Debut author from Emerald Beach launches his first novel Coffs Coast by News Of The Area - Modern Media - November 25, 2021 Debut author and Emerald Beach local Michel Vimal du Monteil at his book launch with Julie Holgate and Amanda Williams from Coffs Harbour’s The Book Warehouse. LOCAL debut author Michel Vimal du Monteil finally launched his novel after two postponements. The title of his novel ‘Where There Is A Will’ rang true as Michel proved his firm will that this book would have a launch bash as is the tradition in publishing. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us – (02) 4981 8882. Email us – media@newsofthearea.com.au After being postponed twice due to COVID constraints, the official launch was held last Friday, 19 November at the Coffs Harbour Golf Club. “Unfortunately, the border closure between Queensland and New South Wales prevented Brisbane-based Hawkeye Publishing from attending,” Michel told News Of The Area. 70 guests were entertained by Emerald Beach resident Michel and his MC compere Peter Donkin, who drove up from Sydney for the occasion. A casual ‘fireside chat’ revealed the many stages in the long journey from embarking on the writing of the story to finally being published. “It was not an easy road,” said Michel. “Few publishers will look at a debut author unless they are already some kind of celebrity or their story has made headlines. “Preferably, a harrowing story — think drifting at sea for weeks or chopping off an arm from under a boulder.” Michel was lucky enough, via a chance encounter, to be signed up by New Authors Collective (NAC). “After a thorough review process by a panel of readers, an untold number of rewrites and proofreads, and a few gentle rejections, ‘Where There Is A Will’ was taken on by Hawkeye Publishing. “The small, traditional Brisbane publisher was particularly attracted to the surfing themes and the intriguing plot. “After more fine-tuning and editing, the novel was at last sent to print, and advance copies were released last September. “Reader feedback has so far been enthusiastic.” The debut novel has been described as a great Aussie yarn, which captures the beauty and power of the east coast and landscapes, from Eden to Lizard Island. It features vivid descriptions of surfing big waves and introduces the reader to an intriguing cast of characters grappling with a man’s disappearance. At the end of Q&A, a queue of people formed at the Book Warehouse table, where copies of the book were displayed for sale and duly signed by the author. By Andrea FERRARI Michel and his MC compere Peter Donkin discuss the novel. 70 guests attend the launch of ‘Where There Is A Will’ at Coffs Harbour Golf Club.
