Events · Christine Bell

Mar

International Women’s Day: Women Write History

If you love history, historical fiction and writing stories, this International Women’s Day event is for you. This all-day event will focus on the five elements of story, with workshops, discussions and lively chats on the art of writing and telling stories. Refreshments included. Participating authors include: Leah Kaminsky: leahkaminsky.com Eleanor … Read More

Jun

KSP Fellowship 2021 (Postponed June 2022)

I am honoured to be the recipient of a place in the KSP Katharine Susannah Prichard 2021 Fellowship program. I’m very much looking forward to spending two weeks in the beautiful WA environs of the Katharine Susannah Prichard Writers’ House, to focus on my work-in-progress. (My residency will now take … Read More

Feb

The History Quill Virtual Writers’ Convention 2022

The History Quill will host a five day virtual convention for historical fiction writers on 2–6 February, 2022. Christine will be part of a Panel Discussion and Q&A The Hand That Rocks The Cradle Is The Hand That Rules The World with fellow authors: Wendy Dunn, Glenice Whitting and Kate Murdoch. … Read More

Oct

“Early C20th History” Chat Salon with Christine Bell and Kim Kelly – Historical Novel Society Australasia 2021 Virtual Conference

The Early C20th was a period of rapid change extending from the Suffragette Movement, WW1, Roaring Twenties and the Great Depression. Join authors Christine Bell and Kim Kelly to share your favourite pocket of history or ask questions about writing across this period as part of the Historical Novel Society … Read More

Mar

Wonthaggi Historical Society

Christine will be the Guest Speaker at the Wonthaggi Historical Society monthly meeting on Thursday 18th March, 2021. Christine will share the influence of her visits to the Society and State Coal Mine Museums, researching her family history, and how she subsequently used the background and setting of Wonthaggi as … Read More

Aug

Realm Writers Group

Christine will be sharing her publication journey for No Small Shame with the members of the Realm Writers Group (via Zoom) on Saturday 29 August, 2020.

Jun

Final Draft – 2ser

Christine will be interviewed by Andrew Pople from Final Draft 2ser on Saturday 13 June at 10am. (The show will be repeated at 6.30pm on Wednesday 17 Jun.) “Final Draft is a space on the air where big names of arts and culture sit cheek-by-jowl with those just beginning to make … Read More

May

Research & Writing – Library & Information Week

Creating Authentic Story Settings: Research for Christine Bell’s debut novel took her all the way to Scotland, to her ancestors’ birthplace, down a Lanarkshire coal mine and onto the battlefields of France. Join Christine in this workshop/QandA to discover the wealth of resources writers can draw on to create an … Read More

May

Book Love Tuesday – Author Chat

Hosted by L.J.M.OWEN, author of the gripping THE GREAT DIVIDE, together we’ll explore new book releases and the stories behind them. Book Love Tuesday takes place in the Facebook event, from 7 pm AEST, under the Discussion tab. Remember to choose ‘Going’, NOT ‘Interested’, to join in the fun. All … Read More

Apr

Published or Not … 3CR

Christine will be interviewed on 3CR’s Published or Not program 11.30am on Thursday April 23, 2020.

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)