Adream realised A dreeaam

LisaDennis

The celebrated debut noveloflate Castlemaine residentand belovedlocal GP Dr Kath O'Connor Inheritance is being officially launched by Affirm Pressworldwide today.

Inheritance is aprofoundlymovingand eloquent novel about two women in very different worlds, whose lives are shaped by asingle fatal gene –a gene that the author herself inherited.

Kath,a writer, and generalpractitioner at Castlemaine's Lyttleton StreetClinic wasdiagnosed withovariancancer in 2015.After her diagnosis, she discovered thatshe shared aBrCa1genemutation with her grandmother Eileen, who diedfrom the same diseasein1950. Kath wrote Inheritance whileliving withcancer andthroughmanytreatments andtheir sideeffects; theresulting novel is abreathtaking anddeeply poignant exploration of love, care, death, and the dignifiedbeauty of a quiet life.

Thelaunch of the book represents abittersweet dream realised for Kath’s parents, Kevin and Ann O'Connor, andher partner,Rachael Findlay.

Herfamily toldthe Express theyare thrilledto be able to shareher highly anticipated novelwith the rest of theworld but at thesametime they are sad sheis notheretocelebrate themilestone

Annrecalls that Kathalwayswantedtobea writer.

"I have avividmemory of her as a10yearold declaring that she was goingtobeawriter. She actually wonanaward forher poetry in Grade8 which was published as part of acollection,"Ann said.

Kath also won theAffirm Press Mentorship Award in partnershipwith Varuna, theNational Writers' House in theBlueMountains. It was at VarunathatKath completed the firstdraftofher novel

"Kath loved it somuchthere thatshe took herself back privately asecondtime to work on the seconddraft," Rachaelsaid.

In 2019, at theage of 45,Kathdiedfrom ovarian cancerwhile workingonthe finaldraft of Inheritance.Her family andher partner Rachael, together with Kath’swritingmentor,IngaSimpson, completed themanuscript so thatKath’s dream of publication couldberealised andthis beautiful novel could be shared with the world.

"We reachedout to Affirm Press and reconnected with her editor Ruby and learned that they had first optiontopublish andtheywere keentohelp us make her dream areality," Kevin said.

"Nodoubt the teamatAffirmPress is working on numerousprojectsatany giventime, but to us,itfeltlike this wasthe only book they had in the worksand they put so much careand effort into everyaspect, including thegorgeous cover design," Kevinsaid.

Rachaelsaid Kathwas working on thebook right up to the time she passed.

"Shewas sitting up in herhospitalbed andgave us alljobstofollowupand fact check aspects of the book. Shewanted it to be perfect," Rachael said.

Rachel said holding the completed book in her hands was "the happiest, saddest moment of her life".

"ManyofKath's friends and acquaintances have told us they can hear her voice coming through as they read it which is lovely," Rachael said.

The book has been timed to be published in February, Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, and in honour of Kath all royalties will be donated to WomenCan: Funding Gynaecological Cancer Research.

The book is set to be launched locally as part of the Northern Books 'Books at the Brewery' series at Shedshaker Brewing at The Mill on Friday February 9. Tickets for the launch have already sold out and there is awaiting list for the event. This is atestament to the impact Kath had on the community here in Castlemaine.

"The community rallied around Kath when she fell ill offering around the clock support and food. She was surrounded by love," Rachael said.

While book sales will help raise important funds for gynaecological cancer research, Kath's family also hope it will raise awareness about the seven gynaecological cancers and the importance of knowing your family history and risk.

"The symptoms of many of these cancers are so vague, such as bloating and bowel issues. Kath's diagnosis came after amistaken case of Bali Belly. Twenty five percent of women will not survive past five years. Kath fell just short of this milestone. Early diagnosis is key," Rachael said. Our readers can pick up acopy of Inheritance at all good book stores or online.