Jacqueline Gaul had started a heartfelt discussion with audience members during her author talk at the Walgett library on 20 June about her new book The Overcoming.

The memoir details the story of how Ms Gaul's young family was torn apart after the stillbirth of their first child six months into her pregnancy. The tragic loss led to the divorce of a once happy marriage followed by a journey of self-discovery along Australia's east coast in a caravan. 

The author from Lightning Ridge read snippets of her book out to an audience of 15 women from all age groups and around 10 toddlers.

One chapter featured during the author talk described how Jacqueline spread the ashes of her child in a river and the other part was from the end of the book to show how there is a light at the end of the tunnel. 

"It was very emotional. We had to pass the tissues around," said event organiser Cath Hiscox from the Walgett Library," Ms Gaul said. 

"There were a number of people in the audience who were visibly moved when I shared certain parts of the story.

"It was nice to talk about something like that because I feel like it doesn't really get spoken about a lot in our culture."

 Jacqueline Gaul speaking about her book at the author talk in Walgett

After the reading, the audience engaged in a Q&A. Many of the questions were centered around stillbirth, according to Ms Gaul.

"Especially with elderly women in the bush, you don't always know how they feel about things because they don't give away much. But there were a lot of questions at the end."

Ms Gaul said that especially in remote communities finding someone to share intimate details with can be difficult.

"I think when you live in a remote location it can be quite isolating and you don't always have the support networks around you that you need when you're going through something really big."

 "For me to be able to travel around and connect with women who may have gone through something similar is really important."

The Overcoming is Ms Gaul's first book. 

"I didn't grow up dreaming about being an author. I left school when I was 15. I had no formal writing training or anything."

Ms Gaul said she wrote the book to process the stillbirth of her son within three months. 

"I didn't know whether I would write the book just for myself or whether I wanted to share it with other people."

"But one day, I woke up and went, 'Let's publish this.' And if I can inspire or motivate one person then, great."

Ms Gaul hopes to be able to go on an extended book tour soon across the Central West to visit towns such as Coonamble, Narrabri, and Moree.