!

In the heart of South Melbourne on the bright, winter’s Thursday afternoon of August 23rd 2018 Made in Japan – a direct-connection supply store that specialises in ceramics, tableware and house items made by small family-run businesses – was filled to the brim with an excited crowd; which included off-the-street interested persons, family, friends, old work colleagues, all gathered to launch the unique and one-of-a-kind book by first-time author John Urquhart, Meet Japan.

With audience packed close and microphone at the ready to reach the furthest-back John Urquhart opened the launch with a snippet of koto, shakuhachi and bagpipes from a well-loved CD of the Tokyo Piping Society, of which John had help form and then later lead. With heart and laughs he introduced the crowd to what inspired and drove the creation and writing of Meet Japan, the rich history and personal adventure of his then young-family moving to Japan in the 1970s as per John’s work with Borthwick’s and Sons to introduce beef to the Japanese diet – but their adventure was to be more than just work-centric and instead is chronicled in Meet Japan what was to be a once-in-a-lifetime introduction to Japan by John and his wife Lois, with their young children, as Gaijin (foreigners) long before tourism and travel was common from English-speaking nations to Japan. Invited to speak and formally launch the book was an old friend and currently Austrade’s Assistant General Manager Catherine Taylor.

Author John Urquhart and Brolga Publishing’s Company Director Mark Zocchi share the stage as the launch speeches were about to begin

John Urquhart and Catherine Taylor (Austrade’s Assistant General Manager) share a smile and a laugh

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to purchase your own copy of the book (or two? With Christmas right around the corner why not give the gift of a great story?) you can purchase directly from the author on his website’s store or by emailing markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au and not to mention Meet Japan is available in all good bookstores now!

To keep up and find out more about Meet Japan you can check out the website: www.meetjapan.com.au

Made in Japan’s packed store floor moments before the audience was to gather and witness the launch for ‘Meet Japan’

John Urquhart addressing the crowd, featuring pride-of-place John’s late-wife (and co-author in spirit) Lois’ beautiful hand-painted screen of Lake Nojiri

We would love to also thank Jack and the staff of Made In Japan for being so accommodating in having us come in and launch a fantastic book in such an authentic and interesting venue. If you haven’t yet, do visit any one of their locations:
South Melbourne 1-7 Wynyard Street South Melbourne
Mornington 30 Watt Road Mornington
Queen Victoria Market Container 11, Stringbean Alley Melbourne

ISBN: 9780648242673

Meet Japan, Meet John Urquhart on ABC Radio Western Victoria!

Not even on shelves yet and already on the waves, John Urquhart will be sitting down tomorrow morning with the bright and bubbly Jo Printz from 10am tomorrow on ABC Western Victoria 91.7FM (Program: Mornings with Jo Printz) to chat about his outstanding memoir, Meet Japan.

Meet Japan is his first book and explores the heart and culture of Japan through a selection of letters written between 1974 – 85, written by John and his late wife Lois after their young family was assigned to live in Japan in the 1970s for John’s work with Borthwick and Sons to market meat – which until then had never been part of the local diet. Meet Japan does not centre on John’s work however, it goes so much deeper with sincerity, heart and respect to share and recount the beauty of Japan, the local customs and to tell the story of how two people and their young family came to experience Japan all their own.

If you would like to tune in but cannot pick up this signal/prefer to listen digitally their interview will be streamed live on Radio ABC Western Vic Live

Blurb:

Fancy a haircut next to a lady having her face shaved?
What about a young lady escorting a family through a bath-house full of naked old men?
Or shopping at the green grocer’s, with the basket-style till dangling from the ceiling?

Welcome to living in Japan where unexpected joys and revelations are just around the next corner. Inspired by a selection of letters written between 1974-85, Meet Japan is a journey of enlightenment as seen through the eyes of John and Lois Urquhart. Their Japan was in the mountains, valleys, villages, back streets and everyday hustle and bustle of ordinary people. Meet Japan gives an insight into the country’s deeply spiritual relationship with nature, its beauty, the evolution of its ‘food life’ and culture, and explores the soul of this fascinating country.

To experience Meet Japan for yourself you’re in luck as it launches later this month!
To follow ABC Western Victoria, please check out their Facebook, Website or their Live Streaming Services.

ISBN: 9780648242673

Dr Ian Gawler and the battle of Willpower

“For many of us, the conditioning of past experiences, the conditioning stored in our memory as images, limits the capacity of our mind. For many of us, to actively work on training our mind and reprogramming our mind is therefore a key step in freeing us from past limitations and opening us to future possibilities. Clearly, it is the mind that changes everything…” – Excerpt from The Mind that Changes Everything, written by Dr Ian Gawler (first printed in 2011 by Brolga Publishing)

The invaluable writings of Dr Ian Gawler in The Mind that Changes Everything are based on modern research and current studies and it’s aim is to inspire, energise and inform one’s own mind’s potential. He is an authority on how this can be achieved with his many qualifications and the real-world application of his own practices during his remarkable recovery from cancer several years ago.

If you would like to learn more you can follow Dr Ian Gawler on his website – www.gawler.org, where you can then read his latest blog and all previous blog posts.

His next presentations are:
Medicine of the Mind
Date: Friday 24th August
Time: 6.45 – 9.30pm
Further details/Booking

Health, Healing and Wellbeing – Seeking to use the Power of the Mind
Date: Saturday 25th August
Time: 1.30 – 4.30pm
Further Details/Booking

You can purchase The Mind that Changed Everything from all good bookstores or order directly by contacting markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au
ISBN: 9781925367256

Mal Walden author talk @ Nunawading Library – August 8th, 2018.

On a brisk August Wednesday afternoon to a packed library in the heart of the South Eastern Suburb of Nunawading, Mal Walden was the focus of captivated audience as he spoke of his 60 year career as Australia’s longest-serving news presenter, his experiences in radio and television journalism and two current titles, The News Man (Brolga Publishing, 2016) and Good News! (Brolga Publishing, 2017).

 

If you would like to keep up with Whitehorse Manningham Libraries, jump on their website or follow them on Facebook.

ISBNs:
The News Man: 9781925367492
Good News: 9781925367928

The Focus is on G. J. Maher / Moon Over the Mediterranean!

[ Image credit: www.facebook.com/mgl.focus | Focus Mag July 2018, Issue 137 ]

Focus Mag for the Coffs Coast, Greater Port Macquarie and New England and surrounding area of NSW is a fan-favourite with 21,000 printed glossy copies available for purchase through their Website, Facebook and on Issuu every month. Focus Mag is impeccably designed and packed with the best of local content, including interviews with such interesting characters such as our own G. J. Maher, light news, feature editorials and features about local events on in the near future.

To read the full interview where G. J. Maher chats with Focus Mag and discusses his own worldly travels, inspiration for his widely read first book, Moon Over the Mediterranean and more, follow this link: Full Interview of G. J Maher with Focus Mag.
To support Focus Mag you can keep up with them on their Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Website.

Below is just a sample of some of the photos of from fans from all of the globe that love G. J. Maher’s work and if you want to look at happy as they do, you can purchase your own copy of Moon Over the Mediterranean by purchasing it from all good bookstores, ordering it directly from contacting our company director Mark Zocchi on markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au OR attending author talks. (The next author talk for G. J. Maher is August 20, 2018 at Forster Library NSW, more info found on our other blog post – Brolga Publishing | Meet G. J. Maher, author of Moon Over the Mediterranean!)

[Dr Rudi Kammermeier from Bavaria his family and their copy of ‘Moon Over the Mediterranean’]

[ Fans from the United States of America ]

[ Moon Over the Mediterranean being proudly held by fan at Uluru, Australia ]

[ Two fans, one copy of Moon Over the Mediterranean, Germany ]

[ A copy of Moon over the Mediterranean snapped while traveling with reader across Switzerland ]

ISBN: 9781925367898

Meet G. J. Maher, author of Moon Over the Mediterranean!

If you’re in the area of or surrounds of Forster, New South Wales you are in for a treat!
G. J. Maher, author of Moon Over the Mediterranean is going to be giving an author talk at Forster Library on August 20, 2018!

Moon Over the Mediterranean has been a phenomenal hit with copies being loved and read all over Australia and Europe – it tells the fascinating story of Alexander, a conscientious objector in 1960s Holland. He embarks on a lifetime adventure, travelling the hippie trail through Greece, India, Nepal, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel and beyond. Keeping his sketch pad at hand he always has a good book to enjoy and engages in deep philosophical discussions with fellow travellers, as well as falling in and out of love along the way. As he matures, Alexander becomes more involved with the world around him, helping displaced persons, building clinics, schools and rehabilitation centres, assisting children who have been abducted as child soldiers and abused in horrifying ways. Finally, he embarks on several monumental projects where he attempts to change the way people think towards bigotry and asylum seekers. Moon over the Mediterranean is a feel-good book despite the difficult issues it confronts. It tells the story of one man’s struggle to make the world a better place and live a compassionate life.

Event Details:  Monday, August 20 2018
10:30am – 11:30am

Location:          Forster Library
4-12 Breese Parade
Forster, NSW 2428

Follow this link to book:
Eventbrite.com.au | G. J. Maher – Moon Over the Mediterranean

ISBN: 9781925367898

Mr Crocodile’s Cooking Class Book Reading @ Fuller’s Bookshop, Hobart.

On Saturday 7th of July the littlest locals around Hobart, Tasmania were lucky enough to have a treat as Dianne Ellis, author of Mr Crocodile’s Cooking Class stopped by the fantastic Fuller’s Bookshop. In conjunction with the much-loved venue they hosted an afternoon filled with crocodile-themed crafts and not least Dianne Ellis read her book aloud to the captivated audience – afterwards a few signed copies went home with parents so their kids can continue to devour the beautiful illustrations by Janet Davies and heartfelt story of the important of practice at home alongside Mr Crocodile!

Fuller’s Bookshop – Hobart, Tasmania

Dianne Ellis (author) and copies of Mr Crocodile’s Cooking Class

Dianne Ellis and the kids enjoying some crocodile crafts

Dianne Ellis and some proud little artists

A captive audience for Mr Crocodile’s Cooking capers, read by none other than the author herself! What a lovely opportunity brought to life by Fuller’s Bookshop and Dianne Ellis

If you haven’t yet gobbled up Mr Crocodile’s Cooking Class you can find copies at all good bookstores and can order directly by contacting markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com

ISBN: 9780648150817

Daily Telegraph celebrates ‘How to Love the Sh*t out of Life’!

Sometimes one needs to sit back, relax and enjoy the smaller things in life … and if sometimes you find this seemingly easier-said-than-done then do we have some solid advice for you! First-time author Sally-Anne Hurley has written the breakout How to Love the Sh*t out of Life and we and the Daily Telegraph – Macarthur Chronicle recommend nabbing this title which is available from tomorrow!

Follow this link to read the fantastic article by the Daily Telegraph – Macarthur Chronicle, posted July 6: Daily Telegraph – Macarthur Chronicle | How to Love the Sh*t Out of Life: Leumeah author Sally-Anne Hurley shares her tips

How to Love the Sh*t out of Life was inspired by the desire to create and sustain a positive outlook to take with you through life. Using anecdotes and tales from her and the lives of the people in her life Sally-Anne Hurley provides insightful, often funny examples of how she has practised the strategies she preaches in the book.

ISBN: 9780648242642

As well as being available in all good bookstores you can also directly order a copy of this title by emailing markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au

Serpent Song in the running for The Davitt Award!

In years past noticing a lack of support for women crime writers the amazing Sisters in Crime Australia launched the Davitt Awards for best crime books by Australian women and we’re super excited to have our own Toni Grant and her book Serpent Song in the running this year!

The Davitt Awards – named in honour of Ellen Davitt, author of Australia’s first mystery novel, Force and Fraud in 1865 are presented annually by the Sisters in Crime Australia association. The Davitt Awards has been giving women crime writers, both fiction and non-fiction, adult and young adult fiction, a platform to celebrate their hard work on some truly phenomenal books since establishing in 2001 to mark 10 year anniversary of the organisation. Some of the past winners have included; Three-Pronged Dagger (Kelly Greenwood), Frantic (Katherine Howell) and Big Little Lies (Liane Moriarty – now adapted to TV with the likes of Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon, Alexander Skarsgård and Adam Scott in the all-star cast amongst others)

The shortlist for the Davitt Awards is set to be announced in coming days and we’re cheering for Toni and Serpent Song!

If you haven’t read Toni’s edge-of-your-seat crime, romance and adventure-packed Serpent series it’s never not a good time to spoil yourself! You can purchase a copy of Serpent Song or it’s follow-up Serpent Sting they are available at all good bookstores and can also be ordered by contacting markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au directly.

Serpent Song ISBN:
9781925367805

Serpent Sting ISBN:
9780648242659