The Introvert's Guide to Leaving the House

An anxiety-dump about my forthcoming publicity tour

Today my fifth book hits the bookshops, hopefully with a really loud thwack onto the centre tables. The Introvert’s Guide to Leaving the House is full of ‘solid advice for introverts, sociophobes, stand-offishs and awkwards’. Wait, here’s the cover:

It’s going to be interesting navigating the next month of press activities and launches as the sort of person who’d traditionally Rather Not. I HAVE been enjoying making these young-folk-style Instagram skits with my card-carrying extrovert boyfriend Frank, though.

That process began last year when the publisher at Affirm Press steered me into the centre of the open-plan office to meet the extended team and chortled, “Let’s see how you handle this as an introvert.” I felt quite protected, since if I came across as super-awkward it would be on brand. In our first sit-down meeting, though, I noticed myself stammer twice. This was an interesting development as I don't typically stammer. I put it down to my hyper-awareness that they might all be scrutinising how comfortable I’d be giving interviews, come promo time.

Now I'm about to embark on that press cycle, and in the next few weeks I have TV and radio booked. As ever with my books, I've made myself the patsy of this one, showing my soft underbelly for everyone's entertainment. Easy when you're writing it, not so easy when you're being grilled about it on air. I’ve also been anxiety-chomping on my tongue in my sleep this week and as a result I’ve developed an untimely listhp.

Anyway. I've arranged FOUR launches in different places, which is FOUR opportunities for no one to turn up. But if you’d like to join me, the dates are here:

Thursday May 29: Sydney launch. Benjamin Law interviews Jenny Valentish at Better Read Than Dead in Newtown, Sydney. 6.30pm-8pm. $5 (or $40 including a copy of the book). Save your spot here!

Thursday June 12: Melbourne launch. Zan Rowe interviews Jenny Valentish at Readings Carlton, Melbourne. 6pm-7pm. Free. Save your spot here!

Saturday June 28: Brisbane launch. Leanne de Souza interviews Jenny Valentish at Avid Reader, Brisbane. 3pm-4pm. $15. Save your spot here!

Wednesday July 2: Castlemaine launch. Elly Varrenti interviews Jenny Valentish at the Taproom courtesy of Northern Books. 6pm-8pm. Save your spot here!

There’s also this memoir workshop I’m running, if you’re in Melbourne.

Saturday June 21: Writing Your Own Story workshop with Jenny at Sandringham Library. 1pm. $10.