Feb
05

New Year, New Book, Brand New Website

Well, it’s moved rapidly into the New Year and exciting things are happening!

I’m truly delighted to launch my brand new website and absolutely thrilled with the beautiful layout designed by Jin and Co. I love the clean, simple style and think it’s a great place to showcase my soon-to-be-released debut novel, No Small Shame. And, of course, it’s a new home for From Hook to Book.

It’s especially exciting that things are getting so close to the book part. The final cover art for No Small Shame is complete and beautiful! There’s even some lovely words from some lovely, much admired writers. The typeset pages have gone to the printer and by the end of this month, I’ll hold the real book in my hands. Yay!!!!!

In the meantime, I’m heading to Norfolk Island in just over a week for my HNSA Colleen McCullough Residency where I’m hoping to write a lot of words for my work-in-progress and make a solid start on the second draft.

Happy New Year All! May rains fall all over our beautiful country and restore the land, and renew the spirit of those who’ve lost so much. Both the people and our devastated wildlife.

 

 

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Comments

Corinne Fenton

Hi Chris,
Congratulations on a wonderful new website, bright and shiny like the book. Corinne x

February 5, 2020 at 2:42 pm
Reply

Ann Dawson

Chris I’m just thrilled to see it all coming together. Have a wonderful and creative time in Norfolk.. PS Great to see the website 🙂

February 6, 2020 at 7:10 am
Reply

    Christine Bell

    Thank you so much, Ann. And for you good wishes for Norfolk. 🙂 I somehow missed your comment, so can say now, my time and Norfolk were amazing!

    March 23, 2020 at 11:47 am
    Reply

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Categories: Christine Bell Author From Hook to Book HNSA Colleen McCullough Writing Residency No Small Shame

Tags: Christine Bell Author, From Hook to Book, HNSA Colleen McCullough Residency, No Small Shame, Writing Journey

Praise for No Small Shame

Christine Bell’s No Small Shame is impossible to put down. Her writing is wonderful, wise and empathetic. No Small Shame is a masterful debut novel, and an excellent addition to Australia’s historical fiction genre. Full review.

- Better Reading

Bell’s evocation of setting is an outstanding feature of the novel. Her social and physical landscapes of the years 1909 to 1919 are vivid with sensory and historical colour. Full Review.

- Westerly Magazine

Once I started reading No Small Shame, I could not stop. I was utterly swept up by Mary’s story and her refusal to settle for the life she is expected to lead.

- Kate Mildenhall, Author (The Mother Fault, Skylarking)

This is a novel of darkness and hope, full of insight, and written beautifully, with intelligence and sensitivity. A wonderful debut … Full review.

- Robyn Cadwallader, Author (The Anchoress, The Book of Colours)

Be prepared to be transported into the past, to be caught up in a slice of Aussie history but, mostly, swept away in a completely relatable and beautifully told tale that will move and, in the end, fill you. Outstanding. Full review.

- Karen Brooks - Author (The Chocolate Maker's Daughter, The Darkest Shore ...)

An absorbing, convincing and heartbreaking picture of a woman trapped in an impossible marriage. I ached for Mary and grew to love the defiant spirit shining through her doubts and fears.

- Jane Sullivan, Literary Critic and Author (Storytime, Little People)

Mary O’Donnell’s journey to self-awareness will have you turning the pages until the heartbreaking climax.

- Lauren Chater, Author (The Lace Weaver, Gulliver's Wife, The Winter Dress)

Mary’s compelling journey and her indomitable spirit are heartbreaking, moving and inspirational. This novel is a well-researched examination of the roles and rights of women at that time, the struggles and discrimination they faced, the hardships they were expected to endure and the small victories they celebrated, often silently.  Full review.

- Cass Moriaty, Author (The Promise Seed, Parting Words)

No Small Shame is a beautiful and inspiring story about female power. Christine Bell gives us a brilliant story of female heroism and shows us that women are capable of much more than we could ever really know. Full review.

- Courtney Dyer, TheBookSlut.com

Compelling and addictive. … a rich and absorbing experience. Full Review.

- Angela Wauchop: Backstory History Journal

What distinguishes the novel is its rich characterization. Each character in this carefully drawn work lifts off the page, evoking our enduring interest and empathy.

- Nadine Davidoff, Freelance Book Editor

An epic tale of a woman who finds her voice and ultimately, her agency. Meticulously researched, ambitious in scope and compelling in realisation.

- Christine Balint, Author (Salt Letters, Ophelia's Fan)

My heart hurt, my heart soared, and I was left thinking about the amazing women who paved the way for women today. Full review.

- BJs Reviews

No Small Shame is an important reminder of how far we have come in Australia … and how much we need to protect. It is a story crafted with great empathy – and immense believability. Full Review.

- Dr Wendy Dunn, author/poet (Dear Heart, How Like You This? Falling Pomegranate Seeds: The Duty of Daughters)

No Small Shame is an exquisitely written, absorbing and intelligent story of love, betrayal and the painful journey to self-awareness.

- Alison Goodman, author (Eon/Eona, Lady Helen and the Dark Days series, The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies)

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