Death, taxes and Di Morrissey - behind the iconic author's latest book

There are few constants in life, but author Di Morrissey has made a habit of delivering for fans each year.

River Song, her 30th novel in 33 years, is about to hit shelves.

This time around, the 81-year-old admits it hasn't been easy; the book is dedicated to husband Boris Janjic, who passed away before it was completed.

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There are few constants in life, but author Di Morrissey has made a habit of delivering for fans each year. (A Current Affair)

"It was very hard," Morrissey said.

"He would always rush into town and get a really good bottle of champagne and put it in the fridge waiting for me to finish and we'd celebrate together.

"I still had the champagne but here I was in this lovely home, in a lovely setting, and I had no one to share it with."

Morrissey met Janjic when she was 15.

The cinematographer asked her to dance but it was decades later when the pair rekindled their friendship.

River Song, her 30th novel in 33 years, is about to hit shelves but the first since her husband died. (A Current Affair)

"On our first Christmas together, Boris gave me the photo that that man had taken at the studio of us dancing together," she said.

"He kept it in his sock drawer, apparently through his marriage!

"So we had 25 very special years together - I treasure those."

Morrissey has also made a difficult decision to close the community newspaper she and Janjic had worked on from their home near Taree on the NSW mid-north coast.

The fiercely independent print had been praised near and far, with 60 Minutes chatting with Di about the importance of journalism in rural and regional Australia.

The cinematographer asked her to dance when she was 15 but it was decades later when the pair rekindled their friendship. (A Current Affair)

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"Everybody needs a local newspaper that is fearless and honest, and tells you what's really going on," Morrissey said.

Even her new book carries a picture of the local Manning River on the cover.

River Song tells the story of a group of small town women who strike it lucky in the lottery.

Morrissey said meeting a woman buying a lotto ticket at her newsagency gave her the idea for the book.

Morrissey has also made a difficult decision to close the community newspaper she and Janjic had worked on from their home near Taree on the NSW mid-north coast. (A Current Affair)

"I asked, what would you do if you win?" she said

"As we know when money comes between friendships there's lots of twists and turns."

River Song is on sale from October 8, and fans would be pleased to hear it won't be Morrissey's last book.

"I decided what I need to do, and what Boris would want me to do, is start the next book," she said.

"I've started researching and found an amazing story, so I go to work every day as I always did, but it's a bit hard having that glass of wine at night on your own."

Watch the full video in the player above.