EXTRACT | ‘Tears Before Bedtime’ by Diane Awerbuck
This book is a chronological collection of real conversations I’ve had with my offspring, or that they’ve had with me — mostly against my will. Sometimes another adult will appear briefly, but we should always remember who the main characters/problems here are — the youth.
They’re old enough now to give their meaningful consent for publication. The ages in the text are the ages they really were at the time. There are two of them — not unlike Thing One and Thing Two in The Cat in the Hat — and they are fewer than two years apart. Sometimes the fluffy one seems to catch up in age to the squeaky one, but that’s just because of when their birthdays fall.
As to why this is being published at all, the answer is that it’s a joke book * : Van der Merwe meets yo’ mama. Telling jokes is one of the ways humans connect with their communities. Humour is illuminating when it comes to social and sexual anxieties, and it helps us find meaning and healing and support in our shared experiences. And for fun, goddammit, because what are you going to do? Cry about it? As my first stepfather used to say: “I’ll give you something to cry about!” …
Continue reading: Times Live
Braids & Migraines by Andile Cele to be launched at The Book Lounge
Happy publication day to Andile Cele and Holland House Books! Today, Andile’s debut novel, Braids & Migraines, runner-up in The Island Prize for unpublished African novelists 2023, is officially making its way into the world. Together with Protea Distribution, we are delighted to be the South African distribution partner for the moving debut novel. Please join us on Thursday, 24 April 2025, for the Cape Town launch of Braids & Migraines at The Book Lounge. Andile will be in conversation with Karen Jennings, founder of The Island Prize. Can’t wait!
The bi-annual JLF to take place on 28 April 2025
Please join us for the Jewish Literary Festival on Monday, 28 April 2025!
12:00-12:50 HOLOCAUST CENTRE SEMINAR ROOM
THE SPARK BEHIND THE VERSE — Philosopher and poet Elisa Galgut talks to poets Keith Gottschalk, Steve Shapiro, and author/poet Stephen Symons about the inspiration behind some of the poems in their latest collections
13:30-14:20 THE OLD SHUL
THE STORY I HAD TO WRITE — Beryl Eichenberger of Woman Zone chats to authors Irene Berman, Angela Rothbart, Joëlle Searle, and Debbi Rozowsky about the novels and memoir they self published – why they wrote and how they published
13:30-14:20 GARDENS SHUL
RIPPLES OF THE HOLOCAUST IN SOUTH AFRICA — Biographer Joanne Jowell (I Am Ella) and author Andrew Robert Wilson (The Fourth Boy) discuss their holocaust-related work with publisher/author Karina Szczurek and trace its effect in South Africa
14:45-15:35 NELSON MANDELA AUDITORIUM
EXIT WOUNDS: THE ENDURING POWER OF MEMORY — Woman Zone’s Nancy Richards talks virtually to prize-winning author Peter Godwin about his latest memoir – the story of the twin deaths of his eccentric mother and his longstanding marriage
14:45-15:35 HOLOCAUST CENTRE SEMINAR ROOM
THE LIGHTER SIDE OF LIFE — Authors and friends Diane Awerbuck (Tears Before Bedtime) and Paige Nick (The Book People) discuss their latest books, which will have you in fits of laughter, and the ins and outs of writing humour
JFL 2025: Full programme
To book tickets: Quicket
Of Salt, Dust and Love by Stephen Symons to be launched at Wordsworth Books Gardens
Please join us for the launch of Of Salt, Dust and Love, the first collection of stories by Stephen Symons. Stephen will be in conversation with Glen Thompson. An evening of storytelling not to be missed! See you at Wordsworth Books Gardens on 23 April 2025 – World Book Day – the perfect to celebrate this beautiful book!
Fourth Karavan Press Literary Festival at SASNEV
The fourth Karavan Press Literary Festival took place at SASNEV last Saturday – and it was a day of literary wonder, laughter and engagement. Thank you to the wonderful people at SASNEV – especially Eureka Barnard, Jan Mutton and Brian Brady – for hosting and making us feel so welcome. Thank you to Gail Gilbride, Diane Awerbuck, Lisa Tredoux, Nick Clelland, Lester Walbrugh, Sarah Isaacs, Anna Stroud, John Maytham, Stephen Symons, Alex Latimer and Amy Heydenrych for your contributions to inspiring panels. A special thank you to Amy & Qarnita Loxton for running a great workshop. Mountains and valleys of gratitude to Penny Haw for delivering a deeply moving André Brink Memorial Lecture – not many eyes were dry at the end. Huge thank you to the Brink Family for being with us on the day! Thank you to the SASNEV resident cat for filling in for Salieri, who was at home preparing to catssist with the workshop. And thank you to all Readers who attended to celebrate authors, books and legacies with us! What a day!
I want to express my gratitude to Amy and Anna for joining us all the way from Joburg, and to Sarah for sharing the best news of the entire gathering with us.
Thank you to all who bought a book! Happy reading & writing, Everyone!
Knock Knock, a one-act play based on one of Dawn Garisch’s award-winning stories, to be staged at the Masque Theatre
Based on a story included in Dawn Garisch‘s award-winning What Remains, Knock Knock will be performed at the Masque Theatre on 11 and 12 April 2025. To book your tickets, click below!
Computicket: KNOCK KNOCK by DAWN GARISCH
Karavan Press at the HSS Awards 2025
The National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences hosted its annual HSS Awards gala last night and we are thrilled to announce that four Karavan Press titles were recognised at the Awards. Congratulations to Anna Stroud, Alex Latimer, Shari Daya and Nick Clelland on your wonderful achievements!
SHORTLISTED TITLES
Land | Lines, Shari Daya in the Best Poetry sub-category.
Good Hope, Nick Clelland in the Best Fiction Novel sub-category.
WINNING TITLES
Who Looks Inside, Anna Stroud in the Best Fiction Emerging Author sub-category.
Love Stories for Ghosts, Alex Latimer in the Best Fiction Short Stories sub-category.
Congratulations to all nominated and winning authors!
Thank you to all who make the HSS Awards possible!
Coffee with Karavan Press – April
You are invited to the second of six planned gatherings this year where you can chat to me, Karina, founder and publisher of Karavan Press, and likeminded writers and readers over a cup of coffee – or tea, of course – about anything related to book-writing-editing-publishing-reading. Karavan Press’s home will be open, and I will be ready to answer your questions and discuss your projects.
No need to RSVP. Just ring the bell between 10AM and 12PM on Saturday, 5 April 2025. Coffee and tea will be served. Karavan Press books will be on sale at great prices.
karavanpress.com 