It’s a beautiful morning, soft and still, and I’m all rested up after the launch of my book: “Freestone: a mostly true history” at Freestone Memorial Hall yesterday.
It was an amazing time with animated conversations going on wherever you looked. So many people came they lined the walls and organizers had to bring in more chairs. It was so fun to see dear, familiar faces who came out to show support, and meet some lovely new folks and people I’d only known by name through my research for the book.
The committee did a spectacular job organizing massive amounts of baked goods, tea, coffee, and lemon water to keep the masses fed and watered, and lining tables with old photos to elicit laughter and good memories.
The launch itself was short and sweet. I gave my speech and was understood in spite of my foreign accent, and was honored to present a copy of “Freestone: a mostly true history” to friends from the Warwick library.
Afterwards everyone milled around chatting up a storm as I signed stacks of books and met even more great people. It was such a warm, community feeling and I was thrilled to be a part of it.
Many thanks to Liz Hill and the Freestone Hall for these photos of the book launch.
As folks made their way home again, Bear and I got in our car and headed back to our farm, beaming but exhausted, thankful for the journey that accompanied this book, relief at being done, gratitude at being able to celebrate it with such a great group of people.
If you would like a copy of “Freestone: a mostly true history” there are two options. If you’re local (ie – in Southern Queensland, Australia) you can purchase a copy at “Art on King” in Warwick. If you’re a bit farther afield, you can purchase a copy online by clicking here. If you buy in Warwick, only soft covers are available. If you prefer a hard cover or PDF version, please order online. (All proceeds go to the Freestone community.)
If you’re local and would like me to sign your copy, I’d be delighted. Just drop me a note and we’ll make arrangements to meet up.
Now it’s time to get back to work. 🙂 I’ve started my next book, the biography of an amazing woman who survived the Holocaust and the Hungarian Revolution, and moved to Australia with only one set of clothes to her name to start a new life. I can’t wait to share her story with you.
What is one of your favorite biographies? xo
I am so glad that your book was so well received. You must have a lovely community there. It is great when old photos are on display it always gets people talking. Cassie and I went to a second hand market on the week-end and you could people everywhere commenting (me included). I used to have one of those, or my Mother/Grandmother had one of those!
There really is an amazing community here, @budgetjan:disqus. They get so involved in regional projects, festivals, and events. It’s lovely. 🙂 How fun to go to the market! That’s one of my favorite things to do. 🙂
You clever lady! Well done. The new book sounds inspiring and something very close to my heart.
Thank you so much, @disqus_xRgkTDNCQJ:disqus. 🙂 I’m glad these types of stories resonate with you too. 🙂
Congratulations, Krista. I can just about picture the rural hall setting too.
That made me smile, @Kayrpea61:disqus. 🙂 The country halls do have a distinctive look and feel, don’t they? I hope to share some photos of it as soon as they’re available. 🙂
I neglected to mention the tea – sure to be china cups rather than the dreaded polystyrene 🙂
Well done Krista, and your next book sounds like something I would read 🙂
Thank you, @tandysinclair:disqus 🙂 Yes, the next book is the one I’m so excited about. 🙂
Congratulations on all of your hard work. You truly deserved all that support that made you smile and feel fulfilled.
Oh, thank you so much, @taniamykitchenstoriescomau:disqus. 🙂
what a gorgeous cover and how exciting and what a busy girl you really are! congratulations! so is freestone the area that you live in there? yes please, tell us more.
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Thank you, luv! 🙂 Freestone is about 30 minutes away from our village. A friend of mine is from there, and she is the one who commissioned me to write the book. 🙂
Congratulations! What a great story and I’m eagerly looking forward to your new project.
Thanks so much, @OrgasmicChef:disqus 🙂 I’m really excited about this new project. I started interviewing and doing research last month and am loving it.
Lady, you are an inspiration. I have so enjoyed seeing you go from strength to strength over the past many years. Cant wait to get my hands on a copy, and I will wait until we finally meet to get you to sign it personally…. Unless you are planning a visit to the Berra some time soon?! Hint Hint! 🙂
Oh @disqus_o9c9vkchcC:disqus, I was literally just thinking this week, “I wonder how I can get to Canberra to visit Anna?” 🙂 I’m going to do my darnedest, and then I promise to sign your book with a flourish. 🙂
Congratulations on the launch of your book and I’m glad the launch went really well. Your biography on the Hungarian holocaust survivor sounds like a story that definitely needs to be told xx
Yes, she is an incredible woman, Charlie. I can’t wait to share this story with you. XO
Congratulations on the launch of this book, Krista! Well done… and now I can’t wait to hear your next story… which, as you know, is close to my heart, too.
I’ve thought of you so many times as I’ve been working on this book, @liz_posmyk:disqus XO I wish we were closer so we could meet for coffee and cake and share stories.
Oh wow – congratulations! It musy be so amazing to hold your book in your hands for the first time! Yor community sounds lovely – so warm and supportive 🙂
How amazing and fun! Seems like that would be so rewarding after all that hard work. Congrats and a big ole hug!
Congratulations!
Krista,
I’m an old Warwick boy having lived & gone to school through the 70’s and 80’s so was keen to buy your book. My family are still in Warwick but tell me that ‘Art on King’ is closed now. Where can they buy a copy for me.
Tony Shelley