Author: Jenn J McLeod

Australia's nomadic novelist living on the road a purple and white caravan called Myrtle the Turtle. Come home to the country: House for all Seasons (#5 top selling novel in 2013), Simmering Season (2014), Season of Shadow and Light (2015), The Other Side of the Season (2016), A Place to Remember (2018), House of Wishes (2019)
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Will I be a human fly catcher?

It’s been a long time coming, but I’m finally heading to the RWA Writers’ Conference in August (Melbourne this year). And my going is only possible through with the support and generosity of others who believe in dreams and who want to help me realise mine. I am very lucky and plan on making the most of every minute.
How do I feel? Excited, terrified, and everything in between.
It’s all rather daunting: hundreds of like-minded authors and industry gurus, all talking about craft and professional development. What worries me most is being able to keep up, keep focused and keep awake! I am sooooo not used to late nights (unless it’s sitting at the computer), nor am I used to chatting all day (unless it’s via the computer – and I can nod off in the middle of online chats without anyone knowing! Shhhh!)

I also worry about not recognising someone I should. (Let’s face it, none of us look like our promo headshots.) Or that I will look just plain goofy standing on the sidelines in absolute awe and catching flies in my gaping mouth.

So I figured it was a good idea to start training. Here’s my 4 ‘S’ Tips.

Smile – looking demure, knowledgable and keeping gaping mouth closed at all times.


Speak – preferably in coherent sentences and say ‘hi, good to see you’ to everyone whether you recognise them or not.


Start conversations – the old ‘What are you reading?’ is apparently a good one.


Self-control – refrain from throwing self at feet of visiting publishers. (Not a good look!)


And finally, enjoy, share, learn.

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Uh oh!

Every day we discover a new author, and the way it works is this….

First we find a great book, then we become ‘friends’ (delighted to be able to rub cyber shoulders with well-known authors through their fan site, blog, Facebook etc). If the author ever lets you down, writes a crappy story, starts boring you, etc, you simply ‘un-friend’ yourself and move on. Problem solved!

But what happens if you have a friend (first and foremost) who then publishes a book? What if they let you down? What if their book is a crappy one? How do you face them and say ‘Well done!’, ‘Congrats!’, ‘Farrrr-bu-lous story, darling’ and look like you really mean it? (Well…you don’t with a face like mine! Poker is sooooo not my game and my friend knows it!)

You see, I do have a friend (first and foremost) who is also an author. Her name is Karly Lane and over the last 12 months I have had the opportunity to witness the birth of her first Australia-wide print release. I remember the night, just over 12 months ago, when she emailed (it was like 10pm or something) to say she was about to submit to Allen & Unwin publishers and to cross my fingers.

Well, I have just finished reading Karly Lane’s ‘North Star’ and I am so pleased to say…openly and honestly…I LOVE IT; not that she needs my seal of approval as North Star is included in this year’s ’50 Books You Can’t Put Down’ list. How cool is that!

I am so thrilled. North Star is such a lovely story with well paced and delightfully real characters that will make you smile, laugh out aloud, and even groan a little if you’ve ever raised a 15 year-old daughter. I truly could not put this book down until the main character, single mother of two Kate Thurston, found the happiness she deserved.

You’ll be happy too if you pick up a copy of North Star. Am Im not saying this becasue the author is my friend. Rarely have I found a book I want to read more than once. I am delighted (and a little relieved – LOL) to say North Star is definitely one of those books for me.

Find out more or to buy North Star, publsihed by A&U, see Karly’s website.

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To Retreat Victoriously!

Just over 12 months after our inaugural meeting (March 2010) the eight members of our face-2-face writing group, Points Author Network, held our first weekend retreat during April 8-10, 2011. (Made possible through the support of RWA’s Group Grants Scheme.)

Our logo depicts the large geographical spread we cover and the journey we are taking together, finding our way and charting a course for that elusive place called ‘success’.

With our original retreat destination (Smokey Cape Lighthouse) no longer an option (they closed for 6 months for renovations) the group used our compass to find the way to Bellingen, coinciding our first retreat with the inaugural Bellingen Writer’s and Reader’s Festival.

What a fabulous weekend. Aside from spending hours sharing, laughing, enjoying great company, food and wine (and in that order!) I got to spend 3 hours – just me and the fabulous Bronwyn Parry – talking about writing good emotion. I also met Pippa Masson of Curtis Brown Literary Agency and picked up a few interesting insights into the book business.

All-in-all a very successful event.