Recently, I realised it’s been 15 years since I began my Facebook page (and I mentioned this there), but it’s since also occurred to me that I began this website at that time too – just after my first book was published (on an April 1st!!)
I was an absolute beginner regarding websites and social media. Too shy to advertise, I thought, well, if someone happens to find their way here and might like to stay, then that’s great! It was such a thrill to see when people began to come here and to also leave messages.
Some of you have joined me from the beginning and I’m truly grateful for your loyalty and sharing this space with me. Some of you have come across this space more recently – it’s wonderful to have you here. Thank you to all of you who stay and sign up to receive these emails, or also seek me out on my Facebook or Instagram pages.
It’s a joy to hear your thoughts, shared memories and stories, either through the comments or by private messages. Some of which bring a lovely laugh, others that are so very touching. I totally understand too those quietly watching on. In my own life, I’m a pretty private person and it’s fairly quiet much of the time with my days (and some nights) mostly at my desk writing.
Otherwise, I’m cooking, swimming, or in the garden, or gathering stories, research and interviews for the next book, which can take me to different places. It’s often a slow process as I do it all on my own, but there’s always another book in the works and I truly appreciate your patience while I’m working on it.
I usually write here if perhaps something occurs, or I delve into the box of old photos. (If there’s ever something you’d like to read about let me know. I’ll see what I can do!) In the years since I began this website and social media my life has changed in many ways, as likely my posts have too, but they’ll always be from me in all their swerves and ramblings – never ‘generated’ from elsewhere.
Thank you again for being a part of this small community and your interest in the books. For your loyalty, curiosity and shared experiences. My one hope when I started this website and my social media pages was for these to be places of kindness, shared respect, stories and sincerity and I can say that in 15 years this has been the case between us all and that is truly such a wonderful thing! Grazie, baci e abbracci, Zoe x
P.S. So love that photo of Nanna Francesca and Nonno Anni throwing coins in the Trevi Fountain fifty years ago!! xxx
I found this lovely photo of Nanna Francesca’s Sydney cousins and friends tucked in with a letter sent to her in Brisbane in the 1950s. The way news was shared of a new baby and baptism celebration back when it wasn’t common to hop on plane (and who could afford to take time off from work anyway).
It was actually Nonno Anni who originally gave me the idea for, The Proxy Bride. When I was talking to him about his life for Joe’s, he mentioned by chance that during WW2 when he and other Italian men were taken from farms around Stanthorpe and sent to internment camps, the women and children suddenly left alone did it very tough. He later heard they were given no assistance and with curfews and restrictions weren’t allowed to drive, many didn’t know how to use the farm equipment or ride a horse and faced poverty and starvation. He mentioned this group of women who banded together to keep their farms going. That really struck me and I felt I’d come back and write about it. When I learnt that some of these women were also proxy brides, it opened up more to the story.
The Australian Women’s Weekly has chosen, The Proxy Bride to feature in their latest issue – out today! I just picked up a copy and still can’t quite believe it. I thought it only fitting to share with you it sitting on Nanna Francesca and Nonno Anni’s pink-marble Laminex 1950s kitchen table. (The table from their very first house in Wyandra Street – yes, I’m so fortunate to be its current custodian!)
“In 1939, Giacinta sets sail from Italy to Australia. Decades later, a granddaughter discovers the true story of her family… A stunningly crafted novel of family, secrets and facing adversity.
Zoë Boccabella 