Jenn J McLeod

Posted on 03/02/201618/02/2016 by Jenn J McLeod — 11 Comments

#WriteRoundOz w/ Alli Sinclair

An intriguing book title for an author dancing her way to the top. Yes, I am at home with… Alli Sinclair from Victoria

Thank you for letting my park my rig on your….

Veggie patch. (Oops!)

What’s that I see written on your ‘welcome mat’?

“The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Downsizing my life into a 24 ft caravan meant leaving lots of things behind in boxes. What (or who!!) would you have trouble leaving behind if you took off in a caravan?

I would have major trouble leaving my kids and partner behind (most days …), as well as my trusty laptop and iPad. And I’d definitely make sure the iPad contained all my favourite photos, movies, and books. I can’t do without those!

Whose home would you like to visit in your caravan and why?

I would love to visit my friend Daniel in London. We met in South America twenty years ago (!!) and travelled some extremely remote areas and shared lots of adventures and laughs. I haven’t seen him for ten years and I would love to meet his wife and kids.

Do you REALLY have room at your house to park a fifth wheeler caravan and do you mind visitors? Oh, sorry, you don’t have to answer that one!!

Ha! You know the offer is always there …

(You might be sooooooooory!)

Country curiosities…

My latest novel, Season of Shadow and Light, has a strong horse theme. (I love what horses can teach us). If you were an animal what would you be?

Without a doubt a llama! I love the way they look down their noses at you and if they’re not impressed, they spit (gross, I know, but we’re talking llamas here!). The fact they have three stomach compartments is weird, and I’m a sucker for weird. Plus they come from South America, the continent of my heart.

You’re cooking and your food going up against the best cooks from the CWA (Country Women’s Association). What would be your winning dish?

Oooh, my quiche! It’s one of those “throw what you have in the house” recipes and it never fails!

(And what do you know? I love quiche.)

About you…

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

First drafts! I detest them more than anything! I’d rather stick hot pokers in my eyes … A tad dramatic? Maybe. But boy, first drafts are painful! I’d rather edit any day, thanks!

If someone was to write your biography, what do you think the title should be?

Alli Sinclair – The Unstoppable Adventurer

You’re a fiction writer. Tell us a secret (any secret – about you, your books, etc) and we’ll guess if it’s true or not.

I once visited a prison in La Paz, Bolivia.

(Okay readers. Give it your best shot. Fact or fiction?)

Favourite four…

Favourite place in Australia – The Great Ocean Road

Favourite holiday destination – Montañita, Ecuador

Favourite movie – Gah! That’s a tough one as it changes depending on my mood. Today it’s Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (never strays far from number one on my list)

Favourite quote – T.S. Eliot “Little Gidding”

“We shall not cease from exploration

And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.”

If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?

(Need I ask? Really? I think I know.)

I’d break out into song and dance ala Gene Kelly, but if you threw things at me then I would revert to some seriously impressive break-dancing moves (although my back may not hold up!).

GIVEAWAY CLOSED – winner, Mary, advised.

To celebrate the release of Alli’s new book, Under the Spanish Stars, Alli has a beautiful Spanish fan up for grabs. All you need to do is leave a comment for your chance to win! (So… Fact or fiction?)

BUY LINKS

Published by Harlequin MIRA (Australia) http://www.harlequinbooks.com.au/product/9781760374181

Under the Spanish Stars is available in print and e-book.

PRINT: Booktopia Bookworld Dymocks Boomerang books Fishpond The Nile

EBOOK: iBOOKS Amazon Booktopia Kobo Bookworld

Posted on 25/01/201625/01/2016 by Jenn J McLeod — 9 Comments

Dear readers: She threatened me with a bad review and here’s why.

So, there I am minding my own business when approached by a stranger (who obviously knew me). She told me she’d read and loved all my books, loving them even more as they were free.

‘Free?’ I enquired. ‘I don’t think my books are ever free.’

‘Let me show you where I get all my favourite author books,’ she said and proceeded to search on her iPhone.

And there they were – FREE to download in PDF format.

My first mistake was to let her know (politely) that she was using a pirate site. Her expression was…Well, she was mortified.

My second mistake was trying to make her feel better by acknowledging that some pirate sites can be very clever with the wording to make it appear they are ‘doing the right thing’ by the copyright holder.

Foolishly, I went on the say the pirates are the only ones who make money from such sites. (The lady was older, so my rabbiting on about online affiliate advertising that some sites use to make their money was lost on her. Not so when I added (breathless by now) that her personal details, used to log on and acquire books, including her computer details, will have been sold on to unlimited third parties by now, again providing the pirate people with money.

My third mistake was asking a rather simple question, ‘Why would anyone run a website of free books if not to make money?’

Three strikes and I was definitely out of favour.

That was when she swore at me (yes, she was older but she knew some words) and threatened to go home and give me one-star reviews. (I’m not sure pirate sites have review opportunities so I gather it will be Amazon or Goodreads, or some other official site.)

So I came home and searched, and yes my books are listed on several pirate sites. People are downloading my books every day and I’m not getting a cent. In Ms Mad Pants’ defence, the clever wording the site did look realistic (if you ignore their grammar and punctuation).

Sample of PIRATE SITE wording (with their poor spelling and grammar):

We do not intend to support illegal activity. (But they do) We uses Search API to find the overview of books over the internet, but we dont [sic] host any files. (But they do keep your personal and IP address details on a database to sell on to more cyber criminals). All document files is the property of their respective owners, please respect the publisher and the author for their copyrighted creations. (They are putting the legal onus on you.) If you find documents that should not be here please report them. (And, of course, there is no link for reporting on their site.)

So, please, if you want a free book, borrow from a friend, or better still consider your local library (yes, authors are paid each time a book is borrowed). And if you know someone who downloads free books, be a friend and let them know it’s wrong and it’s risky. They may not even realise.

On second thoughts, maybe don’t. Instead, take a moment to go to your favourite author’s book (a.k.a mine!) online and give it a genuine star rating or a review. Every one helps.

Rate My books on Amazon

Rate my books on Kobo

Rate my books on iTunes

Posted on 24/01/201628/01/2016 by Jenn J McLeod — 37 Comments

Cue the music: I’m ready to blog hop.

I’m recognising Australia Day by saying …

NO to fireworks.

NO to fake, foreign-made flags, thongs, and drink holders.

(Oh, and giving away a book to one lucky reader.)

Yep, I’m keeping it real and celebrating the 26th of January by being a REAL Aussie. You can too by donating to Aussie Helpers – helping the heart of our country (our farmers and graziers)

I’m also sending one Blog Hop reader a signed copy of their choice:

Any book.

You choose.

To enter the draw simply… leave a comment below and TELL ME what month my new book – The Other Side of the Season – is out. (Not sure? Look here.) AND, of course, tell me which book you’d like to win*.

Optional:

DOUBLE your chances: I’ll pop a second entry into the Akubra with your name on it if you share this post on your Facebook page (if you have one – and don’t forget to tag me.) or you can Click to Tweet:

TRIPLE your chances by donating to help our farmers. It’s the Aussie thing to do: Go to www.aussiehelpers.org.au

CLOSED *Entries into the draw close at midnight on January 27th. Winner announced within 7 days. Australian postal address only.

After leaving your comment below, check out Book’d Out for more Great Aussie Author Blog Hop participants with more giveaways.

Then…

Grab a snag, a beer, and if you can DONATE to Aussie Helpers. Then kick back feeling good and remember… slip, slop, slap, read.

And if you’re still with me and you read ebooks on iTunes, head over to this blog post I did earlier and go into an extra draw to win one of three copies of Wild Chicory by Kim Kelly (courtesy of The Author People).

Author: Jenn J McLeod