Today I’m listing all the incredible things that have happened since I launched my book with Random House New Zealand on 7 June 2013.
It all started a couple days before the big launch when I heard someone walk in our front door and call out, “What’s for lunch?” I thought, “That sounds like my mom… but of course it couldn’t be. She lives in Michigan.”
In fact, she’d come all this way to surprise me and attend the book launch. CJ was in on the secret. It was great having her here. She represented all my loved ones back in Michigan.
Book launch
The launch at the Martinborough Wine Centre and Village Cafe was incredible. We had a great turnout and everybody had a really good time. We served food from several of the recipes that appear in the book:
- Aussie Bronwyn’s Gluten-free Foccacia — dipped in Moon Over Martinborough olive oil
- John’s Pork Belly Crackling on the Barbie
- and of course the now famous Carrot Cake.
Several of my favorite Martinborough wineries very generously supplied the wine:
- The Cabbage Tree
- Murdoch James Estate
- Cambridge Road
- Big Sky
- Escarpment
Nicola Legat, publishing director of Random House New Zealand, kindly came down from Auckland and gave a speech telling the story of how she came across my book. Then I said a few words and did a short reading from the book. After that we had a book signing. It all very much felt like being a Real Live Author.
You can listen to the speeches in YouTube clip at the bottom of this post.
NZ Bestseller
The best news of all is that last week (the week ending 15 June 2013) the book made it to #4 on the NZ non-fiction bestseller list! I guess I’m now officially a bestselling author. Go figure.
Newspaper
- Dominion Post – ‘Reaching for the Moon’ by Nikki MacDonald
Radio
- Radio New Zealand (25 min) – Afternoons with Jim Mora
- Newstalk ZB (15 min) – with Justin du Fresne
- RadioLIVE (8 min) – Home & Garden Show with Tony Murrell. Interview by Helen Jackson
TV
Reporters from TVNZ’s Breakfast (a major morning news and talk show) came out and filmed this segment: Jared Gulian on TVNZ’s Breakfast
Book reviews
Book reviews have appeared in a range of periodicals — from farming newspapers to gay magazines.
- Young Country
- Central South Island Farmer (pdf) – This review from Jill Galloway also appeared in the Manawatu Standard.
- Gay Express
Book extracts
An excerpt from the book (about bringing home Old Lady Lucy the geriatric pig) appeared in 6 of New Zealand’s regional newspapers:
- Bay of Plenty Times
- Rotorua Daily Post
- Hawke’s Bay Today
- Wanganui Chronicle
- Wairarapa-Times Age
- Oamaru Mail
Community access radio
I’ve also had the good fortune to get coverage on two community access ration programs:
- Kapiti G.A.Y. with Tony Reed – on Coast Access Radio
- ReCooper8 with Lucy Cooper – on Arrow FM
Publicist
I wish I could take credit for all of this publicity, but I can’t. I have a magical thing called a publicist. It’s like having a fairy god mother. Her name is Jennifer Balle and she’s at Random House. She is amazing.
Launch speeches
Credits:
- Image by Diane Pape (Thanks Mom)
- Video – Recording by Naya Brangenberg of Longbush Free Range Pork. Editing help from Mike McClelland
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Congrats! all kinds of awesome 🙂
All kinds of thank you!
Gargantuan congratulations! You must be over the moon…unless it’s over you.
Yes, I am over the moon. It’s all very exciting. Literally a dream come true.
Great news being #4nz non-fiction! I will be buying your book soon and will enjoy it as much as your blogs. Thanks for putting Wairarapa on the map! Kirsten
Thanks Kirsten, I was particularly happy about that best seller list as it means people are enjoying the book. But I can’t take credit for putting Wairarapa on the map! A lot of hard working people did that long before I came along. 🙂
well done and it was great to hear your reading. As a bona fide Kiwi I of course know what a cast sheep is. Oh yus I do!
Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks. I think perhaps there must be a special test on cast sheep in grammar school for Kiwis. If not, there definitely should be.
Congratulations, Jared!! You’re officially a celebrity now! The whole affair is just so brilliant! I’m getting both a hard copy and digital version. Also, I’m about out of that wonderful oil…I need to place a new order– I’ll do that soon! Much love and congratulations!!!!
World famous in Martinborough. 🙂 Thanks so much for your really kind support.
Congratulations – I think I saw a copy in our bookshop and its also available at the Wellington Public Library so as I have very little space for books, and as I am going away very soon, I have reserved a copy.
The library! I’ve got a book in the library! How fantastic is that? 🙂
Jared, Thanks for this “super moon blog” that gives all your fans a view of the spectacular launch month. I am so happy for you and your much deserved success. I love the interviews too – you speak as well as you write! And kudos to CJ too. All great writers need supporting partner! Share this bright shining moment!
Thanks so much Candace. Yes, CJ has been a very supportive partner. He’s put up with my writing for a long time. There should be a special support group for writer’s partners. (But that’s maybe a bad idea. They might revolt.)
You couldn’t edit out my cackle?!?! 🙂 N
The cackle is crucial! 🙂 Thanks so much for recording the speeches.
Congratulations on the book launch! Having received a book voucher for my birthday, it has already been earmarked to buy your musings.
I’m honored! Thank you.
I’m having to fight Roslyn for a turn reading your book. Oh why did we not buy two? Let this be a lesson all can learn from!
We caught you on the radio Jared and you sounded like an old hand at this, not a first timer at all. Good going!
It’s easy to talk about what you love. Regarding your reading woes, I’ve heard of this particular problem before…
Congrats, Jared! That’s awesome! I can’t wait to get my copy of the book.
Thanks Kathy!
I am so happy. Last night I got home to Featherston by bus at around 8pm. The trains weren’t going, it had took me three hours to get to work in the morning. The supermoon was out like a big signpost: You’ve won, you’ve won. And I had! At home my copy of your book was waiting on the table to be unpacked – I was one of the eight winners of the Your Weekend/Random House competition! Happy! Though Orange Man was a bit disappointed as he had bought the book as the perfect gift for my birthday next week…
Congratulations! How nice that you won. At least your household will never be at risk of suffering from the ‘His & Hers’ copy needs that others (above) are suffering from! Hope you enjoy the book. Both copies. 🙂
Hi Sarah – Thanks so much. It’s a funny time of year as we’re selling out of the 2012 oil and the 2013 oil isn’t online yet. I did post this pic on Twitter last night. I hope to have the new oil in the online shop in the next couple of months. Will post when it’s there!
Congrats Jared! It’s so nice to hear that everything went well at the book launch and that the book has been well received.
Thanks Timo! Nice to hear from you. Hope all is well. Come back and HelpX with us any time!
Congratulations on the launch Jared, when you see all that you’ve done I’m full of even more admiration. I am saving my book to take on holiday where I won’t get distracted or feel guilty about indulging in what I know is a wonderful book from my sneak peeks.
I hope the book suits your holiday reading well. Enjoy your holiday!