Author Bernice Barry debuts first fiction work Sarah Evans at Margaret River Heart festival fundraiser

Margaret River author Bernice Barry is set to make a public appearance next week to discuss her newly-released first-ever fictional novel. The Redgate-based author originally from the UK took her years of experience as the biographer of early pioneer Georgiana Molloy into her research for a new book. The historical expert’s first work of fiction Sarah Evans focuses on the early nineteenth century tale of a woman wrongfully convicted of murder who must buck entrenched sexism to win her freedom. Barry said she was looking forward to outlining her creative processes to keen readers at the Margaret River Heart/Nala Bardip Mia in conversation with Miranda Aitken on September 26 from 6pm. “Launching my first fiction book in the ‘heart’ of the community at Nala Bardip Mia means a lot to me,” she told the Times. “I’ll be chatting with poet and musician Miranda Aitken from the Marritree in Witchcliffe where I live, so it really is a local event. “Sarah Evans is set in London and Australia, based on a real life, and although the story happened 200 years ago, it sheds light on the present as much as the past: social reform, the fight for justice and equality, our individual right to freedom. “Early readers tell me it’s also a page-turner.” Barry said Arts Margaret River and Margaret River Bookshop had supported the event with copies of Sarah Evans to be available on the night, including for signing. Patrons are asked to “pay what you can” for tickets on the night, with the session a fundraiser for the Margaret River Readers and Writers Festival.