Author Events with Tess Merlin
Tess Merlin is an active member of the literary community. She regularly speaks on author panels and runs workshops in libraries and bookstores.
Events with Tess Merlin
Upcoming events
5th Birthday Celebrations: Guest Author
27 June 2026
Wimberley & Co Books Goomeri
Zillmere Library
18th July 2026
As part of the Lord Mayor’s Writers in Residence Events, Tess Merlin is speaking with readers about her historical novel Red Dirt Blue Lights
Commencing 10am
Free Bookings Essential
Bookings
Book Launch
6th August 2026
6.30pm
Books@Stones Stones Corner
Join Tess and January for a stimulating chat about this exciting new release.
Set in Australia and Italy and boldly hitting the shelves wearing nothing more than an Italian flag and hand gesture, this book and author have a lot to say about identity, names and titles. Free bookings are required for what promises to be a fun and interactive conversation. Bookings here.
Blurb…
Recovering from crashing his shiny new bike, young Australian policeman Luca has time on his hands and a festering family secret on his mind. Each time he asks his strict Italian mother for the truth about his father’s death in Italy twenty years ago, she will not speak of it.
Frustrated with her latest refusal, Luca decides to use his investigative skills to go back to where it all happened, to find the answers for himself. What he discovers shocks him to the core and puts him and those he loves in danger—from his own flesh and blood.
Family takes on a whole new meaning and Luca begins to question who he really is, and whether a family’s involvement in crime in Italy necessarily means they’re Mafia.
Readers will be transported to Italy with Luca and thrust headlong into unravelling this dangerous mystery with him.
Events with Tess Merlin
Recent Events
Tess was in conversation with January Gilchrist and a very involved and interactive group of people who attended this event. The level of interaction was a perfect match for the themes and concepts sourrounding this book!
Save the date for a Launch at Books@Stones on 6th August – More details coming soon…
Discussing Identity, Art and Creative Risk.
11-12.30pm
As part of Sunshine Coast Hinterland Writers Festival: 2nd to 4th May
Workshop: Monday 4th May, 11-12.30pm
Red Room at Rosetta Books
Writing with Sensitivity and Respect to ICIP (Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property) Protocols.
Books@Stones Guest Author
January 2026
As guest author at Books@Stones on 28th Jan 2026, Tess answered questions from the book lovers at Stones Corner about Red Dirt Blue Lights and thoroughly enjoyed meeting the wonderful people in the book club group. There was so much love and beautiful feedback for Red Dirt Blue Lights! Thank you Karen and Michael at Books@Stones.
Stage Page and Screen on ABC Radio
November 2025
Tess was a guest on ABC Radio talking Stage Page and Screen with Ellen Fanning on Drive – Friday 28th Nov 2025. If you missed the chat you can catch up on the ABC Listen app.
Love Your Book Store Day
October 2025
On Saturday 11th October, Tess spent the morning chatting with readers at Wimberley & Co Books at Goomeri and the delightful team.
Queensland Literary Awards
September 2025
Red Dirt Blue Lights was a Finalist at the 2025 Queensland Literary Awards held at the Brisbane State Library on 26th September.
Cherbourg Launch of Red Dirt Blue Lights during NAIDOC Week
July 2025
‘As part of NAIDOC Week celebrations at The Ration Shed, Cherbourg.
