Exciting new book launch

Central Coast author Myfanwy Webb is set to launch her latest book on November 23.

Signposts to the Past – Stories of Places and Streets on Bouddi Peninsula is a labour of love which sees the author and her daughter, Kalena, complete a book first started by Webb’s own mother.

“My mother wrote most of the book before she passed away two years ago,” Webb said.

“I told her I would finish it and my daughter, who is really clever with graphic design, and I pored over it.

“We integrated more pictured and Indigenous comment and came up with an interesting history from early Indigenous times up to the present of Bouddi Peninsula.

“The book includes some interesting stories of people after whom streets in the area were named.

“It looks like a coffee table book but is so much more.”

It is Webb’s third book – each of them very different.

Her first book, Stages of Suicide – how to help your mind is particularly relevant, with World Suicide Day taking place on September 10.

She first wrote it as a briefer version, inspired by her work for NSW Health researching suicide on the Central Coast.

“There was a lot of interest so I decided to expand it into a longer version,” she said.

Heartened by the success of her first work, Webb then decided to tackle a novel.

Deleting Vincent – a female killer’s confession was launched at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival earlier this year.

Exploring the psyche of multiple murderers, their motives and psychological characteristics, the book includes references to “mushroom killer” Erin Patterson.

“It is a psychological thriller set on the Central Coast from Patonga to Long Jetty,” Webb said.

“During my time working with suicide files at the courthouse I was asked to help in updating a police questionnaire used when officers attend a suicide and I became interested in the different aspects of suicide versus murder.

“I decided I could explore these themes best in the form of a novel and I think readers will especially identify with the Central Coast setting.”

Webb worked on the novel in tandem with completing her mother’s work.

Signposts to the Past will be launched with the support of the Bouddi Society at 2pm on November 23 at the Wagstaffe Hall.

For more information and links to all three books go to https://www.myfanwywebb.com/shop/