Book Club - Meet JM PEACE and A Time To Run. Australian Authors.

Introducing a NEW segment on the blog >>>> BOOKCLUB!!

This is NEW and a great way to not only find out about great new books out there but ALSO to support our amazing authors!

As an author myself I just love to meet and support other authors.
As an avid reader I also know how a great book can steal your heart, take your sleep, run you through all your emotions and leave you with a book hangover...
A love of reading is a life skill to treasure forever.
If you don't love reading, I say you just haven't tried the right book for you yet!

This week I am delving into the some adrenaline rushing, (note to self - don't read late at night or you wont sleep), reading of new Qld author JM Peace's thrilling new crime release, A Time To Run.

Before having children I loved a good horror or thriller. I had long exhausted Steven King, Dean R Koontz, Clive Barker...since becoming a mum a well written and fast paced scary book has taken the adrenaline rush to a whole new level so it is something I only do on the odd occasion now!

Not only was I incredibly excited when I learned my amazing friend JM Peace was having her first book published but when I read the start of A Time To Run, I knew it was going to be one of those occasions.One of those books on the HAVE TO READ pile.
And so it has been. Gripping, fast paced, and intelligent with a main character you take to right away.

A Time To Run is written by police officer and busy mum turned writer JM Peace who I have interviewed for you with my first bookclub post!

Q. Jay, you are an incredibly strong woman and inspiring role model for women, first as a police officer and now as a published author. You book's main character is a strong woman and you yourself have a daughter, what piece of advice would you give to mums of young girls hoping to raise strong women?
A. 'Be brave. I don't mean wrestling crocodiles or disarming bombs, but do the things that make you apprehensive or nervous. Just have a red-hot go at whatever comes your way. Don't be scared to fail. Failure doesn't mean the end. And let your children see this. Regardless if you succeed or fail - most of all, let them see you try.'

Q. You juggle writing with work, two active children and running a household. How do you manage to keep all the balls in the air?
A. I think I’ve become quite good at time management. I try to be organised and ready ahead of time. My mother is a very efficient and practical person and I think I learnt a lot from her.
 Also, as the writer side of things has started to take off, I pretty much watch no TV. The evenings after the kids are in bed are when I get most of my writing done. So although I enjoy TV and movies, I’ve set my priorities and stick with it. It’s important to me, so I find the motivation because I want to.

Q. What do your children think about you being a police officer? Or a writer?

A. My kids have always been proud of the fact that mummy is a police officer. All their school friends know, kids often run up to me in the school yard (I never go to the school in uniform) and ask “Are you really a police officer?” As far as I can tell, there has been nothing negative for them having a cop as a parent. I am very alert to the fact that this will change at some point.

The kids are only just starting to grasp the whole writer thing in the last few weeks – firstly, once they could hold a copy in their hands and secondly, now that I have appeared a couple of times in the local media. My son has apparently told his class that I am famous.  Hmm. 

Q. What made you start writing now?

A. I decided I no longer wanted to be a police officer. I gave a lot of thought on what I should do, such as going back to Uni, and eventually decided I should try to do exactly what I had always wanted to do – be a writer.

One of the reasons I chose writing is it was potentially something I could do from home, setting my own hours. I try to make my family my priority and I don’t like missing events in my childrens’ lives. Although they may seem like little things, they are so important to the kids at the time and you just can’t get those moments back. It’s tricky trying to tick all the boxes as a working mum.

You can find A Time To Run in all good Australian bookstores.
FIND JM PEACE on Facebook HERE


Thank you for your time Jay, and for the sleepless nights and pondering of visiting Bunnings to buy much bigger deadlocks for my doors now hahaha!!
But seriously, congratulations on such a well crafted book, it is exciting to read and I know you are going to really quickly find an avid fan base following and be the next big writing thing!

NOTE of interest: Jm Peace is the author's pseudonym who is still a current serving police officer in Queensland.
Which only adds to the magnificent mystery and excitement of the book!!


Want to JOIN IN THE FUN of the book club??

Add a blog post, visit some other posts, tweet and share the link up xo

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Is 2014 the year for your book? And a writers link up!

In celebration of Australia day something I know I can do to support my fellow inspirational Australians is to read some fantastic Aussie books, to buy Australian books for gifts this year, to visit the library, read new authors, encourage others I know to read Australian books and give books as gifts. As an author myself I know how important it is to get behind our great talented writers out there.
We have such talented writers here in Australia covering everything from fast paced fiction, romance, scientific works, non fiction, parenting, self help and one of my favourite subjects, all things food!

And of course many great writers still yet to be discovered too, maybe one of these is you?!
Have you always dreamed of being a writer?
Do you have a manuscript but not sure what steps to take next?
Are you passionate about writing?
The start of an exciting new year is bursting full of opportunities, if you have always wanted to write, always wanted to publish your work or get published, make this your year to go for it!

I am delighted to be able to share some fantastic TIPS from very amazing writers!

Melanie Avery is a very successful Award Winning Author, Presenter, Guest Speaker, Blogger.
Her books are a breath of fresh air in the food genre, helping families enjoy life and navigate the harmful additives that have crept into our supermarkets and into our trolleys, homes and children's bodies.

Visit her website to find out more about these incredible books:
www.letsliveadditivefree.com

LIKE her on Facebook

Thank you Melanie for sharing your writing tips with us today!

My top 3 tips for writing your own book:

1.       Always write with integrity, honesty and passion. When you are passionate about what you do – what you believe in, the writing comes easily and from an honest place. Write to share your passion not to sell a book.

2.       If the ideas aren’t flowing, walk away and come back later. Trying to force something just doesn’t work and your writing won’t sound like you. It’s okay to have a break.

3.       Work with people who ‘get’ your idea behind your book. Whether it is a designer, editor or publisher, if they truly believe in you and your message then the end product will reflect this. 

Melanie's books:

• Let’s Party! Additive Free was written to help parents provide their children with a fun and colourful  party without the children going ‘crazy’ from all of the chemical additives, particularly colours, flavours and preservatives.

• Let’s Visit! Additive Free has been designed to help the carers of children who live additive free, provide appropriate food choices.

• Let’s Celebrate Christmas! Additive Free, the most recent title in the series, is a guide for creating a joyous, festive and additive free Christmas. This title is twice as many pages as the first and is packed with a diverse range of additive free recipes that can be used all year round.

• All products can be purchased at http://www.letsliveadditivefree.com

Sally Collings
Sally Collings is an Australian bestselling author, publisher and editor, now based in California. She specializes in ghostwriting, book coaching and “extreme editing”, and loves helping Australian writers who want to crack the US market.
Visit her website www.sallycollings.com.

Sally is one of my favourite Australian authors, her books are incredible from Sophie's journey, a book about incredible Australian little girl, Sophie Delezio. A book about one incredible little girl struck down by a tragic accident, not once but twice. "Sophie Delezio has a message of hope for us all. " You can read more about that book and also buy it here 

A beautiful book by Sally written with Antonia Kidman is the Simple Things.

And my favourite, parenting with soul, an amazing book that will resonate with and inspire parents everywhere and one that takes great pride of place on my bookshelf.

Other titles include Positive and one many writers will find very helpful, Get published!

Getting published tips from Sally Collings

These tips are especially for writers who want to know whether their manuscript is ready to send to a publisher.

1. Lock away your manuscript and forget about it. 

Don’t look at it again for a few weeks, or even a few months. Then take it out again and read it with fresh eyes. If you’ve been sweating over that manuscript for a long time, the break will give you a new perspective. 

2. Exploit your friends and family. 

Find two or three of the pickiest, best-read, most brutally honest people you know. Ask them to read your manuscript (maybe just the first chapter for starters) and tell them exactly what sort of feedback would help you most, and that you think they are capable of giving. For example, what do they love or hate about the writing style? Are the characters engaging and real? Can they find any typos? Make sure you pick people from your target audience: don’t hand your paranormal romance to your uncle if he wouldn’t be seen dead reading that sort of book.

3. Think like a publisher. 

Pretend you’re an agent or a publisher, and this manuscript has just landed in your in-tray. Does the first page make you leap out of your chair and shout, “I’ve found my next bestseller!”? If not, you’ve got some work to do.

I hope these tips give you the inspiration to get your work out there!

For me this year, I have lots of plans! My cookbook, my collaboration book, Healthy Happy Mums, my children's book about an edible garden and my new projects including an edible gardening book just to start!

AND it is my goal to read and gift lots of great books this year, currently I am reading a fantastic new breakthrough book by Australian writer Cheryse Durrant, The Blood She Betrayed which is currently selling out across Australia in its breakthrough success!!

If your looking for some great fiction or a gift idea check it out!
"Thrust into the technology-driven Earthlands via magical mists, Shahkara is forced to rely on Max McCalden to help search for the ancient Elnara death lantern, her homeworld’s last chance of survival against the heart-devouring Taloners.
Max has his own problems – a manipulative billionaire father, a murdered brother – but nothing prepares him for this fugitive warrior’s razor-sharp talons and magical abilities.
Shahkara’s half-Taloner blood demands what she knows she can’t have – a human heart. She longs for love, but as deadly enemies attack at every turn, will her lust for Max destroy them both? Or will she find the strength to free both worlds from a threat more horrific than the demons that share her blood?"Find and support Cheryse on facebook HERE

I also recommend checking out:
Karen Tyrrell an inspirational woman, speaker and author who share so many tips for writing and publishing
Book Cover Cafe services include ebooks, self publishing, book covers, LOTS of free tips for writers
Author Support Services Alex is an incredible talent and does book editing, coaching and workshops
Australian Writers Rock The facebook page of the book store doing incredible things to support Australian authors.
Australian Writers Rock - website
Natural New Age Mum's blog post on 20 awesome ebooks!

What is a great book you recommend?

Happy writing,

Bek XX

Do you have a great book or three? Blog posts on writing? Book reviews? Publishing? Self publishing?
Share your link below and lets get inspired and supportive. Please visit at least two other link ups, you never know what great blogs, books or information you just mind find too!

Writing, Reading, Loving Books

Writing, Reading and Loving Books.
Note: This post is sponsored by Grammarly .
An online program I as a writer and blogger desperately need think is a great tool for writers who like myself may not have studied or perfected their skills in this area. >>>
(Results just from part of this blog post, yep, editors are worth their weight in gold)
I also use their free online plagiarism checker because just like my recipes, I like things real.

Writing and reading have always been some of my greatest passions.

There is something about a great book that transports you body and soul while you read it, the whole around you fades as the world unfolding before you becomes more vivid with every page.

My earliest memories of books I loves where ones like The Magic Faraway Tree soon making way for the The Babysitter Club Books and The Hobbit and Lord of The Rings, Narnia and David Eddings and worlds of fantasty.
My early teenage years saw a love of mystery and scary reads starting with Agatha Christie and on to Stephen King, Clive Barker, Dean R Koontz, Anne Rice and they moved way as I grew for a love of historical fiction and romance with so many including Jean Plaidy, Catherine Cookson and Jane Austin and a new found admiration for non fiction work, especially anything by Sir David Attenborough and anything on plants.

When I started studying horticulture after school I really grew in my love of non fiction, (still of course always had a novel or three by my bed) but had developed this deep joy of learning from books and admiration for the people that create them.

My first story published in a local publication in year 1, a love of writing had begun.. 

I knew I had always wanted to be an author. Always wanted to write. I like most people had many ideas of what I wanted "to be" and to do when I grew up and they changed over the years, but one that always was in my heart was writing.

While working for a very busy Bunnings Warehouse, running the plant nursery section, I created a Bunnings Warehouse Garden Club and monthly gardening newsletter full of tips, plant profiles and gardening information, I loved it.

At 25 I left and had my first baby and a very hard time for me with Post Natal Depression and so much weight to lose after having my baby missing all the writing work I had been doing for work I started writing a blog on MySpace and writing out recipes there, edible gardening pieces and my audience there quickly grew, I was delighted and then friends and family started asking for my recipes, then my mothers group and then friends of friends.
I started having women contact my because of myspace and ask how I was losing so much weight and for tips on feeling good about themselves, growing their own food.
I found myself writing everyday and it started to form a book.
A book about becoming a mother.

About a real life journey and finding myself again. A book about realising my health was important and to shine even a little of that love I shone on my baby onto myself too.
Filled with my recipes, my gardening, my motivation to exercise and lose my baby weight and my self love all around my (very) personal story and experiences which I share in the hopes that it would make other mothers feel good and maybe to let some of them know they are not alone if they go through post natal depression, feeling flat or frustrated with their bodies after having a baby, maybe they too had trouble breastfeeding or a baby that never slept through until they were 2. 

I think the greatest thing I learnt in motherhood was the powerful feeling of relief when you know you are not alone in whatever it is you may be going through.

My first published book, The Pram Diet, Random House 2009.

To say I was excited to have a book published, would be an understatement.
To go into one of my beloved bookstores and see it on the shelf took my breath away but most of it was that day I walked (my then 2 year old) to the local post office and waiting there was a box.
A box of my books.
I didn't even open it.
 I nestled it on top of the pram and I left with what could only be described as a loopy smile on my face and super power walked all the rest of the way home, Lily's beloved flowers and ocean views were a giggling blur as I broke out into pram jogs rather than walks, before we bustled into the house.

Opening that box was so surreal as I am sure it is for all writers and flicking the pages of my book, smelling that new book smell (yes, book geek alert) was one of the moments in my life I will never forget.

I am now delighted to say I have not 1 but 3 books I am working on AND a children's picture book.

My cook book - COMING SOON

PLUS! Coming up very soon on the blog I am really excited that I will be sharing with you some great tips on writing books and getting published from some of the incredibly talented women writers I know! So STAY TUNED.
So you don't miss that one and other blog posts you can subscribe to this blog on the top right hand side of the blog >>
And follow me on FACEBOOK

If you would like to read my book, The Pram Diet you can find it in most Australian libraries, through Australian bookstore or buy a signed copy through me!
I have a promotion for a special priced pre-order of a signed copy on my facebook page at the moment

Did you have a passion growing up that has stayed with you or shaped your life?
What were your favourite books?

Bek XX

Me & Her: a Memoir of Madness Author Interview

I interview inspirational Aussie Author and Mental Health Advocate Karen Tyrrel about her new book!

 

ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness: Interview

Q Tell us a little bit about your amazing book.

ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness reveals how parents and their child repeatedly bullied and abused ME, a teacher (Karen Tyrrell) until I could take no more. Each night I screamed out, tormented by ghastly terrors. I escaped into an altered state of reality, transforming into my mad half, HER.

ME: Teacher, wife, mother and Writer
HER: Manic, psychic, healer to the living, telepathic to the dead, and she’s very psychotic!

Q What is it like to have a book published and share your gripping personal story so openly?

 An extreme roller-coaster of emotions. Totally exhilarated one minute, sharing my tell-all story to help others. The next minute I’m over-whelmed with gut-wrenching angst over my personal disclosures for the world to scrutinize and judge.

 Q What would you say to others who might have a loved one in the situation you were in or maybe have been there themselves?

Don’t bottle up your angst and torment! Share your abuse with someone. Seek counselling and talk therapy straight away. Don’t pretend you’re OK when you’re not.

 Q What is Bipolar?

Bipolar disorder is a mood disorder where people may show symptoms of a high mood and over-the-top behaviour. Other times they may show low moods feeling depressed and anxious. Medication and a pro-active wellness plan can stabilize and manage bipolar disorder.

Q Do you think more can be done for mental health in Australia?

Those with mental illness and mental health issues are screaming out for help. So many sufferers are left undiagnosed, untreated or turned away from over-filled hospitals. Or if they’re lucky to secure a bed, they’re released far too early.

I’m one of the lucky ones to recover, able to share my wellness strategies.

Q Do you think the population needs to be made more aware of how much damage we can do to one another?

Bullying and abuse are running rife in our society. Victims retain deep emotional and psychological scars, often resulting in post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health issues.

Q What are some great programs or groups people can visit for more information?

Check out Karen’s Resilience Training workshop http://www.karentyrrell.com/develop-resilience-skills-keep-mentally-strong/

Visit Mental Health Association: Get Help Now

http://www.mentalhealth.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=19&Itemid=31

Q Where can people buy your book?

You can buy ME & HER: a Memoir of Madness via Amazon http://lnkd.in/BmuVR7

Q Where can people find information on events to listen to you speak or read your blogs?

Please check my website http://www.karentyrrell to find out more about my mental health blogs and events, or download my Free eBook *30 Top Tools for Wellness*


Thank you Karen for sharing some insights into your work and your very inspiring book.
Please check out Karen's blog and her Facebook Page to find out more about this amazing woman and her story.

Local Product Local Recipes - Maleny Supa IGA Recipe Cards

I am really REALLY excited to announce the launch of the Maleny Supa Iga Local Product Local Recipe Cards featuring MY recipes with each one using a fabulous local Sunshine Coast ingredient!

They are available to pick up in store, the first 5 are available right now and a new one will be out each Monday!

www.malenyiga.com.au

The Mums behind the Push - Sunday Mail Feature

Sunday Mail Feature - The Mums Behind The Push

We are really excited to be featured in the Sunday Mail newspaper with our charity pram walk and Guinness World Record Attempt!

You can read more of the why's, our personal stories and what our very exciting Maleny Supa IGA Pink Pram Push is all about
BY CLICKING HERE

Rebecca x

Pram Diet on TV

I am delighted to say I have been on TV, A Current Affair to be specific with my story.They featured me twice and you can see both stories here (there is a brief gap between the two)

Feedback that moves you as a writer

Sharing the amazing feedback from reader 
Cathryn Goldstone about The Pram Diet Book

"Hi Rebecca, Just wanted to say a quick thank you for writing such a inspirational book, I am only half way through and try and find 5 minutes a day between looking after a newborn and my 6yr old son to read your book and bring me back to reality. I have taken your tips on stress and have copied and printed them and they stick proudly ...to my fridge for when time feels a little stressful! Also have made a wee reminder which sticks in my wardrobe with positive "I am..."and " Whats important to me in my life right now..." messages to look at everymorning to remind me how lucky I am. I am now a daily pram walker and it gives me peace and refreshes my mind. Thank you so much for your help you have changed my post baby life, without The Pram Diet I know I would be so miserable!"

As a writer you feel like a part of you is in your book. You have put so much of yourself into writing each chapter, each page, each sentence that when you receive feedback like this it warms your heart and rekindles in you the inspiration that drove you to write your book and the passion to share your story.

For me I wrote the pram diet because I really want to help other mothers and reading Cathryn's words moved me and reminded me why I wrote the book all over again.

Thank you so much Cathryn!

Rebecca xx

Barefoot Basics Interview

Read my interview on BAREFOOT BASICS

"You can change your life with a single step"

HERE 

Mothers Day & Fabulous Female Authors

This coming Mothers Day, so many of us will be looking for gifts for our mothers, step mothers, mothers in law, grandmothers and so on-so why not buy a gift that also supports the great female Authors out there and also therefore women in the publishing industry, many of whom are mothers!

Head over to the Facebook event HERE
Mothers Day gift ideas-books by female authors and join in the fun!
Be sure to share some great ideas/reviews for others and add your own books if your a female author!
And wishing all a wonderful upcoming Mothers Day! x