If my chest has expanded for each proud moment during last few months, I’d have a big chest.
With great fanfare, SisterShip Magazine was launched in April after 30 years in dry-dock. In June issue 2 was published and the comments, interest, and support were mind-blowing. August’s issue is well on the way.
A couple of weeks ago we softly launched our publishing website SisterShip Press Pty Ltd, with our search for women authors.
In the midst of all this, we also launched a short story competition based on fear – an author contacted me directly and thanked us for addressing an important subject.
Last month, with Noel, we celebrated 20 years of marriage, travelling, and an extraordinary life.
So with my big breasts, blown mind, busy fingers, marvellous husband, and neat business partner – I just want to say thanks. The ride-of-my-life continues…
First launched thirty years ago, SisterShip Magazine has been taken out of drydock, refitted, and is now ready to set sail. Our team has been busy in the ‘shipyard’ and we are about to untie the lines. We would love you to join us on our voyage!
SisterShip Magazine
Here is a taster of what is coming up – there are plenty of other surprises… don’t miss out, follow us on our Facebook Page or via our website, so you’ll be the first to know when the first issue is ready.
A great new website has been launched for Audio Books.
Do you listen to books? For me it means I can indulge in stories while driving, sanding, painting or just trying to turn my mind off and visit somewhere else in the world while snuggled in bed.
Image courtesy of imagerymajestic at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Many people have told me that audio books are the future – what do you think?
This is a short story on travels, boats and horses from a fellow writer and friend, Alison Alderton.
It’s very special.
To find out why you’ll have to read to the end… Here’s Alison’s pretty barge ‘Lily’
Dutch barge Lily moored at Mustadfors
What do horse shoe nails and boating have in common? by Alison Alderton
“Not a lot” I hear you reply. Well at first glance perhaps not but recently I drifted into the small town of Mustadfors on Sweden’s Dalsland Canal and made a discovery as well as a link to a friend.
The horse shoe symbol on the side of the lift bridge
On the lift-bridge by the town’s lock is a horse shoe symbol, it reflects the town’s long association with the production of horse shoe nails. In conversation with the Lock Keeper, he told how the company, which no longer works out of the town, once specialised in light weight nails. These were made from aluminium and used in the race horse industry. With a little research of my own I later discovered these are also used with shoes specially designed for trotting horses.
The entrance to the former horse shoe nail manufacturers
Mustadfors lift bridge
Mustadfors lock on the Dalslands Canal
Horse-trotting has a long history in Sweden; people have competed with their horses since the 19th century and at the nearby Amal’s racetrack there are regular events from April through to September each year.
Home, 5 horses nearby and our tents
Friends
A boating friend, Jackie Parry recently published a book about her amazing adventures with five ex-trotting horses which she and her husband, Noel rescued from an unknown fate. “A Standard Journey” is an exciting read; about how they sold up and set off with their horses to hack Australia’s Bi-centennial National Trail and brings my visit to the pretty little canal-side town of Mustadfors full circle.
I am thankful for this most unusual discovery which triggered thoughts of a dear friend.
And why is this so special?
Well, Alison’s publisher is keen for her to finish her book on her life with a rather special companion. Yes, there’s Roger, her lovely husband, but there’s also Buster the Beagle.
Boating with Buster – The life & times of a barge beagle will be a story you’ll want to read. Follow Alison hereand/orhereand try to be patient, it is a work in progress.
What I can promise you, knowing the ethos behind the story, is that it will be a book that will stay with you forever – I can hardly wait!
This blog has lost its way a little – so I’ve signed up for some book-blog-tours on books I’ve read that I’d like to share with you. (All via Rukia Publishing).
I’m branching out into some new genres and the authors of those books will share excerpts and their writing experiences.
One tour will be my own story – with fun, hilarious, and scary stories from This Is It. Like “Shark Encounter” – “So This is What Being Kidnapped Feels Like” – “What Travelling The World Taught Me” – “Mexican Dramas” – “‘Where’s that water coming from?’ – a mid-ocean panic!”
That will start soon, in the meantime if you want to know more about my latest – here’s a wonderful (and descriptive) review from a truly great sailing magazine – Afloat.
Three difficult weeks at sea, living on a tilting vessel!
Writing, publishing, and marketing my books has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Like most things, until you’ve done it, you simply cannot imagine what’s involved.
However, the rewards have been beyond my dreams.
All my books have been No.1 bestsellers and that’s pretty neat, but what beats that – hands-down – are notes such as these:
“Hi Jackie. I have started to re-read Of Foreign Build and it’s even better than the first time. Your words and time of grieving seem to be of comfort for me with the passing of my wife. God bless you. I look forward to your next book.”
And this:
“Look what we received today [This Is It], it helped pass the time for us all on our journey from Denmark to Sweden. it is great and will be treasured.”
I’ve received quite a number of personal notes from people all over the world. My books have helped many people in one way or another – the notes that are deeply personal have made me cry, given me goose-bumps, and left me feeling honoured and humble.
I’ve not received many photos though – so if you have some pictures with one of my books, with you or your pet (the gorgeous Maksi above, appears to approve!), please send them on to me!
And keep writing to me, I love hearing from readers and authors alike, I am making new friends all over the world.
Moving to South Africa with her husband and young girls was a challenge Valerie Poore tackled with endearing humility and humour. Their time there is a picture story created through vivid prose.
As she recalls the unique culture and charming characters I was taken on a journey where I could experience the countryside and feel her frustrations while enduring the tough challenges that a new culture brings.
This is beautifully written with down to earth, honest style.
I’ve read other books from Valerie Poore and I shall be reading more. This lady is smart, courageous, warm and funny – and this book will put a smile on your face.
Here’s a lady with enormous human spirit and a knack to laugh at herself.
Told with searing honesty, Kathryn takes you on a journey of love, loss, heartache, joy and redemption. Her most intimate decisions are shared, discussed, analysed and carried out with equal measures of humour, sadness, fear and validation.
Although at times I felt a tiny bit uncomfortable with her self-justification for some of those decisions – I still couldn’t wait to settle down each evening to be carried along with her sentiments and emotions. I wanted to see which one of life’s challenges would knock her flat next – and how she’d stand up and slap it right back!
These ‘life-lessons’ are experienced by us all, but Kathryn makes it a fun ride that’s all wrapped in the chaos of two lunatic, adorable dogs.
If you are a similar age and you like an entertaining read on handling the lumps and bumps of life that is loaded with sentiment – this book is for you.
I would have loved to have more written dialogue between Kathryn and her dynamic friends, to really hear how they carried her through the difficult times – but that’s just a personal perspective and takes nothing away from a great read!
Jackie Parry - author 