April 9, 2017 by Jeanette

Update and Events April 2017

Hard to believe that it is April already. So what’s been happening? I’ve been writing, editing, blogging and critiquing.

Futurevision anthology:

I’m thrilled that my short story Rendezvous at Alexgaia (a follow-on from Space Junk) was accepted by 1231 Publishing for the Futurevision anthology. The anthology will be released in September with a physical launch on 9th September at the North Lakes Library, North Lakes (Brisbane), Qld.

March Events:

I’ve participated in a number of online events and launches in March:

Our Books Are Not Free week long event.

Mirren Hogan’s online launch of her historical novel The Night Witches (check it out Night Witches blog tour on Jenny’s Thread).

The Science-Fiction and Fantasy authors and artist Faire – run by Author Gibson and friends.

Spring into the Elemental Series by Alex Carey

If you missed out on the fun of these events – two more opportunities are imminent – an opportunity discover new speculative fiction authors and books, enter competitions, win books and prizes and to support emerging indie and small press authors.

Don’t Miss Out

In 7 hours – Mirren Hogan and Erin Yoshikawa’s release party of Nightmare Rises. I have a slot at 11:30 AEST.

And on April 12 (or April 13 in Oz) the Fantasy and Science Fiction Network are holding an online Drop Everything and Read Day – I have a slot on 8:30 am Wednesday AEST.

Blogging:

As usual, I’ve participated in a number of guest blogs including talking about Secondary World and Portal Fantasy – and have also featured on a number of blogs – Promote Me and Tuesday Spotlight.

Like a Woman anthology

There’s an opportunity to submit to the Like a Woman anthology, a follow-on from Like a Girl anthology (original home for Lakwi’s Lament). This is also a speculative fiction charity anthology, with profits being donated to a group that supports victims and survivors of domestic violence.

Hard at Work:

Otherwise, I’ve been hard at work (well actually, having a great deal of fun), writing and editing.

I’ve done a full edit of Akrad’s Children

I’ve been hard at work on Blood Crystal, the sequel to Heart of the Mountain. I’ve completed a second draft & will go through it at least once more before sending it out to beta-readers. I’ve also started working on the cover.

Blood Crystal excerpt:

Boom, boom. Something heavy smashed against the outer cavern doors. Delvina braced herself, the stone floor vibrating beneath her boots. This assault was longer and more ferocious than the last. She gripped the rim of the basket she was hauling and shuffled closer to her brother, Retza, reassured by his solid presence and the faint smell of rock dust and mushroom soup on his rough clothes.

Retza pushed his lips into a stiff smile. “It’s going to be okay.”

‘Yes, maybe this time.’ Delvina swallowed against the sudden tightness in her throat. How long could they withstand the former Overseer Uzza’s attacks. How long before food and supplies dwindled. Old Barekia had repaired the Crystal Heart, but now it was producing only half the power. How long before it failed? Again. Cold fear fingered her heart and squeezed the breath from her lungs.

I’ve also written a couple of flash fictions – ‘Eating Time’ and ‘Rookie Mistake’ – and a short story ‘Moonflame.’ I have several other short story ideas on the boil and am hopeful that one or more will appear in upcoming anthologies. Watch this space 🙂

Otherwise family have kept me busy with various challenges and successes. My daughter, Kathleen O’Hagan is a budding young artist, winning several prizes over the last 2-3 years, including recently 3rd Prize in the Mosman Youth Art Prize (seniors 15-17). You can see more of her work on her KathleenOHaganArt website.

I hope you too have had a productive and successful few months & with many enjoyable reads along the way.

Jeanette O’Hagan

***

If you haven’t already, why not sign up for Jeanette O’Hagan Writes email newsletter http://eepurl.com/bbLJKT

Or follow me on:

Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/JeanetteOHaganAuthorAndSpeaker/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9833645.Jeanette_O_Hagan

Amazon Central https://www.amazon.com/Jeanette-OHagan/e/B00RBSE85C/

Twitter https://twitter.com/JeanetteOHagan

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bythelightof2moons/

Jenny’s Thread http://jennysthread.com/

January 1, 2016 by Jeanette

Happy New Year 2016

December 26, 2015 by Jeanette

Highlights of 2015

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and fantastic New Year in 2016

2015 has been a whirlwind of a year for me. Here are some of the highlights.

Writing:

In January I did the Month of Poetry (writing over 30 poems), in July I wrote 30,000 words on Mannok’s Betrayal in Camp NaNo and 50,000 words on Jared’s Choice in November. In addition, I wrote 4 or 5 short stories.

Study:

I was thrilled to finish the Masters of Arts (Writing) through Swinburne University of Technology in July, attending the graduation ceremony last week. I have since enrolled in Year of the Edit.

Publication:

The publication of my story ‘The Herbalist’s Daughter’ in Tied in Pink seems to have broken the drought on publication. Since then I’ve had poems and short stories published in six other anthologies. (Five of the seven anthologies are listed on my Amazon Central page.)

‘Thunderstorm’ and ‘Floating’ in Poetica Christi’s Inner Child anthology

‘The Real Thing’ (second prize) and ‘Tree Dreaming’ in FAWQ’s Brio anthology (SVS Concepts)

‘Broken Promises’ in Another Time, Another Place anthology (Swinburne Students)

‘Lighthouse’ (poem) and ‘Sandy – Perfect Plans’ in Let the Sea Roar (By the Light Books)

‘Ruhanna’s Flight’ in Glimpses of Light (By the Light Books)

‘A Long Time Ago’ and ‘Brisbane Summer ABCs’ (poems) and ‘Lakwi’s Lament’ in Like a Girl (Far Horizons)

I’m working on publishing a longish short story Heart of the Mountain (11,000 words) in January 2016. More on that soon 🙂

Jeanette O’Hagan

Giveaway:

For the chance to win one of two copies of Glimpses of Light – enter the Goodreads giveaway.

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’ through short stories, poems, flash fiction and creative non-fiction.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Glimpses of Light

by Jeanette O’Hagan

Giveaway ends January 10, 2016.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

October 31, 2015 by Jeanette

It’s all happening

Phew! I’ve hardily had time to catch my breath since July. So many exciting things happening. And best of all – six of my short stories and seven poems are either published or about to be published in seven different anthologies and one e-book(let) between December 2014 and December 2015.

So – here are some of the highlights:

Conference at Bacchus Marsh (October 2015)

Last weekend I had a fabulous time at the Christian Writers Conference at Bacchus Marsh – meeting up with old friends and discovering some new ones. It was a full program with inspirational messages, workshops and connecting in an idyllic location.

On the Saturday, I gave a workshop of Creating a Sense of Place in fiction and creative non-fiction. I also had the opportunity to promote Tied in Pink anthology (particularly appropriate in Breast Cancer Awareness month) and two upcoming anthologies that my publishing business By the Light Books is launching in the next month or two.

I’m looking forward to next year’s conference in Sydney and an exciting year in 2016.

NaNoWriMo

In July I completed 30,000 words & editing equivalents on Mannok’s Betrayal. This third book in the Akrad’s Legacy Series is proving the hardest to write. I’m am very close to finishing the first draft – though editing and typesetting the two anthologies has taken my attention in the last couple of months.

Tomorrow, on 1^st November – I start NaNoWriMo again with an enthusiastic group of friends. While I could be a NaNo rebel and edit during this month – I’m pining to write something new so will be aiming to write the last 50,000 words on Jared’s Choice (book 5).

Short-listed

I was thrilled to learn that two of my poems (‘The Real Thing’ and ‘Tree Dreamings’) were short-listed for the Toowoomba Writers’ Festival Literary Prize and will be published in the associated anthology.

Graduation

In June I finished my last subject for Master of Arts (Writing) with Swinburne University of Technology – and will be graduating in the week before Christmas.

Up Coming New Releases

In December last year Tied in Pink Romance Anthology (profits for breast cancer research) was released with my story ‘The Herbalist’s Daughter’ which continues Anna’s adventures in the palace begun in Fever.

Since then, I’ve had a number of other poems and short stories accepted for publication. I was expecting a few of these to be published by now but unavoidable delays means that it’s all happening in the months of November and December – with the exception of the Inner Child anthology (launched in July). Here’s the schedule for 2015:

July 2015 Poems ‘Thunderstorm’ & ‘Floating’ in Poetica Christi’s Inner Child anthology (available from here).

14 November 2015 Poems The Real Thing & Tree Dreamings shortlisted in Toowoomba Writers’ Festival Literary Prize anthology (presentation at Toowoomba Writer’s Festival)

15 November 2015 E-Launch of Like a Girl anthology (editors Mirren Hogan and Christina Aitken)– promoting girls education through Plan Australia. My story ‘Lakwi’s Lament’ and poems ‘A Long Time Ago’ and ‘Brisbane Summer ABCs’ are in this anthology.

28 November 2015 Probable E-Launch of Glimpses of Light anthology (editors Jeanette O’Hagan and Nola Passmore) – stories and poems of hope. With 21 authors (including several award winning novelists and poets) and 27 stories and poems, this anthology explores light in the midst of dark situations and supports the Christian Blind Mission. My story ‘Ruhanna’s Flight’ is part of the anthology.

5 December 2015 – E-Launch of Another Time, Another Place – an anthology of stories by Swinburne University of Technology Post-graduate writing students and a foreword by Professor Josie Arnold. My story ‘Broken Promises’ has been included in the anthology. You can view the book trailer here.

14 December 2015 – E-Launch of Let the Sea Roar (editor Madeleine Calcutt)– inspirational stories of women facing different challenges in life. My story ‘Sandy: Perfect Plans’ and poem ‘Lighthouse’ are included. This story is the only contemporary one – all my other short stories are fantasy set in the world of Nardva.

26 December 2015 – probable E-launch of the Kindle version of my short story (11,000 words) Heart of the Mountain.

I’ll be posting more information over the next few weeks 🙂

So, it looks like it’s going to be a busy few months – and I’m working towards publishing the first few books in the Akrad’s Legacy series in 2016.

I do hope you can join me in some, if not all, these launches of fabulous mix of anthologies. Maybe, you’ll find something to add to your Christmas list and/or an enjoyable way to support some great causes. Certainly there is many hours of great reading in these different collections of short stories and poems.

Now where is that to-do list …

Jeanette

July 20, 2015 by Jeanette

Blog Award Tour

My co-editor in Glimpses of Light anthology, editor at The Write Flourish, poet and writer, Nola Passmore tagged me for the Blog Award Tour. Nola has over 150 short pieces (short stories, flash fiction, poems, and devotions) published and is currently writing her first novel, with parallel modern and historical narratives which intersect on Nova Scotia, Canada. It all sounds intriguing and I’m looking forward to reading it. You can read more about her current writing projects here.

Nola has asked me to answer the following four questions as part of the blog tour.

1. WHAT YOU’RE WORKING ON AT THE MOMENT?

I’m got a few things going at the moment. I’ve in the middle of co-editing an anthology Glimpses of Light, I am doing final edits of my story that has been accepted for another anthology (Like a Girl) and I am in the middle of Camp NaNo racing to complete Mannok’s Betrayal – editing and filling in the gaps. This is the third manuscript of my Akrad Children’s trilogy – a secondary world YA fantasy with romantic elements, adventure and courtly intrigue. My short story ‘The Herbalist’s Daughter’ (published in Tied in Pink anthology in December last year) is set in the same story world.

2. HOW DOES YOUR WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS IN YOUR GENRE?

My novels are not typical Young Adult (YA) in that they are multi-protagonist and generally cover more than a year though the point of view characters are teens to early twenties with themes of loss, relationships, identity, belonging, and coming of age. Because it is secondary world fantasy courtly intrigue with multiple points of view, it does have some co-incidental correspondences with Game of Thrones (though without the level of violence and graphic sex). It differs from a lot of other fantasy is that it is not set in a obviously European medieval society but uses the Southern Hemisphere for inspiration and has, I believe, strong female characters who aren’t necessarily ‘kick-ass’ warriors.

3. WHY DO YOU WRITE OR CREATE WHAT YOU DO?

I write because it is exhilarating and my stories entertain me. I write because the stories are there, inside of me, and they want to get out. I have had the idea of the Akrad cycle or series (which may end up about 14 books) since the 1980s and the fictional world of Nardva since I began imagining it at the age of nine. The stories have grown and flourished over time. I want to see these stories to take shape beyond my imagination. I also hope, that my stories can inspire a sense of hope and meaning, the value of human life, the beauty and complexity of our world as well as its challenges and horrors, and also as sense of the One who spoke it into being and seeks to renew and restore all things.

4. HOW DOES YOUR WRITING/CREATIVE PROCESS WORK?

Once I have an idea for a story, I think through a rough outline or work out major plot points, usually including the beginning and the end. I might write this outline done (in bullet points). I spend a lot of time allowing the story to incubate, and spend time daydreaming, allowing the characters to inhabit the scenes, to speak and act and to do surprising things. These days – as I am at this stage with three or four novels ahead of those I am currently working on, I write these ideas down in notebooks to refer to later. I also draw maps, model buildings, draw out family trees etc. Then I sit down and write, often adapting the imagined scenes so they fit into chapters and the (rather rigid) structure of a novel. I might have to leave things out or change things as I go, solving plot problems or issues of pacing or characterisation. I will research issues as they arise in writing the narrative (to ensure verisimilitude) and also make sure that the novel fits in with the others in terms of timeline, family and political relationships and the realities of my fictional world. Once the first draft is finished, the editing process begins. Though often, I prefer to move on to the next book as the ideas and stories continue to percolate.

Thanks, Nola, for giving me the opportunity to share some thoughts about my current projects and writing process.

I’d now like to tag three friends and fellow authors Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones and Alison Stegert:

Lynne Stringer is an editor and author. She has published her popular Verindon trilogy (The Heir, The Crown, The Reign) and has another contemporary novel ready to publish. She’ll be answering these four questions on her blog on Monday 27th July. In the meantime, you can check out her writing at her website http://www.lynnestringer.com/

Adele Jones has published a fast paced, YA thriller Integrate. The sequel Replicate will be published later this year and she also has a historical romance on the cusp of publication. She’ll be answering the same questions on her blog on Monday 3^rd August. You can check out her writing at her website http://www.adelejonesauthor.com/blog/

Alison Stegert has a blog looking at internet safety (e-Quipped) and writes fantastic middle grade adventures. She’ll be answering these four questions on her blog on Monday 10th August. In the meantime, you can check out her writing at her website http://ali-stegert.com/

Thanks for taking the time to follow my current writing adventures 🙂