Helping authors to make their stories shine … Editing Services for fiction and memoir
As an author, trying to choose which of my books is my favourite is like choosing my favourite child. When my kids pressed me to pick one of them as my fav, I always told them Maximus was my favourite first child and Brutus was my favourite second child. Similarly, each of the Jade Riley mysteries holds a special place in my heart for varying reasons. Continue reading Writing a Mystery Series: My Favourite Jade Riley Mystery
For my second group interview, I’m exploring the topic of inspiration: where the concept comes from, how much the book changes from that starting point, how to juggle too many ideas, and more. Seven wonderful authors from a wide range of genres have responded. Continue reading Group Interview 2: Inspiration
For 2026, I’m trying a new approach to interviews on my blog so I can feature more authors. Rather than speaking to one person about their book, I’ll pick a topic and ask for many authors’ views. Let me know what you think.
My January topic is Writing Habits. Continue reading Group Interview 1: Writing Habits
The 2025 Christmas book list features fifteen books, including eleven incredible books from authors I’ve interviewed throughout the year and four of my own – two Jade Riley mysteries and two anthologies, each featuring one of my short stories.
The genres range from romantic comedy to psychological thriller, so find something to suit your loved ones’ tastes … or treat yourself. Continue reading Christmas Book List 2025
In our last interview, Sarah and I discussed her writing genre change from her first book, psychological thriller, A Voice in the Night, to her second book, historical fiction, The Dilemma. And she’s done it again! Her third novel, Love. Camera. Action is a romantic comedy.
Today, we discuss her ability to shift genres, and the details of her latest release. Continue reading Sarah Hawthorn on Love. Camera. Action.
In my last post about my writing life, I lamented the fact that my publisher, Wings ePress, is closing down at the end of 2025. At my request, they unpublished my books right away, so I could jump back into the pitching game.
…I’m happy to announce that I’ve signed with a new (aptly-named ) publisher: Next Chapter Publishing. Continue reading Jade Riley is Back
Interview by Sophia Voukelatos.
Teacher-turned-author Rosie Schonell shares her lifelong passion for children’s literature and her journey to publishing her first book. Her middle-grade mystery, Breaking School Rules in Easy, is now available. Continue reading Rosie Schonell on her debut novel Breaking School Rules is Easy
This year’s Christmas list features ten incredible books from the authors I’ve interviewed throughout the year. And for the first time, I have my own books to include!
They range from nonfiction to spy thriller, so hopefully, you can find something to suit the tastes of your loved ones … or treat yourself. Continue reading Christmas Book List 2024
Lee Kofman is an author, writing coach and speaker. Her latest work is a writing and reading guide, The Writer Laid Bare, which I’ve found incredibly valuable in my writing journey. Today, we discuss the challenges and benefits of its key principle: how to write honestly. Continue reading Lee Kofman on The Writer Laid Bare
In the first part of this blog series, Writing a Mystery: Introducing Jade Riley, I introduced the protagonist for The Godfather of Dance. A journalist by trade, Jade hails from Melbourne and has a past tinged with the tragedy of her best friend’s death. Today, I share how I am developing the Jade Riley Mystery Series, and how I envision future books. Of course, this will almost certainly change along the way due to factors beyond my control or my evolving creative preferences. Continue reading Writing a Mystery: Crafting a Series
Brightside Story Studio 