An aging lush teaches her wallflower friend a thing or two about how to pick up men.
Annette gulped two tequilas. She felt a little wobbly, but who wouldn’t in twenty dollar, six-inch platform pumps from Walmart. She beckoned the ponytailed bartender and ordered another two shots. When he came round with the drinks, she leaned forward, pushing her breasts together to see if her freckled cleavage might get her a reaction from the young man.
Poet and author Cyril Wong moderated my Singapore book launch for “Without: Stories of lack and longing” at the 2018 Singapore Writer’s Festival at The Arts House.
My mother, Lisa Koh, my husband Andrew Morollo, and my long-time friend Tania Wu read excerpts from my stories. I even surprised myself by pulling off half-decent Indian, New Zealand, and African accents while reading excerpts from the book’s eponymous story “Without”.
You can watch a video of me talking about “Without” – a story about the conundrum of female friendships, and a video of me reading a few snippets from the story.
So glad I got the chance to share this special event with the people I love, including my dad, grandma, sister, Godma, aunts, and good friends Tania and Yvonne.
Wednesday, 5 September, 2018. The book launch party for “Without: stories of lack and longing” was a blast!
The event saw a good turnout of close to 50 guests, and from the photos , it looks like everyone had a lovely time.
Photo on the right, from left: guests Bill Buggy, Dale Lockwood, Vanessa Ma, Stewart Mckay and Vickie Chan.
My anxieties about my book launch party were unfounded. The event, which was held at naked Hub@ New Street was huge success, thanks to amazing friends who showed up to support, and who made the party so much fun. Canapes from Delicious catering and drinks provided by naked Hub certainly helped everyone ease into the gathering.
Above, clockwise from left: guests Sean Macfarlane, Mehek Gidwani, Kayti Marr, Nicky Nadjithoma, greeter Dani Van De Brouke, Mark Thomson, Owen Schaefer, and Elsa Saavedra.
Above, clockwise from top: Sara Lineberger, Ema Buggy, Paul Corrigan, Vince Turcotte, Anita Edkins, Sarah Mowat and Carol Demaro, Boris Meyer, Dave Lore.
A big thank you to the night’s dazzling emcee Reena Bhojwani, dynamic greeters Dani Van De Broucke and Rachel Lim, and entertaining readers Anna Chiang, Richard Rimington, Saffron Marchant, and my husband Andrew Morollo.
Dani, smiling on the left, greeting guests Christine Yu and husband.
The lovely Rachel taking care of book sales.
Anna reading an excerpt from “Sounds Like”, a story about a self-sufficient and solitary sonographer who starts to resent her happily married neighbours.
Andrew reading an excerpt from “Global Warming”, a story about an encounter between an out of work Greek and a Jordanian academic that presents different perspectives on the European migrant crisis.
Reena reading an excerpt from “Summer Visitors”, a story about a young widow living in a high-rise building who starts talking to cockroaches.
Richard reading an excerpt from “For Better Thinking”, a story about an ambitious advertising man who turns to drugs to find the next big slogan.
Saffron reading an excerpt from “Guacamole”, a story about a self-satisfied wife who is disturbed by an interaction she observes between her husband and her best friend’s teenage daughter.
Three of the lucky draw “goodie bag” winners, clockwise from top, Kevin Tang, Vanessa Ma, and Sean Dinsmore.
Book sales at a special discounted price of HK$80, and book signing. Above, signing books for Lucy P. Jordan, Teresa Norton, Paul Panckhurst, Pieter B, and Gina Richter.
Above, clockwise from top: Vickie Chan, Sarah Mowat, Mark Thomsen, Emily Matchar, Chloe Gatrell, and Chris Dudgeon.
Guests mingling as the party wraps up!
I’m releasing my new book “Without” on 5 September, and would like to invite you to a little launch party I’m having at naked Hub@New Street. There’ll be readings, drinks, canapes, and a lucky draw. Please follow this link to RSVP.
Look forward to seeing you then!
Here’s a little preview of the book:
What’s missing in your life? What keeps you up at night? What will make you happy? What will make you whole? These are the things that the stories in Without explore.
“Like Graham Swift’s ‘Last Orders’, Koh Morollo’s work offers a timely, heartfelt reminder that there is no such thing as an ordinary life. Stripping away the misleading and sometimes grubby veneer, she examines the lives of forgotten people, neglected souls navigating complicated, messy, unpredictable lives, often struggling to find the right path. ‘Without’ takes readers on that complex, emotional journey, guiding us through with wit, warmth and, most importantly of all, empathy.” – Neil Humpreys, author of Singapore best-seller Complete Notes from Singapore
“Short story lovers will find much to enjoy in these evocative tales. The settings are varied, but there’s a rich, consistent literary tone that makes it a great summer read.” – Nury Vittachi, journalist, and author of The Feng Shui Detective series.
“Transcending geographical boundaries, these stories cast deft and compassionate glances across swaths of emotional terrain, zooming in on relationships in deeply poignant ways.” – Cyril Wong, award-winning poet, and author of Ten Things My Father Never Taught Me and Other Stories
“These are stories I would have liked to write. Set in countries like Hong Kong, the UK, Canada and Greece, they sparkle with arresting characters, authentic dialogue, and accurate and evocative sense of place. An impressive debut.” – Robert Yeo, Southeast Asia literary pioneer, and author of The Adventures of Holden Heng
Books will be available for sale, but only cash payments will be accepted.
Visit amazon.com/author/michelekohmorollo to find out more about my work.
