The first half of next year (2022) will be dedicated to the publication, marketing and publicity that will inevitably be part of the release of my memoir. The publishers have made the final decision on the title, and they will probably present it to me after the design and final proof process in early January. As far as I know, it will be published in March.
I will be putting together a series of photographs for the pictures-section over the next two weeks or so. I expect that I will be busy with all the preparation and finalisation until the release – while writing my weekly columns – and after publication, between March and the end of May or June I will probably be busy with marketing stuff. The stuff I least look forward to. I would prefer to remain out of the limelight, but I doubt the publishers will offer me that luxury. And anyway, my presence during book launches and similar events is probably essential.
Nonetheless, if all goes to plan, I will embark on a year-long project that will take me away from my desk for at least a year. I will continue writing my Business Day, Daily Maverick and Vrye Weekblad columns – I will simply duck under the radar while I write. I can’t explain or provide any details at the moment. Much of it depends on whether the Covid-19 Pandemic eases, it becomes more manageable and more endemic, as it were, and countries open their borders again. As it goes, I am awaiting my third “booster” vaccination.
In the meantime, during the two week break from writing my columns (December 20 – 3 January), I will be doing some broadcast work on CapeTalk – starting with the Breakfast Show on 25 and 26 December, and again on 1 January.
I will, in January start making travel plans for June or July, and make enquires about visas, accommodation and access to information and resources. All things considered, I am struggling to hold back my enthusiasm for the July 2022 project – which should run for at least a year.