Yarraville book-seller Kate O’Donnell has a novel problem arising this week – the need to start finding space on the shelf for her own book.
After almost two decades selling children’s books and young adult fiction to young readers, the last decade at The Younger Sun, O’Donnell is releasing her debut young adult title.
Untidy Towns, a coming-of-age novel set in a small country town, centres around the trials and tribulations of 17-year-old Adelaide.
O’Donnell, 34, has always loved reading and has been drawn to writing young adult fiction due to its fertile ground exploring the tumultuous years of teenage life.
She began
Untidy Towns about seven years ago, writing in her spare time between working at The Younger Sun bookshop and in editing, until she had a work ready to send to publishers last year.
“I tried my best to have an authentic teenage voice,” she said.
“I try to talk to teenagers as much as I can.”
While O’Donnell grew up on a property outside Geelong, rather than the small country town of her lead character, she did draw on her own experience in a private school in imagining Adelaide’s journey.
She is looking forward to
Untidy Towns taking on a life of its own in the hands of teenagers with hopes and dreams of their own.
Untidy Towns will be launched 4-6pm this Saturday at The Masonic Hall, 9 Willis Street, Yarraville. Register via eventrbrite.com.au
Benjamin Millar
