It was a dark and stormy night…
Actually, it was. Norm and I had been watching the weather forecast all week, wondering what the heavens would bring on the Friday night of our launch. By Tyr’s Day, we could see that rain was likely. By Wodin’s Day, rain was certain. Come Freyja’s Day, when the wind didn’t let up all day, we knew a storm was brewing. Thor was angry. The joke going around was that his invite had been lost on it’s way to Asgard. But maybe that was true, and he thought we were snubbing him… and when you snub a Norse god, you get a once-in-10-years weather event. Thirty millimetres of rain fell in 30 minutes- the precise 30 minutes in which our guests were en route to the launch.
Thus, three hundred drenched but daring Vikings descended upon the Fremantle Children’s Literature Centre to celebrate the release of The Last Viking. Kris Williams, literary Valkyrie and descendant of Danish brewers, did us the great honour of launching the book. Norman and I were blown away by the turnout- it was wonderful to see so many of our friends, family and colleagues squished into that room, ready to party with us. It was exactly how I imagine Valhalla would be.
While Norm and I signed copies of books, Normans and Saxons murdered each other on the lawn. All in a night’s fun for the Grey Company Medieval Reenactment Group.
Special Thanks to Cate, Cathy, Claire, Clive and everyone at Fremantle Press; Lesley and all the lovely ladies at the Lit Centre; the gallant warriors from the Grey Company; and everyone who has supported Norm and I as we’ve put the book together.
There’s more photos from the night on the Fremantle Press facebook page. Check it out, and like the Press while you’re at it. They’re always bringing out great Western Australian books from Western Australian creators. Support your local!
So now the book is out- you can buy it from all good bookshops, or from the Fremantle Press website.
..and the Gods are giving us a repeat performance this morning!
Seems that way. I wonder what’s got their goat now. Maybe the invite has just turned up at Thor’s house.
I think I’m going to have to write a letter to the inter-realm Nordic postal service and complain, this is really not good enough
Careful Foley, you’ll look pretty stupid with a lightning bolt in the top of your head.