Pre-Publication, More Goodreads

Gearing up for pub day and being amazed by the prolific reviewers of GoodReads

I pre-recorded a podcast last week with Brendan Dowd at History Nerds United. It was a fantastic way to kick off book publicity. Dowd, an ex-military, amateur historian, had many sharp questions for me. It’s always an incredible experience to be grilled by someone who has read your book with real attention.

My conversation with Dowd will be released the week of March 21st. But you can listen to many great History Nerd United podcasts now. Dowd’s interests range far and wide, and include the books and research of Sarah Horowitz (The Red Widow), Pulitzer Prize winner David Kertzer (Pope at War), and the author and New York Times obituary writer, Margalit Fox.

GoodReads

A few weeks now till Publication Day. Thanks to everyone who has pre-ordered. Ghosts of the Orphanage is currently ranked #4 on Amazon.com… in the category of “Christian Papacy,” which surely has at least 5 books in it.

It’s #10 in Sociology Books on Abuse, which sadly, probably, has a few, more.

The book received another deeply thoughtful review on Goodreads. With thanks to reader Eren Clemence, who has posted over 1000 reviews at the site.

“Ghosts” will have readers rethinking their idea of generational trauma, and Kenneally quotes professionals who provide background into how trauma manifests and how, in some cases, it led to the children not being believed. It is not surprising in 2023 that priests, nuns and other religious “figures” are no longer the saintly role models they were made out to be generations ago, but Kenneally’s story examines an even darker side of the Catholic church and its representatives that will leave readers with a lump in their throat.

As a Canadian, we are just becoming privy to the full extent of the damage done to children (especially Indigenous ones), as more and more unmarked graves are revealed across the country. Although this revelation in itself is horrifying, the savagery and hardship thrust upon these children while they were alive, portrayed honestly through Kenneally’s upfront words, is next level.

Unboxing Ghosts

I finally got my copies.. from the US.

Bookings for Readings, Melbourne, March 15

Click here.

US schedule