Ballarat raised author to launch second story

COLLINS Booksellers on Lydiard Street is set to receive a visitor next month with Ballarat-raised writer Tobias Madden returning to launch his latest book.

Titled Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell, the young adult novel releases on Tuesday, 30 August, and Madden will be in town to promote it on Friday September, 9.

Based in Sydney, Madden grew up in Invermay and said he’s looking forward to seeing his stomping grounds serving as the book’s Victorian debut launch.

“It’s exciting. My debut novel came out in the middle of lockdown last year so I didn’t get to do any in-person stuff last time,” he said.

“Both of my books are set in Ballarat so it’s really special to come and launch it there and come in and meet some local readers.”

Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell follows the eponymous young gamer’s participation in a production of the stage musical Chicago to impress his online crush.

Next month’s event will start with a conversation between Madden and fellow Ballarat performer Ashlea Pyke, followed by a book signing and meet-and-greet.

With a background in performance and dance, Madden took inspiration from his own experiences in Ballarat production companies when crafting the book.

“I’m drawing a lot on my experiences performing with Ballarat Light Opera Company and Ballarat Lyric Theatre when I was a teenager,” he said.

“My teenage years were spent very much in those rehearsal rooms with those companies and at Her Majesty’s Theatre.

“It was really fun to place the novel there and really bring those local communities to life.”