Don't Forget to Smile Launch

To be the best, you don’t stop, not even when the rules are stacked against you. Don’t Forget to Smile is a fierce, contemporary ballet story about ambition, friendship, and refusing to dance quietly in a world that needs to change.

Ariane Beeston is a former child protection caseworker and psychologist. She was a staff writer at Fairfax Media's Essential Baby and Essential Kids and has also published articles in The Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Life, Babyology and Mamamia. Ariane currently works for Australia's peak body in perinatal mental health, The Centre of Perinatal Excellence (COPE). Her first book, Because I'm Not Myself, You See, was shortlisted for the Matt Richell Award for New Writer of the Year in 2025. Ariane is also a dancer and choreographer, and her forthcoming book for young adults is called Don't Forget to Smile.

Lexie Eatock is our buyer and lives on Cameraygal land. She joined a book club in 2018, and hasn’t left a bookshop since. With a masters in medieval history and a background in education, and renowned for her expertise in international literature, she is passionate about translated books, gin-based cocktails, independent publishers, and her cat.

Drinks and nibblies provided.