The launch of Felicity Castagna's new Young Adult novel The Incredible Here and Now



My friend and colleague Felicity Castagna contacted me a couple of weeks ago inviting me to the launch of her new Young Adult novel The Incredible Here and Now at Gleebooks. Sadly I had to send my apologies because I would still be in Adelaide teaching at the Life Writing Bootcamp at the SA Writers' Centre. Turns out I was back in time, and so this afternoon I headed in to see my gorgeous friend in her moment of triumph. I h ave been a fan of Felicity's ever since I read her first book, Small Indiscretions, which I reviewed in the Singapore Review of Books.
Felicity is something of a superwoman. As well as producing this beautifully written and startlingly original collection of short fiction set in Sydney's Western suburbs, she has also produced a beautful baby boy and been awarded her doctorate of creative arts. All, it seems, while barely breaking a sweat.
The new book has been published by the wonderfully innovative Giramondo Publishing, and publisher Professor Ivor Indyk (full disclosure - also my academic supervisor) was there offering a few wise words, followed by a fulsome launch speeech by YA author Irini Savvides.

One of Felicity Castagna's images of Western Sydney


Felicity read some short segments from the book, which were all briulliant, as well as showing some of her stark and occasionally meditative images of Western Sydney.

Felicity Castagna launches her new book


In the audience I spotted novelist Gail Jones and Michael Richardson, one of the editors of the soon-to-be-published collection of essays on trauma, Traumatic Effect.
Irini Savvides exposed the breadth of her reading by asking me if I was the person mentioned in American author Doreen Virtue's recent  book on the Virgin Mary, Mary, Queen of Angels. I admitted that it was indeed me, and that the stories I told in its pages were all true. You really should check it out.

Walter Mason has Felicity Castagna sign his copy of her new book

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