Interview – faery tale author Lissa Sloan
American author Lissa Sloan’s poems and short stories have been published in The Fairy Tale Magazine, Krampusnacht: Twelve Nights of Krampus, Frozen Fairy Tales, and the anthology Skull & Pestle: New Tales of Baba Yaga.
ARA Historical Novel Prize Shortlists 2024
Congratulations to authors Melissa Lucashenko and Tony Birch, both of whom I love, and Lenny Bartulin, who I haven't read yet, for making the shortlist for the Historical Novel Society Australasia's 2024 ARA Historical Novel
Catch Up – April 2024
April was full of books, tea, faery tales and some writing… I saw Swan Lake, the ballet, with a sweet friend, then headed north for the Newcastle Book Boyfriend author signing, where I got to
A Book A Week – April 2024
This month was full of faery tales, monster myths reimagined, and the new book from one of Australian literature’s national treasures... 17 - Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes I loved Stone Blind by English writer,
A Book A Week – March 2024
This month was full of faery tales, monster myths reimagined, and the new book from one of Australian literature’s national treasures... 11 - At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities by Heather Webber Heather Webber’s At
Favourite books of 2023
I read so many incredible books last year – 80 that I reviewed, plus a few I forgot to mention – and it’s almost impossible to narrow down the ones I loved most. But here
Year in review 2023
Hello! I’m sending love and joy to you, and magical summer solstice blessings, and wishes for a wonderful festive season and an enchanted, enchanting new year. As the summer solstice dawned, I started pondering the
A Book A Week – August 2023
This month I read two awesome books by two favourite authors, Heather Webber and Selina Fenech, some important Australian classics and a moving collection of short stories, took a chance on a new author, and
A Book A Week – July 2023
This month I read one of my favourite novels of the year - Morgan Is My Name - and bought my first special edition book (a reward for finishing and submitting my second oracle deck,
A Book A Week – June 2023
June was a good reading month, with four books by Australian authors and another four from around the globe. I especially loved Like A Curse by wonderful Scottish writer Elle McNicoll and The Gift of
A Book A Week – May 2023
May is the Sydney Writers Festival, so I tried to read as many books by authors who I would see there before it started, then I began reading some of the fellow authors who would
A Book A Week – April 2023
I only managed to read four books in April, but I loved them all. Three were by awesome Australian authors, and the fourth was by a US favourite. 19 of 80 - Not Meeting Mr
A Book A Week – March 2023
My March reads included lots of faery tale research, and two wonderful novels - The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Aussie author Holly Ringland and South of the Buttonwood Tree by Heather Webber -
A Book A Week – February 2023
February was a busy reading month, with a huge range of genres, from historical fiction to magical realism to hard hitting truth disguised as fiction to a charming kids book by a talented First Nations
Practical Magic is finally here!
Hello, and brightest blessings to you as we dance through the seasons into autumn in the southern hemisphere, and spring in the north. It’s February 2023, and I haven’t written a blog or a newsletter
A Book A Week – January 2023
January was full of wonderful books, many with a faery tale bent. I became obsessed with faery tale author Helena Nyblom after reading Holly Ringland’s The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding, and tracked down a
Favourite books of 2022
Another year of the Book-A-Week challenge has passed, and I read 90+ books - 52 of them by Australian authors, and one of them 1200 pages long! There were so many beautiful, touching, empowering, inspiring,
A Book A Week – December 2022
December was a big book month - Juz and I have been celebrating the Icelandic tradition of Jolabokaflod (Yule book flood) since we met. I especially loved The Seven Skins of Esther Wilding by Holly
A perfect night…
How awesome is the beautiful Icelandic tradition of gifting people books on Christmas Eve, then staying up all night drinking tea, eating chocolate and reading?! Known as the Jolabokaflod, the Yule Book Flood, it’s the
A Book A Week – November 2022
November brought another book by two of my favourite authors, Shankari Chandran and her incredible novel Son of the Sun God, and Heather Webber’s magical realism novel In the Middle of Hickory Lane. I also
A Book A Week – October 2022
I read ten awesome books in October, helped a little by cardiac rehab and recovery time. I loved Midnight At the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber so much I bought her next three audiobooks -
Well that was unexpected…
I’m okay, I promise, but last Monday I had a heart attack. ( PSA to all my women friends – it didn’t feel all dramatic and serious like on tv, my chest just hurt, and
A Book A Week – September 2022
September was a busy reading month, with some wonderful books by favourite authors - the brilliant novel Home by Larissa Behrendt, and Anita Heiss’s memoir Am I Black Enough For You? 10 Years On -
A Book A Week – August 2022
August #bookaweek – work has been crazy busy, and I haven’t had as much time to read, but there were two books I absolutely loved this month, both by Australian authors. Mullumbimby by Melissa Lucashenko and The Beast’s
A Book A Week – July 2022
Covid came to our little apartment in July, and although I worked more days at the day job, not less, I did allow myself to read a bit more inbetween. Books three and four of
A Book A Week – June 2022
June was a month of beautiful books, and awesome writers festival events for Hannah Kent’s third book Devotion, Kate Forsyth’s intriguing The Crimson Thread and Favel Parrett’s adorable MG book Wandi, plus the fascinating Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking Can
A Book A Week – May 2022
May #bookaweek catch-up – so many incredible reads, especially Claire G Coleman’s extraordinary debut novel Terra Nullius, and Elle McNicoll’s stunning Show Us Who You Are. The first is a heartbreaking, desperately moving and horrifying
A Book A Week – April 2022
My favourite April reads were the magical MG adventure Like A Charm by Elle McNicoll, and the historical fantasy The Vine Witch by Luanne G Smith. (I have the next two in this trilogy, and
A Book A Week – March 2022
March was full of wonderful books, from Felicity Pulman’s Arthurian adventure Shalott 2: Dangerous Magic, Lily Chu’s sweet The Stand-In and Yvette Poshoglian’s inspiring MG read Dear Greta, to Clementine Ford’s Boys Will Be Boys
A Book A Week – February 2022
February had two of my favourite books of the year, Shankari Chandran’s incredible Chai Time At Cinnamon Gardens - which won the Miles Franklin Award in 2024 - and Juliet Marillier’s magical A Song of Flight:
Swan Maiden Audiobook
It’s always a bit nerve-racking hearing your audiobook for the first time, because for so long the story has been so clear in your head, and now someone else is contributing their perspective to it
A Book A Week – January 2022
A new year, and a new stack of books just waiting for me to dive in to. One of my favourite reads of the year - The White Girl by Tony Birch - was a
First Nations Voices
Someone asked for some recommendations of books to read by First Nations authors, so I thought I’d update my list from a year ago... I’ve read 45 books by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander authors
A Book A Week – December Reads…
I keep thinking I’ve almost finished this crazy deadline, and I’ll be able to curl up on the couch with a book, but sadly not quite. But audiobooks have allowed me to keep reading... well,
A Book A Week – November Reads…
Audiobooks for the win! Plus some wonderful books I reviewed for Explorers magazine or read to interview the authors... I love Mel Robbins, she’s so real and inspiring and down to earth and hilarious, and
A Book A Week – October Reads…
Funny to think how recently I became an audiobook lover, since three of my four “reads” this month were actually listens, and the fourth was one I had to review for the magazine. My deadline
A Book A Week – September Reads…
September was a wonderful month for reading - and I was grateful again for audiobooks, which helped me get through a few extra titles in a busy work month... I would never have read Jacqueline
Blessings of the Equinox
Equinox Blessings To You – September 23 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
A Book A Week – August Reads…
It’s been a crazy month with work, and not much time to read, but audiobooks have been a joy, helping me add two more to my monthly tally, since I can listen as a I
A Book A Week – July Reads…
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I’m looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! No wonder I
Blessings of Imbolc and Lughnasadh
Imbolc blessings to my friends in the southern hemisphere. Spring has sprung! The wattles are in full bloom in our beautiful park, Signet and Cobie have new swan bubbas, and the light is slowly returning 🌿💐 Walking
A Book A Week – June Reads…
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I’m looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! My first June
Wishing You A Merry Winter Solstice
Yule : Winter Solstice : Rebirth The winter solstice falls around June 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere – this year it is on June 21 – and around December 21 or 22 in
… And A Magical Litha
Litha : Summer Solstice : Fruition The summer solstice falls around June 20 or 21 in the northern hemisphere – this month it occurs on June 20 in the US, and 21 in much of
A Book A Week – May Reads…
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I’m looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! The beautiful, heartbreaking,
Swan Maiden on Audio
Update! June 12, 2021 The Swan Maiden audiobook is out! Squeee! The Swan Maiden has been brought to life in a magical new way, as an audiobook narrated by wonderful voice actor Angela Peters, an
Australian Fairy Tale Society Award 2021
I’m honoured to have been nominated for the Australian Fairy Tale Society Award this year, for my books, including The Swan Maiden and Faery Magic, and for my work on the AFTS committee, and the
Sorry Day
Today is Sorry Day, and the fourth anniversary of the Uluru Statement. The Uluru Statement is a document Aboriginal people from all over Australia agreed on. In it they express that they are a sovereign people, and what
Meet the Author – Gregg Dreise
Gregg Dreise is an author, artist, songwriter and teacher from south-western Queensland, who is proud of his Kamilaroi and Euahlayi heritage. His books include Silly Birds, Kookoo Kookaburra, Mad Magpie, Cunning Crow, I Open the
A Book A Week – April Reads…
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I’m looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! I’m so behind
A Fairy Tale Conference
I'm so looking forward to the Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference on June 12-14. With two days of zoom sessions so everyone can attend, plus a full in-person day in Newtown, Sydney, it will be
A Book A Week – March Reads…
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I'm looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! The Australian Fairy
Autumn Equinox Blessings
Mabon : Autumn Equinox : Harvest The autumn equinox falls around March 20 or 21 in the southern hemisphere – in 2021 it falls on March 20 in Australia and New Zealand – and September
Spring Equinox Blessings
Ostara : Spring Equinox : Blossoming The spring equinox is celebrated around March 20 in the northern hemisphere – in 2021 it falls on March 20 for most of the US, Canada and Europe –
A Book A Week – February Reads…
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I'm looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! Wow, February flew
The Magic of Meditation
“Meditation is the discovery that the point of life is always arrived at in the immediate moment.” Alan Watts, American Zen Buddhist I’ve had a few queries about my meditation CD Sacred Journey lately, so
Happy Chinese New Year
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
Lughnasadh Blessings…
Lughnasadh blessings to my friends in the southern hemisphere (and a magical Imbolc to those in the north)... This cross-quarter day falls on February 4 this year in the eastern part of Australia, and February
… and Imbolc Wishes…
I’m wishing my friends in the southern hemisphere a magical Lughnasadh, and to my friends in the north, an enchanted Imbolc to you, as the Wheel turns from the cold and dark and snow of
A Book A Week – January Reads…
In 2019 I challenged myself to read a book a week – and hit 52. In 2020, I managed more than 70. I'm looking forward to trying to match that in 2021! My first read
Meet the Author – Kirli Saunders
Kirli Saunders is a proud Gunai woman, and an author of poetry, plays and books, including Bindi, Kindred and The Incredible Freedom Machines. She is a teacher, cultural consultant and artist, and developed the Poetry
Survival Day 2021…
I’ve always felt conflicted about today, “Australia Day”. I am so grateful to have been born in Australia, and to have so many opportunities and blessings that people in many other countries don’t have –
First Nations Voices
Someone asked for some recommendations of books to read by First Nations authors, so here are some that I read in 2020 and early 2021. There are many many more – let me know if
2020 – A Strange Year
The start of a new year is always a somewhat nostalgic time, as I reflect on the year just gone, and what I’d hoped to achieve – but I don’t think there’s a single person
A Book A Week – December 2020
Hooray! I hit my 52-Books-A-Year, Book-A-Week goal at the end of September, and ended up reading more than 70 books by December 31. So many amazing reads this month, including Tiddas by Anita Heiss, Pages
Litha Blessings
Litha : Summer Solstice : Fruition The summer solstice falls around December 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere – you can check the timings for where you live here – and June 20 or
Yule Blessings
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
A Book A Week – November 2020
November was NaNoWriMo month, so I didn’t get a chance to read as much as I’d like to, but it was for a good cause (I hope!)... Took the Children Away (60 of 52) by Archie
NaNoWriMo 2020
Hooray! On November 30, close to midnight, I “won” my ninth NaNoWriMo. Nothing like leaving it til the very last minute 😂 But I hit just over 50,000 words on my NaNo project, which will
A Book A Week – October 2020
October started and ended with two awesome magical reads, Darkness Unknown, the first book in Selina Fenech’s new paranormal trilogy Beshadowed, and Last Born Daughter, the third book in Kastie Pavlik’s series Children of the
A Fun and Festive Book Launch
Tomorrow is release day for Fairytale Christmas, the box-set of reimagined faery tales that includes 15 brand new stories from some wonderful authors from around the world. Order it here, or read it free in
A Fun and Festive Box Set – and my new story!
I’m part of a box set of reimagined faery tales, Fairytale Christmas, alongside K. A. Last and a bunch of American and Canadian writers. It’s on sale November 1, but you can pre-order it here
Beltane Wishes
Beltane : First Day of Summer : Growth Beltane, the festival of love and fertility that marks the end of spring and the start of the heat and energy of summer, falls in early November
Samhain Blessings
Samhain : First Day of Winter : Death Samhain, the festival of the ancestors and the dead that marks the beginning of winter, falls in early May in the southern hemisphere and early November in
Faery Tale of the Month
This month’s Australian Fairy Tale Society faery tale is Little Red Riding Hood – and it’s fascinating just how many versions there are. In some, she and her grandmother are eaten by the wolf, and
A Book A Week – September 2020
In September I had two big deadlines, so I didn’t get to read as much as I would have liked, and three of the four were related to our research/discussion for the Australian Fairy Tale
Dark Moon Blessings
On this day and night of the dark of the moon (Friday October 16 in Australia), I’m wishing you much love, bravery and awareness as you embrace the magic of introspection and what it can
A Book A Week – August 2020
August was a wonderful mix of important stories, gorgeous fantasy, a nostalgic hit, and faery tales and faery tale reimaginings. An Enchantment of Ravens (47 of 52) by Margaret Rogerson is a lovely, magical tale of
Meet the Author – Jasmine Seymour
Jasmine Seymour is a Darug woman from the Hawkesbury area of NSW. A writer, artist and primary school teacher, she is the author of Cooee Mittigar, which introduces us to the plants, animals and seasons
A Book A Week – July 2020
July was a fascinating month for books, and online book launches. Living On Stolen Land (40 of 52) by Ambelin Kwaymullina is a short, powerful book that *everyone* should read (although sadly those who most
Imbolc Wishes…
In the magical Wheel of the Year that charts the dance of the seasons, the next celebration in the southern hemisphere is Imbolc, which marks the turning of the Wheel from the cold and dark
… and Lughnasadh Blessings
In the magical Wheel of the Year that charts the dance of the seasons, the next celebration in the northern hemisphere is Lughnasadh, which marks the turning of the Wheel from the heat and joy
A Book A Week – June 2020
June has been a strange, unsettling month, of high tension, of long overdue attention on black lives mattering, and of educating ourselves to learn more, do more and be better. Award-winning journalist Reni Eddo-Lodge’s book
Being An Upside Down Witch
Today, June 21, is the winter solstice in Australia, and I just had an interesting chat with an American friend about the fact that we (and others in the southern hemisphere) celebrate Yule and midwinter
Congratulations Lorena!
Congratulations to the amazing artist and creative Lorena Carrington, such a wonderfully worthy winner of the Award for Inspiration and Contribution to Australian Fairy Tale Culture, announced today at the Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference.
The Fairy Tale Conference Presentation
I’m having a wonderful time at the Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference, listening to wonderful presenters including amazing author Kate Forsyth and wonderful glass artist Spike Deane. I even survived speaking about The Swan Maiden, and was
Wishing You A Merry Winter Solstice
Yule : Winter Solstice : Rebirth The winter solstice falls around June 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere – this year it is on June 21 – and around December 21 or 22 in
… And A Magical Litha
Litha : Summer Solstice : Fruition The summer solstice falls around June 20 or 21 in the northern hemisphere – this month it occurs on June 20 – and December 21 - 22 in the
The Fairy Tale Conference Begins
What Is Your Favourite Faery Tale? We will be discussing that and a whole lot more at the Australian Fairy Tale Society Conference, which starts this Friday night, June 5, and runs for three days
A Book A Week – May 2020
Book-A-Week – May books read May was a month for extraordinary books. Blackbirds Sing by Aiki Flinthart and Phosphorescence by Julia Baird are two of my favourites this year, but the rest were awesome too! I loved
Faery Tale Conference
Bookings are now open for the 2020 virtual conference of the Australian Fairy Tale Society! This year’s theme is Magic Mirrors: the Seen and the Unseen. Schedule for the conference at the bottom of this post.
A Lovely Surprise
I’m honoured (and, to be honest, a little shocked) to have been nominated for the AFTS Award for Inspiration and Contribution to Australian Fairy Tale Culture for my new book The Swan Maiden, alongside amazing
Samhain Blessings
Samhain : First Day of Winter : Death Samhain, the festival of the ancestors and the dead that marks the beginning of winter, falls in early May in the southern hemisphere and early November in
Beltane Wishes
Beltane : First Day of Summer : Growth Beltane, the festival of love and fertility that marks the end of spring and the start of the heat and energy of summer, falls in early November
A Book A Week – April 2020
Book-A-Week – April books read April was a strange month for everyone. Like many I’ve been struggling a little to write, and for a while I was having trouble focusing on books too. But when
Special Guest Menna van Praag
I can’t even remember how I stumbled across English author Menna van Praag’s first novel, The House At the End of Hope Street, but I bought it in hardback not long after its release in
Order the Swan Maiden
The online launch of The Swan Maiden is on now! You can buy the ebook and paperback from Amazon here. You can buy the ebook from other retailers here. Or you can buy the book from
A Book A Week – March 2020
Book-A-Week – March books read As I get ready for the online launch of The Swan Maiden on April 1, it’s no surprise that my March was filled with faery tales, and faery tale-inspired books.
Special Guest Lucy Cavendish
Lucy Cavendish is a writer and a witch and an oracle reader and creator, and a surfer and a nature lover. We first met in the nineties in magazine circles, as we’ve both been journalists
You’re Invited To the Ball
You’re invited to a Faery Tale Launch Party – online of course, in these strange new socially distanced times. It’s all happening HERE – bookmark the link, or click Going to get notifications. K. A.
The Selkie
The Selkie A faery tale within the faery tale... From The Swan Maiden: An Australian Faery Tale Once upon a time, there were seven beautiful seal sisters. They loved each other dearly, and lived a
Special Guest Selina Fenech
Countdown to The Swan Maiden Launch... Selina Fenech is an amazing artist – her stunning paintings grace the covers of the Into the Mists and Into the Storm Trilogies – and also an incredible writer.
A Magical New Book…
I’m about to launch a new book! The Swan Maiden is an original Australian faery tale, inspired by the beautiful black swans in my local park, who I’ve so loved watching as they raise their adorable cygnets
Autumn Equinox Blessings
Mabon : Autumn Equinox : Harvest The autumn equinox falls around March 20 or 21 in the southern hemisphere – in 2020 it falls on March 20 in Australia and New Zealand – and September
Spring Equinox Blessings
Ostara : Spring Equinox : Blossoming The spring equinox is celebrated around March 20 in the northern hemisphere – in 2020 it falls on March 19 for most of the US and Canada, and March
A Book A Week – February 2020
Book-A-Week – February books read My first book I read this month was Angela Slatter’s A Feast Of Sorrows (7 of 52), because our Australian Fairy Tale Society story was The Jacaranda Wife, one of
A Book A Week – January 2020
Book-A-Week – January books read 💕📚🌟 Last year I challenged myself to read a book a week, and I did! 52 books in 52 weeks. And it was awesome. It’s so easy to not make
Lughnasadh Blessings…
Lughnasadh blessings to my friends in the southern hemisphere... This cross-quarter day falls on February 4 this year, but you can check out the time for your region here... As the Wheel turns from summer
… and Imbolc Wishes…
And to my friends in the north, a magical Imbolc to you, as the Wheel turns from the cold and dark and snow of winter to the first signs of spring. This year Imbolc falls
Favourite Books of 2019
2019 was the year I stopped my feast or famine reading style, where I would either ban myself completely from reading in order to get some writing done, or give in and binge read all
Happy Chinese New Year
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
A Book A Week – December 2019
I can’t believe I reached my goal and read 52 books this year. I was always feast or famine in my reading – banning myself on deadline, then bingeing and getting no work done –
Order the Swan Maiden
I’m rushing to get ready for the Mind Body Spirit Festival, and haven’t had a chance to update the Blessed Bee Books store, but if you’d like to buy The Swan Maiden now, you can
Litha Blessings
Litha : Summer Solstice : Fruition The summer solstice falls around December 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere – you can check the timings for where you live here – and June 20 or
Yule Blessings
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
What Are You Afraid Of?
Face Your Fear Most people say I’m brave – I’ve travelled solo through Brazil, crawled into ancient burial tombs in the dark, broken a publishing contract and returned my advance to go indie, interviewed Guns
A Book A Week – November 2019
November is NaNoWriMo month, where I write feverishly to try to hit 50,000 words in 30 days. I made it, but it did unfortunately limit my reading. I did skim-read Public Speaking for Authors, Creatives
Offers for listeners of the Witchcast podcast
Welcome! I had a wonderful time chatting with my sweet friend Lucy Cavendish today on her magical podcast The Witchcast. Thank you for your interest in my books – I hope you enjoy Into the
A Book A Week – October 2019
In October I attended three mini workshops (and some great panels) as part of the HNSA (Historical Novel Society Australasia) Conference – by Kate Forsyth, Meg Keneally and Alison Goodman, so I read the latter’s Lady Helen
Into the Air Is Sooo Close!
I’m so excited that Into the Air is almost ready for release – the proof copy of the paperback is due tomorrow, so I should be hitting print on Monday or Tuesday! If you would
Beltane Wishes
Beltane : First Day of Summer : Growth Beltane, the festival of love and fertility that marks the end of spring and the start of the heat and energy of summer, falls in early November
Samhain Blessings
Samhain : First Day of Winter : Death Samhain, the festival of the ancestors and the dead that marks the beginning of winter, falls in early May in the southern hemisphere and early November in
A Book A Week – September 2019
My favourite book this year is Harp of Kings (39/52) by my favourite author Juliet Marillier (with her Beautiful novel and Madeline Miller’s Circe very close second). It’s the first in her new Warrior Bards
Into the Air Pre-order
I’m so excited that Into the Air is almost ready for release. To celebrate, every pre-order made by Friday September 27 comes with the ebook free, plus a free gift. It might be a gorgeous
Blessings of the Equinox
Equinox Blessings To You – September 23 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
A Book A Week – August 2019
Circe is one of my absolute favourite books I’ve read this year, and author Madeline Miller’s previous book The Song of Achilles (32/52) is as beautifully written and almost as wonderful (it’s just obvious that
A Book A Week – July 2019
July was all about high tea book launches (thanks Kate Forsyth!), and falling for audiobooks, thanks to Juliet Marillier’s audiobook exclusive last month (well played Audible!). I’ve been listening to Michelle Obama’s Becoming when I
Blessings of Imbolc and Lughnasadh
Imbolc blessings to my friends in the southern hemisphere. Spring has sprung! Last night on my walk I saw jonquils, and friends have seen snowdrops 🌿💐 Wishing you all the joy, new energy and awakening
A Book A Week – June 2019
I read some wonderful books in June as part of my Book A Week Challenge – although two have to be kept secret for now (yes, it is killing me – one is by one
Solstice Celebration – You Get the Gifts
When the call went out for authors to take part in a Summer Solstice Fantasy Bookfest, I had to answer. The solstices, equinoxes and cross-quarter days are such a strong magical thread running through all
Wishing You A Merry Yule
Yule : Winter Solstice : Rebirth The winter solstice falls around June 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere – this year it is 2am on the morning of June 22 – and around December
… And A Magical Litha
Litha : Summer Solstice : Fruition The summer solstice falls around June 20 or 21 in the northern hemisphere – this month it occurs on June 21 – and December 21 - 22 in the
A Book A Week – May 2019
May was a little tricky for reading, because I was in England for the month with my beloved, and we spent all our time searching for stone circles, wandering across the moors, climbing tors, and
Dark Moon Blessings
Tonight at the dark of the moon, 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
Samhain Blessings… and Beltane Wishes
Samhain blessings to everyone in the southern hemisphere, and to those in the north, magical Beltane wishes… Samhain, the festival of the ancestors and the dead that marks the beginning of winter, falls in early
A Book A Week – April 2019
I’m still doing well with my Book A Week Challenge, and managed five this month too (although I can’t talk about or show you the cover of one just yet – but it shouldn’t be
Samhain Recipes
Samhain – First Day of Winter Samhain, the festival of the Ancestors and the dead that marks the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, honours the Wheel of the Year as it turns
Beltane Recipes
Beltane – First Day of Summer Beltane marks the first day of summer, and is representative of vitality, fertility and the energy of the sun, so its foods include luscious fruits like cherries and strawberries,
A Book A Week – March 2019
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 💕📚🌟
Insta-Love – Author Kastie Pavlik
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,
Equinox Blessings March 2019
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
Mabon Recipes
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
Ostara Recipes
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
A Book A Week – February 2019
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 💕📚🌟
Happy Chinese New Year
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
Lughnasadh Blessings, and an Enchanted Imbolc…
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
A Book A Week – January 2019
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 💕📚🌟
Into the Mists Review
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
A Merry Yule
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
A Magical Litha
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
Blessed Bees
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,
Happy Book Birthday!
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
Dark Moon Blessings
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
Let’s Talk Writing: I Dare You!
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
Let’s Talk Writing: So, You Want to Write a Book. Let’s Do It!
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
Into the Mists Review
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
Blessings of the Equinox
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
Into the Fire – Overseas Orders
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
Selina Fenech’s Beautiful Stories
As we count down to the launch of Into the Fire, I wanted to introduce you to my two awesome guest hosts. Selina Fenech is an amazing artist – her stunning paintings grace the covers
K. A. Last’s Cool New Series
As we count down to the launch of Into the Fire, I wanted to introduce you to my two awesome guest hosts. Australian author K. A. Last is in the middle of releasing her three-part
Tea vs Coffee with author DL Richardson
Australian author DL Richardson interviewed me recently for her Coffee Chat series, so I wanted to return the favour. DL writes speculative fiction for anyone who likes a twist in their tale, from the YA
Coffee Chat with DL Richardson
I recently had a Coffee Chat with author DL Richardson, which she published on her blog. We hung out at Sydney Supanova this year – but think our paths crossed years ago when she was
Yule Blessings and Litha Wishes…
Solstice blessings! Wishing all my friends in the south a magical, blessed Yule on this short, chilly, grey-skied midwinter day. As the light returns, may it bathe you in inspiration, passion and joy... And for
Seven Books I Love
I was nominated by a friend to post seven books (one a day), that I really loved reading, so I thought I would share them here too as I go. 1. Juliet Marillier is my
Samhain Blessings… and Beltane Wishes
Samhain blessings to everyone in the southern hemisphere, and to those in the north, magical Beltane wishes… Samhain, the festival of the ancestors and the dead that marks the beginning of winter, falls in early
Camp NaNoWriMo – April 2018
It’s that time again: Camp NaNoWriMo has begun! (Where did the first three months of this year run away to???) As of today, April 1, the site is ready and waiting for you to announce
Is Sitting the New Smoking?
"Sitting is more dangerous than smoking, kills more people than HIV and is more treacherous than parachuting. We are sitting ourselves to death." So says Dr James Levine, director of the Mayo Clinic-Arizona State University
Equinox Blessings March 2018
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
Happy Chinese New Year
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
The Rise of Audiobooks
Over the last five years, ebook sales have started to drop – but audiobook sales are steadily climbing. People who are too busy to sit down and read a novel have realised they can still
Lughnasadh and Imbolc Blessings
The next sabbat in the Wheel of the Year – in the southern hemisphere anyway – is Lughnasadh. It marks the first day of autumn and the first harvest festival, and in 2018 it falls
Update January 2018
Happy New Year, and New Moon Blessings! I can't believe we're already halfway through January, yikes! I'm madly at work finishing Into the Fire, but in the meantime I have a little bit of release
Litha Blessings
Litha : Summer Solstice : Fruition The summer solstice falls around December 21 or 22 in the southern hemisphere – in 2017, it occurs at 2.28am on December 22 – and June 20 or 21
Yule Blessings
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
Story Queens – December 2017
Hello Story Queens subscribers! And everyone else too 🙂 I'm so happy (and relieved) that the Into the Storm paperback is finally available internationally! Although it takes so much more time, I did an international
The Power of Journalling
The Power of Words First published in Spellcraft – a national spiritual magazine – in 2010... The healing impact, both physically and emotionally, of expressive writing and journalling led Serene Conneeley to create her new
Catch Up – November 2017
November News... October was all about public events, and getting outside my comfort zone by having to talk a lot (eek!). In contrast, November is all frenzied writing and barely leaving the house – it’s
Dark Moon Blessings
As the dark moon approaches this Friday, November 17 2017, 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
Interview with voice actor Gabrielle Baker
An interview with acclaimed voice actor Gabrielle Baker People are finally starting to appreciate the convenience and beauty of audiobooks, and understand the incredible skill, training and talent that go into creating them. It’s not
Into the Mists – 99c for a short time
Beltane Blessings to those in the south, and an enchanted Samhain to those in the north! To celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year, the Into the Mists ebook has been discounted to
Beltane Blessings
Beltane : First Day of Summer : Growth Beltane, the festival of love and fertility that marks the end of spring and the start of the heat and energy of summer, falls in early November
Samhain Blessings
Samhain : First Day of Winter : Death Samhain, the festival of the ancestors and the dead that marks the beginning of winter, falls in early May in the southern hemisphere and early November in
Meet the Author – E.C. Hibbs
E.C. Hibbs is a fantasy/paranormal author and artist from north-west England. Her books include Blindsighted Wanderer, The Tragic Silence Series – Tragic Silence, The Libelle Papers and Sepia and Silver – The Sailorman’s Daughters, three
Catch Up – October 2017
Wow, where is this year going? Daylight savings has started, and I can feel summer in the air. It’s not long until Beltane! Here’s a little update of what’s going on in my world, and
NaNoWriMo Pledges
As NaNoWriMo approaches, there are some very sweet pledges doing the rounds. Mine is a simple one: It’s November, which means NaNoWriMo! I’ve committed to writing 50,000 words of Into the Air: Into the Storm
The Into the Light Audiobook is here!
Squeee! The Into the Light audiobook is out now, and I'm so excited! This means all three of the Into the Mists Trilogy are available as audiobooks through Audible, iTunes, Amazon etc. All three are
Spring Equinox blessings
Ostara : Spring Equinox : Blossoming The spring equinox is celebrated around September 22 or 23 in the southern hemisphere – in 2017 it falls on September 23 – and March 20 or 21 in
Autumn Equinox Blessings
Mabon : Autumn Equinox : Harvest The autumn equinox falls around March 20 or 21 – in 2017 it fell on March 20 – in the southern hemisphere and September 22 or 23 in the
Catch Up – September 2017
Oh my god! How is it almost the spring equinox? Where is this year going? Here’s a little update of what’s going on in my world, and what is coming up... I spent the beginning
The Joy of Books
Let’s Talk Reading: The Joy of Books This blog first appeared on the Story Queens website. My idea of bliss is to curl up on the couch with a mug of tea and a good
Into the Storm is here!
Into the Storm: An Into the Mists Chronicle A spell to weave. A life to save. A heart to break. A storm to brave. When Rhiannon’s mother dies, her whole world falls apart, and she
Into the Storm launch
The new book Into the Storm: An Into the Mists Chronicle launches on July 21, with an online party with the Story Queens. Kicking off at 10am Sydney time, it will go for more than
Audiobook Reviews
Here are the first audiobook reviews... Into the Mists "Beautifully written magical story" 5 stars Where was this book when I was a teen? Perfect for those young adults who find themselves drawn into new
Mind Body Spirit Festival…
I've just set up for the Sydney Mind Body Spirit Festival, which kicks off Thursday May 25 at Darling Harbour. I'll be at stand C39 with Selina Fenech, so come and say hello! For the
The Into the Dark Audiobook is here!
Squeee! The Into the Dark audiobook is out now, and I'm so excited! Especially as it went live on the day of the dark moon – I love serendipity! And Into the Light is in
Blessings of Samhain… and Magical Beltane Wishes
Samhain blessings to everyone in the southern hemisphere, and to those in the north, magical Beltane wishes… Samhain, the festival of the ancestors and the dead that marks the beginning of winter, falls in early
Some Old Blogs…
One of my old blogs came up as a memory on Facebook today, so I thought I'd add a few here... They're on everything from breaking contracts to overcoming fear, from blessed bees to exercise...
The Wheel of the Year
“The festivals of the Wheel of the Year are defined by the cycle of nature, by the dance of the weather gods and spirits of place. They require us to look not to the heavens
Good News For Bees!
I couldn't get a direct link for this story, so I've posted it below. And I very much hope it's true! It's from Cracked.com, part of their article 7 Pieces Of Good News About Huge
Into the Mists Audiobook is here!
Squeee! The Into the Mists audiobook is out now, and I'm so excited! Even better, Into the Dark is well into production, and Into the Light has just gone into production. All three will be
Why I Am a Feminist…
While I absolutely believe all of this, I didn't write this – a friend on Facebook posted it, and asked that it keep being shared, so here it is... Why I am a feminist: 1.
Exciting News – Audiobooks!
OMG! I have the audition from my narrator for the audiobook of Into the Mists! Just before Christmas I set Into the Mists up as a project, to turn it into an audiobook. This morning
Full Moon Blessings 12/01/17
Wishing everyone an enchanted full moon, and a magical, light-filled month ahead. May the coming lunar phase be filled with love, joy and peace, and the inspiration and dedication to make all your dreams comes
Carlie’s Favourite Songs
Here are a few of Carlie's favourite songs... Visit Platinum Brunette here... Visit Mick Thomas here... Visit Platinum Brunette here... Visit Green Day here... Visit Platinum Brunette here... Visit POD here... Visit Platinum Brunette here...
Meet My Character – Rose
What is her name? Rose Tyler, Carlie’s grandmother. She’s one of the main characters in Into the Mists and its sequels Into the Dark and Into the Light – and she also appears in the Into the Mists chronicle Into
Hello 2017!
All is quiet, on New Year’s Day… I love the quiet of New Year’s Day, the sense of peace as people stay indoors, recovering from their celebrations the night before. This morning dawned grey and
Farewell 2016…
In this magical time, after the summer solstice, Christmas and Boxing Day, but before the new year… In the enchantment of this inbetween time – between celebrations, between years, between moments, between versions of our
Let’s Talk Writing, Reading and Books!
This blog by K. A. Last first appeared on the Story Queens website... The past few weeks have been very busy for us, and we agreed that maybe we should tell you all about what
Story Queen Serene Conneeley
Story Queen Serene Conneeley is a Sydney writer who melds myth and magic with the real world, and finds enchantment in the everyday… When did you start writing? I’m shy, so I’ve always been a
Let’s Talk Publishing: Ready… Set… Launch!
This blog by author Rebecca Bosevski first appeared on the Story Queens website… If you are a seasoned self-publisher, today’s blog might trigger memories of the perils of your past, but if like me, you
Story Queen Selina Fenech
Story Queen Selina Fenech is an amazing artist, and also an incredible writer – she’s the author of the beautiful fantasy series Memory’s Wake, and the intriguing Empath Chronicles. When did you start writing? I
Story Queen L. L. Hunter
Story Queen L. L. Hunter is the author of The Legend of the Archangel series, The Eden Chronicles and many more. When did you start writing? I started writing in my teens, primarily song lyrics
Story Queen K. A. Last
Story Queen K. A. Last is the author of the paranormal romance series The Tate Chronicles, and the beautiful Immagica, which has been described as “a little bit Alice in Wonderland, a little bit The
The Wales (and England) Adventure – Glastonbury and the Isle of Avalon
This week I am so grateful to be back "home" in Glastonbury, the mystical Isle of Avalon With thanks… Friday November 4… NaNoWriMo day 4 – 628 words… Today I am grateful for coming home
The Wales (and England) Adventure – Bath and the Malvern Hills
Travelling from Wales to England, via a few more ancient monuments, to stay in the place where Jane Austen lived – the perfect place to start writing for NaNoWriMo 🙂 With thanks… Tuesday November 1…
The Wales Adventure – Brecon Beacons and the South
Heading down south and into the mists. So much myth and magic in Wales... With thanks… Thursday October 27… Today I am grateful for perseverance (cue Terrorvision song)… I was sad to leave Anglesey this
The Wales Adventure – Anglesey
Beautiful Anglesey, off the north west coast of Wales, aka Ynys Mon, the Druid’s Isle... With thanks… Sunday October 23… Today I am grateful for an awesome day with Juz, exploring the Neolithic monuments of
The Wales Adventure – Pembrokeshire
The beautiful Pembrokeshire coastline was gorgeous, and there were a few significant ancient monuments too... With thanks… Tuesday October 18… When we get home we’ll laugh about today, and how awful it was. I hope.
The Wales Adventure – The Beginning
After a long plane trip to London, our excellent adventure begins! With thanks… Saturday October 15… Wishing everyone much love, joy and magic on this beautiful full moon night. May its sweet light illuminate you
Happy Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse 19/09/16
Wishing everyone so much love, joy and magic on this beautiful full moon night. May its sweet light illuminate you with inspiration and inner wisdom this month, and inspire you to work towards your dreams
What’s Your Book Style?
Are you obsessed with all the books in a series being the same size, format and style? I used to do different editions of my novels, one for Australia, which was slightly smaller, and one
Happy New Moon and Solar Eclipse 01/09/16
Wishing everyone all the love, energy and inspiration of the new moon, and the solar eclipse, and the passion and power to begin whatever it is you’ve been longing to manifest into the world... May
Winter Solstice Blessings… And an Enchanted Litha
Wishing all my friends in the south a magical, blessed Yule, and those in the north an inspiring, energising summer solstice. The winter solstice is about the re-emergence of light from the dark, so it
Mind Body Spirit Festival
It's been a crazy four days at the Mind Body Spirit Festival – not to mention a crazy night at the online launch I shared with Felicity Pulman – and I'm feeling a little drained.
Meet My Character – Carlie
What is her name? Carlie (named for the goddess Kali) Parker. She’s the main character in Into the Mists and its sequels Into the Dark and Into the Light, and the story is told from
May News
NEW RELEASES Exciting times! Last week the first copy of the Into the Mists Trilogy Hardcover Omnibus arrived, and it’s sooo beautiful And thick, and heavy But I love it! I have an exclusive preorder
Squeeee! The Into the Mists Trilogy
NEWS Today I’m so happy that the first copy of the hardcover omnibus edition of the Into the Mists Trilogy arrived. And I love it! It looks amazing! Even better than I’d hoped! 🙂 And
Samhain Blessings… and Magical Beltane Wishes
Samhain blessings to everyone in the southern hemisphere, and to those in the north, magical Beltane wishes… Samhain, the festival of the ancestors and the dead that marks the beginning of winter, falls in early
Samhain Recipes
Samhain, the festival of the Ancestors and the dead that marks the end of autumn and the beginning of winter, honours the Wheel of the Year as it turns towards the barrenness of the coldest
A Beltane Recipe
Beltane marks the first day of summer, and is representative of vitality, fertility and the energy of the sun, so its foods include luscious fruits like cherries and strawberries, green leaf, herb and flower petal
Thank You!
Thank you so so much to everyone who has sponsored me. Over the last two weeks I’ve undertaken three challenges to raise money for two great causes – and thanks to my lovely friends, I
No Excuses, No Regrets
No Excuses, No Regrets Originally written for inSpirit magazine... You get what you work for, not what you wish for. Are you ready to carve out the mental and emotional space to achieve your dreams?
Camp NaNoWriMo Day Two
Had to laugh at one of our Camp NaNoWriMo pep talks today... “Too intimidated by the blank page? Just sneak up on your story. The first sentence can literally be "I have no idea what
Camp NaNoWriMo Begins
Today Camp NaNoWriMo began. This is the second one I’ve done, and I decided to continue writing Rhiannon’s story, which I began last July during my first Camp NaNoWriMo. Camp is a little less stressful
Blessed Bees
Without bees, we wouldn’t be here – of the 100 crops that provide 90 percent of the world’s food supply, 71 are pollinated by the humble bee – yet many countries still allow the use
Story Queens Competition February 2018
Hello Story Queens subscribers! This month I'm offering the newsletter prize. I have a set of my Magic Series of books – Faery Magic, Mermaid Magic and Witchy Magic – to give away, either the
Lughnasadh Blessings – and An Enchanted Imbolc
Wishing all my friends in the south a magical Lughnasadh, and those in the north an enchanting and enchanted Imbolc… On this day of gratitude and thanksgiving, I am grateful for my love-filled life, and
A Lughnasadh Recipe
Lughnasadh ~ Summer’s End Seasonal foods and herbs play a large part in witchy celebrations, so below are a few of the Lughnasadh recipes I experimented with for Witchy Magic. Lughnasadh marks the end of
An Imbolc Recipe
Seasonal foods and herbs play a large part in witchy celebrations, so below are a few of the Imbolc recipes I experimented with for Witchy Magic. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
What Do You Want – and How Badly?
This is a fascinating article by author Mark Manson, which is definitely worth a read… If I ask you, “What do you want out of life?” and you say something like, “I want to be
Magical Mermaids, Fabulous Faeries and Wonderful Witches
Lucy and I have been chatting, and decided new year, new specials So we’ve cut the prices of our Faery Magic, Mermaid Magic and Witchy Magic ebooks on Amazon… We’ve also added a new option
Happy New Year!
Wishing everyone a magical night tonight, as we farewell the old year, and all the good, bad and strange we’ve been through, and welcome in a new one. I am grateful for a magical 2015
Countdown to Christmas Specials
Buy one, get one free… I thought I’d offer a little special to get in the festive spirit Buy a copy of Mermaid Magic or Witchy Magic from my Etsy store, and receive a free
NaNoWriMo 4 – Done!
Tonight I am grateful that I made it! I wrote 50,789 words in November, for National Novel Writing Month, which is a huge chunk of the first draft of my next book*. It feels so
NaNoWriMo – Halfway
It’s not easy, but it is worth it... I can’t believe day 15 is done, and I’m halfway through NaNoWriMo… I stayed up too late again, and blitzed through two thousand words in a slightly
NaNoWriMo – Day Five
I can’t believe it’s already day 5 of NaNoWriMo*! Four days of writing done, and 7333 words committed to paper, which means I have 665 words up my sleeve for one of those days that
Countdown to NaNoWriMo
It’s only three days until National Novel Writing Month – NaNoWriMo – kicks off, and as usual I’m woefully unprepared. As in, not at all. Each year I think (hope?) that I’ll have some time
Guest Blog – Felicity Pulman
This week’s guest blog comes from Felicity Pulman, author of the wonderful novel I, Morgana and the magical Janna Chronicles, amongst many others. She has recently returned from a three-month writing adventure in the UK,
Countdown to Book Expo 2015
Book Expo kicks off Saturday October 17 in Sydney, and there are lots of fun talks and seminars that will be running both days. And I’m looking forward to hanging out with Selina Fenech again
Book Expo – Free Tickets
It’s almost time for the last festival of the year! Book Expo is a dedicated event for readers to engage with authors and publishers. It includes workshops and talks by writers, illustrators, publishers and more,
September 2015
The previous month passed in a blur of extra work at the magazines, but things got back to (sort of) normal on September 1st Which was the day I started Steptember, a month of walking
August 2015
August made me grateful that Camp NaNoWriMo was in July, because I ended up working six days a week instead of three all month at my day job, which severely affected the time I had
July 2015
This July I decided to sign up for my first Camp NaNoWriMo, a slightly less frantically, frenetically based version of the November project. It was fun to do it with some friends, to encourage each
June 2015
June was a month full of the beauty of Sydney winters, all blue skies and sunshine, with a chill in the air – so pretty and vivid and crisp. It was also a month of
Magical Winter Solstice Blessings
Wishing all my friends in the south an enchanted, enchanting Yule on this Midwinter night, and my friends in the north a magical Litha on this Midsummer day... The winter solstice occurs today, June 22,
The Heart of Brasil
Healing Your Heart This is an article I wrote for InSpirit Magazine, which appeared in their January 2015 issue. Someone was asking me about it the other day, so here it is… I believe the
May 2015
The beginning of this year was a bit of a blur – I was finishing Into the Light, the third book in the Into the Mists Trilogy, and suffering my usual self-doubt over it being
Autumn and Spring Equinox Blessings
Equinox blessings to you! Today is the day of harmony and balance, when the sun is directly above the equator and there are 12 hours of light and 12 hours of dark. In the southern
Meet My Character – Guest Blog
I recently took part in the Meet My Character: Book Blog Tour, where I wrote about Carlie from Into the Mists. You can read that here. Then I tagged two other authors to continue the
Dark Moon Blessings
Wishing everyone much love, and blessings of the dark moon, as we approach tomorrow’s new moon and Chinese New Year. Now is a time to reflect, and to be brave and look within, before embracing
Book Review – Into the Mists
Into the Mists Serene Conneeley is an Australian author who has captivated many readers with the first two books of her current ‘Into the Mists’ trilogy series. Work on the third and final book will
Book Review – Into the Dark
Into the Dark Into the Dark Serene Conneeley is an Australian author who has captivated many readers with the first two books of her current ‘Into the Mists’ trilogy series. Work on the
Lughnasadh Blessings
Today is Lughnasadh – in the southern hemisphere anyway – the first day of autumn and the first harvest festival, a day of celebrating the things we have metaphorically harvested, the things we’ve achieved, the
Book Review – Seven Sacred Sites
So touched by a lovely review for Seven Sacred Sites: Magical Journeys That Will Change Your Life in inSpirit magazine. Magical Journeys That Will Change Your Life Serene Conneeley’s book Seven Sacred Sites
Meet My Character Blog Tour
Author Felicity Pulman invited me to take part in the Meet My Character Book Tour Blog – you can read my post about Carlie from Into the Mists further down the page, and enter a
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! Wishing everyone a wonderful 2015, full of love, joy, adventure and magic. Make this the year you dare to go after your dreams! Dream big, take chances, risk everything, learn from so-called
New Year’s Blessings
Tonight I am grateful for a beautiful night with my hubby, dreaming a new year into being, celebrating a year just gone, and being happy to just be together and exist in the moment. I’m
Solstice Blessings, of Light and Dark
Today is the summer solstice, the longest day of the year and the shortest night, and the moment that the sun halts its journey southward and stands still, before turning back and heading towards the
Meet My Character Book Blog Tour – Felicity Pulman
Australian author Felicity Pulman’s latest book is I, Morgana, a beautifully written story about King Arthur’s half-sister, a woman loved and loathed in equal measure. Just as exciting for readers, a reworked version of her
Meet My Character Book Blog Tour – Sophie Masson
Author Sophie Masson is the award-winning author of numerous novels for children and adults, on such diverse topics as Ned Kelly, Shakespeare, Marie of France, and other novels set in France and drawing on Sophie’s
November 2014
With thanks... November 2014... I am grateful for a day and a night with Jillian, hanging with my workout buddy, the magic of creating a novel during NaNoWriMo, and all the cups of tea Juz
Author Spotlight – Felicity Pulman
Australian author Felicity Pulman’s latest book is I, Morgana, a beautifully written story about King Arthur’s half-sister, a woman loved and loathed in equal measure. Last night she was awarded a fellowship to spend three
Interviewed about Into the Mists
I was interviewed recently about Into the Mists, about the importance of the mists to the story, as well as the importance of the two black cats, and lots of other interesting questions… Below are
The Upside of Bad Reviews
A fascinating blog post from author Anne R Allen, who not only survived bad reviews from the Amazon bullies – she got a huge sales lift. Thanks Mean Girls! Read the full blog post here.
Interviewed About NaNoWriMo
I was interviewed by Canadian writer Dianna L. Gunn about NaNoWriMo recently, for the first of her Author Spotlight articles to celebrate the upcoming NaNoWriMo. She found me on the NaNoWriMo site on the list
Sad – less than 20 per cent of WA students read books…
A very sad story today – less than 20 per cent of teenagers read books😦 Read the full story here. Margaret Merga, who interviewed the students as part of her PhD studies at Edith Cowan
Best-selling Author Goes Indie
There’s an interesting article about indie publishing at Publishers Weekly. Read the full story here. New York Times bestselling author Eileen Goudge has written 32 novels, sold millions of copies, and been translated into 22
NaNoWriMo Countdown
Less than four weeks til NaNoWriMo starts (yikes – it gave me a bit of a shock writing that!)… Here’s an interesting interview with author Sophie Kinsella from the BBC, about her tips for writing
An Article on Indie Publishing
Reinventing Publishing – PW Talks with Author Claire Cook. Claire Cook, bestselling author of Must Love Dogs, recently made the transition from traditional publishing to self-publishing, choosing to leave her big-five house and agent. Her
Indie Vs Traditional Publishing
Traditional Publishers Have Let Me Down For The Last Time… Tom Douglas Traditional publishing? Been there, done that, got the heartache! I started my book publishing career a dozen years ago at BookLocker.com, which is
Into the Mists – Book Club Reviews
I was so touched to discover that a book club was reading Into the Mists, and blown away when they sent me their beautiful reviews with their orders for Into the Dark… xx Natasha: We
August 2014
With thanks... August 2014 I am grateful for a weekend with a dear friend, for Pauline Nordin, for all those who sponsored us in the 40 Hour Famine, for fun times at the Festival of
A Magical Interview, and Sacred Sites
When I was in Scotland late last year, an English journalist emailed me to request an interview, and to review Seven Sacred Sites. My mum sent off a copy of the book for me, and
I, Morgana – A Magical Book
I, Morgana by Felicity Pulman I, Morgana is a new interpretation of the King Arthur story, and a rich new addition to the much-loved (and hotly debated) canon. Morgana, the daughter of a king, half
Reviews of Into the Dark
The first few reviews of Into the Dark have been published on Amazon, and I’m so happy that people are loving it… You can see them – or add your own – here… Thank you
Australian Women Writers Challenge Update
Can’t believe it’s already July. I guess I couldn’t really update my Australian Women Writers Challenge because for the first several months of the year I was on a reading-for-pleasure ban while I finished writing Into
Alice’s Real-Life Wonderland
Alice's Real-Life Wonderland Spellcraft – national spiritual magazine It was in and around the English town of Oxford that Lewis Carroll created a magical world for his young friend Alice, and a story that turned