Dear buddies, If the photo makes it look as if I'm stuck on the bank, it's because I have been. I know I promised when you signed up not to pester you, but not writing to you for eight months is taking it to extremes. I have to tell you though that I even considered continuing not to write at all—the purest form of non-pestering. But me voilà. Son of Hydra came out, I promised to keep you posted, and you could have assumed I'd been sentenced to death for piracy myself. I have

My lovely email people—you absolute champions—you’re finally getting the update you deserve. Son of Hydra has been out for three weeks, and the response has been so good I’ve had to lie down several times with a cold cloth. Honestly, I thought you’d all pat me on the head politely say well done and wander off. Instead, you’ve gone completely spare. But would you believe, I’ve sold more in the US than in Australia? How marvellous and deeply confusing is that? I hope he become

Wherever I am, my early morning walks are usually peaceful affairs. At home, I wander or powerwalk up to the high water tank and back again. I know the five people I usually meet; I recognise their casual wear; I know their dogs’ names. None of them poses a threat to my blood pressure. It's a gentle kind of happiness I take for granted. When I'm in Brisbane, it‘s the same. Peaceful. I take the riverwalk: a zephyr of breeze, a lone rower slicing quiet circles into the water,

The Cover That Took An Insta-village (and a pirate) Remember these? When I put up sixteen possible covers for Son of Hydra and asked you to vote, I had no idea what I’d started. Hundreds of you took the trouble to send really thoughtful responses—and the results were—well, enlightening. There was no outright winner. Just a list of ones that had more votes than the others. The top choice was Number 6, the beautiful orange and blue woodcut. Unfortunately, when I showed it to a

After I wrote that last blog post I knew what you were thinking—I was a dill. I knew it was time to stop mucking around. No more...

Hello again, my lovely literate legends! Yes, I'm back from the writing trenches, towing a dumpster of mixed metaphors to describe the...

Seems about a million years ago I decided to write a novel. Very much like seeing ...

Right. Flowers on the desk. Pen and paper. Yep. It's 12.04 pm and it's taken me all day to get ready to start writing. First I lolled...

Holy schemoly where did 2022 go? And now 2023 is almost gone??? And does it matter? Good health is the only thing that matters a toss,...

I'm sorry I haven't updated you about the novel lately. I thought you'd think, Oh for goodness sake, aren't you published yet? And now...

Where Shelley goes back to the drawing board and a dual narrative...

I hope nice things have been happening in your life since I wrote to you last. Anything could have happened! Tell me, tell me, in the...

It's been a while. The journey continues...

Just a quick update on my novel..... Last September when I wrote my last blog post, I'd finished the first draft, about the lives of two...

A few of you have asked me when my novel will be finished. Good question. Poor answer: I don't know! Let me explain by sharing my...

I just love this place where I sit to write. I'm not distracted by the huge fig trees at my back.....

Thank you so much for being interested in the process of my novel writing. It's been a journey (both physically and mentally!), and some...