60 Comments
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lucy sweet's avatar

Congratulations on the book! (Think you should stay though. I’ve been repeating myself for four years)

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Leah McFall's avatar

Lucy, a book by YOU is one worth waiting for. I think you're a comic genius.

STOP! I mean it

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lucy sweet's avatar

Aw that is very kind of you to say! I’m trying to write one! Writing books is hard though 😅

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Lucy Corry's avatar

It’s always such an adventure reading your newsletter, but I wasn’t prepared for this plot twist! Devastated to learn that your brilliant dispatches will be stopping, but it’s always good to leave the party while you’re still having a good time (I mean, that’s what I used to think in the olden days when I went to parties). Thrilled by this excellent news from the world of publishing and I can’t wait to read A Year In Karori (it’s ok, you don’t need to credit me for that).

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Leah McFall's avatar

Karori is being extremely tolerant of my nonsense. I may eventually have to move though. Or at least get a fringe or new glasses.

THANK YOU LUCY

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Jane Bloomfield's avatar

Utterly thrilled for you about your book deal, Leah!!! YAY. But total full crying face emoji about your departure. Please come on and have a little whinge about Roman blinds breaking in the middle of winter or how hard it is to write haikus or dog pee pee under the kitchen table anytime you feel like it. Also, put me on your pre-order book list por favor! Love your werk Xox Jane

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Leah McFall's avatar

Back to you in bucketfuls, Jane

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Wendy Varley's avatar

Noooooo! Sob! There’s a reason I’m reading this blearily early on a Monday in the UK and that’s because I love your observations on life so much, Leah.

But yessssss! Hurrah! Clearly I am not the only one, and what a very wise publisher to be encouraging you to collect your writings into a book (which I will buy).

Oh God, I’m going to miss you and your earwax, though.

Thank you for the mention.

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Leah McFall's avatar

You're wonderful

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Wendy Varley's avatar

Is your earlier book still available, Leah? I can’t find it in UK. I might need it to cope with withdrawal symptoms!

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Gary Wayne McCormick's avatar

Your departure from this outlet is a blow and makes me worry even more about the state of the media.

So what's your hang-up about corned beef ??!!!

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Leah McFall's avatar

It sort of rolls around in the bubbling brine like a human brain. That's my first objection, Your Honour

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Leigh's avatar

OMG I will be buying that book! I think you’re kind of like Karori’s very own Nora Ephron.

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Leah McFall's avatar

I am printing this out!!!! Wow, thanks Leigh

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Carrie Wainwright's avatar

Haha love it! Although to be brutally frank NYC and Karori have very little in common and if you’re living there and trying to find connections…

Although yes. Two v funny women.

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Deborah Coddington's avatar

Good luck with the book, but I will miss you. Aaarrrggh

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Anne Midwinter's avatar

Noooooooooooooo!

Let us know when it's coming out, I'll pre-order a copy and pester the library.

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Leah McFall's avatar

That's kind of you!

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Catherine Robertson's avatar

Very excited about the book!!!

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Leah McFall's avatar

MWAH!!!

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Susan Elliot's avatar

I've enjoyed your newsletters so much - this sudden ending comes as a bit of a shock. Many years ago when I lived in Northland. I watched the sun set over Karori and wondered about so many things - and now I know the answers to some of those wonderings like "What DO they do on Halloween? Thanks again - they were all great and inspiring (I briefly took the pooch to a groomer in Deepest Karori in the middle of a blustery winter - don't ask me why!)) if I had to pick a favourite, it would be the newsletter that included that mad unfolding clock. I'd forgotten all about it. Big congrats on the book.

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Leah McFall's avatar

Thank you for your kindness, Susan

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Phirum Moeung's avatar

Aw well that’s a bit exciting for you Leah! Though I do love reading your snippets of life thoughts-just saying. After all, we all repeat ourselves at our age correct?

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Leah McFall's avatar

Hahaha, all the time!!!!

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Carrie Wainwright's avatar

Oh no! I really love reading what you write and I’ve only just got to it. I’m a Substack newbie, and I have a job so I find it impossible to get through it all - my email inbox is crazy now. Anyway, I have only just tumbled the fact that you are a NZer, writing about stuff that’s relevant, quirky and very amusing AND off you go. Yikes. But good luck with the book and everything. I understand that writing on this platform probably cannot be a forever thing but on the other hand one day you might feel like coming back for another lap.

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Leah McFall's avatar

You are LOVELY

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Kris's avatar

So glad you have a book deal! But I will miss your warmly funny and sometimes sad newsletters. Also, sometimes a visiting child brings their crafting box to your house to amuse themselves while the grownups talk boring stuff at each other, and when they leave you find a BIG hole cut into your sofa where they were sitting...

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Leah McFall's avatar

LORDY!!!!

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Gary Wayne McCormick's avatar

Sorry...to come back in the middle of the Leah McFall doomfest but that criticism of corned beef

which you described as being like a "human brain bubbling in brine.." seems a little harsh. It was popular fare in the working class suburbs west of Karori.

Dr Hannibal Lecter liked it.

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Leah McFall's avatar

SNORTLE

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Gary Wayne McCormick's avatar

Given the response and upset at your leaving Substack,its not too late for you to announce you've changed your mind (like an old rock band) and carry on.

Or perhaps this was your idea from the outset conceived in all those hours while you were having your ear wax removed ???

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Leah McFall's avatar

It really looks like I've fished for compliments, doesn't it? It's very self-involved to announce you're leaving a social platform and I feel a bit weird about it

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Lisa McLean's avatar

I’ve only just discovered you (via Wendy Varley), such a delightful read. I wish you creative inspiration and joy in writing your book.

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Leah McFall's avatar

Oh thank you, Lisa! Wendy is the best

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Lisa McLean's avatar

Isn’t she though!

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