The past few weeks have been busy for Murray Whelan and his author.
Sucked In was shortlisted for The Age Book of the Year in the fiction category - appearing alongside novels by Steven Carroll, David Malouf, Deborah Robertson and Alexis Wright.
It was a great honour to find myself in such distinguished company despite the fact that Sucked In contains jokes (rendering it automatically ineligible for a major literary prize). The winner was David Malouf, whose work is no laughing matter.
As of this month, you can buy signed and personalised copies of my books online. Simply click here for the Brunswick Institute's e-commerce partner, John Clarke Enterprises. If they can't help you, nobody can. If the product you require is not listed, send them an email. They've definitely got a big box of my books in the office somewhere.
Research is proceeding apace for the next Murray Whelan adventure, which I hope to complete around the second half of next year. In the meantime, I'll be acquainting myself with the daily duties of a federal MP, exploring Parliament House in Canberra and scooping up any gossip that comes my way.
I'll also be taking a sideways look at the federal election for a book I am writing for University of New South Wales Press, tentatively titled 'Running on Empty'. If all runs to plan, it will be out very soon after the result is known.
Several book clubs have contacted me about coming along to their discussion. While I am always impressed with the standard of catering at these affairs and happy to oblige in return for a large slice of poppyseed cake, it is difficult for me to attend any book club evenings held more than five minutes from the Brunswick Institute as I am not usually allowed out at night.