The value of a Bush Laureate win

[Stephen Whiteside]

There was a good discussion before Christmas (I think) about the degree to which winning a Golden Gumleaf at the ABLA awards helps to sell a book.

Having now won one myself, I feel I can/should add my own thoughts to the mix, though it is early days still for me, of course.

My sense is that it is potentially extremely valuable, but you have to work at it. I have had a couple of exciting and interesting opportunities come my way since the win, but not many.

However, I decided to 'hit the phones' this morning (quiet day at the office, fortunately), and the early results are very promising.

Working on the theory (which may or may not be valid) that bush poetry is more popular away from the major metropolitan centres, I decided to focus on ABC local radio throughout rural and regional Australia - esp. NSW and Queensland.

I struck gold in Mildura/Swan Hill, where the lovely young woman on the other end of the phone was a published children's writer herself. She recorded an interview with me on the spot. It will go to air sometime in the lead-up to Easter.

Western Queensland are keen to interview me next week, and many other stations sound very interested.

Of course, whether any of this (potential) publicity translates to book sales is another matter entirely...

[Bob Pacey]

You bloody media tart you.


only way to go Stephen you get a lot of knockbacks but now and then you have a win.


Keep at it mate


Bob

[Stephen Whiteside]

Thanks, Bob. Yes, it's a bit like the publishing process all over again, but this time it's not publishers rejecting me, it's radio stations! Actually, though, the whole experience has been quite encouraging.

[Heather]

Libby Gore (I think it was Libby - might have been Liz Ellis the former netballer -or both) , has had a segment on bush poetry each Sunday morning on ABC radio Stephen. Check it out there might be an opening there for you. Murray Hartin was on one day and someone else last Sunday. It gets a fair bit of air play.

Heather

[Stephen Whiteside]

That's very interesting. Thank you, Heather.

[Stephen Whiteside]

I'm going live to air on the ABC in Ballarat at 3pm today (local radio), though I gather the programme is broadcast very widely.

[Bob Pacey]

Bloody hard to go DEAD to air Steve


Break a leg mate.


Bob

[Stephen Whiteside]

Thanks, Bob. Well, you know what I mean - live vs. pre-recorded. They feel very different to each other.

It went well today. I read two poems on air, talked about them, promoted the book and the publisher. What more can you ask for?

[Heather]

A knighthood!

[Stephen Whiteside]

Yes, I guess so. That - or a donut.