On 3 March 2016, about a hundred people showed up for the first launch event for my debut collection of short fiction, Stations. As if this wasn't enough to give me palpitations, the launch took place at my Favourite Bookstore in the World: the Book Lounge.
It was pretty overwhelming, to tell the truth. Lots of wine, lots of chatting, lots of love in the room. Luckily, by my side was my friend and comrade-in-writing Masande Ntshanga (author of The Reactive, and Winner of Many Awards), and he helped steer our public conversation into many interesting directions. While it was live-Tweeted by many an attendee, I thought it prudent to record the launch myself and make it available here.
It's better to listen to it than read me write about it, but anyway: included in the below recording is the first-ever public reading of "Athlone Towers", the first story from Stations, as well as an excerpt from the title story.
Stations' editor Helen Moffett, and Lauren Beukes
Now onto the Durban launch, which takes place at Khaya Records and Ike's Books and Collectables, Florida Road, on 24 March. I'll be in conversation with Tiny Mungwe. Drinks and hotdogs will be on sale.
Stations is out now in South Africa from David Philip Publishers, and is available in all good bookstores.
