Hello, I’m Seana Smith

My quit lit memoir ‘Going Under’ is out now

With a tender touch, Smith contemplates the two truths of her childhood: the wild island adventures and the brutal eruptions behind closed doors. Standing on the precipice of her own alcoholism, she realises that reckoning with the past is the only way to shape the future.

Jenny Valentish

Author of Woman of Substances

Going Under is funny, insightful and inspiring.  This is like hanging out with a really brilliant friend who, you know, will make you a better person.

Seana Smith is the real deal – a truth-teller and a writer of immense integrity.

Kathryn Heyman, Author of Fury

Buy Going Under

In Australia: Going Under is available in bookshops and online stores in Australia and on Amazon here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

In the USA: https://www.amazon.com/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

In the UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Going-Under-memoir-secrets-addiction/dp/0645497231/

Going Under Audiobook: Going Under on Audible, narrated by Seana Smith, click here.

Going Under on Spotify: Listen to Going Under on Spotify here.

With sparkling, musical prose and unflinching generosity of spirit, Seana Smith lays bare the facts of a life stalked by alcohol. A life that ricochets ‘between privilege and terror, between adventure and fear.’

So much more than a book about the booze, Going Under is an intricate, often beautiful mosaic of family, the individuals caught inside its sharp-edged cracks, and the self yearning to make sense of all it all. The story of a woman emerging from the brokenness of the past and the never-ending pressures of the present to reclaim joy. 

Honest. Tender. Laugh-cry funny. Walking with Seana through her year of Going Under is to make a new and wise friend.

Kim Kelly, author of Ladies’ Rest and Writing Room

On this website you will find writing on all my favourite subjects:

  • my published books
  • podcasts
  • alcohol-free adventures
  • ocean swimming

Latest stories

Wakeful But Not Craving in Ho Chi Minh City

Oofa, the wakefulness in the wee hours has been really driving me mad. These past few days have been effing tricky. This is like when I had booze-fuelled, anxiety-filled 3am wake ups… I have a little headache all day too, …

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Sober in Hanoi

So much to see and do and so much to engage the senses. It’s chilly here in the mornings and evenings and then sunny and warmish by day. Not researching a city and it’s real history very much means that …

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Where To Swim in Melbourne

St Kilda Sea Baths, an iconic Melbourne swimming spot If you’re planning to visit Melbourne and you love to swim, you’ve come to the right spot. You’ll find here lists of the best Melbourne indoor and outdoor pools, the loveliest …

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Notes From Before Starting the 30 Day Challenge: Why I Had To Stop

  I started a 30-day alcohol-free challenge at the end of November 2019. On this challenge, emails were sent daily with advice and homework to do. Here are the notes from Day 1, it gives a good idea of what …

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Where To Swim in Orange NSW

Orange, in Central West NSW, has some excellent swimming options. So if you find yourself here visiting the wineries, fruit picking or hiking and biking, it’s easy to add a swim or two into your timetable. Orange Aquatic Centre Corner …

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Why Is Swimming Such Good Exercise?

Swimming is not just good exercise, it’s great exercise! Check out this article to read why it works so well and if you’re inspired by the end, there are plenty ideas on fantastic outdoor swimming spots too. I went swimming …

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Swim The World – My Swimming Stories

  • Best places to swim in various cities around the world
  • Why swimming is so good for us
  • Australia’s best ocean swimming
  • Swimming pools and hotel pools

Alcohol-free adventures

  • best sobriety books
  • Non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy
  • Our sober journey stories

The Publisher & The Writer Podcast

Find podcasts and show notes covering all aspects of writing and publishing books in Australia.

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I must introduce my wee poodle Maisie who is crucial to writing, swimming, podcasting, to life!!