Cyclone Debbie may have missed the north west, but it did affect a North – Mount Isa author Melissa H North, that is.
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Ms North launched her first novel The Halfling at the big youth event Bold Night Out on Friday, but she was unable to display any hard copies of the book as the delivery truck was stuck somewhere down south due to roads flooded by cyclonic conditions.
Mount Isa’s Bold Night Out was a perfect place for the launch of a book of young adult fiction by a local author but Ms North said the cyclone meant she was unable to have an actual signing to exchange hard copies to those people who purchased vouchers in advance.
“I have no books here to exchange because of Cyclone Debbie,” Ms North said.
However she said one advantage of being a writer was to be able to work out emotional frustrations on poor pixels on a screen,
“Trust me I will do horrible things to a (book) character named Debbie in the near future,” she said.
Ms North said she prepared a Plan B for the event the books did not arrive.
“As you can see some of us are all dressed up in characters that closely resemble the ones in my novel,” she said.
“So exclusive to the Bold Night Out, I’ve written a little something and endured another session with the grumpy editorial demon just for you.”
Ms North then read out a new story to the crowd which played on the fact that not even fairy dust could move the courier which was stuck on the Bruce Highway.
As for the book itself Ms North said it was a fantasy novel of self-discovery, adventure and sass.
“Join Eliana on her quest to find personal fulfillment while grappling with the reality of life as she knows it,” she said.
She thanked Headspace for holding the Bold Night Out event, Young People Ahead for supporting her and everyone who dressed up in costumes.
“I know some of the cossies are hot and heavy but you do look great,” she said.
The novels arrived Monday and Ms North will be in the library Friday morning to give signed copies to those who already purchased and sell more. You can order online at https://www.melissahnorthauthor.com/
Caitlyn Ross won the competition on the night to receive a signed copy of the book.