Meet the author - Hannah Richell

Bestselling author, Hannah Richell, will be in conversation with Emma Grey on Hannah ‘s new book An Ocean and a Day, a powerful and poignant memoir on grief, loss and hope, from the internationally bestselling author of The Search Party.

In 2014, author Hannah Richell was living a happy and fulfilled life in Sydney. Married, with two young children, she was in the middle of writing her new novel when the police knocked at her door to tell her that her husband, Matt, had been killed in a surfing accident at Tamarama beach. An Ocean and a Day is the riveting and intimate story of the journey. Hannah travelled over the first two years of loss, but it is also, more uniquely, an account of what happens beyond those early years, when time and distance offer perspective and hope.

Life-affirming and illuminating, An Ocean and a Day is a book about love and loss, marriage and mothering, healing and hope, and how we face the hardest days of our lives. It is a book that will make you draw your loved ones close, and maybe even leave you a little transformed

'A searing reflection on the fragility of life which never loses sight of the miraculous beauty of being alive.' Leigh Sales.

'Depth charges of emotion, and strength. Unputdownable' Nikki Gemmell.

Before becoming a published writer, Hannah Richell worked in the book publishing and film industries in London and Sydney. She is the author of six international bestsellers, including Secrets of the Tides, The Search Party and One Dark Night. Her work has been translated into twenty-one languages. Hannah is a dual citizen of Great Britain and Australia and currently lives near Bath in England. An Ocean and a Day is her first work of non-fiction.

Canberra based Emma Grey is the award-winning author of seven books including the USA Today and Australian bestsellers, The Last Love Note (2023), written after attending a memorial conference for her husband, military historian Jeffrey Grey; Pictures of You (2024) shortlisted for the 2025 ACT Literary Award for Fiction and Start at the End (2026).

The vote of thanks will be given byaward-winning journalist Alex Sloan AM, 2017, ACT Citizen of the year

Books will be available for signing from 5.30pm and again after the event. 

Additional information:

Registration is required for this event.

Accessible parking spaces are available around campus should you require them.

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

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