Simon & Schuster – Jenn J McLeod – small-town storyteller

Posted on 03/03/201606/03/2016 by Jenn J McLeod — 4 Comments

Author, Sara Foster, writes a letter to her 30 y.o. self

Dear Sara,

Happy 30^th birthday from your 40-year-old self. Everything is so new at the moment: you are newly married, still fairly new to living in Perth, in a new house, with new freelance editing contracts for Australian publishers rather than UK publishers. I’m happy to tell you that all those decisions will be great ones, lucky you! Therefore, I wish I could spare you the anxiety of worrying about everything, but then that’s just part of who you are! It can never be said that you make a decision without thinking it through (sometimes tying your mind into knots)!

Life is looking good, but the next ten years will be beyond anything you can dream of right now. You haven’t even finished your first book yet, and you’re not convinced you can do it, but soon you’ll have finished not one but two books, and in the next decade you’ll finish – and publish – FOUR! Not only that but two little girls will come along and turn your life upside down and create merry chaos but will bring unimaginable riches and purpose into your life. In fact, it’s very hard to think back beyond their existence, because your mind is still slightly blurred by six years of uneven sleep and the many demands of a young family.

You are capable of so much more than you think you are right now. But I’m glad I can’t go back and tell you, because I can see that it’s been really important for you to discover this a little bit at a time. In the process you have taught yourself a lot about who you are, and what you can and can’t deal with. Which is much more valuable than someone else telling you – even an older version of yourself.

Finally, when you get on a boat with Germaine Greer, don’t try to talk to her about sea eagles – it’s just not worth it. 🙂

Love,

40-Year-Old You!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sara Foster is the bestselling author of four novels, All That is Lost Between Us, Shallow Breath, Beneath the Shadows and Come Back to Me. She lives in Perth, WA, with her husband and two young daughters. To find out more visit

www.sarafoster.com.au or

www.facebook.com/sarafosterauthor

BUY All That Is Between Us now by clicking on the links: Amazon eBook OR a PRINT copy from Booktopia

HAPPY FOURTH BOOK, Sara.

Now, did you know…?

My fourth novel opens with a character writing a letter, which is what prompted this blog series. And not just any letter. It’s a story –perhaps the most important he’ll ever tell.

The Other Side of the Season

Everything has a reflection…

And there’s another side to every story.

Life is simple on top of the mountain for David, Matthew and Tilly until the winter of 1979 when tragedy strikes, starting a chain reaction that will ruin lives for years to come. Those who can, escape the Greenhill banana plantation on the outskirts of Coffs Harbour. One stays—trapped for the next thirty years on the mountain and haunted by memories and lost dreams. That is until the arrival of a curious young woman, named Sidney, whose love of family shows everyone the truth can heal, what’s wrong can be righted, the lost can be found, and…

. . . there’s another side to every story.

PRE-ORDER your copy now from Amazon, Kobo, iTunes, or

Posted on 10/01/201606/01/2016 by Jenn J McLeod — 14 Comments

Turning points on my path to publication – UPDATE.

My path to publication – update!

With novel #4 about to hit the shelves in May, I am so glad to still be tripping down that yellow brick road, hand in hand with the wizards of publishing Simon & Schuster (Australia) and singing travel songs.

This crazy writing journey has not always light of foot and joyous. My path to publication hit some serious detours, but I picked up a few good tips and friends along the way and because the question most asked of me is “How did you get published?” I thought a re-post ad update from my February 2012 post on the subject a good idea. So if you are interested in watching paint dry, you might also enjoy this post about….

My Path to Publication (as posted in Feb, 2012)

It is a tradition within my writing association that those announcing their first sale/book contract follow the announcement with their ‘call story’. It’s meant to be a re-telling of that moment when a publisher calls and gives you the news you’ve been working towards and dreaming about since you could pick up a pen (or access an i-Pad, as is the case today!)

But I fear my call story might be like watching paint dry, as it was a long process with lots of emails and waiting in between for things to be finalised. (Thank goodness for agents!)

So I thought, if a call story is meant to inspire (as well as inform) then maybe I’m better to write about the turning points in my writing, when a few significant things happened to nudge me closer to my goal.

Grab a coffee, settle in and … come home to the country.

Many moons ago, when my sister (in real estate at the time) listed the house of ‘a famous author’ and happened to mention to said author, “my little sister wants to write romance novels”, the ‘lovely lady and owner of said house’ (Valerie Parv was her name) gave my sister some magazines called Hearts Talk, and a message. “Tell your sister to join RWA.”

Turning Point #1 – I joined Romance Writers of Australia.

Recuperating after major surgery, I spent seven weeks writing my first Danielle Steel meets Nora Roberts novel. Of course I was going to be THAT famous! Then over the next two years I entered RWA’s Valerie Parv Contest – twice – as well as many other contests.

Turning point #2 – I entered lots of contests – not to win (I was too green) but to get feedback. (Winning/placing was a bonus.)

Turning point #3 – Bootcamp 109, April 2009 – I think. This RWA initiative with the fabulous Rachel Bailey and Nikki Logan (et al) made me realise:

I am not alone.
This writing caper is bloody hard.
There’s no reason why success can’t be mine.

I now had two manuscripts which I subbed and subbed (with various calls for more chapters). But all I got was the big R – rejection.

Turning point #4 – This IS a business. Analyse the market. See what’s selling. Plan, strategise, set goals.
Rural romances were really starting to take off a couple of years ago. Okay, I thought, can I do that? I’ve never harvested a crop, sheared/shorn (see I can’t even tell how to say it) a sheep, rounded up brumbies, or branded a cow. But I could brand myself!

Turning point #5 – Work out what you CAN write about and create a theme/brand. We’ve heard it before. Write about what you know. Well, I know about small country towns and all the colourful, quirky characters. I am part of a small community (moving from the city to run a cafe business which I’d never done before. I could do anything – right!) I’d experienced the difference between country and city. (I was a city girl who’d craved to get back to her country roots for years.)

Hey, coming home to the country! Does that sound like the theme for me? (In 2016 I’m taking readers from the country to the coast.)

Next, I took a ‘leaf’ out of Nikki Logan’s strategy and established a brand. (Nikki is a fantastic example of branding with her ‘nature’ theme and she has been such a positive influence.)

So two years ago (or so) I created my Come home to the country….small towns, big hearts theme.

Okay, now I needed to write something. Amazingly, once I had my brand, my ‘voice’ seemed to develop all by itself (with a little help from Lisa Heidke who really showed me what ‘a fresh voice’ was all about). Bronwyn Parry and Helene Young had already taught me how to plot a page turner. (There have been many other influences over time, of course: Dianne Blacklock and Monica McInerney – whose books my readers will enjoy.)

Turning point #6 – Stop trying so hard, glue bum on seat and write.
The glue was NaNoWriMo – National Novel Writing Month. With my brand and my voice knocking to get out, I sat down in November 2009 and wrote my first draft of House For All Seasons.

Turning point #7 – Lightning (yes, Annie Seaton editor extraordinaire, I said ‘lightning‘) bolts flashed and I decided I am a writer of Australian contemporary fiction. (I still say it with trepidation!) I don’t write romance novellas and the like (and I admire those who can fit high emotion in with so few words allowed). I was trying too hard. It took me years to figure out what I wrote and what it was called. Sounds stupid, doesn’t it? Was I single title, ‘with romantic elements’, mainstream fiction, commercial fiction, women’s fiction… Aren’t they all the same, I would cry.

Aaaaarrrggghhh!!!!

But this was a turning point for me.

Turning point #8 – a milestone birthday. Nothing like growing a year older to give you a shove. I was giving myself one year, telling myself if I hadn’t sold, I would give up on publishing and just write for myself.

Phew! Just made it in time. Now here I am.

I won’t go on, but thanks for indulging me (if you got this far). If you fell asleep and your coffee is now cold – sorry! If I’ve inspired you to write, go check out all those people I mentioned, and if you want to follow my path, join RWA, go to a writers conference, study the market, write what you know, and never give up.

Your success could be just around the next birthday.

Come home to the country…

Small town stories. Discover them. Love them.

Posted on 15/06/201430/06/2014 by Jenn J McLeod — 44 Comments

Bar Yarns with Author – Kate Belle w/ giveaway

Does the name Kate Belle ring any bells? Well, she’s a fellow Simon & Schuster author and while we’ve been on this publishing journey together, we have yet to meet in person. I hope to rectify that soon.

In the meantime, Kate has dropped into the Calingarry Crossing pub for a beer and a beer nut with me and to chat about her latest women’s fiction novel Being Jade. (And it’s ringing bells with readers and reviewers everywhere and you can win a copy below.)

I have to say,“Sometimes the strongest love casts the darkest shadow” is an evocative tagline (and I am rather partial to the concept of shadows given with my next release will be titled: Season of Shadow and Light.)

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

Harvey Wallbanger? No, seriously, I’ve never had one of those. I usually down a glass of bubbles pretty quickly, but with beer nuts?? Don’t suppose you have any macadamia’s lying around?

Hey, did you hear the one about …

I had to google one. I only know really stupid jokes that make 8 year old’s laugh. Not sure this one’s any better but here goes…

What did the snail say to his wife?

‘I’M STILL LEAVING YOU…’

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

Do they have chocolate coated liquorice in bars? Well they should! The one’s from Aldi’s…nom nom…arethebessshhht…nom nom.

Ahh, that beer hit the spot. Let me slip a drink coaster under your glass while you tell us—on a scale of 1 to 10—as a writer are you a messy desker or tidy desker? (NB: 1 = “I am a neat nut case” and 10 = “What desk? Where? Is there a desk here somewhere?”) Are you game to post a working space picture right now?

My desk is a picture of organisation.

Oh MY GOD – No, Jenn, please don’t put that photo up – please – NO, JENN, NO!

Oh, how embarrassing.

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’ll do anything (yes, ANYTHING), except wash god damned dishes.

(I do an impressive rendition of ‘Hey Big Spender’ on the Karaoke, by the way. Especially after 1 or 2 champagnes (bottles that is)!)

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.

WOOO HOOOO – Parteee time – Let’s get down!

Baby I’m a Star – Prince (gets me leaping around the kitchen EVERY time)
It’s a long way to the top – AC/DC (it soothes my inner bogan)
It’s Raining Men by pretty much anybody – it’s more like a prayer than a song – Amen!

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

Tap dancing and telling jokes. (What did you put in that champagne, Jenn?)

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 iPad – ooops – I’ll get in trouble for putting that first – My ever lovin’ family and friends.
My iPad (strokes it lovingly and glazes over)
What? Three things you say? Oh, other authors – you all ROCK! x

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

Always 7 – couldn’t tell you why. I fairly fancy 3 sometimes too, though. And 9 has a certain resonance to it. And I don’t mind the occasional…

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.

It’s time to go? But the party’s just got started. Hey, bartender – order up – drinks all round. Now, where’s that jukebox? C’mon Jenn, dance with me…I promise I won’t sing in your ear this time…

ABOUT: BEING JADE

A tragic death. A family divided. One truth can set them free.

Banjo Murphy is killed on the night he finally musters the courage to walk away from his wife Jade after twenty five years of repeated infidelities. In the aftermath, Banjo is bewildered to discover he still exists, but death has placed an invisible wall between him and his beloved family. In despair he watches Jade collapse into deep depression and his daughters, Lissy and Cassandra, struggle with their unexpected loss.

Lissy is tortured by guilt and the mysteries surrounding her father’s death. What compelled Banjo to leave the night he died? Why won’t Jade speak about what happened? In spite of their volatile relationship, Lissy believes her parents’ love to be enduring, but sensible Cassandra sees things differently. When Cassy discovers a sketch book chronicling Jade’s extra-marital affairs, the truth of their parents’ relationship begins to unfold and Lissy’s loyalties are divided.

Searching for answers, Lissy contacts Jade’s ex-lovers, unaware her father’s spirit watches as they visit. Unable to let go of his one true love, he aches to know that Jade loved him above all others. Banjo is taken on a journey of discovery through Jade’s memories as the lovers unveil long hidden secrets about her affairs. But the mystery remains, frustrating Banjo and Lissy, until Lissy’s questioning leads her to an explosive truth. One that will finally set her family free.

Buy links: Simply click and smile (and you will smile because Kate’s stories are sensual, sensory and sensational.)

Find out more about Kate and her books at Simon & Schuster

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED. The winners (as voted on Facebook) is ‘MUM’ and ‘COMPROMISE’. Congratulations to Gloria and Sharon: WIN a copy of Being Jade from Simon and Schuster. Simply leave a comment. One word will do. What is the most powerful word you’ve heard describe love? (or just leave a comment. We are not fussy around here. We just like comments!!)

About Kate Belle:

Kate is a multi-published author of dark, sensual love stories that will mess with your head. Her interests include talking to strangers, collecting unread books, and ranting about the world’s many injustices. She writes regularly about women, relationships, sexuality and books on her blog, The Ecstasy Files. She is also the creator of the Eros in Action writing sex workshop.

Kate lives, writes and loves in Melbourne with her small family and very annoying pets. The Yearning was released in 2013 to rave reviews. (Mine was one of them: My review of Kate’s first book – The Yearning – or How I lost my erotic genre virginity!)

Being Jade is her second novel.
Blog/website: http://www.ecstasyfiles.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katebelle.x

Twitter: @ecstasyfiles https://twitter.com/ecstasyfiles

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6572571.Kate_Belle

The Reading Room: http://www.thereadingroom.com/kate-belle/ap/2394119