30/7/12 The new portal’s actually on my computer though not yet live, and I’m astounded at how work-personlike and authoritative it is, this dream that’s coming true – it’s not touched by all our uncertainties and doubts, rather in the way that one of my newly published novels has always astonished me, where a messy… Continue reading…
Sue's blog
Almost there
I’m back in Australia, with my new novel, “The Oldest Song in the World”, about to come out both in print and e in Australia and New Zealand with Harper Collins, who continue to be generous and patient with me, although I fear I’ve tested them at least once, getting muddled about dates of giving… Continue reading…
Scrambling across the world to a meeting
When our portal designers signal that they need to meet us to talk further, Libby is launching her new book, “A Boy Like Me” and Louise is lecturing full time. Our portal builders want to schedule a meeting in nine day’s time. Only Bem and I are free to fly to India. Bem is in… Continue reading…
The portal builders
Many authors replied! -some offering to help us because they can see that this is a worthy thing to do for Australian literature, its authors and its readers. And- now I can tell all- a huge e publishing group in India is offering to our rescue, to build our portal, at no cost to us,… Continue reading…
An astonishing reply
We’ve had an astonishing reply. It’s too astounding to tell at the moment. But the portal may actually happen, built by a very experienced, very professional company overseas. We realize that we need other authors with forbearing and patience to trial this portal, if and when it happens. We decide to advertise to find them… Continue reading…
Is writing novels a road-map for living?
Our little plan is becoming a big plan. It sounds like something out of a novel, out of my new novel, where the heroine scarcely knows her heart’s desire, but stumbles towards it. The plan is to build a portal to enable Australian authors like us, like me, luddites like me who almost have no… Continue reading…
The strange importance of carrots
Harper Collins have been dream publishers. Just when I thought I must turn my back on traditional publishing houses, I come across a model one. For example, I’m being consulted about the cover, and for most of a day I’m allowed to discuss with their artist colours, desert scenery, a figure wandering blithely away across… Continue reading…
What’s so safe about traditional publishing?
It was in the bad old days. You wait all your life to find a way to export your first novel out of your head and onto paper. You think publication will put you into heaven. I found publication, while not exactly hell, at least a punishment. My “Painted Woman”, first published by Hudson in… Continue reading…
More daring demanded
Suddenly everything has changed. At a literary evening which I almost didn’t go to, I come upon Shona Martyn of Harper Collins. “You wrote that letter. Come and see me,” she says. I ask Bem to come with me, for she’s much more e-literate than me- though I’m learning fast, on the job, the way… Continue reading…
Learning fast
We now have a name – The Royalties. I’ve tried it on a few people, and they’ve laughed at its cheekiness. But to become a dignified royal, I must become e competent, fast. Who can explain this arcane knowledge to me in words I can follow? I’m used to researching, and ring around bothering people-… Continue reading…