In a curious way, the birth of a book reminds me of the birth of a child, and the death of a book, the death of a relative or friend. Some two years I contacted the small publishing arm of ‘Anzac’ or ADCC with the ms of a junior text called ‘Gallipoli Medals’. This publishing arm, amongst many other activities, was run by Diana (Di) Burke, a one-woman maelstrom. She promised to have “Gallipoli Medals” out by the end of the year. Somehow or other that year stretched into two. What I didn’t know at that time was that Di was suffering with cancer, but was then in remission.

Di had hoped to have five books out for the end of 2010. This date was then extended to mid February when the books would be launched at Government House. Then those inconvenient Queensland floods intervened. Somehow there were more pressing issues for Governors to worry about than books. In the meantime Di finally succumbed to her desease. Though she was still bravely fighting to stay alive, as she had so many things she still wanted to do, very sadly, she died.

Now we five authors must wait until the end of the year when her husband Arthur takes on the mammoth task of issuing those books. This will be an unenviable task for someone who hasn’t done this before and we only hope that we can help in any way possible. Meanwhile, with no books to sell or promote, I have removed ‘Gallipoli Medals’ from my website. As I hinted earlier in this piece, we authors have little power over the birth of a book and none over a death. We will all miss Di no end for her incredible enthusiasm and wining personality.

ps Though I have been off line for a few days I’m happy to be back. I can see that writing a blog could become addictive.