I have plenty of wonderful news for you today.
For the past twelve months – since our ‘Sisters for Sale’ New York premiere, our first book launch, and our podcast were all cancelled in those first surreal days of the pandemic – we haven’t run any public events.
Suddenly, everything seems to be happening at once…
Today I’m delighted to announce two Australian screenings and an online screening of our multi-award-winning documentary ‘Sisters for Sale’, plus the launch event for the third ‘Sisters for Sale’ book, ‘The Man’s Machine’!
THANK YOU
Firstly, I want to send out a huge THANK YOU to our supporters whose faith in this project has helped keep it alive over the past year.
It’s been a tough year, and we’ve had zero funding. It makes a huge difference to me personally knowing there are people out there who really believe in our work.
It’s been wonderful, too, to see such a positive response to the first two ‘Sisters for Sale’ books.
I believe one of my readers set a new speed-reading record earlier this month. She sent me this message less than two days after receiving both books in the mail: “Aaahhh … when will you be releasing The Man’s Machine? I can’t wait to read it. I enjoyed the first two immensely and could hardly put them down!”
She then went and watched the documentary online because she couldn’t wait to find out how the story ended!
One of the most beautiful interactions I’ve had lately came from a supporter named Israt.
After seeing the ‘Sisters for Sale’ poster at a friend’s house in Sydney, Israt watched the film online, then immediately ordered both books and a copy of the poster for herself.
Having known the pain of being an unwanted girl child, Israt said she couldn’t stop crying when she read the books.
When she heard about the upcoming festival launch of our third book (details below!), Israt was determined to be there in person. I mentioned that the festival was quite a distance from where she lives in Sydney.
“I will be there,” she said. “For amazing things I can walk 1000 miles.”
It really means so much to see that depth of support for our work. You keep us believing in ourselves.
You can find ‘Sisters for Sale’ documentary and trailer online here.
You can find a preview of our first book here, and order the first two books here.
Newcastle screening
On Sunday 18th April, for the very first time, I’ll be hosting a ‘Sisters for Sale’ screening, post-screening discussion, and book signing in my hometown of Newcastle, Australia.
We have a wonderful little venue, the Royal Exchange theatre in Bolton Street, which has just returned to full capacity now that restrictions have been eased. Doors open at 7pm and the documentary starts at 7.30pm.
Our first two books – ‘Every Stranger’s Eyes’ and ‘Suspicious Minds’ – will be available for sale on the night. Unfortunately we won’t have EFTPOS facilities so please bring cash.
Tickets are available online here.
Maitland Indie Festival
It has now been over three years since I began writing the ‘Sisters for Sale’ story as a series of books.
Thanks to the pandemic, we never even had any launch events for the first two books. Fortunately they’ve been extremely well received, and having been selling almost entirely based on word of mouth.
I’m now in the somewhat bizarre position of launching the third book without ever having hosted or even attended a book launch in my life!
Last February I spent a wonderful afternoon and evening at the Maitland Indie Festival, and this year I’ve been invited to return as a participant in not one but three events.
On the opening night, Friday 28th May, I’ll be hosting a screening and post-screening discussion of the ‘Sisters for Sale’ documentary.
The follow day, Saturday 29th May, I’ll be part of a ‘Writing for the Big Screen’ panel with three other filmmakers, and the same afternoon I’ll be discussing my third book, ‘The Man’s Machine’, with the wonderful Debbie Lee from IngramSpark, who publishes our books.
‘The Man’s Machine’ will be available for the first time at the festival. Like any proud parent, I know I’m not supposed to play favourites, but I’m really proud of ‘The Man’s Machine’ and am convinced it’s the best of the three.
You can find the program and more information on the festival website here.
Online screening
Our very own Katie Carriero is currently organising our first online screening of ‘Sisters for Sale’.
It will take place at 6.30pm EST (New York time) on Sunday 18th April, and I’ll be participating in a live discussion after the documentary.
Tickets can be purchased by sending US$10 via Venmo @sistersforsale, or via Paypal @humanearth. A private link to attend the screening will be sent out shortly before the event.
(Please note that the event will not be available to viewers in the following countries: Afghanistan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Timor-Leste, Hong Kong, Indonesia, North Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Myanmar (Burma), Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Seychelles, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam.)
You can find the shareable event page here on Facebook.
Apologies
I’ve just realised there are a few of our donors who should have but didn’t receive the ‘Every Stranger’s Eyes’ ebook over the past year, and were too polite to say so.
That was my mistake. If you’re one of those people and haven’t heard from me, please let me know.
Thank you,
– Ben