Fan of Don Tillman? Join webchat with The Rosie Project/Effect author Graeme Simsion on Wednesday 11 March, 9-10pm

[RachelMumsnet]

"Best. Decision. Ever" wrote Mnetter SecretSpy when she followed advice of other readers and picked up Graeme Simsion's The Rosie Project. It was undoubtedly one of the most discussed books of the year.

Graeme Simsion's sequel, The Rosie Effect is now in paperback and we're delighted that author Graeme Simsion will be joining us on this thread to discuss the books and answer your questions on Wednesday 11 March between 9 and 10 pm. Find out more about the books and post your questions in advance to this thread.

@Shakey1500

Evening Graeme

What's Don's favourite biscuit?

(obviously answer this after addressing the more..um..relevant questions

Don doesn't eat biscuits. Not healthy.

@RachelMumsnet

I'll nip in and magically fix the breaks Graeme...

Thanks for that - great job so far! Now for the content...

@RosieCassMuggins

Thanks. I did feel that Gene and his wife were laughing at Don behind his back, and that if Don could be out and proud, saying "I have AS, and this is how I am" they would not be able to mock him.

It's a very tricky question. The risk at the moment, in current society, is that people (not so much Gene and Claudia who I think wouldn't change as they know him so well) would see him as 'disabled' and, consciously or otherwise, lesser...

@Calypso2

Evening Graeme. Like others, I fell a bit in love with Don when I first read The Rosie Project last year. I'm about to start The Rosie Effect and can't wait. I love the fact Don's into his food and cooking. Are you a bit of a foodie? What is your signature dish. Have you been enjoying your food whilst you've been in the UK?

I''m a bit of a food and wine guy - and do most of the cooking at home. My signature dish is probably chermoula crusted salmon with quiinoa salad - the latter made by my partner. And I make a mean baba ganoush.

I thought he might have dabbled with a water biscuit perhaps.

Seriously though, I have also recommended the book to friends, it's tryly a refreshing read. It's not often anyone gets chance to personally thank an author for brightening their day so, thank you.

and I hope MN is sharing birthday nibbles and fizz with you

*truly

@Shakey1500

I thought he might have dabbled with a water biscuit perhaps.

Seriously though, I have also recommended the book to friends, it's tryly a refreshing read. It's not often anyone gets chance to personally thank an author for brightening their day so, thank you.

and I hope MN is sharing birthday nibbles and fizz with you

Thank you - and all of you who've taken the trouble to read the book and share a view.

OK, I think I'm up to date. If I've missed a question, sorry - please post it again!

chermoula crusted salmon? Ooh, can you share the recipe? How's your lobster?

Yes, a thank you from me too. I have a son who has down syndrome and to me he isn't disabled and he certainly is in no way lesser. Obviously it is different to AS and ASD but a positive representation (of what may be considered a disability) in a light hearted way can reach a lot of people and make them think about difference and how it isnt such a bad thing. :-)

Hi Graeme!

I loved the books, I laughed so much, and I especially felt like there were some funny parallels/mirror images between Don and Gene (especially when Don says he's just like him). Was this intentional?

Thanks!

Here we go

@RachelMumsnet

Graeme, can we ask you the standard Mumsnet questions that we like to ask all our authors...

What childhood book most inspired you?

Noddy. Yep. It got me reading, and I used to copy out the poems.

What would be the first piece of advice you would give to anyone attempting to write fiction?
Imagine you want to be a neurosurgeon. Plan to work as hard. There are more jobs for neurosurgeons than successful writers of fiction. If success is not a big deal to you, then have fun.

What is the best book you?ve given someone recently?
I try to give away a copy of The Rosie Project every day. But I've bought a copy of The Hundred Year Old Man Who Climbed out the Window and Disappeared (with dedication) for a reader - and friend - who turns 100 next month.

And the best you?ve received?

I was given a review copy of Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey - and had dinner with her in Perth, Australia 3 weeks ago.

OOh forgot to add - is making a list of criteria for a partner something you've ever done? You wouldn't be the first...

@MyCatIsBatman11

Hi Graeme!

I loved the books, I laughed so much, and I especially felt like there were some funny parallels/mirror images between Don and Gene (especially when Don says he's just like him). Was this intentional?

Thanks!

Well spotted. I see Gene as the dark side of Don - what Don could have been if he decided to 'fake it till he made it'. Does Gene have AS? Maybe!

@MyCatIsBatman11

OOh forgot to add - is making a list of criteria for a partner something you've ever done? You wouldn't be the first...

No, but my wife had one criterion. Her man had to be over 5 foot 10. I'm not....

@Kapoww

Yes, a thank you from me too. I have a son who has down syndrome and to me he isn't disabled and he certainly is in no way lesser. Obviously it is different to AS and ASD but a positive representation (of what may be considered a disability) in a light hearted way can reach a lot of people and make them think about difference and how it isnt such a bad thing. :-)

Thank you. I've learned a lot about 'disability' since writing TRP and continue to be humbled and reminded of my own prejudices. We all have a long way to go.

@Calypso2

chermoula crusted salmon? Ooh, can you share the recipe? How's your lobster?

Cover salmon - skin on - with chermoula paste on non-skin side. Put skin-side down on foil. BBQ about 20 mins. Flip over for about 2 mins. Lift of skin and eat. See, easy man cooking....

@GraemeSimsion

[quote Calypso2] chermoula crusted salmon? Ooh, can you share the recipe? How's your lobster?

Cover salmon - skin on - with chermoula paste on non-skin side. Put skin-side down on foil. BBQ about 20 mins. Flip over for about 2 mins. Lift of skin and eat. See, easy man cooking....[/quote]

... and the lobster recipe by Teage Ezard is up on the internet - I think on the Text Publishing website www.therosieproject.com.au

Hello fellow Greyham/Graeme thanks for answering all these Qs very interesting reading

I might be in a minority but I was slightly heartbroken when Don changed some of his "unconventional mannerisms" for Rosie...was this always going to be inevitable?

Ha! I've got you on the run...

@EarlGreyhamGreene

Hello fellow Greyham/Graeme thanks for answering all these Qs very interesting reading

I might be in a minority but I was slightly heartbroken when Don changed some of his "unconventional mannerisms" for Rosie...was this always going to be inevitable?

I think we all have to make accommodations - and you'll note that the change doesn't last long. By the end of TRP Don is the unreconstructed Don. It's Rosie who's changed more - to accept him for what he is.

@GraemeSimsion

[quote EarlGreyhamGreene] Hello fellow Greyham/Graeme thanks for answering all these Qs very interesting reading

I might be in a minority but I was slightly heartbroken when Don changed some of his "unconventional mannerisms" for Rosie...was this always going to be inevitable?

I think we all have to make accommodations - and you'll note that the change doesn't last long. By the end of TRP Don is the unreconstructed Don. It's Rosie who's changed more - to accept him for what he is.[/quote]

Are you definitely a Mum?

As we mentioned earlier Graeme is over in the UK at the moment and currently touring the country with his ‘Some Men Never Change’ book tour where he’ll be signing copies of The Rosie Effect and The Rosie Project. If you fancy going along to meet him (in RL) then here's the dates:

Thursday 12th March
6.30pm - Waterstones Bath, 4-5 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DA

Friday 13th March
6.30pm - Linghams Booksellers, 248 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 7SG

Saturday 14th March
2pm - Waterstones Nottingham, 1-5 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham NG1 2GR

Sunday 15th March
5pm - David’s Bookshop, 4 Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 3DE

Monday 16th March
7.30pm – Waterstones Guildford, 71-73 High Street, Guildford GU1 3DY

Tuesday 17th March
7pm – Waterstones Piccadilly, 203-206 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HD

@RachelMumsnet

As we mentioned earlier Graeme is over in the UK at the moment and currently touring the country with his ?Some Men Never Change? book tour where he?ll be signing copies of The Rosie Effect and The Rosie Project. If you fancy going along to meet him (in RL) then here's the dates:

Thursday 12th March
6.30pm - Waterstones Bath, 4-5 Milsom Street, Bath BA1 1DA

Friday 13th March
6.30pm - Linghams Booksellers, 248 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral, CH60 7SG

Saturday 14th March
2pm - Waterstones Nottingham, 1-5 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham NG1 2GR

Sunday 15th March
5pm - David?s Bookshop, 4 Eastcheap, Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire SG6 3DE

Monday 16th March
7.30pm ? Waterstones Guildford, 71-73 High Street, Guildford GU1 3DY

Tuesday 17th March
7pm ? Waterstones Piccadilly, 203-206 Piccadilly, London W1J 9HD

Thanks for posting this Rachel. We've been having a lot of fun at these events so far. Lots of laughs and some good conversations. Love to see some of you there.

Well, not quite! Haha! thanks for answering