Hello again,
This year!! Wow, talk about ‘faster than a speeding bullet’! It’s already July and the end to another financial year in Australia – 30th June; now to start a fresh spreadsheet with all my income and expenses for another year.
If you have been following my blog, you will know that in May I had a book launch for my book ‘Justice’ and my daughters were kind enough to have this cake made for me. Not only did it look awesome, but it tasted fabulous. So, when we had special Birthday to celebrate we ordered a cake made by the same lady. When we went to pick it up, I gave her a copy of my book and signed it with the special message inside the front cover. – ‘Book lovers never go to bed alone.’ Her comment back to me was – Finished it last night! LOVED IT!!! Can’t wait to read the next one. xx 
She really does make the most wonderful cakes and I highly recommend her services if you live in Perth. Check out her Facebook page to see some of her delicious creations. Tam Bakes Cakes
I’ve been flat out this month editing and reworking my contemporary romance ‘Having Faith’ after my beta-readers gave me some excellent feedback. I expanded on the story and gave more depth to a favourite supporting character, before sending it to my editor. Now I’m hoping to organise an eye-catching cover so I can publish in October. (Well, that’s the plan.)
I was lucky enough to also attend a workshop on ‘How to Write a Stand-out Synopsis’ with Natasha Lester. Most writers I know would rather write the whole book than try and condense a 300-400 page manuscript into a one page synopsis – myself included. It’s a challenge that’s for sure. However, Natasha showed us a simplified way to build up to the process of creating your synopsis as well as shorter pitches for authors. I did this course as I was fortunate enough to have been gifted an individual pitch/critique with Kate Cuthbert who is managing editor at Escape Publishing. It’s a bit daunting, but fingers crossed she likes my synopsis and query letter. I have a few months breathing space since this isn’t until September. I’ll keep you posted.
This month I was also interviewed for a followup discussion on 1422AM Great Southern Radio station. Ann Paterson did the initial interview before my book launch. I gave her a copy of my book which she has now read and loved. So, she’s invited me back for another interview – this time about the actual book. It hasn’t aired yet but I’ll advise via my social media when this is happening, and I’ll probably post up a copy of the podcast on my website when it’s to hand.
Woo Hoo! Something exciting is happening in my life. My husband and I are off for an extended six-week holiday with our caravan. A road trip with friends across the Nullabor Plains (one of the straightest and longest roads in Australia) to South Australia, and then heading North to the ‘Red Centre’ to see Uluru (Ayers Rock) and Alice Springs. From there we’re driving North again to Darwin for a few days. We return via the West Australian coast after meeting up with more friends in Broome for the ‘Broome Cup’ – a horse race that has been highly acclaimed. I’m looking forward to the adventure and will be posting up some pictures of the trip on my Facebook and Instagram pages, so look out for them.
Does this mean that I won’t be writing? Not on your life. I’ve organised a wireless modem for the caravan and a laptop so I can work on book two in the ‘Angel Calling Series’. At this stage I have a title in mind but will wait for that to be revealed later in the year. I’ve promised so many of my readers that I’ll try to have it published by Christmas, so I need to keep working. No rest for the wicked! Although I wouldn’t call it work really, since I pretty much eat, sleep and breath writing. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – it’s more like an addiction.
Anyway, I hope you all have a great month ahead. “I am simply a book junkie.” Take Care.