Has anyone played a trick on you today? It’s early yet, but I’ve escaped so far. Hope it’s the start of a great month for you all.
My thanks to all of you who are sending in messages of support for the Janna Mysteries and offering to help in whatever way you can. I’m still trying to find an overseas publisher or agent (the economic downturn hasn’t helped!)and I’ll keep you posted. I also, unfortunately, made a big mistake on the German edition of Rosemary for Remembrance; it will be published in spring next year, not this year.
As well as writing, I’ve been really busy running workshops (fantasy, crime, writing for children and teenagers, and memoir-writing.) A little bit of something for everybody! I also gave a talk about the historical background of the Janna Mysteries to the Plantagenet Society (it was the son of the Empress Matilda and her husband, Geoffrey of Anjou, who became Henry II, first of the Plantagenet line of the English kings.)
I’ll be talking to the Society of Women Writers about my new book, Turning the Page next week. Maggie’s story is all about learning how to read and write – you’ll find details on my website. It’s for primary school students and was published by the National Museum of Australia. The Society is also organising a retreat shortly, at which I’ll be conducting a fantasy-writing workshop – and also meditating and listening to other wonderful writers and agents talk about their work. I’m looking forward to it.
Have a great Easter, and I hope the Easter bunny brings you lots of chocolates – yummmm, I LOVE chocolate! Also hope you all enjoy the school holidays with lots of fun times and, hopefully, lots of reading time too!
You have been busy! Hope everything is going well – it sounds good.
Gosh, you really are busy. I absolutely love your books, and I can’t wait for the next in the Janna series to come out. I’m dying to know what happens! Good luck with finding a publisher and with any other writing!
I won’t mince words, I LOVE your Janna Mysteries series. I am outside your target audience of mid-teens- which I hope you take as a compliment! Although it’s probably not my place to say, I really hope Janna ends up with Hugh. I don’t want to argue the case or outline the reasons− he just melts my wax 😉 I am recommending your series to anyone who’ll listen- thankfully I am an English teacher so I’m earbashing quite a lot of students. I can’t believe the publishers aren’t getting on board with your gorgeous books- I keep trawling the bookshops checking to see if #5 is out yet. You should write to schools and bring their attention to the series- departments are always on the lookout for interesting books with rich themes and strong characters suitable for lowers schools . Thanks again and good luck with the rest of the books- the series deserves to be a huge success!
Thanks so much for your comments; Jacquie, I love it that adults as well as teenagers are reading and enjoying The Janna Mysteries, and thanks for helping to promote them in schools. And yes, there are a lot of reading keen to know who Janna will choose – sorry, no clues right now. I'm still hoping to get #5 & #6 up and published, when ALL will be revealed!
So much for careful editing! What a bad example for an author to set! I meant to say there are a lot of READERS keen to know who Janna will choose. Oops!