One of my Instagram prompts for Camp NaNoWriMo this month is to interview a fellow author. American writer Kastie Pavlik is an avid gamer, artist, techie, and hopeless bibliophile. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2008, she has subsequently beaten breast cancer, and spends her days entertaining (annoying?) her feline overlords while adapting to her endlessly
Unfortunately I won’t be at the Mind Body Spirit Festival in Sydney this week, but I thought I’d offer a few festival specials for anyone in Australia*. Sale ends midnight Sunday April 7, 2019. (Occasionally Australia Post overcharges for postage on orders – if that is the case, I’ll refund the difference.) Storm + Fire:
Wishing everyone much love and magic as the seasonal Wheel of the Year turns again. In the southern hemisphere we’ll be celebrating the enchanted festival of Mabon, the autumn equinox, on March 21, while those in the north will be honouring Ostara, the spring equinox, on March 20. You can check the dates for your
Mabon – Autumn Equinox Mabon is the celebration of the autumn equinox and the second harvest. It’s a time of blazing colour in nature and in food – bright orange pumpkins and sweet potatoes, yellow corn, red apples, deeply hued pomegranates and purple grapes brighten the table, along with vividly hued grape juice, ruby wine
Ostara – Spring Equinox The spring equinox, which falls in the middle of spring, is a time of new growth, where all of nature is sprouting and blossoming – seedlings emerge, birds lay eggs, bees buzz, and new life and momentum is celebrated. Seeds, nuts, honey, the season’s fruits, green vegies, green leaves, bean sprouts
One of my plans for 2019 is to make time to read more books. My post-NaNoWriMo December book binge* got me off to a great start – I devoured five books, which was bliss 💕📚🌟 I did that again in January, and in February too. Such bliss! FEBRUARY BOOKS Some of my February books were
THE CHINESE CALENDAR “In the perception of the smallest is the secret of clear vision; in the guarding of the weakest is the secret of all strength.” Lao Tzu New Moon Blessings, and Happy Chinese New Year! In 2019 the Chinese New Year begins on the new moon on February 5, and ushers in the
Lughnasadh blessings to my friends in the southern hemisphere... As the Wheel turns from summer to autumn (although it’s taking its sweet time!), what are you grateful for? This is the time of the first harvest, traditionally a day of feasting and thanksgiving for the life-giving properties of the grain, and a recognition of the
One of my plans for 2019 is to make time to read more books. My post-NaNoWriMo December book binge* got me off to a great start – I devoured five books, which was bliss 💕📚🌟 January was awesome too, and so far I’m on track to hit my target of reading one book a week...
Just got a lovely 5-star review for Into the Mists... Into the Mists is a work of fantasy and magic written for young adults by author Serene Conneeley. Written as the first book in the trilogy of the same name, the story revolves around our central teenage character Carlie. In the blink of an eye,
Yule : Winter Solstice : Rebirth The winter solstice falls around December 21 or 22 in the northern hemisphere – you can check the timing for you here – and around June 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere. It’s the longest night and the shortest day of the year, and marks the transition between
Litha : Summer Solstice : Fruition The summer solstice falls around December 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere – in 2018, it occurs at 8.23am Sydney time on December 22 – and June 20 or 21 in the northern hemisphere. (Check your times here...) It’s the longest day and the shortest night of the
The Spirit of Giving I wasn’t going to mention this in my newsletter, until a stranger from Switzerland said my Instagram post about it inspired her to start doing this with her kids for Christmas, so… During #GivingTuesday, I funded a bee business for a family through Plan Australia’s Gifts of Hope program, which was
Happy Birthday Book Baby! Recently a Facebook memory reminded me that my first book, Seven Sacred Sites: Magical Journeys That Will Change Your Life, is TEN YEARS OLD! Happy Birthday book baby! I’d posted that I saw it in a shop – still an exciting moment! – but unfortunately I didn’t take a photo (no
As the dark moon approaches, I’m wishing you much love, bravery and awareness as you embrace the magic of introspection and what it can reveal to you. This is a powerful time to reflect on your year, and your self, and to look within, seeking the truth of any obstacles you might be facing, and
This blog was going to be about overcoming fear for the Story Queens site. My greatest fear is public speaking, so I agreed to be part of a YA panel at Book Expo in the hopes of breaking through it. But the event was cancelled at the last minute, so I haven’t conquered that fear
So, you want to write a book. There’s an idea stuck in your head that keeps you up at night, or perhaps it’s a dream you’ve had that you just know will make a gripping novel. Maybe it’s a unique experience or situation you’ve been through, which you feel a burning need to share with
Just got a lovely five-star review for Into the Mists... Into the Mists by Serene Conneeley is the story of Carlie, a young woman who loses her mother and father and is sent from Australia to England to live with a woman she doesn't know - her grandmother, Rose. Carlie is dealing with her grief
Equinox Blessings To You! Today is one of the two days each year of harmony and balance, when the sun is directly above the equator and there are twelve hours of light and twelve hours of dark. Ostara Wishes! The spring or vernal equinox, also known as Ostara, is celebrated between September 20 and 23
Sadly postage from Australia is ridiculously expensive (like, $25 a book!), which is why I make all my books available from international retailers. If you buy Into the Fire or Into the Storm from Amazon over the launch weekend, just forward me the order with your email address and I’ll send you the ebook for
