Author Di Morrissey Releases 30th Novel, Faces Personal Loss

Author Di Morrissey continues her tradition of delivering a novel almost every year with the release of “River Song,” marking her 30th work in a 33-year writing career. However, this year was particularly challenging for the 81-year-old novelist, who dedicated her latest book to her late husband, Boris Janjic. Janjic’s passing occurred before the completion of “River Song.”

“It was very hard,” Morrissey confessed. “He would always rush into town and get a really good bottle of champagne and put it in the fridge waiting for me to finish, and we’d celebrate together. I still had the champagne, but here I was in this lovely home, in a lovely setting, and I had no one to share it with.”

Morrissey’s relationship with Janjic began with a dance when she was 15, though it was only decades later that they rekindled their friendship. “On our first Christmas together, Boris gave me the photo that the man had taken at the studio of us dancing together,” she recalled. “He kept it in his sock drawer, apparently through his marriage! So we had 25 very special years together – I treasure those.”

In addition to her literary endeavors, Morrissey has decided to close the community newspaper she and Janjic managed near Taree on the NSW mid-north coast. The independent publication had received widespread acclaim, with programs such as 60 Minutes highlighting Morrissey’s commitment to rural journalism. “Everybody needs a local newspaper that is fearless and honest, and tells you what’s really going on,” she emphasized.

“River Song” features the Manning River on its cover and narrates the tale of small-town women who win the lottery. Morrissey mentioned that the idea for the novel sprang from an encounter with a woman at a newsagency buying a lotto ticket. “I asked, what would you do if you win?” she recounted. “As we know when money comes between friendships, there are lots of twists and turns.”

“River Song” is available from October 8, and fans can expect more from Morrissey, as she plans to continue her writing career. “I decided what I need to do, and what Boris would want me to do, is start the next book,” she stated. “I’ve started researching and found an amazing story, so I go to work every day as I always did, but it’s a bit hard having that glass of wine at night on your own.”