Sad news and mount gambier book launch

It’s been a very long break since I last wrote but after reading this post I hope you will understand. I will briefly explain the sad and challenging events of the last seven months that have left Switchback completely on the sidelines. But first the good news.

Copies of Switchback packed and ready for the flight to Mount Gambier

When I last wrote, my son Bruce ( the creator of this website and “marketing manager”) and I were just about to leave for Mount Gambier; our first interstate book presentation. We were able to fly despite the Covid threats and restrictions. The evening gathering was held in the Mt Gambier Library where we were given a warm welcome in a wonderfully organised and creative setting (see the photos with this post). The video equipment was excellent and we were able to run a showing of the photos from Switchback. Overall it was such a rewarding experience with an enthusiastic audience, vibrant questions and discussions and encouraging sales of signed copies. We also received some enthusiastic feedback.

However Bruce had been diagnosed with metastatic cancer the year prior and been forced to retire during his intense and lengthy chemotherapy. It was then he offered to help me with Switchback. It would give him a manageable interest and he’d had plenty of marketing experience  early in his career. A perfect solution for us both during a challenging period. You can see a picture of him standing, microphone in hand, at the book launch in Melbourne.

Bruce enjoying the great tourist attraction in Mt Gambier - the Blue Lake.

In this post I include two photos of Bruce while we were in Mount Gambier. He seemed strong and still “well” despite severe attacks of pain he managed with medication. Between our committments we had long walks and meetings with family members enjoying Mount Gambier’s Blue Lake. This was important to us. Mt Gambier had been the place where early Clezy family members from Scotland had settled way back in the nineteenth century. So we visited historical family sites. A godmother cousin of Bruce’s still lives there. We had jokingly dubbed her M.M.S.A. (Marketing Manager South Australia) for all the generous planning and effort she put into our visit and Switchback’s promotion.

Frighteningly, on the plane on the way back from South Australia, Bruce had a severe pain crisis. Two days later he was admitted to hospital for pain management. He remained there for eight weeks, partly because of all the Covid isolation regimes even though he did not catch it himself. It was such a frustrating and lonely time for him.

Finally he was free to come home for six weeks and I was his carer. We had some happy times. His pain was by then controlled, but he was failing rapidly. Still, he kept encouraging me about marketing and writing the sequel to Switchback and I promised to do so. This blog post is my first step back to it.

Bruce bravely, sadly and peacefully died on June 25th. My family and I are devastated but also determined to follow his wishes and example.

Introductory Q and A session between me and Bruce.

I have another event planned for February 2023. I will also be visiting libraries and book stores to revive sales. Here in Australia book stores have been at a near standstill due to Covid. I will try to develop my own marketing skills - not my strong suit!

I am encouraged by the postive feedback many of you have so kindly sent through. Please can I encourage you to spread the word, if you have not already done so. Or, if you have an unread copy on your bedside table please read it and, if you enjoy it, spread the word or give a copy to friends for Christmas! Purchasing details are on this website.

All this will help me, literally and metaphorically, make up for lost time and keep writing the sequel. I was up to Chapter 2 when I stopped everything completely to become Bruce’s carer. Hopefully it will be completed before too long. It will be dedicated to him.

I will blog about progress and include snippets from the next book, so please keep an eye on the website.

Good wishes and thanks for your interest.

The masked gathering listening at the Mount Gambier launch.

Taking questions from the audience.