Southern Speak and the release of Jardine by Leesa Bow

Today we are so lucky to be featuring the new adult release of Jardine by Leesa Bow. The cover is gorgeous and Jardine just draws you in with his eyes. To discover a bit more about this young man, read the character interview she did with him for us.

JARDINE:

1.      Do you believe in luck?

I believe the only way to get anywhere in life is through hard work, perseverance, and commitment. Some people are lucky, but when it comes to the crunch, especially in sport, you need more than luck to be on top of your game.

2.      What makes you really angry?

Two things really. When my girlfriend, Ava, has moments of self doubt and talks herself into a panic attack. She is one of the most intelligent and level headed chicks around, and it frustrates me that she doesn’t see it. But I don’t let her see my frustration. I only offer her the support she deserves.

The second is the hold my father has over me. At times I want to live my life the way I want but then he reminds me of the Hindu way and what is expected of me as a man.

3.      Where do you call home?

I was born in Sydney then moved to Adelaide for my father’s work as an orthopaedic surgeon. My family are talking about relocating back to Sydney. If Ava remains in Adelaide so will I, as nothing will tear me away from that girl.

If I make the Australian cricket team, then we’ll find a way to make it work since I’ll be spending many months of the year touring overseas.

4.      What one thing from your childhood has had the biggest effect upon you as an adult?

My grandfather Sanjay Kumble was a famous spin bowler for India. He moved to Australia after meeting the Aussie girl of his dreams. As a young boy he used to teach me all his tricks about cricket, and having the eye of the tiger when bowling to intimidate the batsman. He would take me to the cricket nets on ovals after school, and teach me what to do—and what not to do—little secrets other coaches are unaware of. As it turned out I was more like him than my father, except I became a fast bowler.

Jardine released as part of a new adult anthology, Love Addiction on the 15^th December 2014.

Love Addiction Buy Links: 

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1uAlYW8

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1A49tqk

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1smVsFA

Website: www.leesabow.com

Blurb for Jardine:

At eighteen, Ava is sure she has found her soul mate in Jardine. Convincing their friends and family that what they have is more than just a crush, however, is an entirely different story. Jardine's parents have his life mapped out with plans that don't include Ava. 

Their plans to get into med school and start their future together crumble when cricket sensation Jardine is selected to play for the Australian team and expected to spend most of the year touring internationally. Ava knows since they agreed to follow their dreams, no matter the cost, she has to let Jardine go.

Ava also discovers a new inspiration to move on with her life. But can she keep it a secret from Jardine? If he discovers the truth, everything between them could be destroyed

Thanks for giving us an incite into Jardine's world. This collection looks great.

Southern Speak featuring Lilliana Rose

A Romance with Books

by Lilliana Rose

My romance with books is about to end…

Gasp!

Let me explain.

Moving homes is one of the most stressful things we can do in our lives. And once again I've moved house (I'm hoping that I don't have to do this ever again but of course I probably will). My books have survived three different moves in recent years, some of them now have bent or torn covers (I'm internally crying). I'm one of those book owners who wont even dog ear a page (who would do that?), let alone mark the book with pen or highlighter (off with your head!).

Settling into my new home, I've finally been able to start unpacking boxes upon boxes of books that had been in storage for the last 18 months. It's like getting reacquainted with long lost friends. I'm remembering the worlds that the stories took me too, and revelling in emotions evoked from the journey the books took me on.

What has changed for me during this particular move is that I should have about another 5 or more boxes of books, but I haven't because I've been purchasing ebooks. The main reason I've done this (which I'm reminded as I nearly break my back moving another box of books) is because of the lack of space. My bookcase is over flowing with wonderful words and information that I love to dwell in. But I need room to live in my home as well!

There are also other reasons. My books have collected a lot of dust over the years, and I've got a packet of tissues nearby and have dosed up on anti-histamines (unpacking books can be dangerous to your health). And with the thought of moving again I'm tempted to give my books to the Salvos and let them have a new owner. (I don't want to keep them in storage)

What is wrong with me?!

I can't believe that I would ever think this. I must be sick. Don't worry I haven't departed with my book-friends, but some of them have been marked to go to new homes, which I am saddened by, but times have changed. I already have a lot of 'stuff' to take with my when I move and I just want to lessen the material wealth that I've gathered over my lifetime. I love my books, but the reality is that I'll never read most of them again, because there isn't enough hours left in my life time, plus there are new books to get to know and to have an affair with.

At the same time I'm torn. My heart is broken from this unexpected break up, which is made worse when I look at my bookcase, and the memories flow from the stories it holds, because there are also other memories evoked in me. Presents from sisters, parents, friends. There are my books from childhood (I'm keeping these) and there are books that have helped me when studying or show a journey of whatever theme I was obsessed in researching at a particular time in my life. I'm not sure I want to part with these friends. They are still gems to be held, and I like to glance my eyes over their wonderful features, check out their spines, smell their musky scent – something that I can't be done with ebooks.

However, this is where I find an unexpected advantage of having an ebook. While I can't view them on a bookshelf as I wander past cleaning the floor, or looking for one that I haven't read (so many of these!) by simply standing and staring at the shelf because ebooks are tucked away. But what's become a necessity for me is that ebooks only take up electronic space, at which I have so much more of compared to the physical space. Plus they don't take up heaps of box space, or near break my back when moving, or give me hay fever.

With sales of ebooks slowing, and print sales holding their own in the market, I've stepped across the line, gone past the point of no return, and electronic books are my preferred option when buying a book.

I will still have romances with books, it's just to a slightly different tune; the one of cyber space.

What have you done with your loved books? Have you kept them? Will you always keep them?

Fantastic article Lilliana. My bookshelves are overflowing too.
Now you can learn more about Lilliana's book. Love the cover
Change of Heart
by Lilliana Rose

click here to buy at Rogue Phoenix Press

click here to buy at Amazon

click here to buy at Barnes and Noble

Blurb
Vickie wants spice in her life, but her husband George is more interested in his work as a doctor. As a Victorian lady she is struggling to find her place in the world. An outbreak of a mysterious illness threatens the ordered world of Vickie and George. George becomes ill, and Vickie is left to care for him, keep him safe, as well as trying to work out the cause of the mysterious illness. Vickie must take charge in her world in order to survive.

Author Bio 
Lilliana is a creative writer and poet. She enjoys pulling levers and turning cogs in steampunks worlds and dreams of travelling around the world in an airship wearing funky modern Victorian clothing. With over 40 poems published her poetry and stories are spreading wings, extending out to various magazines and journals around the world. ‘Change of Heart’ is her latest publication in the steampunk

Southern Speak ~ Finding the Author 'you'

As part of my graphic design business run by my alter-ego, HelzKat Designs, I ask writers to think about the look of a banner or website/blog that I create on their behalf.

I get them to think about their author brand. To think about what public face and image they will have as an author. This is not the personal you. It's the professional you related to your writing.

Branding helps you and the reader know where you fit in. Humans love to categorise things. And because there are different ways to brand yourself, an author can find a way to market themselves that suits them.



Genre as your brand

For example, the author me writes mostly fantasy and paranormal stories, with the tagline, Doorway into Fantasy and Paranormal Fiction. I use a fairy as the avatar on my website banner and blog, and even on my business cards. I love the fairy as it indicates the fantastical, it can be bright and dark at the same time, which reflects my writing.

I've changed the look of my banner a few times over the years.

But early last year, I realised that I use the fairy for identiy on my business card and that I should change my banner it to reflect this.

My client and fellow SARA member, Maggie Mundy writes Dark Speculative Fiction and so the banner I created reflects this.

But how about if you are a writer that has many different genres?

That's okay, too. You don't have to be genre specific with regards to brand, though many authors like to keep their different genres seperate by different names.

For example, Nora Roberts writes her romances as Nora Roberts, but her futuristic crime series as J.D. Robb.

Jayne Ann Krentz writes as as Jayne Anne Krentz for romantic suspenses, Amanda Quick for historical romances, and Jayne Castle for her paranomal romances.

You know what type of stories you will get when you pick a book by the author name. This is reader expectation.


But as you can see with the J.D. Robb cover, Nora's name is mentioned - this is marketing and in the hopes of getting readers to pick up the book.



My client, Tracey O'Hara writes Dark Urban Fantasy but wrote erotic romance as Tracie Sommers. She's since changed this to have all her writing under one name - Tracey O'Hara - which is becoming more common. With the book cover to the right, I created the look of the short story that went with the rest of her Dark Brethren series.


Another client, Dakota Harrison writes both contemporary romance and fantasy/sci-fi. I created two banners for her to distinguish the two styles.

Your writing 'voice'
This can indicate your brand as well.

For example, Meg Cabot, writes adult, YA, and MG books. But it's her writing voice that makes it Meg Cabot. It's a fun, quirky style with bits of seriousness thrown in.



Cecilia Ahern writes quirky stories usually with romances and magical elements. Therefore the style of her website is generic but her books have an illustrated approach. The stories are set in this world but not quite of this world but in no means are what is called paranormal romance - that has a different connotation.

 





My client and fellow SARA Claire Baxter, writes fun, sweet, entertaining romance.  This is indicated with both her romances with publishers such as Random Romance and Entangled Publishing, but also with her self-published work such as More Than Just One Night.





You can go by theme

For example, Nikki Logan writes sweet romances, sexy romances, and romantic suspense under her A Romance with Nature tag. Her work involves nature in some way.

The name as the brand

Tara Moss writes both crime fiction and young adult paranormal stories. Her brand is her name - Tara Moss. This has seen her through her careers as a model, journalist, and TV presenter and most people relate to her.



Client and SARA member Virginia Taylor writes both historical romance and contemporary romance (with mainly a romantic comedy slant). Her  brand is her as is reflected in this design.

Rebranding

Fiona McIntosh (who will be a special guest at the upcoming A Fair to Remember) is now focusing her fiction on historical romantic adventures alongside her fantasy stories which she built her career on.




So have you thought about your branding?

Southern Speak - Ergonomics is not a dirty word

I am currently typing very slowly with just my right hand. That's because my left wrist is currently bandaged up after my Carpel Tunnel Release Surgery.

Many years ago when I first finished Business College and started working full time as a legal secretary, I didn't give ergonomics much credence. Within two years I was in trouble. I'd need three weeks off each year to recoup my wrists. But still I didn't clue in to the fact it was my dodgy desk set up that was the issue!

Being all of about 20 years of age, the concept of going on WorkCover (workers compensation) scared the daylights out of me. So I learned to live with it. Moving to different work places I soon discovered the benefits in having a good work station set up correctly.

At home now I have an adjustable keyboard shelf on my desk and use an ergonomic keyboard and mouse. Normally that's enough. But about eight months ago, I got caught out. On holidays with just my laptop I continued to write on the tiny keyboard with it sitting on my lap (in my defense, I had editing deadlines!).

I tried to ignore it. Thinking it would go away... but it didn't. Finally (I'll never deny I'm stubborn) I went to the doctor and headed off to surgery. My right wrist is also playing up, but no where near as much as the left. But in two years (Doc tells me that's how long I have to wait) if it's still playing up I'll be back to get it fixed. 

Just one more week till the bandage comes off and the stitches come out... I. Can't. Wait!!
My muse has been very busy, I've got a whole new story that needs writing!!!

Anyhow... back on track! If you want to write books, you're going to be hammering out thousands of words a day (hopefully) so you need to do it right to prevent injury. Use this diagram to help you get things straight:

http://www.stkildaroadchiropractic.com.au/images/posture.jpg

Happy Writing!
xo
Khloe Wren

Southern Speak - The Dreaded 'S' Word: Synopsis

At our SARA meeting last night we had the Selling Synopsis finalist, Maggie Mundy, present a session on preparing a synopsis.

What is a synopsis I hear you ask? Well, a synopsis is your big wonderful novel in just a few pages! Publishers normally want a synopsis when you submit your book so they can get a brief overview of your story quickly before they decide to invest the time needed to read the whole thing. So, you see, it is quite vital to get this skill right.

Maggie did a wonderful job of explaining how she formulates her synopses and was kind enough to put together a work sheet, and because she's a gem, she's letting me share it with you all here!

The idea with this worksheet is, you answer each question with a line or two. Then when you're finished, you turn each answer into a paragraph and join them all together. This should give you a synopsis of about 750 words which is the industry standard (but always make sure you check with a publisher before you submit).

Let's get into the questions shall we? I'll put a couple examples in brackets after each point.

1. Set the scene. Include here your genre (Paranormal, fantasy, rural, historical), the setting (Melbourne, New York, London), the length of your story (your word count) and the main characters (your leading lady and her hero).
2. Who is your heroine and what does she want? This is referring to her at the beginning of your story. (She's a simple country girl who wants to find a rich husband and to live happily ever after; she's grown up totally sheltered and now she's grown wants to explore the big wide world.)
3. Who is your hero and what does he want? Same as above, this is him at the start of the book. (He's a happy go lucky doctor who's been feeling lonely lately but isn't sure what to do about it; he's a career military man who likes his life as it is and does not want a woman, well, he doesn't think he wants one.)
4. What brings them together? You know? The big twist of fate that slams your hero and heroine together for the first time. (She falls twisting her ankle and a gorgeous single doctor stops to help her; her plane crashes and a big muscular alpha male comes to her rescue...)
5. (Now for the good stuff!) The first problem. Cause of conflict. Oh how I love conflict! This is where the couple get torn apart, it can be internal (she has doubts and runs scared back to the family farm) or external (the bad guy kidnaps the poor damsel in distress).
6. Initial solution to problem. Aww, the make up part! (He runs after her to the farm and proposes and vow's he'll love and take care of her forever; he storms in and frees her from the kidnapper.)
7. What happens to spoil initial success. Love is never so simple to be fixed with one little solution now is it? (She still doubts him and refuses to accept his marriage proposal; the kidnapper is not caught and comes after them again.)
8. Where does the new problem lead? This is where you characters (hopefully) get some personal growth happening. (He keeps showing her how he's in it for the long haul, no matter how many times he has to do it;  living on the run from a madman makes falling in love a little tricky.)
9. Dark moment(s). I write mainly suspense filled paranormal romance, I love my dark moments and often have more than one. Again these can be internal (they're caught up in their mind, can be depression or just a major decision) or externally based (somebody has a gun to their head).
10. Happy ever after. The part where they both get their act together and realize they love each other :D (Do I really need to give you examples here?!)

I ran through this checklist in the session with my current WIP and it helped me push past a block I've had for a while. I've actually now got the rest of the book planned out! Considering I'm a pantser through and through... that's saying something!

So, I'll finish up with a massive thank you to Maggie for the great session she ran and to recommend any budding or published authors in South Australia to join us for a meeting. The third Wednesday of each month we meet at the SA Writers Centre and discuss all sorts of useful stuff!

I hope to see you there!

xo

Khloe Wren