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Author Harvest ‘bales up’ Karen M. Davis w/ giveaway

Author HarvestI’m not ‘baling up’ fellow Simon & Schuster author, Karen, M. Davis, I’m interrogating her – and I can be ruthless when I want the truth. To prove it I said to Karen, “Pretty please, can I have a copy of your amazing debut novel, Sinister Intent, to give away.” She said yes! Yay!

So now I’m hoping this ex-cop can cook!

What have we got on the menu today, Karen?

Karen M DavisSorry Jenn, I’m not much of a scone expert. I’d rather cheese and biscuits with a glass of wine… Is it too early for that?

(I don’t believe it’s illegal to indulge in a little tipple or two in the privacy of one’s own home, Karen. So pass the glass and – as they say on the firing range – “Load ’em up!”)

At home …

My mum always said garden gnomes make a house a home! Are you loud and proud in your love of garden gnomes at home, a closet gnomer, or with a strict ‘no gnomes’ policy at your place?

I have a few gnomes in my garden. They are animals though; little dogs, frogs, I even have a monkey. Do they count?

(Anything counts if they are small and stoned … err, sorry Officer, of course I mean made of stone!)

What vegetable (or fruit) have you always wanted to grow at home?

I’ve grown a few; tomatoes, coriander, lettuce and some other herbs. They didn’t last long. I have a very brown thumb.

(Herbs? Legal herbs, one assumes, Karen! Or as my ex-copper dad – who is here right now while I write this – used to call those illegal varieties: whacky-t’backy!)

If I came to your home and looked in the refrigerator, what would I find?

Cheese, eggs, milk, a bit of chocolate hidden at the back so I don’t see it all the time. Sinister Intent front pageNothing that exciting really… And a bottle of chardonnay or two. For emergencies.

(Or for celebrating. And you deserve to be doing lots of that!)

If you sorted your wardrobe by colour, what colour would stand out? (Ahh, do you sort your wardrobe by colour?!)

I don’t sort my wardrobe by colour. Is that normal or not? But you would find a lot of purple, black and some pink. Oh and a bit of grey – it goes with everything.

(We do not judge normal on Author Harvest! And I gather you are over blue after 20 years!)

What are you wearing now? (Be honest!)

Since I am sitting at the computer I am wearing a track suit (not very glamorous at all) and Ugg boots because it is freezing.

(And what were you wearing on the night of …. Oh, sorry, getting carried away!)

Whose home would you like to housesit and why?

I love my own home in the southern suburbs of Sydney but if Brad Pitt asked me to mind one of his mansions, I don’t think I could resist.

(With or without Brad Pitt in situ? And would handcuffs be involved?)

Country curiosities…

We love a sunburnt country (slip, slop, slap and all that). What’s your ideal hat? Or are you a boots person?

I don’t really wear hats. I do wear boots all the time in winter though.

(Is the hat thing as a result of twenty years of wearing a uniform?)

If you were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would you be?

I would be one of your dogs because they look like they have the perfect life. Ha ha. Or a horse. I love horses but wouldn’t really want to carry someone around on my back.

(You’re right about the horse thing. Being one of my dogs is a much better idea.)

Now for the big question… Why did the chicken cross the road?

To find a rooster that looks like the Commando off the biggest loser. You can see how my mind works can’t you?

(A commando chook?)

About you…

Your turning point: when was that point in your life that you realized that being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a reality and a career?

Having been a police officer for twenty years and having to leave due to an injury in 2007, I was at a loss for what to do with myself. My mother – author of twelve best-selling novels, Lynne Wilding, suggested I put my police experiences down on paper. Her agent, Selwa Anthony, suggested I try to turn them into fiction. It took me a long time to figure out how to do this but that is how it started. I discovered my love of writing later in life due to an unforeseen change of circumstance.

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Since I write crime fiction, which of course with my background is what I know and love, I struggle to find the right balance between reality and fiction. I know what it is really like to be a detective, what goes on in a police station, the inner conflicts, the politics, and personality clashes. Of course not all of this stuff is interesting. Neither is all police work. A lot of it is mundane, routine and full of lots of paperwork so this is my biggest issue when writing. I want to keep it real but not at the cost of boring the reader to sleep…

(No one will fall asleep reading Sinister Intent!)

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

I have written an autobiography – which was my first attempt at putting a manuscript together. It was not so much about my personal life but mainly about my police experiences; the good, the bad, the traumatic and the funny. I called it “Cop This.”

(Well, that’s the first time anyone has answered that question for real!)

What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?

I’ve never really thought about being interviewed until recently. I am used to doing the interviewing not being the interviewee. Cops are very guarded, for obvious reasons. When I was interviewed by a reported for the Sydney Morning Herald last week I kept asking him the questions. I had to eventually tell myself to shut-up and let him do the asking. I am struggling with getting used to talking about myself but know I have to get used to it.

(I hear duct tape across the mouth is a handy silencer in some circles!)

Fun stuff … 

If you could trade places with any other person for a week, famous or not famous, living or dead, real or fictional, with whom would it be?

No one really. Is that boring? I am happy with my life, my family and friends. Though it might be nice to be Tatum Channing’s wife for a while…

(I’m seeing a pattern emerging here, you greedy girl. You have a dashing detective already and he’s definitely a Brad/Tatum/Commando type guy. BTW – Do detectives carry handcuffs?)

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

I’d start telling you about my life. I think I could hold your attention for five minutes although any longer than that I’m not sure…

(Handcuffs hold my attention? Is there a pattern emerging here?)

What food would you be?

Maybe a grape? I don’t know why.

(Add sugar and a little crush and you’re a wine!)

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

A loaf of bread? Not very imaginative am I?

(I’m thinking you put all that imagination into Sinister Intent. At least I hope it’s mostly imaginary!!!!!)

Name 5 uses for a stapler that has not staple pins.

You could hit someone over the head with it four times and use it as a paperweight once.

(LOL .That’s a top five answer.)

How weird are you? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (not) to 10 (very).

I am not weird at all. I am perfectly normal. Although my psychiatrist says otherwise.

ENTER TO WIN: Leave a comment and tell us when you were last arrested…. Nah, only joking. Tell us who you’d like to handcuff yourself to for 24 hours!  Winner drawn one week from date of post. (Aust & NZ readers) CLOSED Winner posted in comments below

Investigate Karen M. Davis a little more: READ a chapter. TAKE A TOUR with the author to real-life locations. BUY.

Or CLICK the image below

www.sinisterintent.com.au

Website: www.karenmdavis.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KarenDavisAuthor

Simon & Schuster (Aust) Publishers

Check out all the 2012/13 Author Harvest authors: HERE

 

 

 

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It all started with a box…

I’ve made it to just over ten weeks as a published author without waking up! Hmm, it must be that I am already awake and it is NOT a dream after all!

What an amazing experience it’s been since that box of books arrived ten weeks ago. Thank you to all who have embraced House for all Seasons. And to those who have reviewed, shared, recommended… Super-huge hugs to you all.

Generous, goosebump-generating reviews continue to appear online. Then, just yesterday when I thought House was done and dusted in reviewland, and as I tried to find some joy on the first Mothers’ Day without Mum, I had a pinch-me moment.

My Dad rang to say “that book of yours is in the Sunday paper”. Here I was thinking poor Dad had knocked down one too many beers to get through the day. But there it was – House for all Seasons.

The Sunday Herald book section was always the place of dreams where I’d scan the titles and author names in awe wondering what it might feel like to see your novel alongside other great storytellers.

Well, folks, here it is – and on Mothers Day. (Not sure how you managed it, Mum, but thanks for working your magic. You knew how much I wanted to be in that section of the paper. Of all the days too; now I know you’re looking out for me.) SMH-Sunday,12May2013-Page95

Another feeling I find hard to put into words is receiving emails from strangers to tell me the story has touched them in some way and brought them joy.

Suddenly they don’t feel like strangers anymore.

I’ve made some great new friends (both writers and readers) and I look forward to meeting new people at the Sydney Writers Festival at the end of this month where I will be attending the ABIA Awards (Aust Book Industry Awards – another place of dreams) knowing that anything is possible in this business if you are prepared to do hang onto the dream, do the hard yards and stick it out.

Decades of learning, years of writing, months of promotion planning and strategising has finally come together. (My best tip for any writer starting down the same publishing path as me… Start thinking like a published author and you’ll start planning like a published author. You cannot be too prepared. More how-to information for writers is available in my monthly blog post with Writing Novels in Australia. )

Some highlights (apart from the launch, of course) include booksignings, festival appearances, author chats and my Blog Crawl (just look at the fabulous authors who have hosted me).

Perhaps the most significant is this… Because people have been so good to me along the way, I’ve always said I wanted to give back. But first I needed a few runs on the board. With House for all Seasons doing so well, I feel I have some cred. So a couple of weeks ago I offered to mentor a young local writer in the hope of getting her on the path with less detours than I experienced as I stumbled blindly for years. Who knows, I may just be blogging about her good news one day.

Highlights from the last ten weeks. And to think it all started with a box…

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I look forward to taking readers back to Calingarry Crossing next March when we release Simmering Season.

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Author Harvest ‘bales up’ Jenn J McLeod

Author HarvestJenn J McLeod - Rural AuthorWell Jenn, here you are. It’s all happening now. Who knew! So let’s start as we always do here on Harvest … with food.

Can I offer you scones and tea or some other homemade delight?

Definitely not! I think I’ve had a little too much harvest love from my guests. Did no one see that butt-to-camera angle when NBN News filmed me launching the Bellingen Readers & Writers Festival a few months back. No food! No butts!

At home…

Mum says garden gnomes make a house a home! Am I loud and proud in my loveIMG_0540 of garden gnomes at home, a closet gnomer or with a strict ‘no gnomes’ policy at my place?

I’m afraid I did inherit a love of the cheeky gnome. This one at my dad’s place is by far my favourite. (And clearly I have a butt obsession at the moment!)

What vegetable (or fruit) have I always wanted to grow at home?

I have a nice collection of both fruit and vegie: avocado, orange, ruby grapefruit, mandarins, oranges, custard apple, lychee, mango, lime, lemon, pecans. The vegie garden will have seasonal vegies: I love strawberries and cooking with fresh herbs.

If someone looked in the refrigerator, what would they find?

Grotesque, alien-like vegetables that I somehow managed to grow/create. (eg. my carrots are orange in colour, but that’s where the similarities end.)

If someone was to sort my wardrobe by colour, what colour would stand out? (Is anyone volunteering?)

You will mostly find the colour of ‘Opp Shop’. I do love finding a hidden pre-loved treasure. Opp shops are a kind of story starter. I find myself wondering about the person/history behind the treasure.

What am I wearing now?

Opp Shop favourites – shorts and a tank top. I love supporting the volunteers who run the shop.

Whose home would I like to housesit and why?

I was going to pick a few places. Then I thought previous Harvestees might get all precious and say: “Ooohh… Jenn J never said we could do that ….” To which my response would be: Hey folks, it’s my party and I’ll give answers in triplicate if I want to …

So, (with that out o the way) I’d do a progressive thing with some of my author pals so I can soak up some inspiration during my stay: Fiona Palmer’s (I’ve heard about that Pingaring pub!), Fleur McDonald (her photographs of home are gorgeous. Must go there.), my publisher’s house Larissa Edwards (so I can nose around in her book collection), Helene Young’s (in tropical north Queensland – say no more!), Christine Stinson’s (because she said I could stay there anytime I wanted to “come home to the city“!), Rachael Johns’ (she owns a supermarket for goodness sake. Imagine that!), Bronwyn Parry (she has kangaroos watching her work through the window), and speaking of rooms with a view – Annie Seaton’s place (have you seen that writing chair of hers?) 😉 I could go on…. In fact I could go to New Zealand and visit Rae Roadley (becasue she has found ‘Love At The End Of The Road’.)

Country curiosities…

We love a sunburnt country (slip, slop, slap and all that). What’s my ideal hat? Or am I a boots person?

Love my leather hat. Hate hat hair. Love my comfy Redbacks. Hate spiders!

If I were a tree (or animal) what kind of tree (animal) would I be?

A meerkat: stands tall, inquisitive, cautious, highly excitable, aggressive only when provoked! (Best of all, cute as all get out and no butt to speak of.)

Now for the big question… Why did the chicken cross the road?

It went to the shops to by House for all Seasons by this lovely new author called Jenn J McLeod. They heard there was a rather elaborate chook house described in the book as well as a competition with a great prize when you buy the book.

About you…

My turning point: when was that point in my life that I realised being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a reality and a career?

A year before my 50th birthday I said: “It’s now or never.”  I’d written two novels already (contemporary fiction set in glamorous locations) but coud not interest a publisher or an agent. With a growing interest in Australian rural fiction I decided if I couldn’t sell an Australian small town story then I couldn’t sell anything and I would give up.

Two days before my 50th birthday I signed with Clare Forster (Curtis Brown Literary Agency). The rest, as they say, is history!

What is the hardest part of writing for me?

Picking up where I left off the previous day. I have to get into the flow (it’s a voice thing) which means reading a few previous chapters. I’m afraid I can’t read without editing so I get bogged down with the detail, which then ends up limiting my word count at the end of each day.

If someone was to write my biography, what do I think the title should be?

She did a good job, butt …!

Fun stuff…

What does my protagonist think about me? Would he or she want to hang out with me, the author, his/her creator?

My contemporary fiction tends to have a cast of characters rather than the protagonist/antagonist structure. Not sure any of them would want to hang out with me but, boy, would I LOVE hanging out with them. Especially a couple of my secondary boys. Will, the local cafe owner who makes great soy lattes, and Alex, the country vet and all-round nice guy. Both have the wonderful, witty (verging on wicked) sense of humour. I reckon we’d get on, don’t you?

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

I’d show you the NBN News clip and ask you: “Does my butt look big in that?”

What food would I be?

Ummm … something nutty perhaps!

What was the best thing before sliced bread?

I have no idea. I only included this question to see what others would say. But check this. Will we all be asking in a few decades, “What’s the best things since the super-duper toasting bread knife thingy?”

Name 5 uses for a stapler that has no staple pins.

With an obsessive partner there is NEVER a stapler without staple pins (nor a toilet roll holder without paper, a fridge without a cold beer, or a car without petrol).

How weird am I? Rate yourself on a scale of 1 (not) to 10 (very).

I’ve just interviewed myself. What do you think?

Don’t forget to lock March 1 into your diary (or subscribe to receive a reminder). On online launch will be … colourful and loud 😉

Now … follow that chook and go buy my book. No butts about it! Check out the links in my book room.

(My thanks to Lily Malone for suggesting I interview myself. BTW – check out her Author Harvest and the other fabulous writing folk who have come home to the country so far – Author harvest line-up.