Sally Piper

14 July 2017

Second book signed with University of Queensland Press

Sally Piper

14 July 2017

I have signed a publishing agreement for my second novel 'The Geography of Friendship', with University of Queensland Press. Publication is set for July 2018.

Today we walked section 13 of the Pekoe Trail, from St Catherine’s Mount to Hupatale, which was probably the prettiest and easiest of the three sections we’ve walked. The tea plantations were well maintained and the villages along the route that provide the tea workers were equally flourishing and prosperous, unlike the villages we passed through on the previous two days where it was obvious that plantation owners are investing less in maintaining the area. To have a female guide in Sri Lanka is rare, making Gisela’s company all the more special. She is as outspoken about gender equality as me and we shared some great conversations about her Tamil history, her Hindu faith and life as a woman in Sri Lanka. And we stopped at a couple of her friends’ homes along the way for tea (of course). Gisela’s grandfather, a lawyer and activist, was influential in improving the rights of Tamil workers, which is the main ethnicity of tea workers. We were sad to say goodbye to one another this afternoon but what an absolute joy it was to spend the past three days with her. ♥️♥️ #pekoetrail #srilanka

We walked section 12 of the Pekoe Trail today, from Udaweriya to Hupatale. It was longer and hotter than yesterday with quite a different landscape. We started in the mountains where agriculture is on steep terraces, then through a mix of eucalypt and pine forests, with many fallen trees from November’s cyclone, hugged high mountain trails beside tea plantations, took in sweeping views across valleys, distant lakes and abandoned villages, where tea crops have been let go by plantation owners and work is no longer available to villagers. Had a kilometer or so walking along a working trail line, and all the while guided by the lovely Gisela. #pekoetrail #srilanka

We walked Section 11 of Sri Lanka’s Pekoe Trail today guided by the lovely Gisela. Incredible views of mountains, valleys, tea plantations and villages. Not sure if I’d rather ascend or descend the Devil’s Staircase, a 3km series of switchbacks - the knees complain going down and the glutes complain going up.🤷‍♀️ Regardless, I loved all 15kms of this section. Really stunning scenery and lots of friendly villagers along the way. Thanks @fionastager for the heads-up about this fabulous trail. I might not have clocked it otherwise. 🙏 #pekoetrail #srilanka

Asian elephants, Hurulu Eco Park, Sri Lanka🇱🇰 The baby elephant in photo 2 & 3 is only 2 months old and still learning to use its trunk to pick grass. #asianelephants #huruluecopark #srilanka

Absolutely thrilled to see @sharingwithfriends_foundation have won the Heart of Winner National Award for Making a Difference - Group Award. This award celebrates the incredible work of their volunteers and pro bono supporters who have made their Darra co-housing project a reality. Legends all, and an apt recognition of all the hard work they do to bring affordable, secure housing to older single women with limited means, especially on this day - International Women’s Day. So proud of you all! #sharingwithfriends #cohousing #affordablehousing #womenhelpingwomen

Views from Sigiriya or Lion Rock, a 5th century fortress, at sunrise. Quite a few steps were involved but well worth it at the top. #sigiriya #srilanka

More birds of Sri Lanka: 1. Indian Roller 2. Scaly-breasted Munia 3. Crested serpent Eagle 4. White-throated Kingfisher 5. Blue-tailed Bee-eater 6. Chestnut-headed Bee-eater

Birds of Sri Lanka: 1 & 2 Grey heron 3 White egret 4 & 5 Cormorants

The wet weekend was a perfect excuse to hunker down with TWO ISLANDS by @ian_kemish. It’s a sophisticated mix of thriller, crime and the politics of the often long road to convicting war criminals. It is also about PTSD in veterans across generations, from WWll to Northern Ireland and the Balkans, and the courage and determination of witnesses and investigators who bring those who commit war crimes to answer for their actions in the International Criminal Court. Most of the novel’s suspense and intrigue occurs in the weather-ravaged landscape of an isolated Scottish isle, a place populated with quirky, tight-knit locals and is a temporary home for more than one person seeking to escape. ♥️📚 #twoislands #iankemish @uqpbooks #crime #thriller

I loved everything about this memoir MOTHER MARY COMES TO ME by @arundhatiroyauthor. I loved Roy’s wit, her understated courage and unwavering commitment to her activism. And I was in awe of her unfailing fidelity to her family despite the oftentimes cruel nature of it, especially her relationship with her enigmatic mother. My favourite memoirs are the ones that intersect the personal with the political, and this Roy does in spades, bringing a rich and illuminating catalogue of India’s challenges and shames over her lifetime, but also the integrity and pride of its diverse people determined to rise above the racism and sexism that besets her country. I couldn’t be more pleased to see it longlisted for the @womensprize for non-fiction today. So deserving. ♥️📕 #mothermarycomestome #arundhatiroy #memoir @penguinhamishhamilton

It was a full house @avidreader last night for the launch of this beauty TWO TONGUES by Maria van Neerven. Such an intimate and joyful event to have Ellen van Neerven in conversation with their mum Maria. A rich poetic seam clearly runs in the family. @mariavanneerven #ellenvanneerven #twotongues #poetrycollection #avidreaderbookshop #booklaunch @uqpbooks

Old shacks and farm buildings of #southgippsland #victoria

I went to a special screening of the movie ADDITION in Brisbane on the weekend, adapted from the award-winning novel of the same name, written by Australian author @toni_jordan_writer. It was brilliant - achingly sad at times but also funny and richly infused with the wit, humanity and sharp insight into human flaws and frailties I’ve come to expect and love about Toni’s writing, and transferred so beautifully to screen by actors @teresapalmer and @josephdempsie. And such a treat to have Toni speak with the audience beforehand about the book and adaptation. Go see it if you can, it’s a treat for the eyes and the heart ♥️♥️ #addition #additionmovie #tonijordan #teresapalmer #joedempsie

I adored TENDERFOOT by @toni_jordan_writer. Andie is the child at the heart of the story, reflecting on her childhood through the lens of age but told mostly as that child living in the Joh Bjelke Peterson-blighted era of 1970s Brisbane. To look back as an adult to the choices we make as a child, formed as they often were by naivety and ignorance, can be cringeworthy at best or nightmare at worst. Andie’s choices are a little of each, but they are always guided by what she believes to be right at the time. Except her sense of right is guided by a tough-loving mother who lectures about independence while living dependently with unsuitable men, and a father who is mostly absent even when he’s there. And oh my god, the greyhounds! Class, addiction, corruption and neglect sit alongside these beautiful animals, just as Andie vigilantly does, putting notions of love and trust in stark relief to the reality of much of human behaviour. This book is a beauty.📚♥️

Proud to march today in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and with Palestine supporters opposed to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Power to unity, not division. #invasionday2026 #readersandwritersagainstthegenocide

🌤️ 🌊 🏖️ and seagulls. (Why is there no emoji for seagulls…or is it 🍟)

With lockdown now over in Mum’s aged care residence, a picnic lunch beside Maiwar/Brisbane River was just the ticket. 👌

Starting my reading year with these two @poppygeenovelist &hearts;️📚

#poppygee
#tasmanianfiction

Starting my reading year with these two @poppygeenovelist ♥️📚 #poppygee #tasmanianfiction

Happy New Year to family, friends and followers. Here’s to a more compassionate and unified world in 2026. I hope you find much love, laughter and kindness in yours, and of course many excellent books. 🙌🕊️♥️📚

Some of my fave reads for 2025. FICTION THE VEGETARIAN by Han Kang ELEGY, SOUTHWEST by @madeleine_watts NIGHTINGALE by @lauraelvery FIRST NAME SECOND NAME by @steveminon THE EMPEROR OF GLADNESS by @ocean_vuong I AM NANNERTGARROOK by @tasma_walton NON-FICTION NO STRAIGHT ROAD TAKES YOU THERE by @rebeccasolnit INVISIBLE WOMEN by @ccriadoperez SILENCE IS MY HABITAT by @ladyredjess APHRODITE’S BREATH by @sjreaders THE PATRIARCHS by @angeladsaini IS A RIVER ALIVE? by @robgmacfarlane

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