LITERARY SOIREE LAUNCHES RURAL MEMOIR – Always On My Mind
The atmosphere at the official book launch of the rural memoir Always On My Mind, by local author Megan Henry was both captivating and infectious. Over 120 booklovers from all over the Wheatbelt, Great Southern and Perth gathered at the literary soiree to not only help celebrate the release of Always On My Mind but also raise funds and much needed awareness towards rural mental health, anorexia, disordered eating and suicide. Funds were raised towards the important non-profit groups; Suicide Prevention Australia, The Butterfly Foundation and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Always On My Mind is Megan’s debut memoir and has been published by Jane Curry Publishing who is one of Sydney’s leading independent publishers. JCP are dedicated to improving the world around us and their literary list focuses only on books to enhance life. The themes woven into Always On My Mind are strikingly authentic, brutally transparent and shares with the reader many unfaltering truths including a well-researched account of the shearing industry; the degradation, dehumanisation and hardship faced by our Aboriginal people since colonization; the intoxicating beauty and ceremony of the Maori culture; the heartbreaking disintegration of a love destined to last forever and a crystalline account of an unstable mind. Every theme throughout Always On My Mind is laced with the profound certainty that compassion, acceptance and forgiveness really do prevail.
The morning kicked off with a delicious meet and greet followed by the poetic talents of Michele Brown, Allison Bairstow and Jacki Ball before leading into an intimate panel forum from guest speakers Chris Harris from Youth Focus WA, Jo Drayton from Rural Community Support Services and local author Megan Henry. All three speakers transparently revealed personal insight into mental health by sharing both their ‘professional’ and ‘lived’ experiences. Audience interaction and questions were encouraged which resulted in a profound, inspiring and moving forum that allowed discussion and safe conversations which helped to increase understanding and reduce the stigma towards mental health. The event also saw Megan Henry share an intimate author reading of Always On Mind followed by many questions from the audience in regards to the writing and publishing process and her own lived experience with mental health. The launch of Always On My Mind concluded with a personal author signing and endless cups of teas and more intimate sharing. A big thank you to one and all who attended in particular the guest speakers Chris Harris and Jo Drayton.
If you would like to get your hands on a copy of Always On My Mind….. vintage wrapped, signed copies are available from http://www.meganhenry.com.au/ Hard copies are also available from Jane Curry Publishing, Wagin Newsagency, Narrogin Nursery, Cafe and Gallery and Albany Paperbark Merchants. Ebook version will be available from kindle, amazon among others early April. Megan will also be appearing at the Wagin Library April 11th, Waratah Market Day April 18th, Newdegate CRC May 1st and Lake Grace CRC May 1st if you would like to speak to her personally and have your copy of Always On My Mind signed.
