I feel remiss that I have not wished my book a happy first birthday this month! Of course, Cassandra received the best birthday gift in the form of a shortlisting in the Aurealis Best Fantasy Novel category but having given birth to Cassandra, I should also officially say Happy Birthday. It’s been a whole year since launch day!
My midwife and publisher, Odysessy Books has continued to support Cassandra, and I feel Cassandra has many godmothers and godfathers in the Odysessy family, and it has been a pleasure to get to know all the other authors published by Odysessy. We do try to support each other and cheer each other along. What a bonus that has been.
I have learnt that I am not a natural promoter. The first year has challenged my introverted nature. Writers write in the hope that their words will be published and enjoyed by others. If we say otherwise, it is because we are scared of failing. I wish the writing were all I needed to do. I was unprepared for the promotional duties and would still like to hear from an old-fashioned patron to replace my platform.
What I like most is when people have read Cassandra and tell me about it! People have left me such lovely and thoughtful reviews.
Thank you to all the people who have supported Cassandra and been interested in her progress. I feel she is just learning to crawl, but before I know it, she will be off at school and on her own.
Meanwhile, I have to get on with producing the second child…
Finalist Best Fantasy Novel 2017 Aurealis Awards
Is the future set like concrete or a piece of clay we can mould and change?
On a remote farm in Queensland, Cassie Shultz feels useless. Her perfect brother Alex has an uncanny ability to predict the weather, and the fortunes of the entire family hinge on his forecasts. However, her gift for prophecy remains frustratingly obscure. Attempts to help her family usually fail.
After meeting with her new genius neighbour Athena, Cassie thinks she has unlocked the secret of her powers. But as her visions grow more vivid, she learns that the cost of honing her gift may be her sanity.
With her family breaking apart, the future hurtles towards Cassie faster than she can comprehend it.
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