Secrets, Lies & Chat Book News

MAY 2006

As advertised on the home page, the book is for sale from this website for a very reduced price.  

After some weeks of negotiation, I have reached a settlement agreement with my publisher, and my contract has been terminated.  There will be no further books printed unless I decide at some time in the future to try again with another publisher.  That will only happen if I do a rewrite and that's not an option in the near future.  The only books that I can guarantee are legitimately available for purchase, are in my possession.  

If you would like a copy, personally autographed and posted by me, then please either complete the 'buy' option on this website or contact me at caitlinireland@msn.com and I will give you the address to send a postal note, money order, or cheque, to.  I guarantee that once payment is received the book will be on its way to you.

I am now working on another manuscript, and have been for the past year.  Yes, it really does take a long time to write a manuscript, especially when you work full-time away from home.  With all the upsets in my life last year, and again this year, I have been and still am, finding it hard to discipline myself to do more writing.  I hope in the weeks to come, before I head overseas, that I will be motivated and put more effort into my work.  

My new work is a true story again, but this time someone else's.  I have been given permission to freely create fiction to go with reality, and this is taxing for me at times as I seem to write myself into corners.  However, the story is interesting and complex, the characters real and complicated.  I hope that the story will end up being one that people will enjoy reading.

Vena McGrath 14 May 2006

PAST NEWS ITEMS

Today Tonight/Radio WSFM/ABC National Radio/Joy's World Channel 31
Today Tonight ended up being a huge disappointment to me :( After all the trouble John Healey and the cameraman and lighting/sound man went to with my interview and filming the book, there was no mention of who I am, with the exception of my name, and not a word about the book or a sign of a picture of the cover. For all my friends and associates who watched the segment and asked, "where was the book"?, I had this answer, "The story was on lies and I guess Today Tonight decided to join the party and do some lying of their own". The only reason I became involved in the segment was because of the book and I was assured right from day one of talks, that this would happen. I was also angry that they used a stand-in who was supposedly me, making a phone call and then sitting with her head in her hands. I most definitely did not do that part of the segment and anyone who knows me noticed it wasn't me. But anyone who doesn't know me would no doubt think, "what an actress". Loss of credibility for me who appeared with honesty. Ah well, lessons learned. The only positive out of the whole issue is that Today Tonight did an article on the segment on their website and the search engines have picked up on my name in the article.


I woke up on Friday morning 15 April to the sound of my usual breakfast show on WSFM Sydney to hear the topic of discussion was about meeting people from the internet and what had someone said online that was not true in reality. I dragged myself out of bed listening to the callers and wondered if I should have a shot at getting online. I finally decided to take the plunge, made a call, and 1/2 hour or so later I was on air with Jonesy and Amanda. I was lucky to manage to get a plug in for the book at the end of my couple of minutes and I thank them sincerely for allowing that to go to air :) I was surprised how many people I know online and offline heard the show that morning. I bought a copy of the segment audio from Rehame and now have a wav copy. I was quite pleased with how I came across and that I masked my nervousness so well lol.


Next Tuesday, 3 May, sees two opportunities opening up for the book. The first is Tuesday morning when I have been invited to be a guest, live to air, on Life Matters, ABC National Radio, hosted by Julie McCrossin. I sent Julie a review book and was approached because of the book having been read by the producer of the show. I am extremely proud that the book has scored an interview, it gives me cause to hope that eventually the book will do the good I hope it will do and that it will be used to educate people about the Internet.


On Tuesday evening I will be attending the taping of a Book segment for Joy's World, Channel 31. Ms Joy Hruby, Producer and Host of the show has graciously invited me to be a guest in a segment that will appear on satellite TV on Channel 31 in a month's time. I am looking very forward to chatting with Joy as my phone conversations with her have been interesting and I believe she is a lovely lady who will give me the chance to hopefully get across my views on the Internet and my hopes for the good this book might do given half a chance.


So my friends, if you get the chance listen on Tuesday morning. I hope I do the opportunity justice.


Vena McGrath 01/05/2005



Catch me on Today Tonight, Channel 7 National Television, Australia
Tomorrow night, Friday 22 April 2005, the long-awaited segment that I was involved in will go to air on Channel 7 at 6.30 pm - Today Tonight. I hope as many of my friends in Australia as possible will be able to view the program. I would like to ask everyone who can to please ring or drop in on your local bookstore and ask if they will be stocking the book. ISBN number 1-58982-264-1, Publisher Bedside Books - American-Book Publishing. Release date 18 May 2005 in the USA. The book is currently listed on Amazon and other online bookstores for advance sales. Thank you to anyone who has the time to do that for me, I will be eternally grateful :)