Brolga Publishing’s Mark Zocchi speaking @ Bayside Literary Festival!

Rejoice! The Bayside Literary Festival is on again! This is a fantastic local support and celebration for writers and readers alike come together for a day filled with workshops, presentations, discussion panels and guest speakers – this year our own Mark Zocchi will be speaking to the audience!

Date: Sunday, May 27, 2018  |  10am – 5pm
Free event. No booking necessary.
Price: Free
Location: 2 Livingston Street, Highett, 3190

Related Links:
Offical Website – Bayside.vic.gov.au
Bayside Literary Festival – Facebook Event
Facebook – Baysidelibraryservice page
Facebook – Highett Neighbourhood Community House

Ros Ben-Moshe of ‘Laughing at cancer’ speaking event @ Melbourne Jewish Book Week

This coming Monday (May 7th, 2018) in Melbourne we’re very happy to announce Ros Ben-Moshe, author of the phenomenal Laughing at cancer (Brolga Publishing, 2017) will be speaking at Melbourne Jewish Book Week at the ‘Mind your Mind‘ event and panel alongside Elise Bialylew and Howard Goldenberg to have a chat and explore their stories, discuss the latest science around mindfulness and how it can transform your life. Definitely a must-attend event if you’re able!
This event is hosted in the Ngargee Room, St Kilda Town Hall at 12:15 pm – 1:15pm.
Though the event is free, please do book so they can register expected attendance: Click here to attend ‘Mind Your Mind’ – With Elise Bialylew and Howard Goldenberg – May 7 12:15pm

‘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

Beeb Birtles featured in the Geelong Advertiser’s Weekend Extra

Beeb Birtles, famous Dutch-Australian singer, songwriter and guitarist and part of the original Little River Band that rocketed to stardom, international acclaim and many, many awards (plus his own inductions to the ARIA Hall of Fame and SA Music Hall of Fame) has been featured in the Geelong Advertiser’s Weekend Extra and discusses his amazing first book, Every Day of My Life (Brolga Publishing, 2017)

(Journalist credit: Alex Sinnott).

If you haven’t snapped up this amazing title yet, a must-have for all Australian Music fans, you can purchase this at all good bookstores and you can also order Every Day of My Life directly by contacting markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au
ISBN: 9781925367973

Take some Pieces of China home with you courtesy of France McKay’s first book!

In the heart of Carlton and nestled in the beautiful and historic Clyde Hotel their main floor was full to the brim with friendly faces all gathered to celebrate the hard work of Frances McKay in the launch of her book, Pieces of China.

Book summary:
‘Losing a child is like having an elephant on your back. 
A burden so great you don’t think you will be able to bear it.’
In 1994 Frances McKay’s world was tipped upside down with the accidental death of her daughter Helen. Three years later, Frances signed up to teach conversational English to students in China. And so began her ten year tumultuous love affair with China.
In China she found difficulties, frustration, hilarity, friendship, and was touched by the kindness of strangers. Ultimately, Frances realised ‘the elephant’ had become smaller. That over time, healing happens. Pieces of China is a tribute to China, to life, to living and to a daughter named Helen.

What a fantastic evening to launch such a heartfelt book of adventure!
If you haven’t gotten your copy yet, Pieces of China is available at all good bookstores and can be ordered directly by contacting markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au
ISBN: 9780648242611

Moon Over the Mediterranean @ Cobargo Folk Festival and globetrotting!

Since its launch Moon Over the Mediterranean has traveled the world – much like the full-hearted conscientious objector Alexander of which Moon Over the Mediterranean follows from 1960s Holland as he embarks on a lifetime adventure, travelling the hippie trail through Greece, India, Nepal, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Iran, Israel and beyond – and into the hands of new readers and supporters which have been so kind as to share photos of them and/or their copies of this touching adventure.

Location: Zurich, Switzerland

Location: Germany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Germany

Location: Germany

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Chapel Bridge, Lucerne, Switzerland

Location: Lucerne, Switzerland.  Note: The lion is a sculpture for the Swiss soldiers who fought for the French king in 1792

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location: Lucerne, Switzerland. Note: The bridge is the Kapellbrücke (Chapel Bridge) of Luzern, it’s the symbol of the city. It was built in the 14th century and in the 17th century about 100 paintings were added. Unfortunately in the night from 17th till 18th of August, 1993 the central part of the bridge was destroyed by a fire. The bridge was rebuilt, but 80% of the paintings had been lost forever

Geof (GJ Maher) also attended Cobargo Folk Festival where he sold and had book signings for Moon Over the Mediterranean. At this same festival he met and shared chilli wine with the incredibly talented Eric Bogle (The famous singer-songwriter, known notably for his songs ‘No Man’s Land‘ and ‘And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda‘), met the Aboriginal Elder of the Yuin Region, Ossie Cruze, and also had a good chat with the local poet and storyteller who goes by the name of ‘Campbell’.

Geof [GJ Maher] at his stand – Cobargo Folk Festival

Geof [GJ Maher] (left) Eric Bogle (right)

Ossie Cruze Aboriginal Elder of the Yuin region (centre) Geof [GJ Maher] and his supportive wife, Barbara

Local poet and storyteller ‘Campbell’ with his copy of Moon Over the Mediterranean

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you haven’t grabbed a copy yet of the captivating Moon over the Mediterranean you can find this title at all good bookstores, online and by directly contacting markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au

ISBN: 9781925367898

Kicking it out of the Park! Phil Carman interviewed at Chelsea Library by Paul Kennedy

One of the most brilliant (and controversial) Australian footballers of all time, Phil Carman, took some time out of his busy schedule to stop by Chelsea library and have a chat with ABCs Paul Kennedy about his book – Fabulous Phil (Brolga Publishing, 2017) – and his awe-inspiring career spanning across the late 70s and into the 80s through SANFL’s Norwood and then into VFLs Collingwood, Melbourne, Essendon, and North Melbourne to discuss what he’s up since his retirement from playing and coaching in 2001.

Paul Kennedy (left) and Phil Carman (right) @ Chelsea Library

Spotted in Readings Carlton – Good News! by Mal Walden

We always appreciate finding our authors’ books in bookstores and awed that we often seen the books and the hard work of the authors being appreciated, turned over in the hands of to-be readers – we’ve recently become aware that Good News! by Mal Walden (Australia’s longest serving news presenter and author of The News Man – Sixty Years of Television) is pride of place in the front window of the award-winning Readings Bookshop located in Carlton, Victoria.

If you haven’t snapped up your copy of Mal Walden’s latest book, it is available at all good bookshops or can be ordered directly by contacting
markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au
ISBN: 9781925367928

Mal Walden on Nova 100 telling the Good News!

Nova 100 (100.3 FM)’s Chrissie, Sam and Browny invited the impressive Mal Walden, Australia’s longest-serving television news presenter and author of The News Man (Brolga Publishing, 2016) to come into the studio to talk about his latest book, Good News (Brolga Publishing, 2017) and to discuss how news as we know it is effected by the 24-Hour news cycle.

Mal Walden ready to tell the Good News

Left to Right: Sam Pang, Chrissie Swan, Mal Walden and Jonathan Brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

Direct link to their article: We ask Mal Walden: ‘News / Not News’? (Dated January 23rd 2018) which features Mal Walden’s full interview in video or listen to the audio below:

Time to eat up ‘Mr Crocodile’s Cooking Class’!

Children’s books are always such a joy to work on, with colourful pages and simple valuable lessons about life communicated in any myriad of ways. Recently we had the pleasure to publish and attend the launch of Mr Crocodile’s Cooking Class, written by Dianne Ellis and illustrated by Janet Davies.
The day was filled with friendly faces, activities for the kids and wonderful speeches by the author and Brolga Publishing’s Company Director, Mark Zocchi.

  

If you haven’t snapped up this amazing children’s book as yet, there’s still time before Christmas/the Holiday Season Mr Crocodile’s Cooking Class is available in all good bookstores and can be ordered directly by contacting Mark Zocchi – markzocchi@brolgapublishing.com.au

ISBN: 9780648150817