In this year’s Christmas list, I’m sharing 15 incredible books from the authors I’ve interviewed throughout the year representing diverse talent from around the globe – Romania, Portugal, Australia, Dubai, Moldova, UK, NZ and USA. From poetry to thrillers, from romcoms to memoir, there’s something here for even the most difficult person to buy for! There’s even an adorable adventure for children. Continue reading Christmas Book List 2021
A trained journalist, when Lisa had three children under five, she turned to writing women’s fiction. Her characters navigate friendships, careers, romance, and ultimately triumph over adversity. Now an accomplished author, she also teaches creative writing at the Australian Writers’ Centre in Sydney. She has just published her seventh novel, Lily’s Little Flower Shop, a fish-out-of-water coastal romance. Continue reading Lisa Darcy on Writing, Flowers and Inspiration
How does someone with a long-established career in international business switch to running a literary agency? I asked Michael about this, as well as what he has learnt in the book business, how New Authors Collective has grown, and more. Continue reading Michael Cybulski, Literary Agent, New Authors Collective
Are you in a mad scramble to finish your Christmas shopping? Let me take some of the sting out of it for you. For your book-lover friends, here are ten book ideas from interviews I’ve done with female authors I’ve met through various writing activities. The books vary in style, length and genre, so there should be something for everyone: contemporary or historical, memoir or fiction, romantic or gritty. Continue reading Christmas Book List 2019
New Zealander Kelli Virtanen, or Kelli Vee as she is known professionally, moved to Mansfield 20 years ago and has been here ever since. In that time, besides riding the highs and lows of parenting, she has studied extensively in the wellness field and established an international business. If you have ever wondered what a healer does and how she spends her days, read on … Continue reading Kelli Virtanen, Mansfield Mother, Wellness Coach, Author
With the boom of self-publishing, over one million new titles are released each year in the US alone. Authors strive to make their book stand out by attending book launches, book clubs, book readings and other functions. Book reviews are a major way to boost their online presence. Here’s how to help your favorite authors by reviewing their book. Continue reading An Easy Guide to Writing Book Reviews
I am thrilled to announce that I am now represented by NAC, New Authors Collective, an Australian literary agency with an international focus. When, eyes aglow, I tell non-writers that I’ve landed an agent, many of them ask when my novel is coming out. I reply that having an agent is no guarantee the book will … Continue reading Five Reasons to Sign With a Literary Agent
One of the reasons I started a blog was that the protagonist in my novel was a blogger, so I needed first-hand experience. Eight months in, what have I learnt? Did I describe her experience accurately? What will I change as a result? Followers. I made my fictional blogger an overnight sensation, but in real … Continue reading Real Versus Fictional Blogs
I’m a writer. I love words. But before I was a writer, I was an engineer, so I also love numbers. The typical word count for a novel is around 80,000. Non-novelists often baulk at the idea of writing that many words, and no question, it’s a mammoth task. To make it more manageable, I … Continue reading Engineering the Story—How to Write a Novel in 80 Days
I’m a city girl, born and bred, but this year, Barto and I bought a country retreat near Mansfield, the township gateway to the Victorian high country. Our house is two and a half hours from Melbourne and a fifteen-minute drive from Mansfield—secluded, but not isolated. Perched on a hill, it overlooks Lake Eildon and … Continue reading Alone at Mansfield
Brightside Story Studio 