The Wearing of the Green – A launch
My upper-middle grade novel, The Wearing of the Green took ten years to manifest – from first idea about a girl-in-Melbourne-1850s-not-gold-rush-story to book-release day. It is the story of Biddy’s arrival in Melbourne and her search for family and a place to belong, set in a fledgling colonial town. It felt good and right to celebrate the publication with a book launch close to where the story is set. I wanted to thank so many people who have been part of this journey and to send this book into the world with a party.
And so we partied. Newport Community Choir (including me) sang the title song (a rebel call first sung in 1798). Kate O’Donnell and I chatted about the story behind the story, Irish and Australian history and writing angst. There was food (including the pictured quail egg sized coconut spuds) and drink and chat. In short, we made merry.
So much of what happens from here on is beyond my control. I hope my story finds its readers and that they enjoy the world they visit in The Wearing of the Green. It is published by Walker Books Australia
Loved the book, but I want to know what happened next. 🙂
Thanks Jess. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’m not quite sure what happens next. Yet.
I would love to know what happened next! I read the book in one sitting a few days after visiting Sovereign Hill. More please Claire!
Am thoroughly enjoying the book. It’s drawn me in and that is saying something because I haven’t had a book draw me in for quite awhile!
That’s lovely to hear. Thank you for letting me know.
Thanks Claire, great reading for an adult also. It puts some new perspective on some of my Irish family history research. Also a welcome introduction to indigenous history that is often ignored in white colonial books.
Loving the book; really just in early stage of reading; my ancestors arrived in Williamstown in 1870 and I am interested in the similarities to their lives; both back in Ireland and then in Australia.
Thank you for your comments, Mary. I think it was such a conflicted time for the Irish, sadness at leaving home and the hope of new beginnings. Claire
I am the first born in my Irish lineage to be born outside Ireland.I would love to purchase this book however I cannot find a means to do so. It sounds like a wonderful story that I am looking forward to reading.
‘The Wearing of the Green’ has had a wonderful response. You could try bookshops like Readings, Dymocks or the Sun? You may find it more convenient to buy online with say booktopia.com.au. Thanks, Mary