October Newsletter

Welcome to the newsletter from Distance Families

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DISTANCE FAMILIES NEWS

​Global Mobility Author Webinar
This annual event is one I’m always delighted to be part of—and you’re warmly invited to join us. You can watch and listen live on the day or catch the recording later at your convenience.
60 minutes webinar (recorded)
30 minutes (unrecorded, live Q & A’s)
It’s always a joy to seek out and invite such a diverse group of authors. This year’s panellists come from Melbourne, Mexico, Michigan, Surrey (UK), Nairobi, and Amsterdam. Coordinating across all those time zones means some very early mornings and late nights, but it’s worth it!
Not sure if you’ll be free? Go ahead and register anyway—you’ll get a reminder email a couple of days beforehand, and you can watch the replay if the timing doesn’t work.

Letters Now Sent
One of the authors featured above, Megan Norton-Newbanks, is also the editor of a recent publication, Letters Now Sent. As Megan explains: “It is a moving collection of real, heartfelt letters written by, and to individuals who have lived cross-culturally. Inspired by Ruth Van Reken’s seminal Letters Never Sent, this volume opens a window into the emotional landscapes of identity, belonging, and transition.”
I was honoured to be invited to contribute a letter of my own, which I wrote to my distance adult children. It now appears in the book. I truly value these kinds of collaborative projects—they bring together diverse global mobility voices and shared experiences in such a meaningful way.
Megan is now starting on Volume II. This is an opportunity to reflect on places one has, or still living in. Megan notes, “This project is for anyone who has left a place that shaped them in some meaningful way” Contributions are welcomed by anyone.

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BOOK SERIES NEWS

​Do you know what an ISBN is?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It’s the 13-digit identifier every self-published author or publisher needs to get right. An ISBN is a unique code assigned to each book and edition, making it easier for publishers, bookstores, libraries, Amazon and readers to catalogue, sell, and track books anywhere in the world.
You’ll usually find the ISBN on one of the first inside pages of a book and again above the barcode on the back cover. Importantly, every format—paperback, hardback, audiobook, eBook—requires its own ISBN. You can’t use the same number across different formats. 

​I’ve just acquired the ISBNs for Being a Distance Grandchild. Here in New Zealand, you apply to the National Library of New Zealand. It’s more than a library. It is the country’s central hub for research, archives and taonga (treasures). A bonus part of the process is that there’s no charge. In many other countries, authors have to pay.

​Formal reviews of Being a Distance Grandchild are arriving. Here’s a couple:

Helen’s writing is both familiar and reassuring, skilfully blending academic theory with personal narratives drawn from her own experience and from those she has interviewed. Being a Distance Grandchild gives a much-needed voice to family members often overlooked in conversations about expatriate life. As the mother of a distance grandchild, I found the book offered valuable insight into how my daughter navigates her relationship with her grandparents and how she has been able to create a truly special bond with them — despite the miles between them.
Korinne Algie,
Editor - International School Parent magazine

“Being a Distance Grandchild is the book we’ve needed for a long time now. Helen Ellis captures the often-unspoken voice of grandchildren growing up far from their grandparents, and she does it with honesty, heart, and hope. This is essential reading for any family navigating life across miles—it proves that distance doesn’t have to mean disconnection.”
Greg Payne,
Founder of The Cool Grandpa Podcast, Grandfather Expert and Author 

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ON THE HOME FRONT

Hubby and I have been away for a few days. We saw and did a lot. The key event was attending the 2025 World of Wearable Art Show in Wellington, or as we know it, WOW. It’s both a global 'fashion creation' competition and a spectacular show. Entrants from around the world spend months, even years creating a garment for every type of material you can imagine. The garments are judged and then worn by performer/models in a world class show. As WOW virgins we weren’t sure what to expect. Now I know why some friends travel every year to attend. We'll be back.

Before WOW, we had a few days in one of New Zealand’s most gorgeous areas – Martinborough. It’s wine country with stunning vineyards within walking distance of the township.
On one of the days, we ventured an hour down south to Palliser Bay and the lighthouse at the most southwestern point of the North Island. Saw seals (one waddling across the road) and an escaped ewe with her lamb. Lots of one-way bridges and weather-beaten, damaged roads. But it was the wind. It has got to be the windiest I have ever experienced. When we climbed the 250+ steps to the lighthouse viewing platform, we had to hang on for dear life.  Sadly, Clive’s prescription sunglasses flew off his head, and to be honest, we thought they would have ended up in the Cook Strait Sea. As we descended, we warned everyone coming up to remove sunglasses and hearing aids. We jokingly mentioned to one lot, “We’ll be at the pub for lunch” if our sunglasses turn up.
Later, as we were walking out of the pub, which was half an hour from the lighthouse and in the middle of nowhere, a group of strangers was walking in… hoping to find us. A German with green hair! had found Clive’s glasses. He knew they were the missing ones, but didn’t know what to do with them. So a kiwi group of travellers, who we’d earlier taken a group photo of, offered to try and find us. If we’d left the pub 2 minutes earlier, we’d have missed them. Our lucky day. 
During our time in Wellington, we visited many local sights, including its famous cable car, a walk to Oriental Bay, a tour of Zealandia (a protected eco sanctuary) and travelled home to Auckland on a 10-hour scenic train. Altogether a terrific 6 nights away.

​Take care until next time
Helen Ellis
 
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