News and Events

Here I keep you up to date about the latest happenings – the big publishing and writing events as well as contests, surveys and giveaways.

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November Update – Interviews, Book Events & Specials

Hard to believe that’s it’s almost December.  The last few months have brought a slew of conventions and other opportunities along with a few family crises.

Friday Feature Interview

In November, I was thrilled to be interviewed by Eric Klein about the world of Nardva. My last interview with Eric focused more on the Under the Mountain series, whereas this one highlighted the Akrad’s Legacy series. So, in case you want to know more about the behind the scenes of world-building, here is the interview:

 

For this week’s Feature Friday Futures Jeanette O’Hagan returns to tell us about her Akrad’s Legacy Series Akrad’s Children and Rasel’s Song.

Can you describe your world or setting?

The Akrad Legacy series is set in Tamra, one the Five Lands and part of a southern continental mass on an earth-like planet, Nardva. This is a fantasy world with shapeshifters and other wielders of mystical gifts and mythical creatures like the koraktil, though the vast majority of the people and animals are not magic users.

How did you build this concept, what research did you do?

The world took shape over many years, developing in complexity and scope as I imagined the exploits, relationships and challenges of different characters, starting with Agwynallen when I was eight or nine years old.

I’ve researched geographical land forms, weather and climate, how far and fast people and horses can travel, the phases of the moon (there are two in Nardva), sailing craft, fighting techniques, architecture, marriage costumes, poisons, underground caverns, and whatever else my various characters and world needs at the time.

Why did you choose this setting?

Most of the early stories I imagined were set in the northern hemisphere, but many years ago I had a lucid dream of a young girl holding a lantern near a fountain, at night. That became a book, the book became an idea for a series and I decided to set those stories in the southern hemisphere of Nardva.

What’s unique about your world?

I can think of four possibilities. Firstly, Nardva has two moons (not in itself unusual ins spec fic) but, in a reckless moment, I decided any descriptions of the different phases of the moons should be correct over time. That means, if I change the timeline in my draft, I also need to shift the moon phases to match. For that reason, I had to axe “the crescent of Argenti hanging like a silver reed boat in the western sky” because Argenti would be a half moon, not a crescent at that time. Keeping track is quite complicated and I suspect, I’m the only one who notices the difference. Read more here.

Book Events

After few face-to-face book events in 2020, 2021 has been a feast.  Meeting people who love fantasy, who are keen to buy books – some new readers to Nardva, some enthusiastic readers returning for more – is fantastic.

This Year  I have been at
*Supanova Gold Coast (with Rendered Realms) – 17-18 April 2021
*Omega Writers Book Fair – 31 July 2021
*Cooparoo PC Book Fair – 28 August 2021
*The inaugural Logan Writers Festival – 11-12 September 2021
*Supanova Brisbane – 6-7 November 2021

Unfortunately, Oz Comic Con was postponed, first to December and then to next year, but really it’s been a fabulous year for meeting new and old fans.

Looking forward to meeting more readers next year.

Congratulations to the Winner

Thanks everyone who commented on the interview with the wonderful Claire Buss.

I’m thrilled to announce the winner of a book from the Roshaven series.
(And sorry for the delay, see above reference to family crises.)

The winner is

….drum roll…

Babs Mountjoy.

Congratulations Babs. If you can let me know which book you would like to receive – The Rose Thief (book 1), The Silk Thief (book 2) or The Bone Thief (book 3). and Claire will be in touch 🙂

 

Black Friday /Cyber Monday Sales

Sales Bonanza – 5 books all 99c each

 

*Under the Mountain Boxed Sets 1-3 & 4-5
*Ruhanna’s Flight and Other Stories

*The first two books in the Akrad’s Legacy Series

This is almost my entire body of work (apart from poetry and several short stories) – available in  electronic form for $5 US – but only for a few more days.

Don’t miss out. Grab a bargain & start reading. Enjoy #epicfantasybooks #blackfridaydeals
Follow the link (or check out Amazon, Kobo, ITunes etc)

Wishing you all the best for the Season.

Jeanette

It’s Been Too Long – 2021 Update
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It’s Been Too Long – 2021 Update

Hard to believe we’re halfway through 2021. Last year was a tough one for so many. For family reasons I needed to take a hiatus from writing, but in 2021 I’m finally back into the swing of things – including this blog.


This is what I’ve been up to:

Release of Rasel’s Song – book 2 in the Akrad’s Legacy series.

A rebellious prince, a mysterious stranger, a realm at risk

Prince Mannok fumes at his royal parents for exiling his half-sister, Ista. When his age-mate, Dinnis, discovers the would-be royal assassins poisoned in the palace cells, it seems not all the killers have been captured and Prince Mannok’s life is at risk. Even though Mannok knows securing the succession is vital to the stability of the realm, he rejects all his parents suggestions, and embraces danger on the border, taking Dinnis with him.

Rasel, a young shapeshifter, is fascinated by the the warrior Tamrin, in spite of the tragic betrayals of the past. She longs to restore the peace so her people no longer need to live in the shadows.

 Will Rasel’s unexpected arrival bring peace to Tarka or heighten the turmoil and danger? Will Mannok make peace or provoke a bloody confrontation? Will Dinnis unmask the elusive assassin before someone close to the throne dies?

Rasel’s Song is the exciting second book in the epic kingdom fantasy, the Akrad’s Legacy series. It is available at range of retailers. Find your copy here.

Gold Coast SupaNova in April

Rendered Realms – Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones and Jeanette O’Hagan – had a great time at the recent Gold Coast Supanova in April this year. After a year of no conventions due to the pandemic, it was fantastic to meet up with fans, enjoy the fabulous cosplay, and sell -and sign – our books in person.

Current Projects

I’m currently working on edits of Lumi’s Allegiance – Book 3 in the Akrad’s Legacy series. Lumi is a secondary character in Akrad’s Children and plays a bigger role in Rasel’s Song. As the daughter of the cunning and sinister, Lord Haka, she finds her loyalties stretched and splintered between her family and her beloved Prince.

Looking ahead

Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane) July 31 2021

I’m part of the panel and will also have a table at the upcoming Omega Writers Book Fair 31 July 2021. If you are in the vicinity why not drop in and say hello.

OZ Comic Con (Brisbane) September 2021

I’m planning to be at the Oz Comic Con convention in Brisbane this year. Keep an eye out for the Rendered Realms Stand.

And finally


Until June 30 – The Series Starters Sale

Haven’t started reading Under the Mountain series or the Akrad’s Legacy series? The first book in both series is on sale until the end of the month, along with Ruhanna’s Flight and Other Stories (a collection of short stories mostly set in Nardva, including Heart of the Mountain). Why not start your adventure in Nardva today. Check out my books on Amazon here or other retailers here.

That’s it for now. Promise it won’t be over year between posts this time round. Happy reading.

Jeanette O’Hagan

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2019 in review

If you had three words, how would you describe 2019?

Eventful, Stressful, Hopeful

It’s certainly been eventful and often stressful (especially on the world stage and also locally). Here in Australia the unprecedented bushfires, the smoke haze in many of our major cities but especially Sydney, and the drought has dominated the news. And of course, then there is Brexit, Trump and the revival of old political rivalries to keep us on our toes. So many issues to face and to take a stand on (whichever way that might be), that sometimes the good news can become lost in all the furore.

But if it all gets too much, why not escape into another world with a good book (or movie) to replenish and revision for a more positive future? With that in mind – how was your 2019 for books read, books written?

Recap of my 2019 literary adventures.

New Books and Stories

Under the Mountain Series complete

With the publication of Shadows Crystals & Shadows of the Deep – the Under the Mountain series is now complete. Currently, the first four novellas are available in print, and fifth soon will be.

Five Anthologies

Four my short stories & a poem have been published in five anthologies in 2019

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Recent releases & deals

Interviewed – by Altered Instincts

Altered Instincts aka author Leo McBride recently interviewed me following the recent release of Caverns of the Deep .and also Wolf Scout, in the Inklings Press latest anthology, Tales of Magic and Destiny. He asked some great questions.

What inspired the story [Caverns of the Deep]?
The first book in the series – Heart of the Mountain – which started as a short story on the theme glimpses of light (for the Glimpses of Light anthology). I set the story in an underground realm in which the power and lights were failing. But, as often happens to me, the story grew too long, so I submitted another story instead (Ruhanna’s Flight). Heart of the Mountain became a short novella which birthed the Under the Mountain series.


As a writer, have you ever had a character grow to be a much bigger part of the story than you expected? Who was the character and what was it about them that made them emerge from the sidelights?
Yes. Dinnis in Akrad’s Children started off as a side-kick to Mannok.  I loved his snarky, cynical view on life and, as the story developed, his wrenching back-story, difficult circumstances and motivations gave him a strong presence, until it became obvious that the first book in the series was, in fact, his story.


What are your favourite genres to read – and what is it about those genres that draws you in?

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Interview with Zadeki

Welcome Zadeki

Jeanette: Zadeki, Welcome. We’re chuffed you could take time to fly into today to enlighten us a bit more about yourself. We’ve been following your adventures Under the Mountain and also across the ocean in the Lonely Isles. It hasn’t all been smooth sailing (sorry, couldn’t resist the pun). Coughs Please, please pull up a seat and make yourself welcome.

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Zadeki:  My thanks, daughter of the pen. (Brushes a small feather from his hair, and jumps up onto a tree branch.) I’m glad you decided to have the interview outside. Sometimes I think I’ve been in more tunnels than anyone should in a life time.

Jeanette:  I can understand that. The last few days most have been particularly harrowing. Can you tell us a bit about how your association with the twins, Delvina and Retza, came about?

Zadeki: Ah, well, that’s a bit embarrassing. I wanted to prove to the Kinleader that I was ready to be a Pathfinder. So I decided to fly over the mountains to show my skill at shape-shifting. Instead, I ended up being caught in a snow storm and colliding with a mountain and breaking a wing … er arm. That’s when the twins found me and took me into the mountain caverns.

Jeanette: Your time with the twins and their people has been fraught with danger and difficulties. Even now things are in the balance, yet I’m sure the twins have been very glad of your help and that of your Kin.

Zadeki nods.

Jeanette: Lets talk a bit more about you. In our world, people are often divided between ‘cat’ people and ‘dog’ people.  Do you have a particular preference between the two?

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Crystals and Easter Eggs

What a busy couple of months it’s been.

Omega Writers Book Fair

I had a great time at the Omega Writers Book Fair with an exciting range of other authors, workshops and giveaways. Looking forward to the Book Fair next year.

Supernova Gold Coast

Young Adult Spec Fic authors Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones and I were at Gold Coast Supernova last weekend – under the Rendered Realms banner.

Lynne looked particularly dashing in her Verindon Overlord dress and tiara (the Verindon trilogy).  I went as Delvina (Under the Mountain series) and also as Kupanna Mara (Akrad’s Children).

I was excited to have Stone of the Sea the third book in the Under the Mountain series available. I also managed to snag an amethyst crystal that fits in nicely with my Under the Mountain series and hopefully enhances the display.  And Lynne had copies of Challenge Accepted available – a charity anthology for the Special Olympics with awesome speculative fiction stories, including one by me, Lynne and Adam Collings.

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February Round-up

What a month February has been –  a month of extremes of weather for one thing. I’m glad to escaped the worst of it here in steaming hot Brisbane, but feel for everyone who has suffered loss from bushfires or wildfires, the Sahara-dessert levels of heat south of the border or Antarctic cold of the polar vortex across the Pacific, from earthquakes, storms, drought and other disasters.

It’s been something of a deluge on the publishing scene for me in much more pleasant ways – frantic, crazy and fantastic -with four new books due for release in February-March, several events both online and in person, and two promotions.

New Releases

Shadow Crystals

Shadow Crystals – Book 4 in the Under the Mountain series

She will do anything to save her people.

Delvina, Zadeki and the delegation lead by Danel must seek answers from the haughty Vaane, but they find the Lonely Isles in turmoil. Will Delvina find the way to open the Gate in time to prevent her people from starving? Will she be reunited with her twin, Retza? And why are the Forest Folk so secretive? As tensions increase, Delvina must discern friend from foe and defeat the shadows in her own heart.

Join Delvina and her friends on their quest to save the Glittering Realm under the mountain.

Set in the world of Nardva, Shadow Crystals is the fourth and penultimate novella in the Under the Mountain series.

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My Spec-Fic Faves for 2018


2018 was a great year for reading. I smashed my Goodreads Reader’s Challenge goal and just scrapped to finishing the 2018 Popsugar Challenge. Once again this year, my reading included a selection from the classics, big names and several indie authors. While not all are 5 star reads, each of the books chosen for my 15 picks intrigued me and/or left me thinking about the characters, the plot or the world long after I’d put the book down.

What were my best spec-fic reads for 2018?

1. The Bright Empires series by Stephen Lawhead

This science-fantasy series by Stephen Lawhead consists of five book: The Skin Map, The Bone House, The Spirit Well, The Shadow Lamp, The Fatal Tree.   The series follows the adventures of 17th century Arthur Flinders-Petrie, present day Kit Livingston, his erstwhile girl friend Mina, and the villainous Lord Burleigh, as they each seek to explore the mysteries of ley travel between an expanding number of alternative earths.  Each transfer to an alternative world is at a different time as well as place – from 17th century London and Prague, to China, to both Middle Kingdom and early twentieth century Egypt, ancient Tuscany, the paleolithic, early twentieth century Jordan, or north American desert.  Like the Doctor and Riversong – people can met out of synch with each other which results in some interesting plot points. New characters are added along the way and the stakes grow more serious with each book until it encompasses the whole cosmos. And while the final book didn’t quite live up to the rest,  I enjoyed the complexity of the plot, the immersive and detailed nature of each setting, the interplay of the characters, the redemptive arc and transcendence in this brilliant series.

2. Children of the Furnace by Brin Murray

Children of the Furnace is a YA dystopia set in a world devastated by global warming, with only the polar regions suitable for human habitation. Will, brought up by his step-father in Sekkerland (Greenland) is sheltered from the realities of the world until he is discovered by the Revouts and sent to Ferule – a re-education camp for boys – as a hated Heater.  The book is narrated by both Will and Leah (a girl from the south) with strong world-building and characterisation. Though, at times I found the violence quite harrowing and was disappointed the trope of religious fanaticism, I really did like the originality of setting and that Will seeks another way than ‘the way of the strong’.   Here’s my full review.

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New Release and Supernova

Stone of the Sea

Have you been wondering what the young shapeshifter, Zadeki, and the twins, Delvina and Retza are up to? At the end of October I released the next instalment, novella 3 of the Under the Mountain series. The Crystal Heart may be saved but the people under the mountain are running out of food, while strife and disaster bubble beneath the surface.

A desperate journey into the unknown

Food is scarce, the Glittering realms in chaos and solutions fast disappearing.  Twins Delvina and Retza have always stood shoulder to shoulder. Will new challenges pull the twins apart? Will they, and their shapeshifter friend, Zadeki, find food before the people under the mountain starve?

Join Delvina, Retza and Zadeki as once again they face their fears and rescue a realm.

Stone of the Sea is the third novella in the Under the Mountain series. It is set in the world of Nardva.

Start reading it today. Available at Amazon and other retailers.

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On the Horizon and more

This year has been a whirlwind of activity and it hasn’t stopped yet. So another news update post, though over the next few months I’m planning on bringing you some interivews with Spec Fic authors and reflections and explorations related to speculative fiction and my world of Nardva.

Omega Writers Book Fair (6th March)

We had a great time with a fantastic range of writers, books and workshop from Gary Clark. Looking forward to doing it all again next year.

Gold Coast Supernova (27-29th April)

Spec fic and Young Adult authors, Adele Jones and Lynne Stringer are joining me at Gold Coast Supernova. We have some fantastic books, big smiles and would love to see you — Stand 77.

On the Horizon release

The On the Horizon boxed set release is fast approaching on Wednesday 1 May. Three days to get 22 speculative fiction novels at the low price of 99c USD, including Akrad’s Children. This is great value and will only be available for purchase for a couple of months.

A collection of 22 Fantasy and Science Fiction full novels from Amazon bestselling authors. This action-packed boxset is filled with strong-willed individuals who encounter or even are queens, witches, wizards, werewolves, shifters, angels, dragons, or shadowy nemeses. Stories are character driven and set in worlds with low or no technology. You will follow their journeys to discover magical worlds, encounter dystopian lands, space stations, and galaxies they never dreamed of before their adventures. Join us On the Horizon for these deadly and dangerous quests filled with nonstop action and adventure!

Included titles:
Pretty Waiter Girls – Greg Alldredge
fantasy

The Taming of Dracul Morsus – Stephanie Barr
fantasy

Caterina’s Renaissance – Christa Bedwin
fantasy

Clock City – Rebekah Dodson
fantasy

80 AD: The Jewel of Asgard – Aiki Flinthart
fantasy

Asante’s Gullah Journey – S. A. Gibson
science fiction

Shatterwing – Donna Maree Hanson
fantasy

Dragonwar – Mirren Hogan
fantasy

The Rose of Admirias – Charis Joy Jackson
fantasy

Anaya’s Key – Carina Merritt
science fiction

Homefront – Diane Morrison
fantasy

The Selection – Jason Nugent
science fiction

Akrad’s Children – Jeanette O’Hagan
fantasy

The Korpes Files – J. I. Rogers
science fiction

Planet Woman – Judith Rook –
science fiction

Assassins of the Dead – Avril Sabine
fantasy

Molten Heart – Katie Salidas
fantasy

From the Ashes – Connor Sassmannshausen
science fiction

Rain – K. J. Taylor
fantasy

Rebel Dragon – Steve Turnbull
fantasy

The Shadow of Oz – Jay Michael Wright II
fantasy

Beast Within – Stephanie Barr
fantasy

We will be having a pre-release party from 1pm 29th April  (Pacific time) – ie 6am 30th April Brisbane time.

In addition your can participate in the draw (US/CANADA only) to win 30 paperback books! Awesome selection of books. Sponsored by On the Horizon

Check out the list of giveaway books offered here.

Pre-order On the Horizon here.

In the meantime, I’m working on the sequel in the Heart of the Mountain series & the Akrad’s Legacy series, plus getting Akrad’s Children and Ruhanna’s Flight and other stories in print form. I also have had a short story accepted for an anthology though that’s all I can say at the moment.

Happy reading.

Jeanette