Steven Rafter (born 19 March 1968), is the Australian Author of 209 A Story. He lives in Melbourne, Victoria.

Launch

Launch of 209 A Story is a story itself. As the story commences at Royal Deeside in Scotland, Steven wrote seeking permission to have the launch of the novel at Balmoral Castle. This was given, and the launch of 209 A Story is confirmed for Saturday, 21st March, 2009. This will be followed by the Australian Launch in Melbourne on Wednesday, 15th April, 2009 (97th anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic). The American launch will be held in June, 2009 in New York City.

These are a seleciton of photographs of the journey of 209 A Story by Steven Rafter. Began in February 2005, the research has taken in four continents and four and a half years. Enjoy...

So you think the Australian Working Holiday Maker is a relatively new concept?
Think again!
In 1904, when Arthur Gordon McCrae departed Australia for Africa, he commenced an eight year journey that was full of adventure. He was an engineer, who worked at a mine in Africa, before moving on to Siberia in Russia. In April of 1912, he bordered RMS Titanic. His story has remained largely untold... until now with the launch of '209 A Story' by Steven Rafter...


Review of 209 A Story by Steven Rafter. by Helen Duck
Steven Rafter is the Australian author of 209 A Story. This is his debut novel and among eight other unpublished works he has written. This historical fiction novel is based on fact and illuminates into an intriguing tapestry and highlights the uniquely Australian spirit of travelling and working overseas. He is writer who develops a storyline which highlights this spirit; in a sensitive way. 209 A Story is a novel for the world...

There will be three official launches of 209 A Story - United Kingdom, Australia and the United States of America.

Coming Soon

The 209 A Story Media Centre is a dedicated resource for members of the print, broadcast and online media in the Australia and worldwide. It is managed by the 209 A Story Press Office.

You can use this site to obtain up-to-date details about the three major Launch Events of 209 A Story in the United Kingdom, Australia and in the United States of America. You will be able to search archived information and press releases, public apperances and readings of 209 A Story. We hope you find it helpful. As the site develops we envisage that you will be able to view streaming video and audio, and also download podcasts.

NEWS

Australian Author Speaks on Panel in Los Angles

Steven visits The Star Hotel and Titanic Exhibition in Southampton

209 Author Visits Belfast Exhibition for RMS Titanic at Odyssey's W5

209 Author Visits Los Angeles to Join a Discussion with Australian Authors for the American Australian Association

PRESS PASSES

For the American Launch, New York... Please click HERE.

In order to make your visits to 209astory.com as responsive as possible, we collect information when you visit us. To help ensure an enjoyable online experience for all of our visitors, we provide this summary of what information 209astory.com collects online, and how 209astory.com uses that information. This privacy policy statement applies only to the information collected online by 209astory.com.

Information We Collect Online

1. General Browsing

209astory.com gathers navigational information about where visitors go on our Web site. This information allows us to see which areas of our Web site are most visited and helps us improve the quality of your online experience by recognizing and delivering more of the most desired features and services. Additional non-personally identifiable information (for example, domain type, browser version, service provider, IP address) may be collected which will provide information regarding the general use of our Web site.

2. Personal Information

Contact Us, Help or Feedback
If you complete a general "Contact Us" form on our Web site, we may collect your name, e-mail address, mailing address and any information that you provide in the text of your message.

Sending Electronic Postcards, or E-mailing an Item to a Friend
When an online user sends an electronic postcard, or e-mails an item to a friend from the 209astory.com Web site, the designated recipient will receive the sender's name and e-mail address, as well as any information entered into the message by the sender. 209astory.com does not retain or review the names or e-mail addresses of the sender or recipient, which are provided in an electronic postcard, or E-mail-A-Friend. Likewise, 209astory.com does not retain or review any information provided in the message content.

Purchasing at the Online Store
If you purchase merchandise through 209astory.com, we will gather personal information (i.e., name, billing and shipping address information, e-mail address, telephone number and credit card information), as well as information about your purchases on our Web site.


Information We Share With Third Parties

209astory.com does not sell or rent your e-mail address to third parties.

Please be aware that 209astory.com may use third parties to help provide services to you, such as fulfilling orders, processing payments, monitoring site activity, serving site content, organising information.

You should also be aware that we may disclose specific information about you if necessary to do so by law or based on our good faith belief that it is necessary to conform or comply with the law or is necessary to protect the users of our Web site, the site or the public.


International Users

If you are visiting 209astory.com from a location outside of Australia, your connection will be through and to servers located in the U.S., your orders placed through 209astory.com will be accepted and fully processed in and shipped from Australia. and all information you provide will be processed and maintained in our Web servers and internal systems located within Australia.


Cookies

1. What Are Cookies and How Do We Use Them

209astory.com uses a browser feature known as a cookie. This assigns a unique identification to your computer. More often than not the cookies are typically stored on your computer's hard drive. Information collected from cookies is used by 209astory.com to evaluate the effectiveness of our Web site, analyze trends and administer the Web site. The information collected from cookies allows us to determine such things as which parts of our Web site are most visited and difficulties our visitors may experience in accessing our Web site. By using this information, we can improve the quality of your experience on our Web site by recognising and delivering more of the most desired features and information. It also allows us to resolve access difficulties. In addition, 209astory.com uses cookies to help keep track of items you put into your shopping cart and to tell us whether you have visited 209astory.com in the past.


Privacy Of Children On Our Web Site

209astory.com is not directed at Children under the age of 16, and no one under the age of 18 should provide personal information on this Web site.


Links

For your convenience and enjoyment, our Web site may contain links to other Web sites. 209astory.com does not evaluate and is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites. We would urge you to review the privacy policies on each link to ensure that you are comfortable with their privacy policies and practices.


Updates to Privacy Policy

As we continue to offer our visitors new information and offers, 209astory.com may modify our information collection and use practices. Should there be a material change to our information collection and use practices, it will be applied only to information collected on a going forward basis, and we will update this privacy policy statement.


Security Statement

209astory.com limits the number of employees that have access to the databases that contain personal data, and 209astory.com employees are advised of the importance of confidentiality. In addition, it is our policy to never send your credit card number via e-mail. As an added safeguard, 209astory.com does not store credit card information with your registered online profile.
We designed the 209astory.com online store to accept orders only from Web browsers that permit communication through Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology; for example, 4.0 versions or higher of Netscape Navigator and versions 4.0 or higher of Internet Explorer. Browsers that do not meet this requirement will be prevented from navigating the online store section of the 209astory.com Web site. While we implement the above security measures on this site, you should be aware that 100% security is not always possible.


Questions/Contact Us

If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding our privacy practices, please contact us at the following e-mail address, mailing address

privacy@209astory.com

Customer Service P O Box 1949
South Yarra
Melbourne
Victoria
Australia 3141


Privacy Policy Format : 1st February 2009

Back To Launch Dates

Back To Launch Dates

Back To Reviews

Review of 209 A Story by Steven Rafter.
Review written by Helen Duck.

NB. This review does not contain the storyline or long quotes. It is a review of the style of the storyline. That will be done after the launch of 209 A Story on 21 March 2009.

Steven Rafter is the Australian author of 209 A Story. This is his debut novel and among eight other unpublished works he has written. This historical fiction novel is based on fact and illuminates into an intriguing tapestry and highlights the uniquely Australian spirit of travelling and working overseas. He is writer who develops a storyline which highlights this spirit; in a sensitive way. 209 A Story is a novel for the world. It is about the life of the only Australian whose body was recovered from the disaster of RMS Titanic in April 1912. The various characters (established in the first four chapters) draw the reader into the story with a challenge to establish the links between them all. Rafter presents it with generous amounts of humour and charm. Also, the story is tinged with sadness for the inevitable outcome of the main character.

This new novel will capture the imagination of a broad cross-section of the community. Like the adventure and heroism of Titanic itself, 209 A Story arouses the attention of no specific gender, class, religion or country. It is universal in its approach to life and diverse in settings. It is permeated with physical dangers, courage and contemplation. It is ladened with historical facts, researched references and quality scene setting. It is as if the journey of 209 A Story is Rafter's own journey. The reader just happens to be along for the ride and they can picture clearly what is being described through his literal eyes.

The first four chapters introduce four characters - Charlotte Rominscov (a Countess), Ned Parfett (a Soldier in World War I), Arthur McCrae and finally, Dabria Livingstone (a modern day Australian traveller). It spans a period of over one hundred and fifty years. The key to the novel's success is that the reader suddenly realises they have fallen into the storyline and they are left wanting to know what happens next. It presents a need to know how these characters have any connection at all. What holds the reader is the sense of the 'very next chapter'. It is page turner and that 'very next chapter' adds further detail in an extravagant style, while continuing the subtle observance of life, at the time, of an upper middle-class traveller.

Arthur Gordon McCrae is the only Australian whose body was recovered from the North Atlantic, following the disaster of the RMS Titanic on the evening of 14th April, 1912. His willing spirit is born early, 'The real one regarded the other and even though the candle flickered briefly, Arthur could see the adventure begin to dance in his deep blue eyes.' While in his final year at Sydney Grammar School, his salad days establish the friendships that will run the length of an all-too-short life. It is the story of friendships, disappointments and triumphs of a genteel age. It is his life we follow but it is also much, much more.

The story settles on Arthur's life at the University of Sydney where he is studying Engineering. Isaac and Harry (from his days at Grammar) have joined him at St Paul's College. During this collection of chapters, adulthood claims it's children. The events unfold with a genuine care and concern. An event changes their lives forever. However, this is where the writing style of Steven Rafter comes to the fore. The reader is set off in one direction with a convincing thread of the story. However, what Steven is actually doing is cleverly establishing the plot for the story's real purpose. Moreover, this is done time and time again with each 'section' of Arthur's life. It is paramount to understanding the story in its entirety and when each of the four characters fall into place it is done with a 'gasp'. The further one gets into the story, the more the reader wants to turn back to confirm their own thoughts. It's very clever indeed.

He travels to work as an Engineer in a gold mine in Africa and then to Russia where accepts the posting of Deputy Mine Manager. These travels are interspersed with 'current events' of the time and all the while, Rafter matures Arthur into a man of the time. Arthur's naivety is underscored by the situation that develops once he leaves Africa. He is almost oblivious to the entire event. But, like all good stories, the reality catches up with him once he arrives in Siberia after a visit to St Petersburg to deliver a parcel for his University Professor. Rafter describes each of the 'events' with such detail and are as elegant as the period. They are believable and sufficient without drowning the reader.

'To the north stood the grand Winter Palace - a baroque building of extraordinary proportions. To the east was the opulence of the edifice for the staff of the Royal Guards. On the southern fringe was a majestic, yellow building trimmed in white that housed the Army, and on the western side was the home of the Admiralty. In the middle of the Square stood a red, granite column dedicated to Alexander I - Czar of all the Russia's, who reigned during the wars with Napoleon in the first quarter of the nineteenth century. The single monolithic structure dominated the entire area and singularly reflected the resplendence of the surroundings. The entire place was covered in a light powder of white magic.' After surviving a near death experience, Arthur decides to meet up with his old school friend in Paris. It is at this point that that Titanic gets its first mention. At this stage one has become so familiar with the character of Arthur Gordon McCrae, that one wishes he did not accept the ticket to board ill-fated ship. This irony is not lost on the reader. The horror of that night in April 1912 is well documented. Rafter does not need to supply a graphic account of the events to build the climax to 209 A Story. There is no 'Jack and Rose' aboard this vessel; there is just Arthur Gordon McCrae. Reading between the lines is the underlying acceptance of his fate. This has been done respectfully of the individual who is buried at the Fairview Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada.

Much of the drama of 209 A Story is played out with the return of the characters Charlotte Rominscov and Dabria Livingstone and how they are linked to Arthur by the hand of destiny. Their individual stories are connected by not only Titanic, but also by the parcel delivered by Arthur and other links - which will remain unmentioned as it will reveal too much and ruin the surprises that await the reader of this novel.

The three punches at the end of the last chapter bring a sense of grief, a sense of relief and a true sense of wonderment. The wonderment is at the way in which Rafter has been able to develop a story around the life of a person who has, until now, remained very much out of the public domain.

209 A Story is not the story of RMS Titanic but, in this day and age of mass communication and Hollywood films, it is hard, initially, not to have the inevitability of the main character's life as centre stage. Once the reader has fallen headlong into the storyline, this evaporates until the first mention of the ship. It is the story of a boy who becomes a man in the first half of the nineteen century. It is also the story of a modern woman who finds herself being chased around the city of New York in the United States of America. It is ambitious in its simplicity and easy reading style.

Things to look for...

• An eight worded sentence, in which every word starts with the letter 'm'. (clever)
• A direct narration by the author. (The writer's compliment to Oscar Wilde's, 'The Picture of Dorian Gray')
• The reference to The Banquet of Cleopatra by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. (Its mention in various parts of the story is ingenious)
• The timing of world events puts life into perspective: the shooting of Abraham Lincoln, the Olympics in London in 1908, the appearance of Coco Chanel at the Hotel Ritz Paris.

Back To Reviews

So you think the Australian Working Holiday Maker is a relatively new concept?

Think again!

In 1904, when Arthur Gordon McCrae departed Australia for Africa, he commenced an eight year journey that was full of adventure. He was an engineer, who worked at a mine in Africa, before moving on to Siberia in Russia. In April of 1912, he bordered RMS Titanic. His story has remained largely untold... until now with the launch of '209 A Story' by Steven Rafter.

A dazzling and vibrant storyline, in a most suspenseful way, this novel follows the path of the young Australian as he matures into adulthood and ultimately reaches his destiny. The chapters of his journey are interspersed with the lives of three other Characters (Dabria Livingstone, Charlotte Rominscov, and Edward Parfett) and spanning a period of over one hundred and fifty years. How they are all connected is the true brilliance behind 209 A Story.

From the natural beauty of Sydney Harbour and the hash landscape of southern Africa to the Royal Courts of Europe, and modern day Manhattan, 209 A Story will delight you and sadden you; its moments are truly precious. As the reader falls into the novel, the desire to find out what is happening next increases dramatically.

Why is Arthur carrying a diplomatic package? Is the Countess Charlotte Rominscov who you think she is? Why is Dabria Livingstone being chased through the city of New York? And finally, what has all this to do with a soldier on reconnaissance in northern France during WWI?

209 A Story by Steven Rafter.

Back To Launch Dates

Balmoral Launch of 209 A Story Saturday 21 March 2009

The launch of 209 A Story took place in the Piper's Hall of Balmoral Castle on Saturday, 21 March, 2009. Invited guests, from around the world, descended upon the Royal Estate, in the north of Scotland, to attend the black-tie occasion.

As the evening commenced, the unique sounds of the bag pipes echoed across the Royal Deeside Estate. Dougie Kay, 19, from Torphins, piped the guests into the event. To get proceedings underway, Ballater sisters Kerry and Gemma Sinclair danced the Highland Fling.

To honour the occasion, and in keeping with the setting, women wore full length designer gowns and the gentlemen wore formal evening wear. The Scottish guest wore tartan. The overall effect was in keeping with the setting of Balmoral Castle or that of a soiree aboard RMS Titanic.

Friend's of the author read extracts from the novel and then Steven Rafter thanked all those who had travelled great distances to be present for the World Launch of '209 A Story'.

The Balmoral Caterers had collaborated with the organisers to produced cocktails named after key characters in the novels.

A heartfelt, traditional Scottish poem was read by local Joan Anderson. There were few dry eyes in the hall upon its completion.

Following a personal signing of the First Edition UK copies of the novel by Steven Rafter, the event continued into the town of Ballater at the Glenaden Hotel - where it is reported dancing continued until the wee hours.

Read news article in the Deeside Piper

Back To Launch Dates

Australian Launch of 209 A Story

Wednesday, 15th April, 2009 - was the 97th anniversary of the disaster of RMS Titanic.

The Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria on St Kilda Road was the setting for the Australian launch of the novel '209 A Story' by Steven Rafter. It was timed to coincide with the 97th anniversary of the sinking of RMS Titanic. The anticipated novel about the only Australian, whose body was recovered from the disaster, was attended by several hundred people from Victoria, from interstate and from overseas.

'209 A Story' weaves fact and fiction around four characters whose lives are linked over a period of 150 years, and commences at Balmoral Castle in the middle of the 19th Century.

This occasion was the second in a series of book launches around the world for the novel. The first launch took place, in March, at the Piper's Hall of Balmoral Castle; the Scottish summer residence of the Queen. A third launch follows in America later in the year. Also, there have been visits to the Titanic Exhibitions in Southampton and Belfast.

Several hundred people turned out for the black tie launch. The reception he had received from media in the United Kingdom and the level of interest from people in general regarding the story has been, at times, a little overwhelming. 'Although I am flattered by a recent report in the Belfast Telegraph about me being, 'A Best Selling Australian Author', I have to admit this is not the case... Yet!'. The crowd laughed and applauded.

Earlier, elegantly dressed guests had been piped into the Federation Court of the National Gallery by a lone piper who stood at the Waterwall and entertained those who were invited and many onlookers. The piper was in keeping with the first launch at Balmoral Castle. Before the event got underway, the guests enjoyed canapŽs, a fine selection of Victorian wines, local beers and champagne in the Federation Court of the Gallery. It was all in keeping with the occasion.

Professor Jaynie Anderson, the Head of the International Committee for the History of Art, and Lecturer of Art History at University of Melbourne, gave an address about the Banquet of Cleopatra. The magnificent painting by Tiepolo, which is housed in the National Gallery of Victoria, plays an important part within the storyline of '209 A Story'. Her wit and love of the painting is shared by the author who moved to Melbourne in 1998 after a successful teaching career in Queensland and in Europe.

The intrigue of the plot covers a period up to the present day and takes place in Australia, Scotland, South Africa, England, Russia and France. It is reported to be the first novel in print to make reference to the new American President and Mrs Obama. A first edition copy of the novel has been sent to the White House. 'It is a book of firsts,' said Professor Anderson. 'It is not only the first novel in print to make reference to the new American President, but also, it is the first novel to include reference to the Banquet of Cleopatra and also includes direct, well researched, reference to Australian indigenous Rock Art. The novel is 'exceptional'.'

Several of his friends read passages from the novel, much to the approval of the appreciative audience. One person commented, 'This is so Steven, he has these launches of his novel in these incredible settings but keeps it real by inviting his friends to read parts of the story to a huge crowd. He is like that.'

Back To Media

Steven visits The Star Hotel and Titanic Exhibition in Southampton

Two days after the official launch of the novel 209 A Story in the Piper's Hall of Balmoral Castle, Steven Rafter flew to Southampton. He stayed at The Star Hotel and visited the Titanic Exhibition. He also received an autograph from Millvina Dean - the last living survivor of the 1912 disaster in honour of his visit.

The Star Hotel, according to '209 A Story', is where Arthur McCrae stayed before boarding RMS Titanic. One of Southampton's oldest and finest coaching inns welcomed Steven for his two night visit by. In 1831, HRH the Duchess of Kent, along with Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria) stayed at the Hotel.

On Tuesday, 24 March, Steven got a sneak preview to the TITANIC - SOUTHAMPTON REMEMBERS EXHIBITION at the Southampton Maritime Museum, where he toured the display and presented the Museum with a copy of '209 A Story'. He then toured the town and viewed various monuments to the crew, the post office and bandsmen of Titanic.

Before leaving Southampton to return to London, Steven also presented the owners of The Star Hotel with a copy of the novel.

Southampton Remembers Exhibition

Back To Media

209 Author Visits Belfast Exhibition for RMS Titanic at Odyssey's W5

Titanic: Designed and Built in Belfast Exhibition

'Titanic: Designed and Built in Belfast Exhibition' was paid a recent visit by the author of '209 A Story', Steven Rafter. The significance of his visit is due to him having written a novel about Arthur Gordon McCrae, the only Australian whose body was recovered following the sinking of RMS Titanic in 1912.

Steven, who is also Australian, made a special trip to Belfast to visit the W5 Exhibition and was a guest of Mr and Mrs Ian McMillan. He presented a special edition of the novel to Stephanie Berkeley who accepted it on behalf of the Titanic Signature Group.

'I was delighted to be able to make the visit to see the 'Titanic: Designed and Built in Belfast Exhibition'. I had read about it on the internet before I left Australia and made a special side trip to Belfast to see it,' he said.

'209 A Story' weaves fact and fiction around the four characters whose lives are linked over 150 years and it commences at Balmoral Castle in the mid 19th century. The world launch had been held at a glittering black-tie event the previous weekend in the Piper's Hall at Balmoral, the Summer Residence of the Queen in Scotland.

The main character of the novel is Arthur McCrae, whose life was filled with adventure and intrigue. This was all before he boarded RMS Titanic in Southampton. For those who have read the novel, the intrigue is at times likened to the suspense of the 'Da Vinci Code'. 'This is a parallel drawn by several people and I have received email from others from around the world suggesting this. It is quite flattering in ways,' Steven commented.

Steven in currently on a world-wide book launch which bought him to Europe. The main launch is in Melbourne, Australia on 15 April at the National Gallery of Victoria; the 97th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. A third launch in the United States of America takes place in New York later in the year. 'The launch at the Balmoral Estate was exceptional and nothing can compare to that beautiful place. I even received a letter from HRH the Duchess of Kent wishing me the best with the event. I am excited about the launch in both Australia and in New York. I was pleased to hear that my novel is the first book in print to make reference to the new American President Obama and his wife,' he advised. 'It will be nice if they are able to attend,' he added with a grin.

A sideline to the Exhibition visit was to stand on the deck of S.S. Nomadic. It was one thing that Steven was not expecting to do. He commented, 'It is the closest thing that anyone will ever get to being on Titanic.'

Before making the presentation of the novel, Steven and Mr McMillan were given a tour of the Exhibition by Ms Berkeley who just happens to be one of the lucky ones to have read the novel.

'I really do need to congratulate the organisers of 'Titanic: Designed and Built in Belfast Exhibition' for their continued involvement with making sure the story of RMS Titanic is alive for future generations. It is a world class exhibition and I hope it makes its way to Australia at some stage. It would be an enormous hit.'

Belfast Telegraph news article

Back To Media

209 Author Visits Los Angeles to Join a Discussion with Australian Authors for the American Australian Association.

Steven Rafter will fly to Los Angeles to join a panel of Australian Authors at a function for the American Australian Association.

The Panel, which will include David Francis (Stay Dog Winter) and Brian Castro (Looking for Estellita), will discuss how they tackle theÊcreative process of writing a novel. Also,Êthey will discussÊtheir individual experiences in an attempt to bring an Australian-published novel toÊthe U.S. market.

It will be held at that legendary Book Soup Bookstore on Sunset Strip, West Hollywood in Los Angeles on Monday, 4th May. It coincides with the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books being held at UCLA.

The event is being sponsored by the American Australian Association - Founded in 1948 by Sir Keith Murdoch, the American Australian Association is a nonprofit organisation devoted to strengthening relations between the United States and Australia.

As Steven is a firm believer in this organisation, he hopes to do his bit to aid in their endeavours. '209 A Story' is the first novel in print to make direct references to the new American President Obama and Mrs Obama. One of the major characters is Dabria Livingston who has recently arrived in the United States and finds herself being chased through the streets of New York.

He will be arriving in Los Angeles on Saturday, 2nd May and attend several other functions while he is in California.Ê

American Australian Association Article

PLEASE NOTE - this is not the American Launch of '209 A Story' - this will take place later in the year in New York.

Back To Media

Australian Author Speaks on Panel in Los Angles

Monday, 4th May, 2009 - Steven Rafter - Author of '209 A Story' took part in a panel discussion with two other Australian authors: David Francis and Brian Castro. They led a literary discussion at the legendary Book Soup on the Sunset Strip. The three authors shared their experiences of working through the creative process when writing a novel. They also discussed with participants their experience in bringing an Australian-published novel to the U.S. market.

The early evening event attracted a sizable crowd of locals and expatriate Australians to Book Soup - (8818 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, California. www.booksoup.com). The Organiser of the event was Daniel Levek of the American Australian Association. The Chair of the California Committee - Marina Batliwalla welcomed the crowd and introduced the Authors.

Each, then discussed their 'Creative Process'. Steven Rafter spoke of the necessity to travel to various parts of the world to write certain sections of the novel. 'For example, the modern day character of Dabria Livingstone, I spent a period of time in New York where I was able to live the experience of the city.'

Steven then when on to discuss the experience of bringing an Australian-published novel to the U.S. market. 'In this age where book sales are down and the traditional leisure activity of 'reading' is being challenged by things such as the internet', it is imperative that each author has a legitimate angle and the romantic ideal of being an author has also had to move into a new age,' he said. He quoted from Harper's Magazine (March 2009) - 'As publishers are squeezed from one direction by their corporate overseers, they are gouged from the other by Barnes & Noble and Amazon, who have an increasing domination of the retail market.'

The three Australian authors then met members of the crowd, signed copies of their work and enjoyed an informal reception which was enhanced by Australian wines and crackers - supplied by the American Australian Association.

An interesting interruption to the event was by Courtney Love who decided to walk amongst the crowd and look for a copy of the novel.

During his five-day visit to the United States, Steven also met with the American Australian Association to gain their support for the launch in New York planned for later on in the year. He was able to visit the Getty Centre for a lecture of Short Stories and UCLA. Steven stayed at the famous Beverly Hilton Hotel while in Los Angeles.

American Australian Association Website

'209 A Story' weaves fact and fiction around the four characters whose lives are linked over 150 years and it commences at Balmoral Castle in the mid 19th century. The world launch was held at a glittering black-tie event Saturday, 21 March in the Piper's Hall at Balmoral, the Summer Residence of the Queen in Scotland.

News article in UK newspaper about the event at Balmoral

The main character of the novel is real-life Arthur McCrae, whose life was filled with adventure and intrigue. This was all before he boarded RMS Titanic in Southampton in April 1912. Arthur McCrae was the first 'Aussie Working Holiday Maker' - after completing his degree in Engineering, he travelled to work in Africa 1904-1908 and then on to Russia 1908-1912 before heading back to England to board TITANIC.

Steven, a former Teacher, lives in Prahran, Melbourne and has spent five years researching and writing the novel. He has quite a following on Facebook (2000) and has a blog for a number of years (4000 hits per week)