Brid Cummings and Raelene Linden braved the Adelaide heat on 24 January for the new South Australian Chapter’s ‘Meet the Author’ event with Sonya Bates and HR (Helmine) Kemp, in conversation with convenor, Dr Samantha Battams.
Report 1 report from Brid Cummings:
Despite the mercury pushing past forty degrees, a hardy group of crime fiction readers and writers braved the heat in January to attend the first ever ‘Meet the Author’ event for the South Australian Chapter of Sisters in Crime, formed last year.
Held at the Duke of Brunswick pub in Adelaide, and with the air conditioner turned to full blast, the group listened as SA convener, Dr Samantha Battams, interviewed not one, but two local authors about their latest crime novels—both of which explore the theme of secrets.
Sonya Bates discussed her book, The Inheritance of Secrets (Harper Collins), whose protagonist uncovers disturbing secrets from World War II after the brutal murder of her elderly grandparents. Political secrets were the theme of H R Kemp’s discussion, and explored in her novel, Deadly Secrets, (HSP), where an ordinary person is forced to confront conspiracy, greed and organisational cover-ups.
Both authors revealed to the group their motivations for writing their stories, as well as divulging their very different writing processes and paths to publication. A broad range of questions were put to the authors, and the responses given were interesting, thought provoking, and of course, included a generous sharing of secrets!
The SA Chapter of Sisters in Crime is growing from strength to strength with another exciting event already in the planning.
To join the group, or to obtain more information, contact: samanthabattams@gmail.com
Report 2 from Raelene Linden:
On a 42 degree day in Adelaide, 20 members of the local chapter of Sisters in Crime passed what some would consider a Stoic challenge to brave these punishing conditions, and attend a local authors talk for Sisters in Crime, at the Duke of Brunswick.
The authors Sonya Spreen Bates and HR (Helmine) Kemp amply rewarded those who attended this event, by providing a wealth of information about personal secrets and writing tips, that were instrumental in their journey towards publishing An Inheritance of Secrets and Deadly Secrets, respectively.
Interview questions from local convenor of Sisters in Crime, Samantha Battams, facilitated a rich discussion by Sonya and Helmine on the choices that they had both made to write their stories.
I personally enjoyed the insights provided by Sonya on her work towards character development in An Inheritance of Secret, particularly her tips on character interviewing.
I also found Helmine’s insights on her journey to self-publication of Deadly Secrets very interesting. Both authors indicated that networking and support were important factors in getting their works published.
I personally would like to thank the authors and interviewer, for persevering despite the conditions, to provide a thoroughly enjoyable event for local readers and aspiring authors. I would also like to thank them all for providing a copy of their books for a local raffle towards the cost of the event. Looking forward to the next event, hopefully without the challenge of extreme weather conditions.