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NZ distributors - Nationwide Book Distributors
Address from author Fiona Sussman's husband Luigi:
Luigi addresses large audience
Busy signing copies
NZ distributors - Nationwide Book Distributors
Address from author Fiona Sussman's husband Luigi:
Thank you for joining us tonight to celebrate this very special event - the launch of Shifting
Colours. A special thanks to those who have travelled from afar to be here on this proud
occasion.
Colours. A special thanks to those who have travelled from afar to be here on this proud
occasion.
I know Fiona’s father , not only a publisher but the head of Heineman South Africa – who died
too young – would be especially proud and will be looking down on this moment with great
delight. He probably would have had a lot of advice for me along the way – some of which I
might add - Fiona has shared with me on his behalf – but I only have one thing to say on the
matter “ You should have stuck around, published Fiona’s book, and saved me a lot of grief” --- who cares about nepotism.
too young – would be especially proud and will be looking down on this moment with great
delight. He probably would have had a lot of advice for me along the way – some of which I
might add - Fiona has shared with me on his behalf – but I only have one thing to say on the
matter “ You should have stuck around, published Fiona’s book, and saved me a lot of grief” --- who cares about nepotism.
Fiona’s mum Nedda, is here tonight, and will leave you in no doubt as to her pride – so be
warned - don’t let her corner you.
warned - don’t let her corner you.
Fiona asked if I would please talk tonight -- and unlike most things I get asked to do - I dug deep , andthen said no, but only because of my innate fear and dislike for public speaking.
Unlike a writer who has to bravely put themselves out there - I don’t! And yet I have
suffered the gestation period of this gem - which I would like to share has been 10 years –
and according to Wikipedia five times the gestation of an African elephant.
suffered the gestation period of this gem - which I would like to share has been 10 years –
and according to Wikipedia five times the gestation of an African elephant.
As an insider somebody needs to get my story out. Now there are a few writers here tonight.
Sorry it is not you who interests me but if any of your partners have been dragged along,
please meet me later in the opposite corner to Fiona’s mum. I take this opportunity to invite
the rest of the audience to the launch of our debut novel – “Living with a writer”.
Sorry it is not you who interests me but if any of your partners have been dragged along,
please meet me later in the opposite corner to Fiona’s mum. I take this opportunity to invite
the rest of the audience to the launch of our debut novel – “Living with a writer”.
In all seriousness – it is and has been a privilege to be a part of Fiona’s journey. To shelve all
her years of study to become a doctor and her popular medical practice to then pick up the
quill took courage.
her years of study to become a doctor and her popular medical practice to then pick up the
quill took courage.
We have watched her grow from someone who was tentative and uncertain of her talent to the confident writer we celebrate today.
There have been tears, tantrums and many rejected and returned manuscripts along the way, fortunately interspersed with several acknowledgements of her talent with her winning
prestigious short story competitions and national radio broadcasts to boot.
prestigious short story competitions and national radio broadcasts to boot.
We only had her short stories to go by as Fiona never lets anyone – not even those in the
inner circle - read her works in progress for fear we would somehow alter the creative flow.
However from the first read of the first paragraph of Shifting Colours I knew this book was a
winner. One cannot help being captivated by her beautiful and vivid descriptions of SA – the
smells, situations and characters immediately struck a chord with me as I am sure they will with
you , and childhood memories flooded home. Her imagery is so powerful that I know in the
future you will say – “I am glad I read the book first!”
Luigi addresses large audience
Busy signing copies
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