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June 21, 2026

Federal village stars in new book

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 freymark federal-wp

Author Susanna Freymark outside Federal Store, the heart of Federal village as featured in her first fiction book.

In the fictional town of Repentence Creek Village, located in the hinterland of Byron Bay, a woman in her forties escapes the sorrow of heartbreak by signing into online chatrooms and seeking the baddest, rudest man she can find.

Former longtime Federal resident Susanna Freymark has used the scenic beauty of her former home as the setting in her first book, Losing February.

Published by Pan Macmillan, the controversial book draws on Freymark’s real-life experiences to explore how grief can be mistaken for punishment.

‘The lushness of the landscape in Byron Shire is ideal for a story about love and sex,’ Freymark said.

‘Locals will recognise many places mentioned in the book like the Bangalow Pub and the Beach Cafe.’

There are references to the Federal Store and to the Bay and the way it ‘arched northwards, scooping along the curve of the mountains’.

The book will be appropriately launched at the Federal Village Store on February 10 at 5pm. Northern Rivers Writers’ Centre director Jeni Caffin will kick off the launch and Freymark promises to read an extract from the book that will feature the local store.

For more information about Losing February go to www.susannafreymark.com.

RSVP to launch at [email protected] or call 9285 9149.



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