Last Thursday my new book Son of Death was officially launched at Readings bookshop in Carlton. There were blood-spattered cupcakes, skeleton outfits and lots of signed books.
What follows is a photo essay of sorts, detailing the book launch and featuring some of my favourite snaps from the night.
To begin with here is Leanne Hall, author of the brilliant YA novels This is Shyness and Queen of the Night, who launched Son of Death in a fancy skeleton outfit which I hope she will make part of her regular wardrobe.
Given that Son of Death is about a teenage grim reaper it only seemed appropriate to serve some macabre snacks. And so I baked red velvet blood-spattered cupcakes for the launch (I know, I know, I could have been a set designer on Dexter).
Nothing says Book Launch like a tray of blood-spattered cupcakes #SonofDeath A photo posted by Andrew McDonald (@mrandrewmcdonald) on
Of course, cupcakes are nice but what is a book launch without some wine?
In the end, lots of people showed up. 
Even the boss of Readings, Mr Mark Rubbo, dropped by. 
Hilary Rogers, who is the publishing director at Hardie Grant Egmont and worked with me on Son of Death, got the speeches started by emphasising the importance of embracing Australian writing as children’s and Young Adult publishing goes from strength to strength. 
Then Leanne Hall got up in her skeleton pyjamas to launch Son of Death and make everyone laugh (seriously, just look at those chuckling faces in the audience!) 
Finally, I took the lectern, blushed a little bit and thanked everyone for coming. 
Before reading an extract from Son of Death.
I really gave that reading my all.
After that that book signing commenced.
And as I signed copies of Son of Death I paused every now and then to reflect on the feeling of pure joy that comes from celebrating a new book in a much-loved bookshop with all your favourite people.
Yes, indeedy, book launches are the best.
Thanks to Rob and Val McDonald (my lovely parentals) for supplying all the non-instagram photos above.