Sarah Todman’s debut novel, ‘New Year’s Eve’, a trip down memory lane in Charleville

The daughter of publicans of Charleville’s iconic Hotel Corones, Sarah Todman has met some fascinating people. Now, she’s used her experience to shape her debut novel.

In her debut novel, Sarah Todman dons her rose coloured glasses, and bathes in the nostalgia of what it was like to grow up at Hotel Corones in Charleville among the unique characters and its gritty charm.

Ms Todman said the reality of her childhood as the daughter of publicans in the quaint town on the edge of the outback was less than ideal, but as she matured she found that fondness for Charleville took the place of what once felt like resentment.

Ms Todman explores these themes and feelings in her debut novel, New Year’s Eve.

Hotel Corones Charleville.

Ms Todman said growing up within the hallowed halls of Hotel Corones filled her life with “transient” characters, a rich patchwork from which she was able to draw the novel’s characters.

“People would enter the theatre of the hotel,” Ms Todman said.

“They would sometimes come and rent a room and live there for months.”

She said the world she illustrated in her novel is an “amalgam” of the characters she met and the stories she heard in her time at the pub.

“People can definitely expect to see glimpses of Charleville in the novel,” Ms Todman said.

“I wanted to write an outback story that would feel authentic to readers. A hotel, with some grit and a few loveable barflies thrown in, proved to be the perfect backdrop.”

Sarah Todman toured her debut novel, New Year's Eve, through South West Queensland. June, 2024.

Like all good things, Ms Todman said the novel took a great deal of time to write, perfect and to finally land in bookstores.

She worked on the book for years in the time she could find between her career in journalism and communications and as a mother to four children.

In publicising her book, Ms Todman is hosting writing workshops in South West Queensland towns.

Until June 7, South West Queensland residents can meet Ms Todman and participate in a workshop. More details can be found here.

Originally published as Sarah Todman’s debut novel, ‘New Year’s Eve’, a trip down memory lane in Charleville