WOOT! Last night my first ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness book launch lifted off with a BANG!
Part of the crowd of 85!
Over eighty-five guests attended Logan North library in South Brisbane, Australia. 85! The librarian said it was one of their TOP book launches EVER (trailing closely after Kate Morton’s author talk and Cyclone Yasi’s recent launch).
I was unexpectedly surprised! Teachers from my old school waltzed in, keeping their attendance secret until they arrived. Warm tears and smiles overcame me. I’ve come so far along my journey from a harassed stressed-out teacher to a published author.
Dawn Alice MC
MC and author, Dawn Alice hosted the night’s event with smooth expertise, introducing all the speakers.
Mayor Pam Parker delivered a personal introduction and a speech on overcoming bullying and harassment.
“Don’t let those bullies get you down. Rise above them.”
I delivered my speech on my recovery with humour, so everyone would ‘relax’ hearing about mental illness. It worked! I heard their giggles and caught their smiles.
On a sad note, I presented a tribute to my dear friend, Theodora (Doris) Furfaro, a key character in my memoir, who passed away last week … I almost choked on those words.
Heather Golding, Jan Mills, Wendy Johnson, Rebecca Dobbie, Stephanie Laverie
My tears turned into smiles when I gazed at the audience! So many friends, family, teachers, Book Clubbers, Toastmasters, and Writers showed. Their warm embraces and congratulations turned my book launch into an undeniable success.
Later, my cramped hand couldn’t keep up with all the book signings! Boy did I need another cloned ME to help out! Or maybe a HER!
What a celebration we reveled in! We partied on scrumptious nibblies, sushi, ME & HER cupcakes and chocolate launch cake, chatting with our friends.
I’d like to thank ALL those who attended and the well-wishers who sent congratulatory messages. Your support has lifted me up, given me confidence to realize my dream.
When’s my next Book Launch?
Next Thursday, the 10th May, I’m launching ME & HER: A Memoir of Madness at Black Cat book shop at Paddington at 6pm.
Love to see you there! This time there’ll be bottles of bubbly!
Please come along and join a celebratory drink with me!
Please call 3367 8777.
RSVP to my Facebook event: http://www.facebook.com/events/300594836682890/
Well done, Karen – you are a real force for change. 🙂
a queue at that signing table too. With all the effort you have put in you deserve success.
Thanks Juliet for dropping by. Your support means so much to me!
Sounds like a brilliant night. Congratulations! Wish I could have been there! Hugs, Kaz xxxxx
Lines of queues all night. I couldn’t believe how many turned up and how many books I sold!
Hi Kaz, I wish you could have been there too. It was an awesome night. Between chatting to people and signing books I was run off my feet… in an amazing GOOD way!
Huge congratulations, Karen. I hope all your launches will be an equal success and the book sells by the truckload. You deserve this, and are an inspiration.
All best wishes
Peter
Congratulations Karen..your dream is now reality.
🙂
It was a GREAT night and KT looked FABULOUS!
now I just have to kidnap a babysitter so I can attend your brissy launch as well!
PS- Karen’s Me & Her cupcakes were scrummy, as was the ‘official cake’
Thanks Peter for all your wonderful support you’re giving me. I really appreciate it 🙂
Thanks Anthony, lOVED the whole Shebang last night!! Strangely I was so calm and manged to crack quite a few jokes.
WOW! Steph! Are you really coming to the Black Cat launch too? I can’t believe it!
Thanks Steph, glad you liked my cakes! What will I make for The Black Cat Launch.
Hard work pays off, Karen. I’m not surprised it was a huge success, congratulations! Only wish I could have been there. Cheers, Marjorie.
Thanks Marjorie for supporting me from Adelaide & buying my book. That’s the best support you can give an author!
Hi Karen, So sorry I couldn’t make it, but it seems like it was a run away success without me. Go well for the one at Black Cat Books too.
Hugs
Joan
Fantastic Karen, looks like it was a huge success! And am so pleased to have one of your first signed copies!! this is just the beginning x
Better late than never. I made it before you finished speaking. It was a great turnout and I read a few pages last night. Its a great read. Well done. I am proud to have been your Toastmaster’s mentor all those years ago.
Hi Joan, I would have loved to catch up with you … Maybe another time … another place 🙂
Thanks Nicky, I’m so glad you have one of my first copies. Please let me know, what you think!
Thanks Marian, I’ve come a long way with my public speaking. Thanks for the mentoring! … Glad you’re enjoying it!
Hi Karen, sorry I was out of town and missed seeing you. It looks like you had a terrific attendance. Best wishes for your next stop at Black Cat!
Congratulations! Such a terrific start can only bode well for the future.
Congratulations on your success, Karen,
You have worked so hard for this and it takes a lot of courage to write the book you have written.
I hope all your launches are as successful.
Dee:)
Thanks Jim, sorry you missed my launch. Thanks for all your support over the last year and longer. Much appreciated 🙂
Thanks so much Belinda, my book launch certainly gave me great optimism for the future:)
Thanks Dee for your fantastic support !!
With each speaking engagement, I’m becoming more confident with delivering my message of Hope 🙂
Karen,
You’ve put endless effort into your book, your writing, Logan Writers, your writer’s group and your support for mental health, so it was lovely to take part in celebrating your wonderful achievements.
Thanks Judi, for being the BEST writing buddy and friend imaginable. For always being there to give me feedback and advice on my writing 🙂
HI
Sounds great Karen- more power to you
It takes bravery to fight stigma, especialy when in packs of the ignoarant, but look how it turned around already. People are good when given the chance, even if they are just uninformed on topics such as this. Not with such books out now.
I thought it was on the 10 May at Black Cat thats what my invite says. Sorry i missed it.
cheers
Allen
Thanks Allen lovely to hear from you again,
I’m still fighting stigma but people are becoming more open to discussing it.
The launch on this post was the LOGAN one on the 1st of may.
You haven’t missed my Brisbane BlackCat launch on the 10th May. Love to see you there.
Please click on this link and CLICK on GOING ie the MORE people who go, the MORE people WANT to go!
http://www.facebook.com/events/300594836682890/
So exciting!!! I wished I could have been there, although that crowd would have scared me!!! Did you sell many books? You need to add details on how to order by mail on either the FB group or your website….On another note, I remember talking to you about the pros and cons of self publishing…Now that you’ve done it..What are your thoughts 🙂 x
Thanks Stephanie, I can hear the excitement in your voice.
I’ve sold over 100 books in one week via direct sales. I can’t wait till it becomes an eBook!
YES, I would definitely publish again this way as I have 100% control where, when and HOW I sell my books.
I’ll be announcing more book shops soon.
It seems that your feet have not had a chance to touch down after an amazing lift-off.
Dawn Alice xx
Hi Dawn. Thanks for being my MC and making my book launch a brilliant success!
Huge congratulations, Karen. All your work, commitment and bravery are inspiring. Enjoy every moment. Best wishes, Chris.
Thanks Chris, I really appreciate you dropping by to share your warm wishes … YES, I am enjoying every moment , Karen 🙂
All fabulous Karen! You have worked hard and smart to achieve your success. At your Logan book launch I was amazed (and pleased) to see so many people put up their hand to say they knew of someone affected by mental illness. And thanks to you we all have a voice. Your dedication is inspirational xoxo
Thanks Wendy for your awesome support!
I was amazed at how many hands went up to!
The tide is changing when mental health and illness can be spoken about out loud and not in whispers and slurs.
Congratulations Karen!
All the very best, you deserve it!
Thanks to much Jennifer for dropping in,
with your kind message of support and encouragement.
I’m passionate about mental health and I’m thrilled to see ME & HER published … Karen 🙂
[…] Bailey for Logan KIDS With much pride, I handed over fifty copies of Bailey Beats the Blah to Mayor Pam Parker at the Caring Women United morning tea held at Logan City Council […]
[…] In 2012, Mayor Pam Parker launched my award winning memoir, Me & Her: A Memoir of Madness at Logan North Library HERE […]