General News
12 February, 2024
Former local’s book launch
Even though she lives in Ballarat, Ms Roche was born, and grew up in Maryborough, with her hometown being used as the setting for one of the chapters in Issie Mac
The Maryborough Regional Library is hosting author Heather Whitford Roche for a book talk on her newest release, Issie Mac.
The book is a standalone sequel to Ms Roche’s first book, Finding Eliza, meaning there will be something for new and returning readers alike.
The Ballarat-based author didn’t have what can be called a common journey to becoming a writer. She worked as a counsellor, therapist and manager for over 30 years while writing short stories and poetry at times.
Ms Roche said she had a constant intrigue to see if she could make it as an author.
“I had a lingering thought and interest in it for a long time and I dabbled throughout the years, I had ideas in my head and, as one does, you think about actually writing it,” she said.
“It just seemed like a natural progression after working with people and hearing their stories as well as my own family stories.”
After retiring, Ms Roche self-published Finding Eliza in 2018, an experience she called eye-opening and fulfilling.
“Finding Eliza was sort of my entry into realising how difficult it is to write a novel, and of course I had to do a lot of work on my writing and my style,” she said.
“When it came to fruition and when I actually saw that book, I couldn’t believe it and it was just a really fabulous thing to achieve.
“Because it was a seed of my own family history within the book, it felt like I honoured a lot of people.”
Ms Roche has also decided to self-publish Issie Mac with support from proofreaders and editors.
According to Ms Roche, using industry professionals is required to produce a quality self-published book.
“It is really important if you are going to self-publish because if you don’t, you just won’t get up to the acceptable standard,” she said.
“It can be a bit costly at times, but if you are serious about your writing, you don’t get your best friend or your mum to read it because they are going to say it’s great — you have to go to someone who will give you good critiques.”
Even though she lives in Ballarat, Ms Roche was born, and grew up in Maryborough, with her hometown being used as the setting for one of the chapters in Issie Mac.
Ms Roche said her strong connection with the town was amplified after the positive reception she received from Maryborough as an author.
“I feel really grateful that Maryborough has endorsed my writing and they have supported me enormously,” she said.
“It is really special to me to come back and do the book talk, it will be a really nice thing for me to do and I am really looking forward to it.”
The book talk is on Wednesday, February 21 at the Maryborough Regional Library from 2 to 3 pm.
The book will also be available at newsxpress, 192 High Street, Maryborough, and Slightly Bent Books, 49 Scandinavian Crescent, Talbot.
