Books on Display

by Jeanette O'Hagan

image in header courtesy of Apolonia at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Readers and writers are in some ways like dance partners - we need each other, we need some way to connect, though our aims may be different.

As readers we wish to discover and follow great authors who write great books. We want to be entertained, taken on an emotional journey, inspired, transported into another world (whether the this world is contemporary, historical, futuristic or imaginative.) As readers we are spoiled for choose - over two million new books are published each year.  More than anyone could read in a lifetime. Of course, not all of those are in English, not all of those are in the genres we love or on the topics that interest us, and many of those are perhaps not the best quality. As readers how do we find the books and authors we would enjoy amid the ocean of books?

As authors, we spend maybe years on writing and polishing our books, immersed in our words, living with our characters. In many ways, they are like our children. Writing (when it's not torture) can be exhilarating, thrilling, addictive. But who hides their children in the basement? Most of us want to the world to read our stories, we want to connect with new readers who will enjoy our books, who can't wait for the next one. But it's hard to do that in a world swamped with new titles each year, especially as publishers spend less time marketing new authors.

So how do we find dance partners?  Of course, there are a number of ways - launches, browsing, book-signings, catalogues, book clubs, newsletters, reviews, giveaways, author talks, social media, word of mouth ...  All legitimate ways for readers to find new books or authors to connect with new readers.

And then there are book events - markets, cons and book fairs.

Markets 

I know some authors have stalls at local markets to sell their books and connect with their readers. How successful these are often depends on the day, the weather, the type of market it is (if most of the other stallholders sell fresh food, books may not be what patrons are looking for), and perhaps, building a presence over time.

I've had table at our church's Twilight Markets and sold a few books - more this year than last.

Things to consider might be the cost of stall hire, props (are tables supplied, table clothes, posters or banners etc), promotional materials, insurance, change & eftpos facilities, and a way to carry the books. While there are ways to sell ebooks at physical events, it works best if you have print books for sale.

As a reader, this would be hit and miss, unless you know for sure a local author - or group of authors - regularly come to a market.

Conventions

Conventions may provide a more focused audience, but may have higher costs.

Last year Adele Jones, Lynne Stringer and I shared costs at the Brisbane Oz Comic Con over a two day period.  This is a convention dedicated to fans of all kinds of speculative fiction (we are science fiction and/or fantasy writers) and we had a very willing audience. We must have spoken to hundreds of people who were interested in what we wrote and in our books. And while we didn't sell hundreds of books, sales were healthy. We also had fabulous fun enjoying the vibe and seeing the fantastic cosplay and speaking to people interested in speculative fiction. We had discovered our tribe.

Last year I was also invited to speak at Conquest - a speculative fiction fan group - and was given table space to display my books. It was a fun afternoon, though I found most people were interested in telling me about their passions than buying books.

For readers and fans, these can be fantastic events with opportunities to meet authors (or actors) you follow and to maybe discover a new fandoms (Nardva anyone? Or Verindon? Or Blain Colton? You know you want to - smile).

Book Fairs

Books Fairs allow a number of authors to display their works and hopefully attract keen readers looking for the latest book from their favourite author, but also to look at new titles and authors in their favourite genre.

The Readers and Writers Dowunder run a book fair at the Gold Coast each year, though (at least the year I went) the vast majority are romance and generally romance with bare-chested men on the covers.

Omega Writers ran a Book Fair in 2016 (organised by Raelene Purtill and myself) - with a range of authors, workshops, readings, prizes.  It was so successful that Omega Writers is running the Book Fair again this year on Saturday 10 March at the same venue (Queens Road, Everton Park). Judy Rogers and I are the main organisers this time round.

We are excited to have Gary Clark - the award-winning Australian cartoonist, and creator of Swamp, Diesel Dog and Dingbat comics - to give a one hour workshop on Inspiring Humour.

This is also an opportunity for Christian authors to display and sell their books and connect with readers. And an opportunity for readers to connect with a wide range of Christian authors - from non-fiction to fiction, from romance to science fiction, from children's to adults' books.

Entrance for readers is by gold coin donation, while registration for display tables and the workshop will available next week. To find out more, watch the Omega Website - or join the FB event page here.  If you are in our near Brisbane in March this year, we urge you to come check it out -  you'll enjoy it.

So, what is your experience of markets, conventions and fairs. Any tips, either as a reader or a writer, about how to get the best out of these events?



***

Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children. Find her on Facebook , Twitter, or at her webpages Jeanette O'Hagan Writes or Jenny's Thread.

ACRBA Tour Activate by Adele Jones

3 - 7 April 2017

Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance

is Introducing 

Activate

(By the Rhiza Press, 1 November 2016)

By Adele Jones

About the Book:

Josh Hammond’s not who he says he is. To stay alive, he must guard his identity, existing isolated from his former life and those he loves. The one enemy he can’t outrun is his failing health, and time is short. Desperate for a solution, Josh leaves the protection of his safe house unapproved. Instead of a cure, he’s left powerless against a cunning adversary. Determined to reclaim his life, he grasps an opportunity for escape, but things go drastically wrong. Can he find a way to expose the lies of a criminal mastermind, or will he be silenced? Forever.

About the Author:

Adele Jones lives in Queensland, Australia. Her writing is inspired by a passion for family, faith, friends, music and science – and her broad ranging imagination.

A strong believer in embracing life's journey, Adele delights in sharing that adventure with others, be that through the pages of a story or engaging in a social or professional context. Through her broad personal and professional interests, she has welcomed diverse engagement opportunities, including science based student experience sessions, conference presentations, literary readings and musical exploits.

With a long standing interest in historical fiction, Adele based her Master's dissertation on this topic and is currently anticipating release of her first novel in this genre, A Devil's Ransom (www.roseandcrownbooks.com). She has also had a variety of poems, short stories, inspirational meditations, devotions and magazine articles published. Her first YA novel Integrate was awarded the 2013 Caleb Prize for unpublished manuscript, and is due to for release in September 2014. Replicate is the second book in this series and was released in October 2015.   

More information:
Adele Jones: www.adelejonesauthor.com

An in-store experience - Jo-Anne Berthelsen

I enter the bookstore and find a table already placed in a strategic position for me. On it are copies of my memoir Soul Friend and my sixth novel The Inheritance, along with one of several posters around the store advertising my visit. I notice the comfortable chair behind the table and am thankful—this is my fifteenth in-store book signing and I know they can be tiring.

I get out a bundle of bookmarks supplied by my publisher and try to set them out in an attractive way, along with my own business cards and a copy of each of my five earlier novels. There are none of these in stock now, but I like to have them there to show anyone interested.

The young manager comes to ensure I have everything I need and offers me some coffee, but I am too eager to move around meeting people and hand out bookmarks. At first, it is slow going—there seem fewer customers than usual. Every half hour, a staff member announces my presence over the PA system and I am grateful. But I also laugh when I hear him call my latest novel a ‘Koorong classic’!

Eventually, a lady I spoke to earlier approaches me.

‘Would you please sign both your books? We’re going away on a long trip and I’m trying to find some good books to take with me.’

Feeling relieved, I tell her she is my first customer. But I also remind myself it’s not only about promoting my books. I have prayed for some ‘God conversations’ in that bookstore and am looking forward to seeing what shape these take.

I soon find out. I meet an African pastor and chat about his home country. I give him my card and he gives me his, telling me he would love me to speak to the women at his church. Not long after, a lady comes by with her teenage daughter. As I explain how I began writing in my fifties and how I believe God can weave all our life experiences together to accomplish the next thing we are called to do, her eyes fill with tears.

‘That’s just what I needed to hear today,’ she whispers.

She buys both my books and asks me to write her daughter’s name, Lily, in one. I pray for Lily as I do –both seem so open and vulnerable.

The hours pass. I meet a teacher who remembers hearing me speak at his school and encourage him. I relate to someone from our own church who seems so lost and sad, giving her a hug in the middle of the store. I talk up a friend’s book I see someone thinking of buying (Integrate by Adele Jones). I manage to sell a few more of my own. As my day draws to an end, I am grateful for those sales, but even more grateful for those God moments along the way. I have done my best to be sensitive in all my conversations and actions—the results are in God’s hands.

Yes, I know in-store book signings can be discouraging at times, but I still believe they are well worth the effort. What about you? How do you feel about such events, either as an author or a customer?

Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne is passionate about touching hearts and lives through both the written and spoken word. She is the author of six published novels and one non-fiction work, Soul Friend: the story of a shared spiritual journey. Jo-Anne is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and four grandchildren. For more information, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.

Your Ergonomic Writes for Headache-free Adventures

Figure One

In our last blog post, we mentioned the dreaded ‘computer neck’ (see Figure One). Looks awkward, right?

Computer neck is not only awkward, it’s damaging. Each time you hold or move your head outside of an upright position, you put force moments of up to three times (!) the weight of your head through your neck joints (1). And our heads are heavy little melons!

Usually we hold our heads in end-of-range positions for short periods of time – to look down, to reach up. Screen time invariably becomes lengthy, so if your head is positioned poorly, you will strain your neck. Once you get to the point of chronic pain, you’ve already experienced significant changes towards serious injury.

You’ve probably got the idea by now that prolonged sitting (i.e. more than four hours per day) contributes to an array of health issues: tight soft tissues, pressure and strain on joints and spinal discs, reduced cardiovascular fitness, poor circulation, and pain. Often we spend hours each day tapping away on various electronic devices. The secret to prevention: add in activity – and make sure your desk set-up is sound. (Can you guess what’s next?)

Figure Two

Consider Figure Two. This depicts good ergonomic set-up (2). An ideal chair should have fully adjustable lumbar support (forward/back, up/down), backrest and seat tilt, removable (or even better, no) armrests, adjustable seat height, and when you sit with your bottom fully into the chair (don’t perch), the length of the seat should end a couple of centimetres behind your knees.

Adjust your chair first. Once your back is supported and your shoulders and head in a neutral position (think: ‘My head is like a puppet on a string’), adjust the seat height so your hands rest comfortably over the keyboard with your elbows bent to the angle shown.

You shouldn’t be reaching for your mouse or keyboard (your chair should enable you to sit close enough for this – another place where armrests can be problematic), and your elbows should be near to your body, not propped out (including on arm rests!) like wings. Ensure your feet aren’t dangling. Use a stable footrest, if required.

Next, adjust the monitor height so you’re looking at the top of the screen (use a text book or two?), and then treat yourself to a pair of glasses that focus on the screen. (Blink, blink.) Measure the distance to the screen (arm’s length) and give this to the optometrist to make them specific for computing use.

Don’t forget this all applies to laptops as well. (A remote keyboard and mouse are recommended!) Also, good posture isn’t limited to computer work. Jutting out your chin will often cause headaches. Think about your posture when driving, and apply these same ergonomic principles.

Once you’ve got your set-up sorted, remember to take your breaks and keep active. This doesn’t mean you should jump straight from the office chair into vigorous activity. Muscles fatigue when holding sustained postures, even when sitting. Always warm up beforehand and stretch afterwards. Remember, only exercise within the pain-free range (can you hear all the PTs out there groaning?), and if pain persists or is present at night, see your doctor or physiotherapist.

Happy – and painless (physically, at least) – writing!

References:

(1) Oatis, C 2009, Kinesiology: The Mechanics & Pathomechanics of Human Movement, 2^nd Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore.

(2) myDr.com.au  2014, Office ergonomics: Workstation comfort and safety,  http://www.mydr.com.au/pain/office-ergonomics-workstation-comfort-and-safety

About the Authors

Pamela Heemskerk has worked as a physiotherapist for over 25 years and has seen firsthand the impact of relatively recent, recognised pain syndromes associated with prolonged use of technology – occurring even in young people. She has undertaken further training in the field of education and is also passionate about educating the community in the effects of hearing loss. She is a keen artist, working primarily with watercolours, and has had numerous short works published.






Adele Jones is the wife of a rehabilitated repetitive strain casualty and has been active in organisational work health and safety roles. Having witnessed the consequences of ergonomic neglect, she is an advocate of sound ergonomic practices. She writes a variety of short works, YA novels (http://rhizapress.com.au/integrate) and historical fiction (http://www.roseandcrownbooks.com). Her writing is inspired by a passion for family, faith, friends, music and science – and her broad ranging imagination. To find out more visit www.adelejonesauthor.com.

The 'Eyes' Have It

By Adele Jones and Pamela Heemskerk

As mentioned in our earlier blog posts, strain injuries that develop over many years don’t go away in a hurry. Recent injuries generally respond quickly to treatment, whereas long-term injuries require extended treatment as underlying muscle changes need to be addressed. So prevention is paramount!!

Great – but how do we do that?

If you caught the post-blog chatter last time, you’d have seen a wise suggestion of timing your breaks. Brilliant. Every half-hour you need to get up from your desk, get moving and (here’s the trick) STRETCH out your muscles! Below are some basic stretches to get you started, but if you’re experiencing pain or persistent discomfort (especially at night), ensure you see a health professional for proper assessment and tailored treatment.

Start these stretches gently and hold for a few seconds each time (click on links for more ‘how to’ information). As you limber up, you can deepen the stretch (no pain) and hold it for a little longer.

Cerrvical Spine (neck)

• Chin tucks (Stretches the muscles between your neck and skull – and no, it won’t give you a double chin! But don’t do this if you have a headache.)
• Rotation in sitting
• Side bend in sitting

Thoracic spine (upper back)

• Shoulder blade squeezes, shrugs and circles (helps prevent shoulder hunch)
• Rotation in sitting
• Side bend in sitting
• Flexion in sitting

Latissimus dorsi stretch (ahhhhhh...)

Pectoral stretch

(All these exercises and more can be found at Physioadvisor.com.)

Not only are stretches important, they also make you feel so good! But just a moment, is there something small we’re overlooking?

(Blink. Blink.)

Every day we blink thousands of times. Tears both moisturise and disinfect our eyes. Blinking ‘washes’ our eyes preventing soreness and infections. Eyes focussed on screens blink much less frequently – as little as once every 30 seconds instead of every 4-6 seconds. (Know that glazed red-eyed stare? Watch someone at a computer and see.) Fortunately prevention is simple – blink, blink!

Our eyes need movement, too. The six little muscles around each eye tire if they work in one position, just as any other muscle does. It’s important to look at objects both nearby and distant to change focal length, as well as looking around to move the eyeball in the socket. (Blink, blink. Eye roll or two?)

Speaking of eyes, do you use glasses to type? Are they old ‘readers’ an optometrist suggested you now use at the computer or multi-focals that just don’t quite focus on the screen? Are you tipping your head back or forward to see properly? Congratulations – you are on the way to getting ‘computer neck’! But that’s a whole other discussion ...

So check in next week for our final post on pains in the neck (... arm ... back ...) where we’ll explore excellent ergonomics, including preventing the dreaded ‘computer neck’. And remember when it comes to writing, no pain – is great!

About the Authors

Pamela Heemskerk has worked as a physiotherapist for over 25 years and has seen firsthand the impact of relatively recent, recognised pain syndromes associated with prolonged use of technology – occurring even in young people. She has undertaken further training in the field of education and is also passionate about educating the community in the effects of hearing loss. She is a keen artist, working primarily with watercolours, and has had numerous short works published.





Adele Jones is the wife of a rehabilitated repetitive strain casualty and has been active in organisational work health and safety roles. Having witnessed the consequences of ergonomic neglect, she is an advocate of sound ergonomic practices. She writes a variety of short works, YA novels (http://rhizapress.com.au/integrate) and historical fiction (http://www.roseandcrownbooks.com). Her writing is inspired by a passion for family, faith, friends, music and science – and her broad ranging imagination. To find out more visit www.adelejonesauthor.com.

I NEED to move it, move it!

Last session, we mentioned our bodies need movement— lots of it. How can we incorporate this into our lives?

Think back to the bad old days where elderly or sick people were left in bed all day long. They become very stiff and their joints became deformed from lack of movement. This is extreme, but simply moving around each day prevents this.

Every time we change position, not only do joints move, but the soft tissues around them – nerves, blood vessels, tendons, joint capsule, fascia and skin. When we move a joint through its full range, we move these surrounding tissues through this range too. Of course, some structures need more stretching than everyday movement to maintain a good length, like hamstring muscles.

Active people and children maintain good range of movement because they use a variety of positions and change position frequently. Think about how children ‘sit’: cross-legged, then lie on their tummies, then fidget, then roll over, then sprawl etc. We use fewer positions as adults – often dictated by our work, public appearance (could you sprawl on the floor at meetings?!) and lifestyle, and we stiffen up as a result. Mostly, we sit.

Technology enforces sitting in ‘fixed’ upper-body positions to maintain good posture (think about static head, shoulders and arm positions).

Compare this to writing (yes, actual writing!) at a desk, which allows far more movement than any desk-based e-gadget.

We need to take a few lessons from the constant activity of restless people.

So, how can we add movement? Here are some ideas to get us started:

• Move every 30 minutes. Every 30 minutes. Plan a task – wipe the kitchen benches, make a cuppa, check the mail box etc. Cleaning – rub and scrub to get the arm joints moving.
• Move into postures that are the opposite of sitting at a computer: stretch your shoulders, back and legs by dusting the tops of the doorways, hanging out the washing, pruning some high shrubs, play tennis. Do some low activities (kneel, squat) to bend your knees.
• Put the printer at the far end of the house and dance/lunge/skip up the hall.
• Write a draft using pen and paper (remember them?) and transfer to computer later.
• Proof read using a paper copy – lie down, walk around, sit in an arm chair with a headrest.
• Exercise 5 days each week – particularly activities that move your joints through a range: stretches, swimming, aerobics, Pilates, Boxercise, Swiss ball exercises etc (click here for more ideas). The important thing is to be moving through a wide range of movements and taking joints and muscles to their end range (without pain).
• Free arm weights have been shown to have a significant effect on reducing low back pain.

Don’t go straight into heavy activity without warming up.

As a writer, adding movement into our day is one of the most important decisions we’ll ever make to help prevent injury. So keep active and join us for our next blog where we’ll explore more ways to keep pains from restricting our writing gains!

About the Authors

Pamela Heemskerk has worked as a physiotherapist for over 25 years and has seen firsthand the impact of relatively recent, recognised pain syndromes associated with prolonged use of technology – occurring even in young people. She has undertaken further training in the field of education and is also passionate about educating the community in the effects of hearing loss. She is a keen artist, working primarily with watercolours, and has had numerous short works published.






Adele Jones is the wife of a rehabilitated repetitive strain casualty and has been active in organisational work health and safety roles. Having witnessed the consequences of ergonomic neglect, she is an advocate of sound ergonomic practices. She writes a variety of short works, YA novels (http://rhizapress.com.au/integrate) and historical fiction (http://www.roseandcrownbooks.com). Her writing is inspired by a passion for family, faith, friends, music and science – and her broad ranging imagination. To find out more visit www.adelejonesauthor.com.

Pre-POSTURE-ous Perils of Ineffective Ergonomics – Part 1

"What do you mean, you can’t sit at a computer for more than five minutes before you’re in excruciating pain?"

Imagine enforced restriction of technology usage – and if you persist, being in such pain you can scarcely function. As writers, this is the stuff of nightmares!

For our family this nightmare became a reality seemingly overnight, when my husband fell victim to a repetitive strain injury. Of course, initially we didn’t understand his intense neck, back, shoulder, arm and hand pain was caused by a strain injury. Eventually we came to understand that this was also not an overnight occurrence, rather the consequence of long-term, inadequate ergonomic management.

Rehabilitation was slow, painful and frustrating (a right pain in the neck, really ...), but over those years (yes, years) we learned many lessons, including:

a) People generally have little idea of the severity of chronic ergonomic-related strain injuries
b) Symptoms attached to muscle and joint strain caused by poor ergonomics are many and varied
c) These diverse symptoms can be mistaken for more serious medical conditions and the wrong treatment instigated
d) These types of strains are highly preventable

This might come as a shock, but we’re NOT intended to sit all day!!! This of course gets tricky in a world where most endeavours revolve around some form of technology. Let’s face it, our lives are becoming increasingly sedentary. A static lifestyle enables joints to stiffen and soft tissues to shorten and tighten, which can lead to inflammation and pain cycles (ouch!). To maintain flexibility of soft tissue and joints our bodies need to move. A lot!

Physiotherapists have seen firsthand the impact of recognised pain syndromes associated with prolonged technology use. Little twinges can swiftly escalate into persistent aches, and these can include:
• muscle and joint pain
• headaches
• chest, neck, back, arm and shoulder pain
• nausea
• numbness, weakness and tingling in hands, wrists
• burning and tingling in feet, hips, legs and gluteals
• fatigue
• bruising of muscles
• swelling, inflamed and stiff joints
• intense nerve pain

To keep strains and pains at bay, prevention is paramount. Don’t ignore early pain indicators – they won’t go away!

In the writing industry we spend hours sitting at a computer or using other electronic devices. This puts us in a high risk category. For this reason we must be informed about ‘writing risks’ and adopt preventative measures, including appropriate health regimes. Over the next few weeks we’re going to explore keys to minimising the risk of ergonomic related strains and pains. Make sure you join us for these practical and informative tips for keeping ‘write on track’.

About the Authors

Pamela Heemskerk has worked as a physiotherapist for over 25 years and has seen firsthand the impact of relatively recent, recognised pain syndromes associated with prolonged use of technology – occurring even in young people. She has undertaken further training in the field of education and is also passionate about educating the community in the effects of hearing loss. She is a keen artist, working primarily with watercolours, and has had numerous short works published.

Adele Jones is the wife of a rehabilitated repetitive strain casualty and has been active in organisational work health and safety roles. Having witnessed the consequences of ergonomic neglect, she is an advocate of sound ergonomic practices. She writes a variety of short works, YA novels (http://rhizapress.com.au/integrate) and historical fiction (http://www.roseandcrownbooks.com). Her writing is inspired by a passion for family, faith, friends, music and science – and her broad ranging imagination. To find out more visit www.adelejonesauthor.com

Author Interview: Adele Jones

Today I'd like to welcome Australian author Adele Jones. She's just released her debut novel, Integrate (which was reviewed in August by Anne Hamilton), and will also be releasing another novel later this month. Read on to find out why!

It is said that authors should write the kind of book they like to read. What is your favourite genre? Who are your favourite authors?

I like well-paced books with substance, such as strong social justice themes or overcoming great personal challenges – and also historical mystery with elements of romance. Compatible themes are often found in faction or non-fiction works, such as ‘A Friend like Henry’ by Nuala Gardner, and Ian Rayner’s story in ‘The Biggest Issue?’, but can be done well in fictional works, for example Francine Rivers ‘Redeeming Love’. I probably don’t have a favourite author as an adult reader, given part of the delight of reading is exploring each author’s unique style – and there are some great writers out there. That said, I’d really like to read more of Matthew Pearl’s work. From what I’ve seen he has a great storytelling skill.

What was the last book you read? Would you recommend it? Why/why not?

The most recent book I read was ‘Imogen’s Chance’ by Paula Vince. I really enjoyed this well crafted story, but I must say it took me by surprise. I swiftly summed up the story arc, assuming I knew where it was headed – lines being drawn between traditional Christian views of family versus younger sibling whose rejection of faith was about to be confronted by the reappearance of a old friend with some deep secrets. But in no time my expectations were flipped out of the pan as numerous layers began to emerge within the story, enabling exploration of deeper themes through the personal faith journeys of the main protagonists. It was different, in a good way.

What made you choose to write for the Christian market?

I think it would be unnatural for my writing to not project a Christian worldview, in that my faith informs every part of my life. That said, Integrate is a book accessible across the market, but perhaps contrasts many popular YA titles by projecting an ultimately hopeful perspective.

What do you see as the main differences between fiction written for the Christian market compared with the general market?

I’d like to believe books from the Christian market are positive reads that connect with readers on a deeper level than most, offering hope even in the face of insurmountable circumstances. That said, a friend and I recently discussed the increasing number of general market novels incorporating faith elements, which is great to see. I think to dissect people from their beliefs (whatever those may be) is like cutting off a part of them – it isn’t normal or healthy.

Do your novels have an overt faith element?

Yes and no. It depends on the novel. ‘Integrate’ not so much. The faith element is really Blaine’s search for his own identity after a lifetime of having others choose for him. The plot of ‘A Devil’s Ransom’ is intricately hinged to the faith journey of Captain MacKinnon, so yes.

Is writing for the Christian market harder or easier than writing for the general market? Why?

That’s an interesting question. I suppose it depends on what elements are required for a book to fit into a given genre. I’ve written non-faith based works and at times found it restrictive in that if any spiritual element is alluded to, it has to be attributed to ... well ... what? It is easy to slip into the category of fantasy, which is fine and can be fun to write, but when writing from a faith-based perspective, you can write out of experience and personal conviction.

What is the hardest part of getting a book written, edited and published?

That depends if we’re talking about the fifteen years between drafting ‘A Devil’s Ransom’ and seeing it in print or the eighteen months from the in-a-month draft to print for Integrate! LOL! (They are such opposites!) Okay, I’m going to go with self-doubt. For myself, I know I always have more to learn as a writer. I stress over getting things right and berate myself when I miss stuff. There are also many gifted authors out there, which sometimes makes me look at my work and wonder if I’ll ever write so exquisitely. But I think there’s a point along the line where you’ve got to determine if the story that keeps running through your head is something you need to write and persist in seeing through to publication. Then don’t give up.

What advice do you have for someone seeking to write and publish a novel?

Well, there’s the ‘don’t give up’ bit, but I REALLY believe in writers developing their craft. Constantly. Invest in it. Make connections with other writers. Get critiques and professional editing. I learned a huge lesson on that front some years ago. Hang, I’d written for a national magazine. I’d even written a few novel manuscripts. I could write. (So I thought.) Then I started a Master of Letters... That degree demonstrated I’d only just begun to learn what I needed for my writing journey. I still overlook things and make mistakes, even when I know better. (Sometimes attributed to ‘writer’s blindness’ – an inability to see errors in your work until it’s in print ... blah!) The writing road is long. Don’t rush along so fast you miss the lessons that mark the way.

Thanks so much for having me as your guest today, Iola. It’s been fun exploring my writing projects with you. If any reader would like to find out more about me and my work, they can visit my website at www.adelejonesauthor.com.

For purchasing details and general information about my novels, more information can be found on the publishers’ websites: http://rhizapress.com.au (Integrate) and www.roseandcrownbooks.com (A Devil’s Ransom).

Book Review: Integrate by Adele Jones

Reviewed by Anne Hamilton

Publisher’s Blurb:
Trust the science - unless your life depends on it.

Blaine Colton had been handed a genetic death sentence until revolutionary gene therapy changed his life. Living a relatively normal existence, he is called to an unscheduled post-treatment appointment just weeks before his eighteenth birthday.

Informed that his lifesaving procedure was never approved, he is held against his will for his status as an apparent illegal GMO. Subjected to constant testing, refused contact with his parents and deprived of life sustaining medication, Blaine begins to suspect that something is wrong. Wanting answers, he escapes the Institute and ambitious Chief Scientist, Dr Melissa Hartfield.

Now a fugitive with a failing body, Blaine must find Professor Ramer, the developer of his therapy. But the Professor has vanished and time is running out. Fast.

I loved this story from the first paragraph. I originally saw it as an entry in the CALEB Unpublished Manuscript competition in 2013. It stood out even in a very strong competitive field. My only misgiving was that it was set in Brisbane, my hometown, and I could picture Blaine’s every move as he tried to evade his captors. I wondered how much my enjoyment was affected by my ability to visualise the actual locations in brilliant bougainvillea Technicolor. Off it went to judges overseas and interstate who enjoyed it just as much as I did.

This is a fast-paced YA techno-thriller. Blaine’s miracle cure has already occurred before the book opens. For years, he was a drooling, disabled human vegetable whose adoptive parents have sacrificed their lives in the hope he could be cured. Their faith has been rewarded and now Blaine is a regular teenager who can walk and talk and look the girl he’s crazy about in the eye instead of the kneecap.

But his right-side-up life is about to hit a huge bump in the road. It tumbles into upside-down freefall: no one has counted on the ruthless ambition of several medical researchers.

Blaine’s regular check-up has turned into a nightmare when he is held against his will as an illegal GMO: genetically-modified organism. Chief scientist Melissa Hartfield is desperate to discover how her erstwhile mentor, Professor Ramer, brought about this radical cure. Ramer has left with no forwarding address and she’ll stop at nothing to find out the secret of his work.

She’s barred Blaine from his parents and them from him. And she’s made him think he’s carrying a potentially deadly contagion and them think he’s become violent and subject to murderous rage.

Can Blaine escape? He’s got one secret: a tiny supply of pills called Ramer’s Cure and, if he can eke them out while making Hartfield believe he is debilitated and stupid, he might stand a chance of getting out of the high security cage where he’s incarcerated.

A wonderful story about hope, love, miracles and God’s quiet oversight of every sparrow’s fall. It takes place in Brisbane and some other location. I could tell you where, as I could also tell you more about the story. But I won’t. As Professor Ramer says, if I did—then I’d have to kill you.

Trade Paperback
Release: 1st September 2014
ISBN: 9781925139099
Price: $16.99

Ebook
Release: 1st September 2014
Kindle ISBN: 9781925139105
ePub ISBN: 9781925139112

Anne Hamilton is an editor and author. In fact she did an initial edit on Integrate as part of the prize for the CALEB Unpublished Manuscript competition before it was turned over to the publisher. Because she’s also an author, she’s an intrusive editor and throws creative nuggets at writers for their consideration. It’s no good, in her view, telling authors their manuscripts don’t work at particular points without giving them ideas of how to fix them.