I’m thrilled to be a committee member for the first edition of the Currumbin Crime Writers Festival. The event runs over 2 days. Friday 15 August starts with a bang with powerhouse author of 45 books across 5 genres, Fiona McIntosh. Fiona will present an exclusive, two-hour workshop designed to transform your crime writing. This is followed by an afternoon session featuring a workshop on researching and writing true crime, publishing industry insider information session with a publisher and a literary agent and networking opportunities. Saturday will be a great combination of author talks and panels featuring popular Australian crime authors including some amazing local writers.
For more information and tickets, please click this link or the image below.
One of the biggest challenges for passionate and prolific authors is settling on a genre. I tried but have completely given up on choosing a lane to stay in. At present I am a Crime/Romance/Non-fiction/Memoirist and I’m happy with that. So what if there’s a Chinese proverb that insists that a man who chases two rabbits catches none. I can multi-task and besides, I don’t want to catch a bunny! I’m letting the bunnies and my imagination run riot and writing whatever takes my fancy.
I do acknowledge that sticking to one genre and achieving mastery in that area might get me ‘there’ faster (there being trad. published, I guess) but who said fast was what I’m going for. My writing is so much better now than it was ten years ago so I am willing to take my sweet time and hopefully write some quality stuff.
Here are the bunnies I’m chasing…
Crime – My manuscript Homecoming (working title) was long-listed in the 2025 Hawkeye Manuscript prize. I’m tossing up between querying this work and keeping it in the bag a bit longer…
Romance – I am querying Beatrice Janson versus the World now with the manuscript submitted to 2 publishers. I got some amaaaazing feedback on this novel from 3 judges from the Romance Writers of Australia. I have planned out the second book for Beatrice, Beatrice Janson and the European Summer.
Non-Fiction – The Art Inspired Writer has been out with beta readers and I’ve received feedback, both glowing and constructive. I am still working on Real Friends. It’s a labour of love. I recently attended the Art Book Fair at the National Gallery of Victoria and came home pumped and inspired to create a beautiful book with both of these titles.
Memoir – I am researching a memoir based on my childhood, growing up adopted, with adoptive and foster siblings and the fall out from the murder of my little sister Becky. This is the book I am ‘training’ to write. I need the skills to do it justice for Becky, for my parents and for the memory of the kids who had enormous hurdles to overcome to live a life that we so often take for granted. The working title for this is The Lucky Ones.
Another kind of bunny, the Energiser Bunny!
My husband has been in recovery for the past 2 months for a ruptured Achilles tendon. This week he has also had surgery for an unrelated cancer diagnosis. It’s been a tough year for the man who is normally an Energiser Bunny who can’t sit still. He’s taking it ‘in his stride.’ He has a wonderful group of friends and close family around him who are supporting him so beautifully. I am so grateful for all the amazing support.
