I’ve had various iterations of the newsletter over the years.
I began with a free WordPress site and developed some initial content and gained a few subscribers before transferring to Substack three years ago. My aim with Substack was to release a chapter a week of my sea turtle volunteering memoir ahead of its release.
The subscription model worked well for a factual account such as ‘Turtling in Tortuguero’ but when I tried a chapter a week for my next book, ‘The Lace Sisters’ but the model didn’t work so well. I then tried travel updates and short story releases written to a prompt. These last were less successful and so, after much thought and consideration, I’ve decided to return to a ‘blog’ type format.
I’m hoping this new direction will work well for what I want to achieve.
My aim is still to release great content but on a more sporadic basis which gives me more time to focus on the actual writing. Also, a website means I have a ‘one-stop shop’ rather than a website and a newsletter service.
I’d love to know what you think of this new direction.
Please let me know. You can send me a message below.
Updates from the laptop of Jacqui
Today’s newsletter contains and will contain in future editions:
Book Recommendations
Short stories
Writing updates
Release dates
Inspiration
KEEP SCROLLING TO READ MORE
Feature Story
InstaStories
It’s important to keep finding new ways to be creative.
I was inspired by an idea pioneered by the New York Public Library who have published classic novels using the Instagram Stories feature called ‘InstaNovels’.
Taking inspiration from this fabulous idea, I thought how fun it would be to try and do something similar though on a far less grander scale. The impetus for this was to ‘publish’ my stories in new and different ways. You can find out more about the New York Public Library’s initiative in the link below.
The Book Review
YOUR MONTHLY RECOMMENDATION
THE SEASON by Helen Garner
Helen Garner has just released a new book (‘The Mushroom Tapes’ co-written with two other well-known & award winning authors, Chloe Hooper and Sarah Krasnostein) based on the ‘Mushroom Murder Trial’ of Erin Patterson.
Before she wrote this though, she explored the very male world of Australian Football through the eyes of her grandson. Although rather a slow read and not as insightful as perhaps many of her ‘courtroom’ books (I haven’t read ‘The Mushroom Tapes’ yet), the thing that stood out to me about this book was the relationship between Helen and her teenage grandson, Alby. Almost I wish this had been the focus, familial relationships and the generational differences and how to bridge those when wanting to remain relevant and in touch with young people and how they navigate the world.
Still, Garner is one of the most-respected and well-known authors writing today so who am I to say?
The book is full of wonderful writing and a worthy read all the same.
MORE ABOUT ‘THE MUSHROOM TAPES’
Designing with intention: when beauty and utility coexist.
Spotlighting
FOR THE AUTHORS AMONG US
Check out this site for a comprehensive list of writing competitions
What I’m loving
LEONOR LEAL
A love of flamenco has led me to some times, introduced me to some amazing people and brought me to incredible destinations.
This month I’m loving Leonor Leal, an up-and-coming contemporary flamenco dancer who combines classical and flamenco dance with contemporary music and choreography. Not exactly writing related I know but the beating heart of any writer has to be the ability to experience life in multiple ways.
Here’s someone who inspires me to keep creative and to keep expressing.
Want to see a flamenco show close to you? Here are some Melbourne venues to explore.
☕ Kanela Bar
For dynamic brilliant flamenco
🛋 Flamencollab
Dance studio delight with performances advertised on the website
🖼 Laura Flamenco
One of the most respected flamenco teachers in Melbourne if not Australia.
A Final Note
IN OTHER NEWS
My short story ‘The Butterfly Effect’ will be published in the Hunter Writer’s Centre forthcoming Anthology.
“Keep looking up… that’s the secret of life.” – Snoopy
Until next time,