Dear Friends of Garratt Publishing,
 
Like all Australians, we are closely following the developments in the community regarding the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
 
Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our staff and you, our valuable customers.
 
Presently, we are operating, as normal. Our office remains open. Some staff have been given, and taken, the opportunity to work from home – this is not unusual as we allow staff as much flexibility in ‘normal times’ as we can. Any team members who feel unwell, or have been around someone who is feeling unwell, have been advised to stay at home.
 
Our warehouse continues to operate, and many of the systems we operate are expected to allow us to serve your needs on an ongoing basis. We continue to receive and dispatch books and resources as normal. (At present we are not seeing the panic buying many of us are seeing at supermarkets… much to my disappointment!)
 
Sadly, we have had to cancel the launch of Chris Geraghty’s new book Virgins and Jezebels, scheduled to be held in North Sydney on 18 April. On behalf of Chris and ourselves, I am sure you can appreciate that such gatherings must cease at present.
 
Virgins and Jezebels: The Origins of Christian Misogyny is about power, and who should exercise it. It is about men’s clubs and the rules and regulations devised by members to exclude women, about theological nonsense dreamed up and preached to keep women in their place, to undermine the fundamental and foundational values of Jesus’ Kingdom – ‘to keep the keys of that Kingdom safely in clerical hands’.
 
Stock of Virgins and Jezebels is now available at a special prelaunch price. More information is available here.
 
Further, the volatility in the Australian dollar in recent times is likely cause some price rises, particularly on imported books. Over the course of the last year we have endeavoured to absorb as much of the Australian dollar’s variations as possible, and will continue to minimise any increases as far as we can.
 
So, if you were thinking of purchasing a book… now is the time to do it, and beat any price rise that may eventuate.
 
I understand pricing is important to you. I do recognise that this may lead some to compare prices from overseas online stores. However, I implore you to support local businesses, and the Australians we employ, as frequently as you can. The effects of the Coronavirus are already being felt across the Australian economy, and so soon after the devastating bushfires that have adversely impacted friends, communities, businesses, and parishes. Please think of Garratt and/or your local bookshops in the first instance and buy local.
 
Amongst all this gloom, we will have further exciting news and stories to tell in coming months.

Our mission has not changed. Indeed, it is perhaps in the most challenging of times, our efforts to help people share, connect and learn about their faith and spiritual journey becomes even more vital.

Our team continues to innovate, create and work hard. This work supports the many talented writers, editors, designers, illustrators and other professionals. We are looking forward to sharing and celebrating this work with your continued support over the course of 2020. Stay tuned!
 
Please feel free to contact us should you have any questions.
 
May all of you, and your loved ones, stay well in the days, weeks and indeed months that lie ahead.
 
Blessings,
 
David Hughan
Chief Executive Officer