Posted on 01/06/201425/10/2014 by Jenn J McLeod — 2 Comments

Those darn sweeping plains!

We all love our sunburnt country, but those darn sweeping plains can be a source of frustration for readers and authors, reducing contact with each other to online platforms such as Facebook. So when three authors get together in a regional centre like Newcastle, you can bet a great roll up, fun times, and great cake.

Connecting with readers is a bit like cake – there is no such thing as too much – which is why we LOVE reader events and book-signings.

For authors in isolated or regional areas, the opportunity to meet with other writers face-to-face is like icing – the sweet, creamy frosting type, WITH sprinkles!

Last month Helene Young (Safe Harbour), Wendy James (The Lost Girls) and me – Jenn J McLeod (Simmering Season) had our cake, with icing (and we ate it too) when staff from the lovely new Cardiff Library invited us to chat about our writing journeys. I had not met Wendy before and what I discovered is we grew up in the same neighbourhood and attended the same high school (Manly Girls). Wendy could even remember the school song! Her latest novel, The Lost Girls is even set in the Sydney northern beaches suburb where we grew up (Curl Curl). Helene Young kept the panel in line with probing questions and ensured there was no fighting over the microphone – even though Wendy and I had both confessed to wanting to be a Broadway stars when we were young.

With thanks to organiser extraordinare – Allison Roberts and the Cardiff Library team. And to Maclean’s Booksellers for toting all those books!

Special thanks to Brenda Telford.

PS If you are from Manly Girls High School, let me know. There is a great Facebook group.Yes, they also know the words to the school song!

Posted on 25/05/2014 by Jenn J McLeod — 12 Comments

I. AM. HERE

May 23, 2014.

I. AM. HERE.

Sydney Writers Festival and the Australian Book Industry Awards gala event.

Okay, so, I was there as an observer, rather than being celebrated for some great literary achievement. But I was there and my book was there — on the book wall along with every book from 2013. The weekend was still an amazing experience and a career highlight (although perhaps the best thing for me was having the head of Tony Abbott’s personal security team at our table and talking to his wrist!)

Some 24 hours later, after being whisked down and whisked back again (thank you Simon &Schuster for treating me like a winner anyway) the sparkly outfit is back on the hanger and I am back to being ordinary me and blogging. But there was a particular moment from the awards night I wanted to share.

There I was in the room at Friday night’s book industry awards when at the end of all the awards, ‘someone’ at the mic said “Congratulations to all those in the room who received an award this year.”

I quietly raised my glass, looked across the table at author friend, Anna Romer, and whispered to her: “Congratulations to any author who managed to get published this year!”

The same sentiment can be applied to any author who managed to type the words THE END, as well as any author who managed to put those first few words of their dream novel on a page. We are doing what we love, no matter what stage in the journey, so well done and celebrate every step along the way. We can’t all win awards, just as we can’t please all readers/reviewers. As I say these days: “I can’t be every reader’s favourite author. I can only be the best author I can be.”

My book awards experience was an extraordinary moment for this very ordinary girl and I am extremely grateful to the lovely people at S&S.

Keep writing and reading, friends.

Posted on 01/05/2014 by Jenn J McLeod — 10 Comments

Thirty Years Ago Today

May 1, 1984 …

This was life – on the road, on the adventure of a lifetime, working our way around the country in a truck and a tent, no thought as to when we might stop or return to our Sydney suburb homes.

With $400 in the bank my family thought I was crazy. (What was a hairdresser/makeup artist going to do without a hairdryer and mirror for two or more years?)

The trip lasted almost three years, only coming to a close due to family illness.

Here I am thirty years later and the adventure has never ended. The things I’ve been able to do and accomplish have been a wild ride. (I’ve dined with queens, protected princes, and escorted stars – big and small. I’ve swum with crocs, jailed crooks, and hunted down ghosts. I’ve raised money for kids, made a difference where I can and right now I’m trying to be the best author I know how to be. (And if you’ve read the dedication in my latest book, Simmering Season, you’ll know who has helped me find my way through life.)

I am a great believer in sliding doors (in fact Sliding Doors is a favourite movie). Had I not done this, that or the other I would not be where I am now…

And where am I now?

Starting all over again, only with a little more luxury this time. (More on that later.) The house is on the market (wanna buy a house?) and my shiny new Southern Cross caravan is being collected later this month.

Soon, hopefully, it will be time to discover more small towns to inspire new stories.

Stay tuned. Life will start to get very interesting – a writer living in and under the southern cross! I may even make it to a town near you.