January 24, 2016 by Jeanette

LAG Blog Tour launch

On 14 January 2016 Like a Girl anthology was launched.

Why Like a Girl?

Did you know Beatrix Potter, the famed author and illustrator of the much loved Peter Rabbit books, was also a ground-breaking scientist? It’s true (see here). In the past, women’s achievements were often not seen as significant or worthy of attention. Sadder still, even today girls and woman are less likely than boys to be encouraged to learn or to explore the talents and abilities they have been given.

Unicef states:

‘Despite progress in recent years, girls continue to suffer severe disadvantage and exclusion in education systems throughout their lives. An estimated 31 million girls of primary school age and 32 million girls of lower secondary school age were out of school in 2013.’

They go on to say:

‘Providing girls with an education helps break the cycle of poverty: educated women are less likely to marry early and against their will; less likely to die in childbirth; more likely to have healthy babies; and are more likely to send their children to school.’

UNICEF ‘Girl’s Education and Gender Equality, 23 July 2015

In Like a Girl, fourteen authors from around the world have contributed their stories to raise money for PLAN Australia’s support of girl’s education. Like a Girl is a celebration of the strength and resilience of women, told in a variety of genres and voices, the proceeds of which will help empower girls and women across the globe. It turns the derogatory term ‘like a girl’ on its head, celebrating the contribution girls and women can and have made.

Like a Girl features stories and poems by Jeanette O’Hagan, Avril Sabine, V. Hartman Di Santo, Kathryn Hogan, Mary Grace, Coralyn Swift, Christina Aitken, Mark Taylor, D.L Richardson, Mimi Emmanuel, Erin Yoshikawa, Druscilla Morgan, Michelle John and Mirren Hogan.

They use intelligence, humour, adventure, imagination and deep emotion to explore themes of resilience, determination against odds, empowerment, significant relationships and women’s achievements.

Why Girl’s Education is important to me.

My poem ‘A Long Time Ago’ in the Like a Girl anthology, is drawn from my own school day experiences. I’m glad that, I not only had to the opportunity to finish school and go on to university, but that both my parents encouraged me to learn and to pursue my dreams.

Over the years, I’ve practiced medicine, taught theology, and am currently raising a family and pursuing my love of writing fantasy, poems, social commentary and blogging about life and writing. The story I wrote for LAG, ‘Lakwi’s Lament’, is situated in the narrative world of the Akrad’s Legacy series (the first book due to be published in 2016). It explores the tension between a girl’s desire to learn and what her family and community expects of her.

Availability

Like a Girl is available from Amazon and other outlets.

Check it out on GoodReads.

Blog Tour

This post is the first step in the Like a Girl Plan anthology blogtour which will include reviews, reflections on the importance of education or women, prizes and giveaways. (See below). Profits from this engaging anthology go to Plan Australia’s efforts to support and improve girls education.

Blog tour stops include:

Stop 1 24 Jan – Jeanette O’Hagan http://jeanetteohagan.com

Stop 2              25 Jan – Paula Vince http://vincereview.blogspot.com.au/
Stop 3              27 Jan – Mimi Emmanuel https://liveforeverhowto.wordpress.com/
Stop 4              29 Jan – Lynn Fowler http://christianbookreviews.lynnbfowler.com
Stop 5              1 Feb – Maree Long

Giveaways

Today, I’m giving away a copy of Like a Girl to the person (not involved in anthology) who leaves best comment on the positive impact of girl’s education either personally or in the life of someone connected to them. This competition is open until 1 February, 2016. Winner to be announced on this blog.

I will also be giving away a copy of Another Time Another Place to the first person to sign up to my email Newsletter (see in side bar.)

Three other copies of Like a Girl are on offer through Like a Girl Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Next Exciting Stop

The next step on the Blog Tour is with multi-published, award-winning author of intriguing and thought provoking New Adult inspirational fiction, Paula Vince. I love Paula’s stories and am looking forward to her post on Monday 25 January 2016. You will be able find it here.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in prizes and giveaways, but more importantly, to be entertained and moved while supporting a worthy cause.

Jeanette

Available on Amazon

January 15, 2016 by Jeanette

Congratulations

I’d like to congratulate

Kate Hillenberg

for winning a copy of Like a Girl anthology in my recent Glimpses of Light Blog Tour Giveaway.

Jeanette

Glimpses of Light

Be challenged, captivated and moved by these imaginative reflections on faith, help in time of need, joy in the midst of tragedy, and surprising encounters with God.

During 2015, the International Year of Light, twenty-one authors from Australia and the United States have come together to explore the theme of ‘glimpses of light’—finding light in dark places—through short stories, poems, flash fiction and creative non-fiction.

Glimpses of Light includes contributions from respected and award-winning authors and poets Jo-Anne Berthelsen, Paula Vince, Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones, Jo Wanmer, Jeanette Grant-Thomson and Ellen Carr, as well as exciting new talent.

Profits from this anthology go to CBM Australia, giving sight to the blind.

Like a Girl Plan anthology

Fourteen Authors from around the world have contributed their stories to raise money for PLAN Australia.

‘Like a Girl’ is a celebration of the strength and resilience of women, told in a variety of genres and voices, the proceeds of which will help empower girls and women all over the world.

Featuring stories and poems by Jeanette O’Hagan, Avril Sabine, V. Hartman Di Santo, Kathryn Hogan, Mary Grace, Coralyn Swift, Christina Aitken, Mark Taylor, D.L Richardson, Mimi Emmanuel, Erin Yoshikawa, Druscilla Morgan, Michelle John and Mirren Hogan.

January 8, 2016 by Jeanette

Glimpses of Light Blog Tour

Previous Blog Stop

In the last stop on the blog tour, Jo-Anne Berthelsen talks about how she came to write ‘Revelation’ for Glimpses of Light. It is a beautiful story, all the more special as it drawn from real events. Jo-Anne loves communicating 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.

Glimpses of Light

Glimpses of Light started with a flash of inspiration – why not write a collaborative charity anthology to celebrate the 2015 International Year of Light. It has been exciting watching that small kernel blossom into a book. Both Nola and I were thrilled at the number and quality of entries we received, the enthusiasm of our contributors and the willingness to work with us during the different stages of editing, proofing and publishing. I love each of the stories, poems and reflective pieces.

My fantasy story was fun to write – it follows the adventures of a young woman, Ruhanna, who is expecting her father’s visit for her name-day when things begin to go very wrong. Here’s an excerpt:

Ruhanna sighed and began to step backwards when the carving of an albatross on a box, half covered by a goatshair scarf, caught the honey-hued rays of sunlight. She picked it up and slid open the beautifully fitted lid. Inside, on soft fabric, was an intricately carved pen of whale bone, inking stone and fine metal nibs.

‘This is perfect. How much?’

The old woman’s eyes brightened ‘Twenty Royals.’

‘Oh, no, far too much.’

They spent the next few minutes haggling. Ruhanna shook her head, regretting her impulsive enthusiasm. Favula was hard to beat down.

‘As you wish, fifteen Royals, but you drive a hard bargain. That’s most of my savings.’ But it was for her father. It was worth it. Her feet felt like dancing. He was coming from the Big Island tomorrow.

‘That’s a good choice, gentle lass.’ The old woman brushed her dark hands against Ruhanna’s silvery-white skin. ‘They say a sacred albatross guided our people across the ocean wastes after the Sundering, back in the mists of time when the old world ended.’

Ruhanna curved her lips in a polite smile, as she ran her hands over the soft toromo wood of the box and the bright green gems for the bird’s eyes. Mariam told the same far-fetched tale. ‘Why would a speechless bird do that?’

Favula’s hands stilled in packing away her treasures. ‘Some say the Maker sent it, others that the first Flame King himself took the shape of the bird and led the way to the Lonely Isles. Of twenty ships that set out only seven arrived at the Big Island, three wrecking on the chancy Twin Heads.’ She waved in the direction of the narrow entrance to Safety Bay beyond which lay the harbour town of White Havens. It could be tricky sailing, which is one reason the lighthouse had been built. Favula caught Ruhanna’s wrist in a tight grip, her voice low. ‘Some say your mother had the blood of the old kings and queens. Though your hair be brown, with your sea-green eyes, I reckon it could be true.’

Ruhanna’s heart began to thump. She moistened her suddenly dry mouth. ‘I don’t know what you mean. Father is Royal Minister of Shipping and Mines and a loyal subject to the Sea Dragon Throne.’ She tried to pull her arm free, but the old woman’s grip was surprisingly strong.

‘The winds are changing. Best be careful, child.’ Favula laid a roughened finger beside her nose, her mouth stretched wide in a gap-toothed smile. She released Ruhanna’s arm and chuckled.

The old woman’s hulking grandson, Benin, appeared behind her. ‘Hush Gramma, the Royal Guards will hear. Take no heed, Gentle. We are loyal subjects of King Nebunar.’

Zobar strode from where he had been standing, talking to the chandler, his brows furrowed over his mist-grey eyes. He took her arm. ‘Come Miss Ruhanna, we best be going. It will be dark soon.’

The sun had already disappeared behind the hump in the middle of the island, bleeding the sky with oranges, reds and purples. Beyond the dock the waves of the strait stretched out in a bloody reflection of the sky. The guards were looking her way.

Ruhanna drew her cloak around her, thankful for its warmth against a sudden gust of the wind. She gripped the gift she had selected for Baba and followed Zobar, ignoring the intense gaze of the Royal Guards.

Glimpses of Light is available through Amazon.com ($12 US plus postage for print book or $3.50 US for kindle)

Giveaway

I’m offering a chance to win a print copy of Like a Girl anthology to the best answer on what’s your favourite genre and why. And one extra chance to win your choice of either Another Time Another Place OR Let the Sea Roar if you sign up to my email Newsletter – to keep in touch with future publications and news.

Anthologies on Amazon Central

Next Stop Blog Tour

Sci-fi author, Adam Colling’s is hosting the next stop on the blog tour. Adam has recently published his novella ‘Lynessa’s Curse’ – set in a futuristic medieval Mars. He draws inspiration from his over-active imagination, life experiences and faith and is currently writing a space opera series set in the same universe as his GOL story, ‘A Light To My Path’. Adam discusses books, movies and computer games on his YouTube show: Stories with Adam Collings.

Adam will be posting on 12 January. In the meantime, you can check out his blog at www.adamdavidcollings.com

Jeanette

Less than three days before the Goodreads Giveaway of Glimpses of Light ends.