Entertainment
2 August, 2025
New books build region’s writing reputation
THE region’s writing community continues to thrive, with another three authors making their mark through the Julatten company, Bowerbird Publishing.
From a clever mash-up of the classic Rapunzel fairytale, and an environmental chain of events that challenge a family’s beliefs, to a second edition of a memoir that reveals the life and growth of a dedicated activist, the release of these three books are testament to the diverse talent in Far North Queensland.
Runaway Cecilia, by Catherine Duffy, is described as a fast-paced story of a missing princess, an honourable knight, and a quest for identity, where the protagonists must navigate pirate battles, secret identities, courtly drama and daring rescues.
A journalist based in Far North Queensland, Catherine is a lifelong lover of stories across genres.
She is looking forward to launching her book at the inaugural Douglas Shire Book Festival on 2-3 August.
Shaking the Trees is writer Jeremy Tager’s first fictional work, which dives into an environmental storm, created by Jake, who is desperate for action on climate change.
His one act of sabotage becomes a lifetime of consequences for him and his father – an aging academic and firm climate sceptic – and reveals buried truths about his late mother and his long-lost sister.
Spanning continents and generations, Shaking the Trees is described as a gripping novel about the legacies we inherit and the choices that shape us.
This is Jeremy’s first step into fiction, having written numerous articles for non-fiction journals such as Nature Biotechnology and The Alternative Law Journal.
The third in this book trilogy is by Alan Isherwood, a well-known Atherton figure in local activism.
A former teacher and liaison officer for the Australian Democrats, Alan ran for public office and founded the Tablelands Action Alliance (TAA) in 2014, which is still active today.
His book, Isherwood’s Australia, first published in 2023, is being re-released as a second edition memoir that explores 20th-century Australia, weaving together stories of childhood friends, First Nations leaders, elders, and others.
The book takes readers on a journey through remote and isolated regions of Australia; his characters tell stories of personal struggle, triumph, and survival, which connect generations and show how storytelling can create a lasting legacy.
Runaway Cecilia, Shaking the Trees, and Isherwood’s Australia are available through Bowerbird Publishing by emailing: leonardi.crystal@gmail.com or going to www.crystalleonardi.com
You can also contact Catherine Duffy at catduff21@gmail.com and Alan Isherwood at arisher45@gmail.com
