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

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

 

 

 

 

G. J. Maher of ‘Moon Over the Mediterranean’ to be interviewed on ABC Gippsland!

There’s no stopping G. J. Maher! When he’s not stopping the public in their tracks with delicious chilli he’s fast gaining a solid fanbase and enthusiastic audience spanning the globe with his amazing, heartfelt and intrepid book Moon Over the Mediterranean!

This coming Wednesday (May 23rd 2018) he will be sitting down with the Bec Symons of ABC Gippsland from 10:10am so tune in! I know we will be!
Bec Symons is known for her avid involvement in the local community and for her passion about bringing remarkable stories of the Gippslanders who have stolen her heart. Her regular panel is 10am – 11am weekdays on 100.7FM or you can tune in live at Radio.abc.net.au and you can check out more about her and her show by following this link: www.abc.net.au: Programs – Gippsland Mornings

If you haven’t yet found out what all the hype is about you can purchase Moon Over the Mediterranean at all good bookstores or by emailing markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au directly.

ISBN: 9781925367898

‘Whose Life is it Anyway?’ Top of the list, tip of the tongue and talk of the town!

Deborah Thomson’s breakout first book about her personal experiences, meticulously documented through journals, in an abusive situation and the journey to freedom for herself and her children, the amazing Whose Life is it Anyway? (which also features many current resources and excerpts from studies on the phenomena of intimate partner abuse and Australian support information) has rocketed up the list at Fullers Bookshop on their Non-Fiction list, securing No. 1 spot!

 

And not only is her book making waves, it’s also drawing amazing support as well! At one of her recent book signings her excellency governor Kate Warner attended and spoke of Whose Life is it Anyway? saying it was a unique and valuable resource for domestic violence services, after which she and her husband Richard very kindly donated 30 copies of Deborah’s book to Alina Thomas from SHE [www.she.org.au | Support, Help and Empowerment (SHE)] to be distributed to social services across Tasmania. Salvation Army also purchased 5 copies for their women’s refuges.

(Pictured – governor Kate Warner speaking at a book signing of ‘Whose Life is it Anyway?’ to a captivated room with author Deborah Thomson and other speakers)

Unstoppable, Deborah Thomson also attended and spoke at a Candlelight Vigil on Parliament Grounds in Hobart against Domestic Violence, below is the Hobart Mercury Newspaper’s feature.

(We would also like to take this opportunity make some amendments to the newspaper’s article, as Deborah’s surname was mistyped and her experiences that she speaks of in Whose Life is it Anyway? didn’t happen in Queensland as reported – however the rest of the article is fantastic and we and Deborah Thomson appreciate their support of local author’s and survivors of domestic violence)

If you haven’t yet nabbed your copy of Whose Life is it Anyway? you can find this at all good bookshops and can order directly by contacting Mark Zocchi on markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au 
ISBN: 9780648150862

If you or anyone you care about is at risk or would like to reach out for information/support, below are phone numbers you can contact:

000 – If your life is in immediate danger
1800 RESPECT (1800737732) – National Domestic Violence Hotline 24-hour support
131 114 – Lifeline 24-hour support
131 450 – Translating Service
1300 789 978 – Mensline Australia
1800 551 800 – Kids Help Line
1800 880 052 – National Disability Abuse Hotline
1300 364 277 – Relationships Australia support groups

Whose launch is it anyway? Deborah Thomson’s of course!

One cannot minimise for even a moment the strength it takes to leave an abusive situation and the continued unbreakable spirit to tell the story that is sadly far too common – abuse from a domestic partner. Deborah Thomson tells her experiences through journal entries meticulously kept over the years and does this with heart, sincerity, dignity and empathy for her own experiences and for others who face such a shocking reality. Throughout Whose Life is it Anyway? the addition of referenced studies and current and relevant information/resources is absolutely invaluable for literally everyone – for those who experience or have experienced domestic violence/abuse, those who know someone who is at risk of and for anyone to keep an ear and eye out for the hallmark signs of abuse for the safety of themselves and others.

The launch of Whose Life is it Anyway? had the likes of Australian politicians like Steve Martin (an independent Senator for Tasmania) who are invested in the causes and resources for helping victims and survivors of domestic violence and abuse, beloved family members who can only be proud of how strong and self-confident she is and the public which surely were intrigued by Deborah’s story that left a little more aware of a crisis that many people face every day and armed with information to help where they can.

[Deborah Thomson signing copies of her book in Burnie, Tasmania]

[Steve Martin, an independent Senator for Tasmania, was in attendance for the launch of Whose ‘Life is it Anyway?’]

[Left to right: Deborah’s partner, her mum, herself and her daughter Kelly – who also incidentally is the artist behind the painting featured on the cover of ‘Whose Life is it Anyway?’]

We were very proud to work with Deborah to bring her book to life, to have her story told and for it to be now available in all good bookshops.
ISBN: 9780648150862

 

If you or anyone you care about is at risk or would like to reach out for information/support, below are phone numbers you can contact:

000 – If your life is in immediate danger
1800 RESPECT (1800737732) – National Domestic Violence Hotline 24-hour support
131 114 – Lifeline 24-hour support
131 450 – Translating Service
1300 789 978 – Mensline Australia
1800 551 800 – Kids Help Line
1800 880 052 – National Disability Abuse Hotline
1300 364 777 – Relationships Australia support groups