Last year, while at Imaginales in France, I met an amazing artist, Laurence Peguy. Since then I’ve wanted to commission some art from her, and when I ran out of bookplates recently I knew it was the perfect opportunity.
For my new bookplate, I wanted an illustration that conveyed the sort of stories and characters I write but not any specific ones, so that the plates could be used in all books. I suggested a magician-y figure, and Laurence agreed.
What she drew is all kinds of wonderful:

I’ll be taking bookplates along to the signing at Dymocks Knox on Saturday, as well as my new quote bookmarks. All I have to do is choose which bit of The Traitor Queen to read, and I’m all set.
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Bookplates, for those who have never heard of them, are stickers that I sign and give to people to stick in their books who: a) stumble upon a signing but don’t have a book, b) couldn’t bring all of their books to a signing, c) have an ebook but still want me to sign something. I also sometimes send them to bookshops or my publishers. (I don’t, however, give them away to people who request them via the internet, or I’d be running a full time bookplate postal service and I’d have to start charging.)

I wish that I still lived in Geelong for this, alas I now live in Brisbane so miss out.
Hello Trudi,
Just wanted to say I am just reading your book “The Traitor Queen” and it is amazing!
The artwork for your book plates is so beautiful, definitely the right way to go. Also wanted to share with you that I love your surname. It’s my maiden name and I am very proud of it. It gives me a thrill to see it on books. I will be buying copies of all of your books for the school library where I will be the librarian in September, hopefully making some students start reading your books and enjoying them like me. Best wishes Ruth
Hey,
I am so excited to read your new book that I purchased today at your book signing! It was so great to meet you and you were so nice.
Thanks again!