New Zealand writer Debra Daley?

Question

Does anyone know what has happened to her and her book "Cruel World"? Her website lists it as a novel of hers, but I can't find any record of it being published. Her website seems to have closed in 2005 and she stopped writing her blog quite a couple of years ago. I'd like to know if "Cruel World" was ever published and if so, is it still in print?

Answer 1

Ms. Daley, who won the Buddle Findlay Sargeson Fellowship (a literary fellowship for New Zealand writers) in 2003, ...

"... worked on a novel, *Cruel World,* while holding the Fellowship, and completed it in 2005. The manuscript had its first public outing at the Shanghai Literary Festival in 2005, when she read from it. She appeared on a panel there, discussing New Zealand writing with Chad Taylor, Linda Chanwai Earle and Margaret Mahy. Debra was invited to send her manuscript to a top UK agent, Clare Conville of Conville & Walsh. It was accepted by Clare Conville, who was one of 3 agents named in the *Observer's* list of the 50 most powerful people in UK publishing. In consultation with her agent, Debra is working closely with Conville & Walsh to prepare a marketing package. A chapter of *Cruel World* is published in the May 2006 issue of *Landfall.*"

Her website indicates that she can be reached at:
[e-mail]

Her publisher can be reached at:
Conville & Walsh
2 Ganton Street
London W1F 7QL
England, United Kingdom

Answer 2

Debra Daley