Shellcott Studio releases The Formal

Many teachers and theatre companies contact wanting to buy copies of my plays. BIG DRAMAS, my first collection of one-act plays, was first published in 2000 - and it’s still in demand. So is THE FORMAL, the full-length comedy that was first staged 20 years ago and this year has had many productions - at least six that I know of. Macmillan, the original publishers, withdrew from the Australian education market a few years ago.
I considered working with a different publishing house to bring out new editions, to meet the ongoing demand. Then I realised, hey, I can do this myself, with a little help from my friends. I’ve worked in publishing, and the whole face of publishing is changing.
I’m now part of the change.
Drumroll, please! Shellcott Studio - my own publishing house - is about to release a new edition of THE FORMAL! Watch this space for news: the play is due out early September as a paperback via KDP. And don’t you just LOVE the logo? It’s designed by John Byrne, a graphic designer and printmaker.
And the name Shellcott? It’s a portmanteau word. My two favourite beaches are Shelly Beach on Sydney’s northern beaches, and Cottesloe Beach in Perth. I spent my childhood on Cottesloe Beach and now spend my summers at Shelly Beach. Why not honour my happy places? I also find swimming and snorkelling clear my head and inspire me. Many plots and characters came to life while I’ve been in salt water.