Salt River Road to launch at Albany Town Hall, a decade in the making by aspiring young Albany author

After years of work Albany author Molly Schmidt will launch her debut novel at Albany Town Hall on Saturday, September 23.

It won the 2022 City of Fremantle Hungerford Award, along with a publishing contract with Fremantle Press and $15,000 in prize money.

The story tells of siblings struggling to cope with grief following their mother’s death in nostalgic 1970s Australia.

Looking for an escape from the grief, one of the siblings, Rose, meets Noongar elders Patsy and Herbert who draw her into a home that provides the strength of community and provides the opportunity to heal.

“The story itself is told with a mix of prose and poetry,” Schmidt said.

“I wrote this story in consultation with Noongar elders from the Albany area, and I am so grateful for their time and friendship.

“I hope Salt River Road can become a poignant example of the possibilities of cross-cultural collaboration.”

Salt River Road officially goes on sale on October 3, with launch attendees able to pick up an early copy.

Tickets for Saturday’s book launch and signing are available from Paperbark.