Local book lovers are in for a treat next weekend, with Seasons of New England set to host New England Noir – an afternoon celebrating crime writing and creative conversation with four acclaimed local authors.
The free community event will be held on Saturday, 7 December, from 3pm to 5pm at The Seasons Store, 31 Salisbury Street, Uralla. Readers will have the chance to meet authors Sophie Masson, Michael Burge, Jypsi Bennett and Brydie O’Shea, enjoy light refreshments, and even pick up signed copies of their latest books.6
Event organiser and owner of Seasons of New England, Tara Toomey, said the idea came from a desire to bring more literary events to the region in a friendly, accessible setting.
“We’ve sold Michael Burge’s books in store since the day we opened. They’ve always been extremely popular and he’s come in and done a few book signings for us in the past,” said Ms Toomey.
“He’s recently released a new book called Dirt Trap and we’d talked about doing a launch event but then he really took the reins, and it morphed from here into a full-blown author event so we’re really excited about having something new happening at Seasons.”
With crime fiction continuing to be one of Australia’s most popular genres, the afternoon promises a lively discussion covering everything from the craft of building suspense to the stories and landscapes that influence each writer’s work. The authors, each with their own distinct style, will be speaking about their creative process, the challenges of writing mystery and intrigue, and the inspirations behind their novels.
“Crime is always such a popular genre, it’s one of our best-selling categories in store – I think there’s something in the human nature side of it that really appeals to and interests people,” said Ms Toomey.
Ms Toomey said the informal nature of the event is part of what makes it special.
“It’s a very busy time of year for everyone but I think it’s a really nice, slightly different way to enjoy the season – we all really appreciate this time of year so it’s lovely to be able to have the opportunity to hold an event like this,” she said.
The event also reflects Seasons of New England’s broader mission to showcase local creativity, talent and culture. Known for celebrating regional makers, producers and artisans through markets, retail spaces and community events, the group has been a strong ambassador for the New England region’s creative identity.
Books by the featured authors will be available for purchase on the day, making it an ideal outing for readers looking for a Christmas gift with a local connection. Attendees are encouraged to book their place, and arrive a little early, as space is limited and interest has been strong.
Ms Toomey hopes the event will become a regular feature on Uralla’s cultural calendar.
Alongside hosting New England Noir, Ms Toomey is busy at work packing her wonderful Christmas hampers, ready to be delivered around the New England region and as far as Sydney and Newcastle.
The Seasons store will also be open late to help locals get their Christmas shopping sorted, with late night shopping available until 6.30pm on Wednesday nights from now, up until Christmas.
For more information, visit www.seasonsofnewengland.com.au.
Bookings are free but preferred for New England Noir. To secure your spot visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1488431
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