Pix of the Events

Some people have sent me email requesting to see photographs from the Launch Parties of 209 A Story - (both @ Balmoral Castle & at the National Gallery of Victoria) - so this week is going to be minimum text & a collection of photographs...

Also, I am flying to the United States this week, as I have the opportunity to speak at the American Australian Association Author's Panel at the Book Soup in Los Angles. It is alsoa chance to have meetings with several people who are trying to get Michelle Obama to attend the launch of 209 A Story in New York in November... wish me luck. Personally, from my observations and from research, I think she is an exceptional person - not becuase she is the first lady of the USA - she is intelligent, funny, practical and extremely humble in her approach to the role...

Sorry - I will add more later as I need to resize the images.

The Launch Part 2 - Dream a Dream...

Wednesday afternoon...

My niece sat watching the news on the television and although I could not see the broadcast, I heard someone begin to sing... I had to leave... I was running late!

Wednesday evening...

As several hundred people made the way into the Federation Court of the National Gallery of Victoria, a lone piper, positioned near to the Water Wall played traditional Scottish tunes. They were making their way into an event that could only be described as ‘pretty special’. It was a little after 6:30pm on Wednesday, 15^th April, 2009. Most people did not know one another. Most people were intrigued with the purpose of their invitation to attend. However, everyone knew that the novel being launched was about the only Australian whose body was recovered from the disaster of RMS Titanic: 97 years before... to the day.

Over canapés and fine wine, beer and champagne, the gathering continued to grow in number. With each passing minute, the overwhelming sense of the occasion was becoming more evident. Trevor Jones, the international performing pianist, played on the grand piano.

Much of the discussion between those present was about a man who stopped and chatted briefly with many of the invited guests.

Dressed in a fine black dinner suit, Steven Rafter looked uncomfortable for a few moments as the crowd continued to fill Federation Court. Across the room, he recognised someone he knew. It was Professor Jaynie Anderson, Chair of the International Committee for the History of Art and on staff at the University of Melbourne. Dressed in red, she was here to deliver an address about the Banquet of Cleopatra. The connection would present itself shortly.

More about this later...

This week has been ‘exceptional’ for many reasons. Firstly, my family made their way to Melbourne from interstate and from overseas to attend the Australian launch of 209 A Story. I had seen most of them in Scotland for the launch at Balmoral but it was equally exciting seeing them in Melbourne. They were staying the Grand Hyatt on Exhibition Street and I went in to see them soon after their arrival on Wednesday morning.

Earlier, KT had arrived back from her European adventure (following the UK launch) and she was in much better condition than I thought she would be. I’d cleaned the flat as best I could and we sat and tried to cram the last three weeks into three hours. We laughed a lot about the events of Europe and how much we all packed into our time there. Much mention was made of the chocolates from Charbonnel et Walker on Old Bond Street and also of Chalmer’s Pies in Ballater – not to mention the dancing until 3am at the Hen Hooouse...

Jax, Renee and Pieter had all called to check I was ok and offer support. Another friend, Peter sent me a one word text message... ‘Breathe!’

As I raced from the hotel room, I heard this singing and saw the stunned faces of various members of my family who were now seated with my niece and watching the television.

When the bell sounded to enter ‘in unto’ the Great Hall of the National Gallery, a polite murmur sounded. The crowd, now well feed, took their seats and waited for this unusual launch to commence. Any late comers would need to stand as no seats remained empty.

The large gathering remained silent as they realised they were witnessing something that was indeed, ‘pretty special’. The Author took to the stage...

‘Although I am flattered by the recent report in the Belfast Telegraph about me being, ‘A Best Selling Australian Author’, I have to admit this is not the case... Yet!’

The crowd laughed and applauded.

He thanked the people for attending and he then introduced the guest speaker.

Professor Jaynie Anderson, gave an address about the Banquet of Cleopatra. The magnificent painting by Tiepolo, which is housed in the National Gallery of Victoria, plays an important part within the storyline of ‘209 A Story’. Her wit and love of the painting is shared by the author who moved to Melbourne in 1998 after a successful teaching career in Queensland and in Europe.

The intrigue of the plot covers a period up to the present day and takes place in Australia, Scotland, South Africa, England, Russia and France. It is reported to be the first novel in print to make reference to the new American President and Mrs Obama. A first edition copy of the novel has been sent to the White House. ‘It is a book of firsts,’ said Professor Anderson. ‘It is not only the first novel in print to make reference to the new American President, but also, it is the first novel to include reference to the Banquet of Cleopatra and also includes direct, well researched, reference to Australian indigenous Rock Art. The novel is ‘exceptional’.’

The last comment I heard as I left the room was... ‘WOW!’ I would try and find out what was going on – and why the segment on the news had drawn in, what appeared to be, my entire family... I just remember thinking in the lift on the way down from the 33^rd floor... I really did like the singing that I had just heard; it was ethereal.

Several of his friends read passages from the novel, much to the approval of the appreciative audience. One person commented, ‘This is so Steven, he has these launches of his novel in these incredible settings but keeps it real by inviting his friends to read parts of the story to a huge crowd. He is like that.’

Following the formal part of the evening, I then had the opportunity to sign many, MANY copies of 209 A Story (yeah!). As those who had purchased the novel moved forward, I thanked them for attending and listened to their stories about why they turned up, their good wishes... and anything else they had to say. I could not believe how long people had queued to have their novel signed. For the first time, I saw the true responsibility I had regarding my own dream of '209 A Story'... Who was I? I am the self appointed person with the responsibility to have Arthur McCrae’s life recognised by his fellow Australians... his life... as an important Australian link to RMS Titanic. I only hope I have done him proud.

After almost an hour and a half of signing copies of the novel, I was exhausted. The night had been a huge success and I was so humbled by the entire experience. The ‘209 A Story’ banners were packed up, the lights of the National Gallery of Victoria were turned off, and we all went home. I could not sleep. With my ipod playing in my ears, I walked for a couple of hours to wind down.

The following day before they left Melbourne, my niece was trying to answer the question I had just posed. I asked her what was on the television that had everyone so captivated. When she told me I immediately went to YouTube on my iphone and entered the name ‘Susan Boyle’ to find out what had happened... the message was – ‘this video does not currently support iphone’. It was not until today, Saturday, that I finally was able to hit the site.

As I watched I began to cry. I cried because I was so incredibly tired. I cried because her voice was so beautiful and strong. I cried because I realised how, that one brief moment the previous day – her singing had burned into my memory. I cried because I understood how she felt.

I can only make comment about the information I have now seen about her on the web. She was expressing how I was feeling as I walked to wind down. For so many years she has believed in who she is but she had never been given an audience to appreciate what she had to offer... until now!

She dreamed her dream...

and she never gave it up...

and unlike the final lyrics

of the song she sung –

her new life now...

has just begun!

It is a product of what is happening with the world in this time of economic doom and gloom. It is the human spirit glowing brighter than ever – because the ‘Good Time Crowd’ must display constraint ( ie they learned from the French Revolution). It is a time when someone from an obscure situation can take on the world... and dare to dream...

Have a nice week everyone...

Cheers Steven

Link to news article in UK newspaper about the event at Balmoral

http://www.deesidepiper.co.uk/news/Balmoral-hosts-a-novel-occasion.5111995.jp

Link to news article in the UK newspaper about the visit to Belfast

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/titanic-author-visits-shiprsquos-birthplace-14267416.html

The Launch Part 1

Sometimes one gets tired. Sometimes one feels a tad overwhelmed due to the pressures of everyday life... and then, sometimes, one feels like the bulldozer that just ran over them is sounding its reversing lights and you are now struggling to get out of the way!
Over the past month I have been unable to write this blog. I had to make a decision on urgency V importance and while my blog was my Sunday ‘thing’ – and incredibly important to me, not once has there been an opportunity to write (the blog) until now...
So, I thought it may be helpful and interesting to those who, over the past several years, have supported me through this blog, to divide this epic tale of THE WORLD LAUNCH OF 209 A STORY into three parts... by doing so it will allow for coffee breaks, sleep and time to read the novel...
Part 1...
In early March I was sitting on a plane at Melbourne International Airport. Departing Australia for Europe was an exciting time.
It had finally arrived.
After five years of researching and writing, deadlines whooshing past, meeting hundreds of people who were happy to discuss their ‘stories’ relating to the RMS Titanic, Faberge, international Art Auctions, Russia, South Africa, England, France, Scotland... and of course Arthur McCrae, I found myself, once again, alone. For the first time in a long time, no one who was seated around me knew about my novel. They had not heard of 209 A Story, they did not have information to tell me or an antidote to supply. The story was complete.
It was as if I had been transported back, in time, to early 2004, when I stood at the gates of Sydney Grammar School (where Arthur had been a student) and at a point in my own journey when I made the decision to follow my dream.
I buckled up, listened to airhost explain the safety procedures and was reviewing my program for the trip. From the moment I arrived into London, I was busy (lucky I was spending a few days with friends first). It was timed to the last minute. Cars were organised, meetings proposed, a multitude of plane flights. I would be on a two hour turn-a-round from 8am until 10pm... the schedule was gruelling... to say the least. I reached into my bag... I had been advised by a medical friend that taking a sleeping tablet on the trip would not make me addicted to drugs and I sat and deliberated about the use of sleep enhances.
The baby with the couple next to me began to cry...
And cry...
And cry...
And scream...
And cry...
When we finally landed in Singapore, and after an hour delay, I did not much care whether I would become addicted to the sleeping tablets. All I knew, at that stage, was when I re-boarded the plane I needed to sleep. I was due to meet with friends at Westminster Abbey for Sunday morning service at 10am.
The engines sounded and we were off again. I sat next to a couple who had been out in Sydney visiting their daughter. Off to my left I heard it again...
I looked at my schedule and the bottle of pills... the conversation with my medical friend came back to me... ‘Try just taking half’ – and I quote... ‘Knowing you Steven, you will be out in about 2 minutes and you will have a lovely sleep and wake up just before touch down.’
I unscrewed the lid, cut one in half and swallowed...
It was fabulous...
The kid in the background was not as noisy – (gone was thought of a letter of complaint to the airline). The seat was suddenly more comfortable than I initially thought when I had sat down...
When was that exactly?
I was feeling fine...
I adjusted my pillow.
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..................
‘Excuse me!’ I heard loudly in my ear.
My eyes would not open.
‘My wife has just fainted’ he said.
My eyes still would not open. My pulse began to quicken.
‘Please can you get up? I have called the steward!’ with a sense of urgency.
WHAT???????????
Was I dreaming? Had these prescribed tablets done something bad to me? Where am I? My lips felt dry. What is that humming noise? Hmmmm? WHO FAINTED? Oh my novel... Hmmm I think I will go back to sleep.
One push of Steven by frantic husband changed that plan!
The sleeping tablet had indeed worked but now there was a real life emergency and I was somewhere between la la land and OMG!!!!
As I tried to get up– I realised I had forgotten to take off my seatbelt... OH GOD! I was at a point where the real world collided head on with my ‘lovely sleep’!
Where am I again?
Where are my legs?
I then find myself lying face down in the aisle... and thinking how comfortable I was again... I closed my eyes...
‘Sir, you will be alright!’ said the voice.
‘No... I am fine’ I thought to myself. Or did I say it? My mind rolled over... I am sure there was someone... a lady... who bought the book... got on the plane and was heading to Russia to meet friends... but I think she is taking tablets...
The shaking of my shoulders by the beefy air steward bought me back to the real world...
I opened my eyes...
‘Oh God! What now?’ I remember thinking.
‘NO!’ I heard someone yell... ‘Not him – it’s my wife!’
‘Oh... him again,’ I thought. ‘I hope his wife is going to be ok?’
I really do not remember much of what happened after that but I do remember getting the giggles when I saw this huge green oxygen cylinder move past my face and three people ‘walking like Egyptians’.
Finally in London on the morning 16th March I was ready for what was about to occur.
It went something like this....
London, London, London – meet Mark, coffee at St Martin’s in the Field, National Gallery, Oceanic House, South Molton Street, Regent Street, THE APPLE STORE!!!, Meet up with my Parents, Old Boys Reunion, SLEEP, breakfast at the Wolseley with my immediate family, meetings all day, Dinner at the Chicago Rib Shack in Knightsbridge, Buckingham Palace, SLEEP – run from the Ritz along Knightsbridge on to Kensington Palace, along my favourite street in London... to Bayswater Road to Park Lane then back to the hotel, shower, meet some of the Australian contingent (8 there who flew in for the launch) for coffee at Cafe Nero, +1 ring-in Brit, Bond Street, Chocolates at Charbonnel et Walker, Viewing of an auction at Sotheby’s, A&F photo, Symthsons, TOUR LONDON at ridiculous pace... the Texas Embassy for lunch, race off from group - meeting in the afternoon, catch up with them again later, coffee again at St Martin’s, photo shoot outside the Abbey, The Houses of Parliament, dinner at McDonald’s near the London Eye, meet another Australian Contingent at pub in Victoria, walk back to Ritz through Green Park, BEST SLEEP, breakfast in the Ritz Dining Room, Apsley House to meet my dear friend – (thinking of you now!! Be strong u have my novel to read!!!), Hyde Park to see the two monuments I have wanted to see for quite some time; to Queen Caroline of Brunswick and to Diana, Princess of Wales, to Heathrow, BA flight to Aberdeen, 6 people miss their flight (no Names mentioned here!!! tee hee), Mark driving from London to Scotland, can't wait, hire car to Balmoral with Jax, Shannon & Chris, wake up some very unhappy person, Driving around the Estate in the dark trying to find the cottage, looming in the dark... WOW big Castle Dead Ahead! more people arrive midnight... (the six who missed their flight!), Joan enters our life... SLEEP, Ballater, Pies at Chalmers (OMG!!), it’s my Birthday! Back to have another PIE!, distillery tour, reading, birthday party at the School House on the Balmoral Estate (OMG 5pooonds, A Toast camera flash), Braemar, nice bridge, wow it’s cold, more people arrive, Crathie Church, OMG I LOST MY CAMERA... car, silence, anxious... THANK GOD MY CAMERA IS FOUND ta M, The Americans are here, Quiet Night spent at Balmoral, Today is THE DAY for the Launch of 209 A Story, wow more people arrive, I depart the cottage looking in to the forest of trees and hear the lone piper playing... wow – chills... not due to cold... people lost and have missed planes to Scotland... I felt sad for them, but feeling nice about the launch as it is the first time friends, spanning 20 years of my life, were together, speech, signing, BIG NIGHT in Ballater at the Hen Hooose..., SLEEP, shock, Balmoral – Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat, Night out with Laura and Leona, FlyB flight Edinburgh- Southampton, Titanic Exhibition – book presentation and signing, Night out on the Edge, extra day in Southampton to get autograph of Millvina Dean, train from Southampton-London via Winchester, out to Heathrow Air Lingus London-Belfast, wow it’s still cold, dinner out with Laura’s parents, W5, Exhibition: Titanic Designed and Built in Belfast, signing, presentation of novel, stand on Nomadic – WOWWWWW!, train to Dublin, (afternoon off), Hotel mix up... sorted... HOW MUCH FUN WAS DUBLIN?, early start National Gallery of Ireland, ‘The Taking of Christ’ by Caravaggio and ‘A Woman Writing a Letter with her Maidservant’ by Vermeer (long time waiting to see these) – buy card for Allyson, Trinity College, Book of Kells, signing, Connolly Station, in-depth discussion with fellow passenger about Islam and stem cell research at Queen’s College, Back to Belfast, Titanic Monument Belfast, Ferris Wheel (I am beginning to think EVERY place I went to – apart form Balmoral has one of these!), Flight Belfast- London.... yep... London, London, London... signing, meeting, meeting, meeting, Hatchard’s, Can’t remember what happened on Saturday, Yes I can... V&A Museum for the Tsar Exhibtion, The Albert Hall, Handel's Messiah, Dinner, SLEEP, Morning Service at the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, to Windsor for a run of the Great Walk (tee hee), Fantastic Run... trees planted in 'about' 1680... stop to take in the view... another plane over Windsor... reminds me of a joke... almost missed train at Windsor - Oh Look - another Ferris Wheel... stop in Slough... meet Pauline on the train and am impressed with her publishing idea... GO GIRL!, Hit the pubs off Leicester Square/Soho with mate John, back to the Ritz, my washing has arrived... BEYOND WORDS TRYING TO EXPLAIN THIS... SLEEP, go to Kensington Palace to drop off copy of novel. Buy some souvenirs of London, go and stand outside 16 South Molten Street, shed a couple of tears because I was once again... alone... Meeting, tube to Heathrow... homeward bound...
End of Part 1

209 A Story - A Short Review

So you think the Australian Working Holiday Maker is a relatively new concept?

Think again! Think again! Think again! Think again! Think again!

In 1904, when Arthur Gordon McCrae departed Australia for Africa, he commenced an eight year journey that was full of adventure. He was an engineer, who worked at a mine in Africa, before moving on to Siberia in Russia. In April of 1912, he bordered RMS Titanic. His story has remained largely untold... until now with the launch of 209 A Story by Steven Rafter.

A dazzling and vibrant storyline, in a most suspenseful way, this novel follows the path of the young Australian as he matures into adulthood and ultimately reaches his destiny. The chapters of his journey are interspersed with the lives of three other Characters (Dabria Livingstone, Charlotte Rominscov, and Edward Parfett) and spanning a period of over one hundred and fifty years. How they are all connected is the true brilliance behind 209 A Story.

From the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour and the hash landscape of southern Africa to the Royal Courts of Europe, and modern day Manhattan, 209 A Story will delight you and sadden you; its moments are truly precious. As the reader falls into the novel, the desire to find out what is happening next increases dramatically.

Why is Arthur carrying a diplomatic package? Is the Countess Charlotte Rominscov who you think she is? Why is Dabria Livingstone being chased through the city of New York? And finally, what has all this to do with a soldier on reconnaissance in northern France during WWI?

209 A Story by Steven Rafter.

www.209astory.com

A Provost, A President and a Big Smile...

The last week has been one of surprise and more surprise...

I have been amazed at the way the 'machine' of 209 A Story has taken on a life of it's own. The several members of staff, namely the Personal Assistant, Renee and the Public Relations Person, Katie, have both been busy with email and letters, and phone calls. All to make the launch of the novel at Balmoral Castle a success.

It was one acceptance that made me smile.

More about this later...

At the ripe old age of 18, I was in the UK for school; as an exchange student. I was in Hampshire at one of the old schools in the country. It was certainly different to school in Australia and it is where I learned all the words to 'I Vow to Thee My Country'!

Like school in Australia, life revolved around the sound of bells. To commence the day, to go to breakfast, to start school, for lunch, to finish school, to commence sport, for showers, for dinner, for prep and finally for lights out.

I was in England on the Gap Scheme. At that stage it was organised by the Australia-Britain Society and one of the patons was Sir Zelman Cowen. He was Provost of Oriel College at Oxford. I received an invitation to visit the College and meet with the Provost. Sir Zelman had been the former Governor-General of Australia.

I found Oxford to be one of the most incredible places in the world. It is beautiful (see picture above of a very young me!) Although I was impressionable at the time, the College and the town left the most amazing mark on me. Two of my prized processions are gifts I was given while there. One was a navy blue and white flannel scraf by Eden and Ravenscroft. It was an Oriel College scarf. The other was a pewter ink-well with the the motto of the University on the lid.

When I finally met with Sir Zelman, I found him to be a very charming man and at the time, I really did not realise what a true gentleman he was. We discussed various things and my time in the United Kingdom. I met up with him in Melbourne a few years back and although now into his 90's, that same charm is still evident. I feel very honoured to have met him.

Surprise #1 A supporter of the 209 A Story in the United States sent to me an email to let me know that he had done some research on the ISBN number of my novel. He informed me that 209 A Story is the first novel in print to make reference to the new American President. A copy of the novel is being sent to the archives of the White House. I was proud.

Surprise #2 Like the Australia-Britain Society, there is also an American-Australian Association. During the 'invitation period' when invites are being extended to various VIP's to attend the launch, an email arrived into the office. Renee called me in a fluster. The American-Australian Association were asking me if I would be interested in attending a Writer's Forum in Los Angeles in May. I was proud.

Surprise #3 In 209 A Story, I have based one of the characters (Aberton Chartres-Hume) on the Oxford students I met at Oriel College- one in particular. This week I had word that Sir Derek Morris, the current Provost of Oriel College, Oxford had accepted the invitation to attend the launch at Balmoral. I was really proud... and I smiled.

Have a nice week everyone.

Steven

Three Angels and a Koala named Sam... what a week!

Sometimes, when stress levels run high, you actually don’t have to look too hard to find something to make one smile. I thought of three friends of mine. I once was their boss and we have tried over the years to remain in contact. They are a bit like Charlie’s Angels (or I should I call them ‘Steven’s Angels’?). We caught up for dinner at Docklands in Melbourne. The meal was fabulous and the conversation flowed easily. We each took turns at telling one another of our last few months and there was much talk about 209 A Story and how many people know about the novel.

It was after dinner when something occurred that made me laugh like I had not laughed in a long, long time. I drove the ‘Angels’ out to Moonee Ponds to collect their individual vehicles and I stopped at the service station to put fuel in the car. For 11pm, I was surprised at how the place was packed – with cars on every pump.

More about this later…

The bushfires here in Victoria have been nothing less then horrific. The hundreds of email I have received from all over the world and the many text messages that buzzed my new iphone at silly o’clock (and at other times during the night and day) were a constant reminder to me that people do care. The images that went around the world were of tired fire fighters, desperate people who had lost everything, individuals who recounted amazing stories of survival and thousands of ‘spots’ where houses (and towns) once stood.

Looking beyond this – there were other things that happened this week that put a different slant on the situation.

As most of you would be aware, my love for the City of Melbourne is beyond my love for any other place on the planet. After being fortunate enough to have travelled extensively (over many years), I made the decision to settle here ten years ago. It is now my home town. During this week it was so easy to see what was on everyone’s mind and why I am so proud of the place. People who were once strangers openly talked to one another... on trams and at coffee shops and in the street. Everything I overheard was based around ‘the situation’ and generally it turned to ways in which they were able to help those affected.

It made me very happy and I was proud to call myself a Melbournian.

After the initial shock of the bushfires there were glimmers of goodness trying to make its way through the sense of despair. Firstly, there was the photograph of Sam the Koala. Like many others to recieve the image via email... I just cried! Secondly, on Thursday night the sky across Melbourne was so thick with smoke that it was quite difficult to walk home. I got to the Prince’s Bridge crossing the Yarra and stood for a while and tried to make out the MCG and the Royal Botanic Garden. Suddenly, a gust of wind blew and there before me, in the sky, was the most amazing sight. It was the moon. No ordinary moon. It was a full moon. It was a moon that appeared like one enormous, luminous ruby. It was magical. I know I was not the only person who saw it. It was like a gift to the people of Victoria because we would have been the only ones to have seen it like this. It was a hard week for all.

It was quite ironic that the week of the greatest natural disaster in the history of Australia was the same week as www.209astory.com coming on-line. I am sure the sense of helplessness of those who remained behind or those who had survived the disaster of RMS Titanic in 1912 was similar to the thoughts of many Melbourians this past week.

So… I finished filling the car with fuel and took out my wallet to go and pay for the petrol. I was thinking about the dinner, my friends and how excited I am about the up-and-coming launch of 209 A Story. I walked toward the glass doors and they did not open automatically so I leaned across and pressed the button beside the door…

It was not an ‘entry’ button!

The entire place plunged into darkness! The emergency lighting came on and sirens began basting their woooop… woooop sounds! Most people jumped. The people inside the store could not get out… and those of us outside could not get in. The grumpy man behind the console looked even grumpier and it took him a good minute or so to turn the system off. I am pleased I could not hear what he said because the look he shot me... and the words being mouthed really appeared quite unkind and not at all sympathetic to my situation. At that point I wanted the world to swallow me up because EVERYONE knew exactly who had set off the alarm.

Then I began to laugh… because during dinner one of the Angels said to me… 'Rafter, are you sure you are ready for fame of 209 A Story?'

Have a good week everyone…

Steven

ps - the website is up and if you would like to attend one of the launch parties in the UK, Australia or in the USA - please go to www.209astory.com - you can also purchase your copy of the novel. Special First Print Edition almost sold out!

A Respect For Victoria... my home.

As a mark of respect to the fire fighters, the volunteers and the victims of the most horrific natural disaster in the history of Australia, I have not entered a blog for this week. The stories of their heroic acts and also the horrific tales of this situtation make anything I would have to write seem inappropriate. Have a safe week. Steven