Tuesday, September 7th, 2010
Check out the clip from The Circle on Tuesday 31st August 2010.
I’ve lost the link but bear with me and it will be here next time because I’d like to share my memories of Melbourne promoting my new book, The Don’t Panic Guide To Birth.
What an amazing morning when I appeared briefly on The Circle (Channel Ten 31st August 2010). So many of my friends were watching and cheering for me I felt very supported. Picked up by my publicist from Penguin Books, Australia, Liesel Maddock, who looked after me in Melbourne (That’s apart from Anne Gracie who ferried me everywhere else and Carol Marinelli who came with Anne and hugged me when needed) just keeps reminding me that friends are awesome.
We arrived in the television station, about an hour and a quarter before I went on, and the time was not for getting nervous. I knew that. There was this delightful young guy who kept popping in and giving me updates when I was feeling a tad lost and this fabulous lady in makeup who had no issue with the fact I don’t wear makeup normally and suggested staying natural – by the way- my husband loved the lipstick colour -then proceeded to paint my face for television – with a spray gun, and hey, it even looked natural. Thank you. I’m so sorry I don’t know your name but you were so lovely.
The make-up lady in her domain
Eventually we were directed to the green room for the final few minutes while the previous segment finished. Then I was standing at the edge of the set, a bit like standing on the edge of a cliff, and then ussured onto set to sit on ‘The Couch” with Chrissy and Gorgi. Thanks guys. You were so friendly and interested, and the audience were full of smiles too. Couldn’t help myself directing a lot of my answers to the audience as well.
The interveiw started with a birth scene from ‘Knocked Up’ the movie, which was amusing, and then it was time to share why I think my book can help. All great fun and something I’m so glad I had the opportunity to experience. Thanks so much to the all on the Circle for having me. You made it so easy.
I’ve done eleven radio interviews since then, all fun in their own way, even one live with Steve Vissard, and all an opportunity to get the message out that women are amazing and with their support people and some knowledge of choices, they can improve their birth experience enormously.
I did come home to my long suffering husband, and Friday saw me officially launch my book in Kempsey. The library was were I started writing almost twenty years ago after doing a short course there, so it was fitting that my latest baby was born there. Thanks so much to Angie for all her help at organising the launch and all my friends, family and readers who came out in the rain to share the moment. I really appreciate it.
But now its back to the real world, back to work, did I mention I was witness to a truly magical birth last night, a baby caught by her father and surrounded by such a warmth of welcome, that it reminded me that as midwives, we are there to watch over a woman doing what she’s designed to do. And she can do it so well.
Wishing you love and laughter and the joy of birth
xx Fi
Monday, August 23rd, 2010
The plane takes off, and somewhere below my husband is driving the eighty kilometres home after getting up at 0400 to get there on time. What a hero. As I look out the plane window I see banana plantations below me and to the left the sea. It’s a gorgeous winter day. A day with a difference.
I have to smile and wonder what the next few days will bring for a mother of five and a midwife from a small country town. A wish for luck would be appreciated.
My new Don’t Panic Birth Guide comes out on the 30th August, and I’m off to Melbourne. The good news is it’s a book of the heart and no hardship to talk about my passion – the wonder of birth and the awesome women who continue to inspire me.
That’s lucky, because in the next few days I’m meeting my agent and my publisher, having lots of chats with my publicist, have two or three radio interviews most days, have already answered four Q&A’s from magazines both on line and print – which I loved, and am gearing up for my first appearance on breakfast television. Oh, and I’m waiting for a book review from journo Kate Cuthbert to be posted on Booktopia. All pretty amazing stuff.
Just thought I’d post this, shamelessly angling for your good wishes, good vibes and good humour. So keep an eye out on Tuesday at 1055am on The Circle, Channel Ten up my way, and wish me luck.
Xx Fi
http://ten.com.au/the-circle.htm
ROMANCE WRITERS OF AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE What a fabulous weekend at the Crowne Plaza Coogee. Thank you to the exec and conference committee of Romance Writers Of Australia for another fabulous conference. My nineteenth occasion and it just keeps getting better.
It starts with meeting friends at the airport (That would be me, Bronwyn Jameson(Desire author) and Anne Gracie 
(Berkley Regency Author) and taking them to the Crowne Plaza at Coogee. Honest, we didn’t co-ordinate our colours. Must have been feeling green. 
I adore this hotel, (thank you to the awesome staff of CPC) not least because you’ll often get a sneak peak at a brand new little Aussie and proud parents in the lift as they finish their lying-in stay in a place not remotely like a hospital. There’s even a midwife on call to answer any new parent’s concern. Accommodation for dad, breakfast in bed for mum, now that’s romantic. Especially for someone partial to midwifery like me.
The other romantic event was the Romance Writers of Australia Conference, for those writing romance, women’s fiction and a healthy mix of other genres. We were all well represented by authors, editors, agents and publishers like Penguin, Random House, Allen and Unwin, and in the majority, like me, those aligned to Harlequin Mills and Boon.
Thursday night saw a swish dinner hosted by HMB for their authors overlooking Coogee beach, and the presentation of ‘50 BOOK PINS’ OMG for my legendary friends Carol Marinelli and Alison Roberts. Even more incredible ‘75′ book pin for Meredith Webber, who holds a very special place in my heart because she was so generous when I was ‘almost ‘ published 21 books ago.
On the Friday after the workshop by American icon Debra Dixon, of “Goal, Motivation, Conflict”, fame, came the ARRA booksigning.
The Australian Romance Readers Association held their first signing at an RWA conference and what a success it was. So professional, so warm and inviting, and such an opportunity for Australian authors to meet their readers. My heart felt thanks goes to the hard working ARRA organisers for a fabulous afternoon. You can find their website at australianromancereaders.com
The really cool thing was not only could I give away free books from HM&B thanks to Sydney office’s generosity, but I had a chance to show off my advance copy of TThe Don’t Panic Guide To Birth, and even ran into Belinda and Sara from Penguin as well.
Friday night saw the cocktail party, themed ‘Fantasy Island, and full kudos to the superb costumes. Check out the slideshow on barbarahannay.com. Brilliant Barb. I actually asked my husband what my fantasy was and he laughed. ‘ “Around the world first class, don’t you think. “Actually yes, dreaming , but that’s what a fantasy is. So thanks to Suz for this photo.
Saturday and Sunday was serious conference time and the 250 writers who attended were blown away by the depth and diversity of our speakers. If you’re a published women’s fiction author or aspiring to be, you can’t miss this professional event. Next year is Melbourne. Check out romanceaustralia.com
Saturday night is dress up time and always magnificent as we celebrate the achievments of our members and Sunday is too darn close to being over for another year.
But to friends and fabulous speakers and fellow writers I’d have to say I wouldn’t miss our annual RWA conference for the world. Even a fantasy trip couldn’t keep me from next year. So I hope to see you then, keep well, keep happy and good writing
luv Fi
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?
The first answer is beautiful BALI. I flew out with another midwife, my friend Vicki, at the end of May and came back in the first week of June. This is a photo of me outside the Bumi Sehat, at Ubud, Bali, of course we couldn’t miss out on a visit to a birth centre for mostly Balinese women. This centre is funded by donations and staffed by inspiring women. This was my second visit to Bumi Sehat and again I was fortunate to talk to the Australian midwife working there and also to Robyn Lim, a dynamic American lady who founded the centre. Can you see the sculpture of a woman birthing behind me at the front gate. It gets the midwife in me everytime. (And that’s why its a large pic because I wanted you to be able to see the detail :)
This trip we did so much more exploring and connecting with the essence of Bali.
Pushbike rides,
Balinese Cooking Classes, volcanoes and even stayed with a wonderful Balinese family. Fabulous, fabulous people and time and the setting for my current book. Now why aren’t you surprised.
Then I was home for two weeks, before I waved goodbye to my long-suffering husband, and flew into Melbourne to talk about the publicity for launch of The Don’t Panic Guide To Birth in September.
Watch out for me in print, maybe weekend papers, health and women’s mags, some radio gigs and maybe even a few minutes on breakfast TV. It’s very exciting to me that Penguin Australia are so behind the concept of the Don’t Panic Guide To Birth. All good reasons to decline that cream bun just in case. Sigh.
Then it was on for a Screenwriting weekend with some writing friends to enjoy two fabulous Hollywood screenwriting gurus, Michael Hauge and Steve Kaplan before I flew home. What a fabulous weekend that was.
Then there was a heap of work, some gorgeous births I was priviliged to share, and now I’m off to the Hunter Valley for another fab Advance Life Support Obstetrics weekend with midwives and doctors from all over. Though I doubt there’ll be much time for tasting the glorious wines of the Hunter. My husband and I keep promising we’re going to go for a lazy weekend and enjoy what the Hunter has to offer.
But then I’m home for a whole four weeks, and there’s this little matter of a book to finish, before it’s ROMANCE WRITERS OF AUSTRALIA conference time at the beautiful Coogee Beach. http://www.romanceaustralia.com/conference_sydney.html
I really hope to see you there.
warmest wishes for a fabulous July and I really must remember to feel my feet on the ground
xxFiona
