Rewriting a Narrative

The moment that re-shaped debut author Karina May’s identity.

The expression on my face in this photo says everything. To sit and sign books for friends and family at my book launch was as surreal as moments come. It was just as wonderful and special as I'd always pictured it, but it was still hard to believe that it was happening to me! For me. These types of moments only happen in the movies, or the books I like to read, and not in real life. Or, so I believed. 

“I burst into tears multiple times at my book launch, mostly from the overwhelming amount of love in the room, but also because I felt a shift in a narrative I'd held for so long.”

I was used to things not going to plan – with my health, my love life ... all the things! In a way, this moment challenged, or really re-shaped, my identity.

I was surrounded by writers I admired, and loved ones bursting with pride. There was champagne and macarons and French cafe music. And a real, physical book that I wrote.

”Things had worked out".

This day will remain in my heart forever and ever.

Karina May is a former magazine journalist turned digital marketer and writer of lively love stories that span the globe. She has a passion for female stories and penning larger-than-life characters and bold narratives with plenty of heart. Her debut rom-com novel Duck a l’Orange for Breakfast was published with Pan Macmillan in March and named in The Australian as one of the best books to look out for in 2023. Karina’s next novel is coming out in December 2023.