Posted on 01/05/201511/12/2016 by Jenn J McLeod — 5 Comments

Dear reader…

As I pat another book on the bottom and send it out into the world to fend for itself, I want to say thank you.

I feel privileged to have my third novel on the shelf alongside so many wonderful Australian fiction books. Thank you for buying Australian.

But I have a confession…

While a ‘mother’ does not pick favourites, it might be…might…that Season of Shadow and Light is the book I really, really like (maybe even more than the others).

Hang on a minute! In saying that, House for all Seasons was my first, and firsts are special – right? (That’s what my big sister told me while growing up!) And Simmering Season was the book that will forever remind me of Mum (the nursing home scenes in particular). So how can I not love that one?

But Season of Shadow and Light is special for different reasons, and even a little personal. Following on with the family theme of this post, it is the third book published and I was the third child!

More importantly this novel is also a story about love…

Different kinds of love. And as I always say:

“People are people, parents are parents, family is family, love is love.”

And this fictional family needs saving in more ways than one, so I hope you enjoy Paige’s journey, as well as Alice’s very special love story, some thirty years earlier.

Will this story raise a few eyebrows? I thought it might. But the positive reviews keep coming and, hopefully, and I’m hopeful Shelleyrae, at Book’d Out, is on the mark with this gem:

“Jenn J McLeod is an author for all seasons and all readers.”

I truly believe the pen is mightier than the sword and fiction is a powerful way to start a conversation. Acceptance often comes from understanding so it can be that through our stories, authors can provide readers with a safe place to explore and appreciate social differences. I hope Alice’s story achieves that in some small way.

Another thing I enjoy about writing is the camaraderie of the Australian author network. If you enjoy my small town stories, why not make it a point to read more Aussie authors? I support the Australian Women Writers Challenge.

People I can’t do without…

In my ‘thank you’ at the back of this book, you’ll find some author names — my network of writer friends keep me in check, let me try out ideas, and inspire me. Whatever the contribution (large or small), my thanks go to them all, especially Nicole Alexander, Fiona Gregory (Green), Shannon Garner, and my Simon and Schuster Musketeers—Karen M. Davis and Anna Romer. A shout-out, too, to Kate Belle’s daughter (who comes up with some amazing Little Miss conversations), and Helen Lacey for sharing Santo, the wall-eyed Pinto.

You will have noticed that my novels sometimes draw on the works and sayings of the wise and wonderful, quoting some while being inspired by others. In Season of shadow and Light I acknowledge the works of A.B. (Banjo) Patterson, Elyne Mitchell (The Silver Brumby) and Anna Sewell (Black Beauty). Also to Vivienne Green, thank you for your saying, which I do try to live by:

‘Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning to dance in the rain.’

And to L. Frank Baum for lending me Toto, the little white dog. And to United Productions of America, the creators of the Mr Magoo cartoon character—although my Banjo is a complete opposite to the near-sighted, bumbling retiree, it was fun reliving my child-hood while reimagining a real life Mr Magoo.

Early reviews, like this one, have thrilled me:

“ . . . an intensely powerful read, exploring the topics of love and trust whilst simultaneously exposing the effects and depths of deception and betrayal within families and communities. Not one to mince her words, McLeod tells this story in a no-holds-barred manner that leaves the reader with absolutely no doubt as to the importance of the story, it’s characters, and the lessons we can all learn from having read it. Five stars and marking this one as a Must Read!” J’aimee Brooker (AusRom Today)

These early weeks are a nerve-wracking time for any author. So, dear reader, your support and feedback is vital. Please, don’t be shy about contacting an author to let them know you enjoyed their stories.

YOU matter to us.

YOU matter to me.

And you can let me know what you thought any time:

Email: Here

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennJMcLeod.Author

Twitter: @jennjmcleod

Simon and Schuster Publishers

The really important message that I hope comes through this story …

Please donate life. Consider organ donation and discuss with loved ones your wishes. Maybe do it now: www.donatelife.gov.au.

HAPPY RELEASE DAY TO ME!

*WIN – BOOK PACK GIVEAWAY

For your chance to WIN all THREE Jenn J McLeod novels* simply leave a comment below. From now until the end of May Jenn drops into some of her favourite author blogs to say hello to readers old and new. She’ll then collect the comment names from each author blog post, picking a lucky winner from one major draw and announcing the name end May on her blog. www.jennjmcleod.com

*Book Pack: House for all Seasons (#5 Top Selling Debut novel, 2013), Simmering Season, and Season of Shadow and Light. (Australian postal address only)

Winner announced here, end May.

Again, I say Thank YOU, dear reader.

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 06/11/201310/01/2016 by Jenn J McLeod — 3 Comments

Bar Yarns with Author ~ Anna Romer

Beer Yarns and beer Nuts welcomes Kim Kelly I recently had the pleasure of speaking at Anna Romer’s book launch in Boonah (QLD) – the setting for her fictional town of Magpie Creek. Her debut novel is AMAZING! No wonder the Get Reading people included it in the 2013 50 Books You Can’t Put Down. It’s true!

G’day Anna, come on in. Grab a pew. What can I get you to go with your beer nuts? (Shandy? Wine Spritzer? Pink Lemonade?)

Thanks Jenn, that pink lemonade sounds rather good.

Here’s a beer coaster, Anna. Would you mind jotting down the blurb for your book – Thornwood House – on the back?

When Audrey Kepler inherits an abandoned homestead in rural Queensland, she jumps at the chance to escape her loveless existence in the city and make a fresh start. In a dusty back room of the old house, she discovers the crumbling photo of a handsome World War Two medic – Samuel Riordan, the homestead’s former occupant – and soon finds herself becoming obsessed with him.

But as Audrey digs deeper into Samuel’s story, she discovers he was accused of bashing to death a young woman on his return from the war in 1946. When she learns about other unexplained deaths in recent years – one of them a young woman with injuries echoing those of the first victim – she begins to suspect that the killer is still very much alive. And now Audrey, thanks to her need to uncover the past, has provided him with good reason to want to kill again.

Have you heard a good pub joke lately?

I know a fantastic joke but I need a piece of paper and a pencil to tell it! And the punch line is a cracker!!! Oh well. . .

I’m a beer nut nut! What bar snack would you be and why?

In Spain they serve ‘caracoles’- tiny snails in their shells cooked in garlic and served by the handful – often just thrown onto the wooden tabletop, they go down a treat with ice cold Estrella Dorada (or even a feisty local beer). . .and since I’m partial to gastropods in general, I’d have to be a garlic ‘caracole’.

Ahh, that hit the spot. Let me slip a drink coaster under your glass while you tell us if you are a messy desker or tidy desker? (1 = “I am a neat nut case” and 10 = “What desk? Where? Is there a desk here somewhere?”)

I like everything in its place – a ‘2’. . . although midway through a project I tend to vanish under a pile of books and papers, only surfacing at intervals to go in search of my teapot.

The publican offers you free drinks all night if you will:

Dance to Gangnam Style
Sing John Denver’s ‘Take me Home Country Roads’ on the Karaoke machine
Spend an hour washing dishes

Which do you choose?

I was a teen John Denver fan!!! Let me at ’em! “Drivin’ down the road I get a feeling’ that I should have been home yesterday, yesterdaaaaaay. . .’

Hmm, maybe stick to writing, Anna. Now… time to liven the place up. Got a buck? We can crank up the old jukebox in the corner.

You get to pick three songs.

‘Super Massive Black Hole’ – Muse
‘Lady Marmalade’ – LaBelle’s great classic
‘Can You Get to That’ – Funkadelic (Awesome!)

There’s a stapler on the bar. Tell me what it’s doing there.

The girl in the corner is wearing granny undies and the elastic broke so she had to staple the waistband. . .?

(Thanks for the tip!)

The pub is the heart of a small town and most locals would be lost without one. What are three things you’d be lost without?

My hatchback, ‘the Crow’
The bush (to run off into)
My red kelpie Poppy (grrrrreat name, grrrrreat dog!)

There are a few good prizes up for grabs in the bar jackpot. Do you have a lucky number?

8 (the number of infinity!) thornwood_house

Last drinks, my friend! It’s been great. But before we go, tell us how we can find out more about you and your writing/books.

Webpage: www.annaromer.com.au
About the book: www.thornwoodhouse.com.au
Facebook: AnnaRomerAuthor
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Aust) Publishers
Also check out: Get Reading 2013 for Thornwood House

If you enjoyed this Bar Yarn, there are lots more to come. So you never miss a post, why not whack your email in the TELL ME! box above.

Just wait until you see who’s dropping by for a Bar Yarn next. Prepare to giggle.