In-conversation: Riverbend Books

Sally Piper

28 June 2018

Sally will be at Riverbend Books to speak about her new novel The Geography of Friendship.

Date: Monday 23 July 2018

Time: 6:30pm

Venue: Riverbend Books, 193 Oxford Street, Bulimba, QLD 4171

Bookings can be made through Riverbend's events page on their website or by phoning 3899 8555

Sally Piper on Instagram

I’m very excited to be heading to Canberra next week, and not just for the planned wander round Lake Burley Griffin, but to chat with @karen_viggers about PEOPLE LIKE US @thebookcowkingston. I’ve spoken with many people about this book now and it’s really tapped a vein, because the crisis of older single women living in insecure housing is real, can be someone within our family or friendship groups, and is in need of urgent solutions. Through Tina’s struggles, pushbacks, friendships and humour, the novel brings a human face and individual story to the more than 400,000 older single women in Australia who are living on the edge of homelessness. Come along and hear about my research for the book, the forces that put and keep women in this situation and some of the solutions needed to address this growing problem. It’s a free event but you’ll need to register for it, which you can do via the link in my bio. @uqpbooks #peoplelikeusnovel #housingforall #housingisahumanright

Visited the lovely folk @qbdbooks today. Big shout out to Tyler at QBD Indooroopilly and Amy at QBD Carindale for the friendly welcome. Signed copies of PEOPLE LIKE US available in-store now!✍️📚♥️ #peoplelikeusnovel #qbdbooks @uqpbooks

I loved chatting with @jenniferjstephens, amazing human and book club facilitator, and her fabulous group of bookclubbers @kingstreetbrisbane this evening. Such a lively conversation, rich with empathy for Tina, the main character in PEOPLE LIKE US, and shock and personal comparisons to her lot as an older single woman living in precarious housing. And heartfelt thanks on behalf of @sharingwithfriends_foundation for everyone’s generous donation via the QR code Jennifer created especially for the event. Every bit helps in helping SwF continue to do the great work they’re doing in providing housing for older vulnerable women. #peoplelikeusnovel #kingstbookclub #housingforall #housingisahumanright @uqpbooks

Visited beautiful Eumundi today for the @eumundiwritersfestival whose theme this year is The Human Condition, which was on full display with a panel featuring @sarahmclutton (THE BOOKSHOP OF BURIED PASTS) and @pmcleanauthor (THE ONE REMAINING) in conversation with Kristina Olsson. Well worth the drive!

Looking forward to sharing a conversation about SOCIETAL DISCONNECT with Katherine Johnson, Brooke Davis and Michael Mohammed Ahmed on a panel chaired by Ashley Hay at Brisbane Writers Festival on Friday 9 October at 8pm. Tickets for the panel can be booked via the link in my bio. @kjohnsonauthor @thisisbrooked @ashleyhay7 @briswritersfest

Such a great interview by Greta from @abcradionational Nightlife about PEOPLE LIKE US along with @susandavies9232 talking about her work with @sharingwithfriends_foundation. If you’d like to listen back to our conversation you can through the PLU page of my website. Link in my bio. And a huge thank you to Ineke from @dmcprmedia for organising so many radio interviews for Susan and I to help spread the word about the growing crisis of housing insecurity of older single women in Australia. @uqpbooks #housinginsecurity #forgottenwomen #housingforall

I love the annual @indigenousliteracyfoundation Trivia Night Fundraiser emceed by the Queen of emceeing @dranitaheiss and hosted by @avidreader @loftwestend. A huge crowd and no wooden spoon for team First Draft, thanks to @lauren_bandit @ridoutsarah @1melissaashley and Vicki.

I don’t think anyone expects this year’s census to show an improvement in homelessness figures compared to five years ago, and this report by @everybodyshomecampaign helps explain why. While the cost of rent continues to outpace household incomes, more and more people will be unable to afford what is a basic human right: affordable and secure housing. If you’d like to read the report you can find it via this link: https://everybodyshome.com.au/rent-hikes-costing-renters-weeks-of-work-a-year/ #affordablehousingforall #housingisahumanright #insecurehousing #peoplelikeusnovel @uqpbooks

I love the author interviewing (interrogating) style of these two, so to have them both in the tall chairs at the same time @booksstones last night was a real treat. Can’t wait to start @joanna.jenkins.writer new crime novel BAD NEIGHBOURS because who hasn’t had a bad neighbour or two…not that I’d ever kill one. And @poppygeenovelist has crafted some pretty creepy neighbours in her crime novel VANISHING FALLS. Win-win with either book, but ideally I’d recommend reading both.

Susan and I paired up for another interview, this one for ABC RN Nightlife. You can listen back if you fancy via the link to my website in my bio. Thank you to ABC Radio National for your support in helping us raise awareness about the important issue of housing insecurity of older women and to provide us with an opportunity to talk about what that might look and feel like for a woman and to discuss the innovative solutions being undertaken by Sharing with Friends Queensland. @abcradionational @uqpbooks @sharingwithfriends_foundation