In the bag

Ten days ago I attended the Text Publishing opening night party for the Melbourne Writers Festival at the ritzy Blue Diamond Club, which has a view of Melbourne’s CBD that makes it look like New York.

I look forward to this annual event where I get to rub shoulders with some wonderful writers together with the great people at Text. Given the crowd, and the fact that its been three years since the publication of my first novel, Behind the Night Bazaar, I fully anticipated the question, ‘So, what’s happening with the next book?’

‘It’s in the bag,’ I said.

‘In the bag?’

‘Literally,’ I said, patting my handbag. ‘I printed it out at work today.’

‘Oh God, you’re not going to give it to me here?’

‘No,’ I reassured them. ‘I just knew I couldn’t turn up to the party tonight and not have it finished.’

So, novel number 2 is now with my beloved partner who is giving in one more once over, after which I will make a few (hopefully) changes and submit to Text.

Now if only I could think up a catchy title…