… steps into the light by history… A woman overshadowed

A woman
overshadowed
by history…
… steps into the light
‘Women have served all these
centuries as looking glasses
possessing the magic and delicious
power of reflecting the figure of a
man at twice its natural size.’
Virginia Woolf
Artist Elizabeth Gould spent her life capturing the sublime beauty
of birds the world had never seen before, but her achievements
were eclipsed by the fame of her husband, John Gould. Here at last
is Eliza’s story. The Birdman’s Wife gives voice to a passionate and
adventurous spirit, a woman ahead of her time. From her early
days as a naïve young artist who falls in love with a demanding and
ambitious genius, Eliza comes into her own as an artist, mother and
adventurer who defies convention by embarking on a trailblazing
expedition to collect and illustrate Australia’s ‘curious’ birdlife.
The Birdman’s Wife paints an indelible portrait of an extraordinary
woman overlooked by history – until now.
about the author
What started out as research for a PhD dissertation on
Elizabeth Gould by Brisbane-based writer, poet and bird watcher
Melissa Ashley became a labour of love and her first novel, The
Birdman’s Wife. Melissa even followed in her heroine’s footsteps by
learning taxidermy. She’s also a passionate ‘birder’.
point of sale
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Digital display
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publicity
Good Reading
Facebook Q&A –
13,500
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• Author media and book event tour to
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teas and white glove events
Susan Duncan, bestselling author of
SALVATION CREEK
• Media campaign targeting fans of historical
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Burial Rights
THE DRY
Emily Maguire talks with Jane Harper
about her highly anticipated debut novel.
page 6
the birdm
an
www.affir
October for
Booklovers
’s wife
mpress.co
• Pre-publication ‘white glove’ experience for
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October full
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Better Reading
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October Booklover
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catalogue – 2.1
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window & pillar posters
• Building buzz with advance rave reviews from
galaxy of leading authors, media, bird lovers
• Features and reviews in leading women’s
magazines and newspapers
• Partner events with the likes of the State
Library of Queensland, Queensland Museum
and the Mitchell Library for ‘white glove’
experiences of taxidermy and treasure troves
from the Gould archives
• Major advance reading campaign launch to
the trade, literary reviewers, key media and
top bloggers
• Brisbane Writer’s Festival VIP event
The Birdman’s Wife
• Advance electronic reading copies available
via NetGalley in August
www.affirmpress.com.a
u
Collins Summer
Reading Guide
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Leading Edge
Summer Reading
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Total reach: 5. 1 million
retailer exclusive wrapping paper & gift cards
• Dedicated NetGalley enewsletter reaching
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• Launch event in author’s home town of
Brisbane at Avid Reader
Title: The Birdman’s Wife
Author: Melissa Ashley
ISBN: 9781925344998
Price: $32.99 hardback
Format: 234mm x 153mm
Extent: 400 pages
Pub date: October 2016
Order cutoff: 24 August 2016
ORDERS: United Book Distributors
Ph 1800 338 836 [email protected]
SALES QUERIES: Keiran Rogers
Ph 03 8695 9639 [email protected]
MEDIA QUERIES:
Emma Rusher
House of Rusher Communications
Ph 07 3036 2024, Mob 0423214626
[email protected]
FICTION
affirmpress
www.affirmpress.com.au
www.affirmpress.com.au