June 2021
HarperCollins North America/Canada to publish Love at First Flight and Beautiful Messy Love in 2021!
Thrilled to announce that my first two novels have been picked up by HarperCollins North America/Canada division! Love at First Flight will hit the shelves in North America and Canada in September 2021, followed by Beautiful Messy Love in November 2021. Huge thanks to HarperCollins Australia for making this happen!
Thrilled to announce that my first two novels have been picked up by HarperCollins North America/Canada division! Love at First Flight will hit the shelves in North America and Canada in September 2021, followed by Beautiful Messy Love in November 2021. Huge thanks to HarperCollins Australia for making this happen!
December 2020
Love and Other Battles sells into Europe!
I’m beyond excited to announce that LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES has sold into Europe for translation.
I’ve signed a book deal with Znak, a prestigious Polish publishing house for a 2022 release.
Thank you to Jacinta Di Mase Literary Agency, Natasha Solomun, and Macadamia Literary Agency for making one of my biggest bucket list wishes come true!
August 2020
#7dollarsfor7years
My friend Lisa Ireland and I ran a social media campaign called #7dollarsfor7years in support of the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. We named our campaign in honour of the people seeking asylum who in 2020 had been held in off-shore detention for seven years. We asked people to donate only $7 with the hope that as a community coming together, lots of people donating a bit would add up to a lot. We were absolutely delighted by the support for the campaign which raised an amazing $7000!
May 2020
Love and Other Battles becomes the bestselling fiction audiobook in Australia!
Well, this was very exciting! This month, Love and Other Battles topped the national charts for Audible as the best selling fiction audiobook.
Love at First Flight back in the bestselling fiction charts!
And in more exciting news for May, five years after its release, Love at First Flight re-entered the top 20 best-sellers charts on Apple Books!
April 2020
My new article on self-editing for writers as part of Ellie's WordFest charity.
I'm one of several Australian authors providing advice, workshops, Q&A sessions and articles on writing craft for writers. It's all in honour of former racing greyhound Ellie who is need of expensive surgery. To access a wealth of knowledge from successfully published authors, including my article on 16 ways you can self-edit your manuscript, all you need to do is make a $10 donation to IWag Greyhound Rescue. All details can be found here.
I'm one of several Australian authors providing advice, workshops, Q&A sessions and articles on writing craft for writers. It's all in honour of former racing greyhound Ellie who is need of expensive surgery. To access a wealth of knowledge from successfully published authors, including my article on 16 ways you can self-edit your manuscript, all you need to do is make a $10 donation to IWag Greyhound Rescue. All details can be found here.
February 2020
My auction for the Australian Bushfire Appeal
After the devastating bushfires earlier in the year, I joined the #authorforfireys movement where I auctioned off a home-cooked Italian themed dinner party for 8 people. I was delighted when my auction went for $1000 and the wonderful winners, Charisse and Richard Tyrer from Perth, donated the money directly to WIRES for wildlife rescue.
I cooked everything from scratch and delivered it to their home where their hungry family and friends were waiting.
Here are some photos.
All up #authorsforfireys raised $500,000. I loved being part of it!
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December 2019
Australian Icon, Styling You The Label, chooses all three of my books for 2019 Top 20 reads!
Styling You is one Australia's most loved fashion and lifestyle blogs so I was thrilled to learn that founder and CEO, Nikki Parkinson, not only read all three of my books this year but selected them all as part of her Top 20 summer reads!
You can see the full list here and it includes one of my top 5 picks of the year, The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary.
My Top 5 books in 2019.
It was so hard to choose my favourite reads this year. You can read the blurb of my top 5 picks here.
Styling You is one Australia's most loved fashion and lifestyle blogs so I was thrilled to learn that founder and CEO, Nikki Parkinson, not only read all three of my books this year but selected them all as part of her Top 20 summer reads!
You can see the full list here and it includes one of my top 5 picks of the year, The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary.
My Top 5 books in 2019.
It was so hard to choose my favourite reads this year. You can read the blurb of my top 5 picks here.
2019 Writing Retreat
I held my third annual writers' retreat just a five minute drive my home on Perth's stunning north shore. I accepted only three writers for this time instead of six like my past retreats because I wanted to spend more individual time with each writer. This smaller retreat was wonderful - we workshopped story ideas, the writers who came had many hours each day of quiet writing time, and being the first summer retreat I ran, we loved spending time in the pool/spa area and being right on the beach! We also enjoyed a special Christmas dinner with dishes from my native Egypt with some of Perth's best-selling authors who came to inspire the writers with their stories of success.
August 2019
Car Pool Book Chat with Viva Books
Chris and Taryn from Viva Books from the beautiful South West town of Busselton, interviewed me as part of their car pool book series. Here's the clip :)
Chris and Taryn from Viva Books from the beautiful South West town of Busselton, interviewed me as part of their car pool book series. Here's the clip :)
I finished my promotional tour for LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES this month with a trip down to the beautiful South West Coast to sign copies in bookshops.
You can now find signed copies at Collins Booksellers in Bunbury and Dymocks, Viva Books and Barefoot Books, all in Busselton.
You can now find signed copies at Collins Booksellers in Bunbury and Dymocks, Viva Books and Barefoot Books, all in Busselton.
June & July 2019 - The release of LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES!
FIVE STAR reviews in The HeraldSun newspaper and WHO magazine!
Thanks to my publicist Alice for the PDF of the lead review in the HeraldSun (still can't believe it!) and my agent Jacinta for the cool graphic of the WHO magazine one :)
Thanks to my publicist Alice for the PDF of the lead review in the HeraldSun (still can't believe it!) and my agent Jacinta for the cool graphic of the WHO magazine one :)
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Look at these stunning window and store displays!
Safe to say, it's every author's dream to see their books showcased in beautiful displays in bookstores. Thank you to the following booksellers around Australia who created these gorgeous features of LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES. I'm forever grateful <3
Safe to say, it's every author's dream to see their books showcased in beautiful displays in bookstores. Thank you to the following booksellers around Australia who created these gorgeous features of LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES. I'm forever grateful <3
Book tour highlights....
From Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Byron Bay, the LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES book tour included seven book launch events and signing stock at 45 stores. It was an epic few weeks and I loved meeting so many booksellers and readers as well as catching up with lots of other authors, and my family and friends who live on the other side of the country. Thank you to the beautiful HarperCollins sales managers, Theresa, Susie, Erin and Michelle who took turns chauffeuring me around to bookstores, buying me yummy food and attending my events. Here's the tour in chronological order :)
Perth Launch:
I launched my book at Joondalup Resort on my 46th birthday! It was a magical night. Hosted by Dymocks Joondalup and I was interviewed by Natasha Lester. It was followed by a birthday dinner at the resort which was lovely.
From Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane to Byron Bay, the LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES book tour included seven book launch events and signing stock at 45 stores. It was an epic few weeks and I loved meeting so many booksellers and readers as well as catching up with lots of other authors, and my family and friends who live on the other side of the country. Thank you to the beautiful HarperCollins sales managers, Theresa, Susie, Erin and Michelle who took turns chauffeuring me around to bookstores, buying me yummy food and attending my events. Here's the tour in chronological order :)
Perth Launch:
I launched my book at Joondalup Resort on my 46th birthday! It was a magical night. Hosted by Dymocks Joondalup and I was interviewed by Natasha Lester. It was followed by a birthday dinner at the resort which was lovely.
Perth bookshop visits:
Books at Bars event in Innaloo:
Hosted by Dymocks Karrinyup at The Botanica Bar and I was interviewed by author Sara Foster.
Hosted by Dymocks Karrinyup at The Botanica Bar and I was interviewed by author Sara Foster.
Stories on Stage in Kwinana:
Hosted by Rockingham Books at Koorliny Arts Centre and I was interviewed by author Monique Mulligan.
Hosted by Rockingham Books at Koorliny Arts Centre and I was interviewed by author Monique Mulligan.
Sydney socialising!
I had a wonderful time seeing lots of my author friends. I stayed in Cronulla with my dear friend Renee Conoulty and we wined and dined with Sydney's literati from a delicious dinner party at Better Reading's Cheryl Akle's apartment, to breakfast, lunch and dinner out and about. The wonderful authors I caught up with over great food were Melina Marchetta, Nicola Moriarty, Holly Wainwright, Jessica Dettman, Michael Robotham, Belinda Alexander, Meg Mason, Caroline Overington, Lauren Chater, Melissa Sargent, Anna True, Amanda Knight, Emily Madden, Sara Ayoub and Amal Awad.
I had a wonderful time seeing lots of my author friends. I stayed in Cronulla with my dear friend Renee Conoulty and we wined and dined with Sydney's literati from a delicious dinner party at Better Reading's Cheryl Akle's apartment, to breakfast, lunch and dinner out and about. The wonderful authors I caught up with over great food were Melina Marchetta, Nicola Moriarty, Holly Wainwright, Jessica Dettman, Michael Robotham, Belinda Alexander, Meg Mason, Caroline Overington, Lauren Chater, Melissa Sargent, Anna True, Amanda Knight, Emily Madden, Sara Ayoub and Amal Awad.
Sydney book launch:
Hosted by Anna's Shop Around the Corner in Cronulla and I was interviewed by Melina Marchetta. That big horseshoe of women are the Sydney authors who came to support me. I was blown away!
Hosted by Anna's Shop Around the Corner in Cronulla and I was interviewed by Melina Marchetta. That big horseshoe of women are the Sydney authors who came to support me. I was blown away!
Sydney bookshop visits:
Brisbane to Byron bookshop visits:
Byron Bay launch:
Hosted by The Book Room Collective and I was interviewed by Jesse Blackadder.
Hosted by The Book Room Collective and I was interviewed by Jesse Blackadder.
Melbourne bookshop visits:
Melbourne launch and socialising!
Loved catching up with family and friends over cocktails, meals, my launch, and at Fictionally Yours Melbourne at Crown Casino. It was an action packed few days. I stayed with my mum and visited the rest of my family. I also attended a special book industry party in Fitzroy hosted by my literary agent, Jacinta di Mase. (That's her on my right and my international rights agent, Natasha Solomun on my left, in the top row photo second photo where I'm in the stripey dress.)
My Melbourne launch was hosted by Tim's Bookshop at The Basement Theatre with author Lisa Ireland, Vietnam Veteran Mike Byron (the inspiration for my novel) and me all giving speeches.
Loved catching up with family and friends over cocktails, meals, my launch, and at Fictionally Yours Melbourne at Crown Casino. It was an action packed few days. I stayed with my mum and visited the rest of my family. I also attended a special book industry party in Fitzroy hosted by my literary agent, Jacinta di Mase. (That's her on my right and my international rights agent, Natasha Solomun on my left, in the top row photo second photo where I'm in the stripey dress.)
My Melbourne launch was hosted by Tim's Bookshop at The Basement Theatre with author Lisa Ireland, Vietnam Veteran Mike Byron (the inspiration for my novel) and me all giving speeches.
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Autographed copies of LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES are now available at Booktopia!
I had lots of fun signing a massive stack of 400 books at the Booktopia office. If you'd like to order your signed copy to be delivered to your door, click here.
I had lots of fun signing a massive stack of 400 books at the Booktopia office. If you'd like to order your signed copy to be delivered to your door, click here.
Booktopia podcast:
I recorded a podcast for Booktopia where we covered everything from the royal family, to teenage rebellion to Keith Urban! You can listen to it here.
I recorded a podcast for Booktopia where we covered everything from the royal family, to teenage rebellion to Keith Urban! You can listen to it here.
Better Reading live interview and podcast:
I recorded an interview live on Facebook with Better Reading. You can watch it here.
I also taped a podcast (which is more of a roast than an interview by Cheryl Akle!) You can listen here
I recorded an interview live on Facebook with Better Reading. You can watch it here.
I also taped a podcast (which is more of a roast than an interview by Cheryl Akle!) You can listen here
May 2019
I’m delighted to announce that I’ve been accepted as a 12 Buckets volunteer mentor for a school child in need.
12 Buckets mentors commit to spending one on one time at school with the same child every week for at least twelve months so that a close bond can be nurtured over time.
I feel incredibly lucky to be allowed the opportunity to share in a child’s life in this very special way and to even up the scales a bit by walking alongside her, and helping her to grow and realise her full potential.
If you want to learn how 12 Buckets is improving the lives of Perth children, from varied backgrounds, perhaps even donate to this very worthy cause, or volunteer your own time as a mentor, here’s the link:
https://www.12buckets.org/
One by one, child by child, we can change the world!
❤️
12 Buckets mentors commit to spending one on one time at school with the same child every week for at least twelve months so that a close bond can be nurtured over time.
I feel incredibly lucky to be allowed the opportunity to share in a child’s life in this very special way and to even up the scales a bit by walking alongside her, and helping her to grow and realise her full potential.
If you want to learn how 12 Buckets is improving the lives of Perth children, from varied backgrounds, perhaps even donate to this very worthy cause, or volunteer your own time as a mentor, here’s the link:
https://www.12buckets.org/
One by one, child by child, we can change the world!
❤️
April 2019
I signed a contract as a contributing writer for SBS and I wrote an article about my life!
I migrated to Australia as child of Egyptian parents and grew up on a diet of SBS. So to be commissioned to write for this broadcaster was a dream come true for me! Here's the piece I wrote about my Arab-Australian upbringing.
https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/relationships/article/2019/04/18/why-i-upset-my-arab-parents-my-egyptian-boyfriend?fbclid=IwAR3GhR3ZMI_phSqmOnBX1VJy-XXvUzqR5otfbhvNnltUBTuKS783BGlE8wE
Advance reading copies of Love and Other Battles distributed to booksellers.
The feedback from Australian booksellers has been wonderful! Here are just some of the messages already received from booksellers around the country:
“This beautifully written story had me up all night. Days later I still get goosebumps when I think of the strength of this novel.” - Dymocks Claremont
“Raw, realistic and relatable. A beautifully written heartbreaking story of the trials of life and love that will either bring us together or rip us apart.” - Dymocks Subiaco
“So swept up in the lives of these three spirited and hard-loving women, I felt they were part of my family by the time I put the book down because I cared about them so much” - Beachside Bookshop
“A very well researched, insightful and heartfelt read that will appeal to anyone with a loving heartbeat!” - Dymocks Busselton
“So many important issues within its covers. A story told with love and empathy, so well done!” - Anna’s Shop Around The Corner
Here are the links to pre-order a copy to be delivered or downloaded in June:
Booktopia:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/love-an…/prod9781460756942.html
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Love-Other-Battles-…/…/ref=sr_1_4…
Apple iBooks:
https://itunes.apple.com/…/love-and-other-bat…/id1448207563…
I migrated to Australia as child of Egyptian parents and grew up on a diet of SBS. So to be commissioned to write for this broadcaster was a dream come true for me! Here's the piece I wrote about my Arab-Australian upbringing.
https://www.sbs.com.au/topics/life/relationships/article/2019/04/18/why-i-upset-my-arab-parents-my-egyptian-boyfriend?fbclid=IwAR3GhR3ZMI_phSqmOnBX1VJy-XXvUzqR5otfbhvNnltUBTuKS783BGlE8wE
Advance reading copies of Love and Other Battles distributed to booksellers.
The feedback from Australian booksellers has been wonderful! Here are just some of the messages already received from booksellers around the country:
“This beautifully written story had me up all night. Days later I still get goosebumps when I think of the strength of this novel.” - Dymocks Claremont
“Raw, realistic and relatable. A beautifully written heartbreaking story of the trials of life and love that will either bring us together or rip us apart.” - Dymocks Subiaco
“So swept up in the lives of these three spirited and hard-loving women, I felt they were part of my family by the time I put the book down because I cared about them so much” - Beachside Bookshop
“A very well researched, insightful and heartfelt read that will appeal to anyone with a loving heartbeat!” - Dymocks Busselton
“So many important issues within its covers. A story told with love and empathy, so well done!” - Anna’s Shop Around The Corner
Here are the links to pre-order a copy to be delivered or downloaded in June:
Booktopia:
https://www.booktopia.com.au/love-an…/prod9781460756942.html
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com.au/Love-Other-Battles-…/…/ref=sr_1_4…
Apple iBooks:
https://itunes.apple.com/…/love-and-other-bat…/id1448207563…
Kelly Van Nelson's book launch.
I had the pleasure of launching Kelly Van Nelson's debut poetry collection, Graffiti Lane, which was cover designed by none other than my son Tom!
I had the pleasure of launching Kelly Van Nelson's debut poetry collection, Graffiti Lane, which was cover designed by none other than my son Tom!
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Books at Bars event with Natasha Lester
I interviewed best selling author Natasha Lester about her new historical romance novel, The French Photographer, to a lovely crowd at the The Botanica Bar.
I interviewed best selling author Natasha Lester about her new historical romance novel, The French Photographer, to a lovely crowd at the The Botanica Bar.
March 2019
This month, I interviewed Australian best-selling crime novelist, Dervla McTiernan, twice about her smash hit new novel, The Ruin, at Perth libraries. We took a photo from each night, joined by our lovely friend, author Sara Foster, after our talk at Woodvale Library and then the two of us after our talk at Dianella library.
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February 2019
Perth Writers’ Festival was a great weekend! I loved catching up with lots of writer friends. There was much hugging and squealing about the grounds of UWA as I saw friends I haven’t seen for ages and I enjoyed meeting lots of lovely new people too. I also hosted two jam-packed sessions where I interviewed four fabulous authors - Carly Findlay, Jennie Jones, Anthea Hodgson and Sasha Wasley.
For me, the absolute highlight of the festival was having my two literary agents from Jacinta di Mase Management in Perth with us. Here are some happy snaps from the event :)
For me, the absolute highlight of the festival was having my two literary agents from Jacinta di Mase Management in Perth with us. Here are some happy snaps from the event :)
December 2018
Generation Girls book for sale:
This might just be my proudest moment since becoming an author (or ever). The twelve bright, resilient and fierce girls that I mentored in creative writing this year have written the most amazing anthology! It’s full of their stories, poems, letters and advice to inspire other girls. GENERATION GIRLS is now for sale and you can order it for a teenager that you love and have it in time for Christmas through this link:
https://www.makingmagichappenacademy.com/p…/generation-girls
Here’s the back cover blurb:
Generation Girls is what happened when a special group of teenage girls were given an opportunity to shine.
Award-winning Australian author, Tess Woods, mentored twelve teens from Ballajura Community College in Perth in 2018 through a creative writing programme.
None of the students came from privilege, most of them had English as a second language, and all of them had already faced difficult challenges in their young lives.
Through the mentoring programme, the girls opened up about the issues facing them and other teens today, including social media, peer pressure, consent, and how to be an engaged and valuable member of the wider community. The stories, poems, letters, and advice to other teenagers that the girls wrote were collated and the result is this powerful, extraordinary anthology.
Generation Girls is the perfect gift to inspire the teenage girl in your life!
100% of the money made from the sale of GENERATION GIRLS is being donated to Books in Homes Australia which is a charitable organisation that provides books to children living in remote and low socio-economic circumstances. Based on pre-orders alone, we donated $1000 already! Please help us raise even more money for this worthy cause.
Here’s the order link again, please buy a copy, you’ll feel so good about it if you do!
https://www.makingmagichappenacademy.com/p…/generation-girls
For the cover, I took that photo of the girls myself and my son Tommy then designed the cover - isn’t it awesome? And how beautiful are the girls here at their launch? It was such a wonderful day!
https://www.makingmagichappenacademy.com/p…/generation-girls
Here’s the back cover blurb:
Generation Girls is what happened when a special group of teenage girls were given an opportunity to shine.
Award-winning Australian author, Tess Woods, mentored twelve teens from Ballajura Community College in Perth in 2018 through a creative writing programme.
None of the students came from privilege, most of them had English as a second language, and all of them had already faced difficult challenges in their young lives.
Through the mentoring programme, the girls opened up about the issues facing them and other teens today, including social media, peer pressure, consent, and how to be an engaged and valuable member of the wider community. The stories, poems, letters, and advice to other teenagers that the girls wrote were collated and the result is this powerful, extraordinary anthology.
Generation Girls is the perfect gift to inspire the teenage girl in your life!
100% of the money made from the sale of GENERATION GIRLS is being donated to Books in Homes Australia which is a charitable organisation that provides books to children living in remote and low socio-economic circumstances. Based on pre-orders alone, we donated $1000 already! Please help us raise even more money for this worthy cause.
Here’s the order link again, please buy a copy, you’ll feel so good about it if you do!
https://www.makingmagichappenacademy.com/p…/generation-girls
For the cover, I took that photo of the girls myself and my son Tommy then designed the cover - isn’t it awesome? And how beautiful are the girls here at their launch? It was such a wonderful day!
November 2018
The West Coast Fiction Festival, brought together 60 authors from around Australia and overseas, 30 sponsors, 20 volunteers and over 250 readers for the most AMAZING day where we raised a whopping $18,000 for Share the Dignity. Organising the festival took us 18 months and hundreds of hours of volunteer work but wow was it worth it for the incredible event it turned out to be! Thank you to everyone who came, it was so lovely meeting so so many new people. This will go down as one of the highlights of my career for sure!
October 2018
Melina Marchetta! Michael Robotham! - the weekend I hung out with the stars
I had the most amazing weekend when I was invited to speak at the Burdekin Readers and Writers Festival in Ayr, QLD in October. I did two author talks and two author panels in one day which was exhausting but also great fun and sharing the stage with authors I admire greatly was a huge buzz.
Pictured below in the first collage - one of my moderators, Mary Ann, who dressed to match the cover of my book, hanging out at dinner after our author panel with Michael Robotham (top) and Caroline Overington and David Hunt. In the second collage, we were entertained on arrival by Jay Lag'aia, the top photo is me having a beautiful evening chatting with one of my idols, Melina Marchetta and the bottom photo is after a panel session with Natasha Lester and Holly Wainwright.
I fell in love with the close knit Burdekin community.
I had the most amazing weekend when I was invited to speak at the Burdekin Readers and Writers Festival in Ayr, QLD in October. I did two author talks and two author panels in one day which was exhausting but also great fun and sharing the stage with authors I admire greatly was a huge buzz.
Pictured below in the first collage - one of my moderators, Mary Ann, who dressed to match the cover of my book, hanging out at dinner after our author panel with Michael Robotham (top) and Caroline Overington and David Hunt. In the second collage, we were entertained on arrival by Jay Lag'aia, the top photo is me having a beautiful evening chatting with one of my idols, Melina Marchetta and the bottom photo is after a panel session with Natasha Lester and Holly Wainwright.
I fell in love with the close knit Burdekin community.
3rd October, 2018 - West Coast Fiction Festival Author Panel
Loved being part of this panel in the lead up to the West Coast Fiction Festival with my fellow author committee members for the event - (from left) Sasha Wasley, me, Anthea Hodgson, Jennie Jones and Rachael Johns. We are all local friends and we were interviewed by Perth Writers' Festival curator and book editor for the West Australian, Will Yeoman, in front of a lovely crowd who braved thunder storms to attend! The panel was exactly one month before the West Coast Fiction Festival and we were all starting to get really excited about out big upcoming event that night.
Loved being part of this panel in the lead up to the West Coast Fiction Festival with my fellow author committee members for the event - (from left) Sasha Wasley, me, Anthea Hodgson, Jennie Jones and Rachael Johns. We are all local friends and we were interviewed by Perth Writers' Festival curator and book editor for the West Australian, Will Yeoman, in front of a lovely crowd who braved thunder storms to attend! The panel was exactly one month before the West Coast Fiction Festival and we were all starting to get really excited about out big upcoming event that night.
September 2018
LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT at front of store again in Australian airports!
It's such a thrill to have my debut at the front of airports across Australia again, over two years since it was released in this fantastic 'Home Grown Authors' display. I wrote this one with the number one dream being to see it an airport, we even put a plane flying through the sky on the back cover as a bribe to airport stores ;) so seeing it have an airport resurgence has been really heart warming for me and my publisher!
22nd September, 2018 - Rockingham Writers' Convention:
It was lovely to be invited to present at the annual Rockingham Writers’ Conference for a second year. This year, I presented a 90-minute marketing and promotions workshop. I love meeting writers and sharing what I've learned along the way with them and this event was no exception. An enthusiastic group of writers attended and we had a great session together!
It was lovely to be invited to present at the annual Rockingham Writers’ Conference for a second year. This year, I presented a 90-minute marketing and promotions workshop. I love meeting writers and sharing what I've learned along the way with them and this event was no exception. An enthusiastic group of writers attended and we had a great session together!
Karen McDermott Everything Publishing Academy live interview:
I had such fun filming this live video about author branding and finding a literary agent with my very dear friend, Karen McDermott, for the members of her Everything Publishing Academy. Lots of laughs among the learning that day!
August 2018
Tori Spelling is a fan of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE!
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6027907/Tori-Spelling-Dean-McDermott-loved-display-picnic-park-family.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-6027907/Tori-Spelling-Dean-McDermott-loved-display-picnic-park-family.html
I've been a MASSIVE Tori Spelling since I was a teenager, as in totally unashamedly obsessed with her! So when a friend sent me a link to a Daily Mail article about Tori and said, 'Read this!" I assumed it was just because she knew I would want the latest 'Tori goss'. When I scrolled down the article and found these photos, I'm not gonna lie, I screamed like a banshee! This is something I will NEVER live down. Never ever ever! That's Donna FREAKING Martin, you guys!!!
July 2018
Tess Woods Winter in Western Australia Writers' Retreat - July 3rd to 9th, 2018
My second retreat on the shores of the beautiful Geographe Bay was a wonderful success with all six writers loving the experience.
The writers who came all worked hard on their manuscripts individually and we came together for daily workshops too. We explored the surrounding wine region and coast, we all had fun at the local Deja Moo cow-themed festival and we had movie night, out for dinner night, games night and a crafternoon!
Here's a slideshow of some retreat highlights :)
My second retreat on the shores of the beautiful Geographe Bay was a wonderful success with all six writers loving the experience.
The writers who came all worked hard on their manuscripts individually and we came together for daily workshops too. We explored the surrounding wine region and coast, we all had fun at the local Deja Moo cow-themed festival and we had movie night, out for dinner night, games night and a crafternoon!
Here's a slideshow of some retreat highlights :)
March 2018
New edition of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE
Being voted by readers as one of the Top 100 books of 2017 for Better Reading means a brand new edition of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE has landed with a shiny new sticker! It's in all Big W stores across Australia now in the Top 100 section and will hit the shelves of all other bookstores in May.
Best of all, it's cheaper then the original version at only $12!
Being voted by readers as one of the Top 100 books of 2017 for Better Reading means a brand new edition of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE has landed with a shiny new sticker! It's in all Big W stores across Australia now in the Top 100 section and will hit the shelves of all other bookstores in May.
Best of all, it's cheaper then the original version at only $12!
Generation Girls
This year, I’m volunteer mentoring a group of twelve beautiful, bright, articulate teenage girls in creative writing. We’re covering topics such as sex and consent, relationships, social media, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and their career and life goals along with the legacy they want to leave in high school.
These girls don’t come from privilege and have faced many challenges. Working with the girls, who have named themselves Girls’ Generation, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! I’m putting together an anthology of their writing at the end of the year. This month I took this photo of the girls as inspiration for the cover of the book. Isn’t it gorgeous?
This year, I’m volunteer mentoring a group of twelve beautiful, bright, articulate teenage girls in creative writing. We’re covering topics such as sex and consent, relationships, social media, peer pressure, drugs and alcohol, and their career and life goals along with the legacy they want to leave in high school.
These girls don’t come from privilege and have faced many challenges. Working with the girls, who have named themselves Girls’ Generation, has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life! I’m putting together an anthology of their writing at the end of the year. This month I took this photo of the girls as inspiration for the cover of the book. Isn’t it gorgeous?
February 2018
Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th February 2018 - Perth Writers' Festival:
I had an amazing time at Perth Festival Writers' Week, definitely a career highlight for me! My individual session was booked out which made me feel really special and then I loved being on a panel with the brilliant Amal Awad and Manal al- Shariff. I also enjoyed interviewing some fabulous writers - Fleur McDonald, Steve Bisley and Caroline Baum.
I had an amazing time at Perth Festival Writers' Week, definitely a career highlight for me! My individual session was booked out which made me feel really special and then I loved being on a panel with the brilliant Amal Awad and Manal al- Shariff. I also enjoyed interviewing some fabulous writers - Fleur McDonald, Steve Bisley and Caroline Baum.
December 2017
Winter in Wales Writers' Retreat
My inaugural writers' retreat was so wonderful! My family was joined by six writers in the tiny beautiful village of Criccieth that was on the coast in North West Wales. It was a week of snow outside, toasty fireplace inside, lots of writing, workshops, friendship, food and laughter.
On the last day of retreat, Lara, my daughter made this gorgeous video of the writers who came summing up their experiences of the retreat and she included lots of photos too so you can see how magical it all was! Here's the clip:
My inaugural writers' retreat was so wonderful! My family was joined by six writers in the tiny beautiful village of Criccieth that was on the coast in North West Wales. It was a week of snow outside, toasty fireplace inside, lots of writing, workshops, friendship, food and laughter.
On the last day of retreat, Lara, my daughter made this gorgeous video of the writers who came summing up their experiences of the retreat and she included lots of photos too so you can see how magical it all was! Here's the clip:
BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE makes end of year book lists!
My novel had an exciting finish to last year by making some highly prized book lists!
I announced in November that it made the Readings Top 100 list which was a massive thrill for me, again because romance is often overlooked in esteemed literary lists. Here’s the link if you missed that announcement and would like to check the list out. There are some really impressive titles in there:
https://www.readings.com.au/news/100-great-reads-by-australian-women-in-2017
And then I was delighted to learn that BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE also earned a place in Better Readings Top 100 as voted by their readers. This means that it will be on the special Top 100 bookshelf in every Big W store in Australia for all of 2018 – so exciting! Here’s Better Reading’s amazing Top 100 list:
www.betterreading.com.au/book_list/better-reading-presents-australias-top-100-for-2017
Finally, while I was away in Europe for our family's first ever white Christmas, I learned that BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE was shortlisted in the top 7 romance books of 2017 by Booktopia. The company I was in that list with was very humbling indeed! Here’s the list:
https://blog.booktopia.com.au/2017/12/27/best-2017-romance/
Thank you also to all the beautiful bloggers who listed BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE as one of their best books for 2017 – Amanda Barrett, J’aimee Brooker, Jodi Gibson and Theresa Smith in Australia and Melissa Amster and Samantha March in the US. Bloggers make such a massive difference in terms of books sales and I’m forever grateful for their support! And thank you to the wonderful author, Nicola Moriarty, who also listed it as one of her favourite books in an article for syndicated newspapers. Some end of year lists were released while I was away, so I’m sending my sincere apologies if I’ve missed anyone!
LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES News:
In more exciting news, I signed my contract to seal the deal with HarperCollins for LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES the day before we left for Europe! It’s slated for release in June 2019. The first draft is complete but I still have a helluva lot of work to do on this book - I'm planning a huge re-write before submitting it to my publisher. I’m getting started on it as soon as I read the six books from my fellow panellists and prepare the sessions for the various events I’m doing at Perth Writers Festival as well as planning my literacy programme sessions for my high school students this year. My goal is to finish draft two by the end of the Term One school holidays. Wish me luck!
Why I Write Gritty not Pretty:
I wrote this article last year, just before the release of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE, but in the hoo-ha following release, when I was on book tour, I missed its publication - oops! Luckily it was recently posted on Facebook too, so I finally saw it. It’s a look into why I write the themes I write. I hope you find it interesting. Here’s the link:
http://www.betterreading.com.au/news/reflections-of-a-novelist-by-tess-woods/
Writer on the Road Podcast:
Just before leaving for Europe I had a chat with author, Melinda Hammond, on her podcast, Writer on the Road, about my writing process, the pressures of writing and touring, my writing retreats and which books I love. I never get sick of talking about books I love so it was lots of fun! If you’d like to have a listen, here’s the link:
http://writerontheroad.com/98-summer-reading-writing-series-writing-life-tess-woods/
The 10 Books Everyone Needs to Read in 2018!
All right, folks, you’ve been told. If you haven’t read these titles yet, get on it! Check out my 10 must reads here –
http://www.betterreading.com.au/book_list/reader-first-writer-second-tess-woods/
My novel had an exciting finish to last year by making some highly prized book lists!
I announced in November that it made the Readings Top 100 list which was a massive thrill for me, again because romance is often overlooked in esteemed literary lists. Here’s the link if you missed that announcement and would like to check the list out. There are some really impressive titles in there:
https://www.readings.com.au/news/100-great-reads-by-australian-women-in-2017
And then I was delighted to learn that BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE also earned a place in Better Readings Top 100 as voted by their readers. This means that it will be on the special Top 100 bookshelf in every Big W store in Australia for all of 2018 – so exciting! Here’s Better Reading’s amazing Top 100 list:
www.betterreading.com.au/book_list/better-reading-presents-australias-top-100-for-2017
Finally, while I was away in Europe for our family's first ever white Christmas, I learned that BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE was shortlisted in the top 7 romance books of 2017 by Booktopia. The company I was in that list with was very humbling indeed! Here’s the list:
https://blog.booktopia.com.au/2017/12/27/best-2017-romance/
Thank you also to all the beautiful bloggers who listed BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE as one of their best books for 2017 – Amanda Barrett, J’aimee Brooker, Jodi Gibson and Theresa Smith in Australia and Melissa Amster and Samantha March in the US. Bloggers make such a massive difference in terms of books sales and I’m forever grateful for their support! And thank you to the wonderful author, Nicola Moriarty, who also listed it as one of her favourite books in an article for syndicated newspapers. Some end of year lists were released while I was away, so I’m sending my sincere apologies if I’ve missed anyone!
LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES News:
In more exciting news, I signed my contract to seal the deal with HarperCollins for LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES the day before we left for Europe! It’s slated for release in June 2019. The first draft is complete but I still have a helluva lot of work to do on this book - I'm planning a huge re-write before submitting it to my publisher. I’m getting started on it as soon as I read the six books from my fellow panellists and prepare the sessions for the various events I’m doing at Perth Writers Festival as well as planning my literacy programme sessions for my high school students this year. My goal is to finish draft two by the end of the Term One school holidays. Wish me luck!
Why I Write Gritty not Pretty:
I wrote this article last year, just before the release of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE, but in the hoo-ha following release, when I was on book tour, I missed its publication - oops! Luckily it was recently posted on Facebook too, so I finally saw it. It’s a look into why I write the themes I write. I hope you find it interesting. Here’s the link:
http://www.betterreading.com.au/news/reflections-of-a-novelist-by-tess-woods/
Writer on the Road Podcast:
Just before leaving for Europe I had a chat with author, Melinda Hammond, on her podcast, Writer on the Road, about my writing process, the pressures of writing and touring, my writing retreats and which books I love. I never get sick of talking about books I love so it was lots of fun! If you’d like to have a listen, here’s the link:
http://writerontheroad.com/98-summer-reading-writing-series-writing-life-tess-woods/
The 10 Books Everyone Needs to Read in 2018!
All right, folks, you’ve been told. If you haven’t read these titles yet, get on it! Check out my 10 must reads here –
http://www.betterreading.com.au/book_list/reader-first-writer-second-tess-woods/
November 2017
LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES NEWS:
In the first week of November, I wrote the final words of the first draft of LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES. It’s the absolute best feeling in the world to finish a story. I love the editing process but I find first drafts hard so I’m always to delighted to have the story out of my heart and onto the page. For those of you who aren’t on Facebook or Instagram, this was the photo I uploaded :) You can kind of get my feelings about reaching the end!
In the first week of November, I wrote the final words of the first draft of LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES. It’s the absolute best feeling in the world to finish a story. I love the editing process but I find first drafts hard so I’m always to delighted to have the story out of my heart and onto the page. For those of you who aren’t on Facebook or Instagram, this was the photo I uploaded :) You can kind of get my feelings about reaching the end!
The next morning, I had a long phone call with my publisher, Mary, and together we made the decision that I won’t be releasing LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES until 2019, rather than July next year as was originally planned.
The reason is that to release it on time would be a huge rush and it would place enormous stress on me. I have a pretty full on redraft to do before giving it to Mary to edit and then it needs to go through a structural edit with my editor Di Blacklock and then back to Mary to copy edit and all this would have to be done by April to get an advance readers copy ready for book reviewers before a July release.
I honestly didn’t think I could do that and do it well and Mary completely agreed. Taking a year over redrafts and edits instead of a few months will make all the difference in the world and I know that the book I give you in 2019 would be infinitely better than one I would have ready by next year.
For those of you who don’t know, I own two physio clinics with my husband. I work part time as a clinician myself and I do all the bookwork for our businesses. I’m also a mum to two teens so my writing has to fit in and around my other commitments.
Next year I had planned to undertake a charity project teaching high school girls in underprivileged areas life skills through creative writing. It was originally going to be for one school but it’s expanded now to three schools. And I’m running a writing retreat in July and helping co-ordinate the West Coast Fiction Festival in November. I think my dance card for 2018 is full!
When I thought about planning a book launch and going on a book tour in July/August and all the extra work that goes into interviews, writing blog posts etc etc when you release a new book, I wanted to cry (actually I did cry!!) It feels like I only just got home from book tour!
The most important thing to me is my family and I think slowing down to one book every two years instead of trying to pump out one a year will mean a happier and more relaxed mum which will hopefully create a happier and more relaxed home for my loved ones.
My beautiful publisher, Mary, was a huge support to me this week. All she cares about is that I’m not running on empty and that I take my time to really think about and get the best out of my new book rather than rushing one through. Anyone who works in the cut throat world of book sales would know how special it is to have a publisher that isn’t only about the $$$$.
I’m telling you all of this because it’s important to me to give you guys the full story and my reasoning behind this decision because you’ve been so supportive of me this far.
Thank you for waiting longer for me to give you another book. I promise to deliver something very special in around a year and a half.
The reason is that to release it on time would be a huge rush and it would place enormous stress on me. I have a pretty full on redraft to do before giving it to Mary to edit and then it needs to go through a structural edit with my editor Di Blacklock and then back to Mary to copy edit and all this would have to be done by April to get an advance readers copy ready for book reviewers before a July release.
I honestly didn’t think I could do that and do it well and Mary completely agreed. Taking a year over redrafts and edits instead of a few months will make all the difference in the world and I know that the book I give you in 2019 would be infinitely better than one I would have ready by next year.
For those of you who don’t know, I own two physio clinics with my husband. I work part time as a clinician myself and I do all the bookwork for our businesses. I’m also a mum to two teens so my writing has to fit in and around my other commitments.
Next year I had planned to undertake a charity project teaching high school girls in underprivileged areas life skills through creative writing. It was originally going to be for one school but it’s expanded now to three schools. And I’m running a writing retreat in July and helping co-ordinate the West Coast Fiction Festival in November. I think my dance card for 2018 is full!
When I thought about planning a book launch and going on a book tour in July/August and all the extra work that goes into interviews, writing blog posts etc etc when you release a new book, I wanted to cry (actually I did cry!!) It feels like I only just got home from book tour!
The most important thing to me is my family and I think slowing down to one book every two years instead of trying to pump out one a year will mean a happier and more relaxed mum which will hopefully create a happier and more relaxed home for my loved ones.
My beautiful publisher, Mary, was a huge support to me this week. All she cares about is that I’m not running on empty and that I take my time to really think about and get the best out of my new book rather than rushing one through. Anyone who works in the cut throat world of book sales would know how special it is to have a publisher that isn’t only about the $$$$.
I’m telling you all of this because it’s important to me to give you guys the full story and my reasoning behind this decision because you’ve been so supportive of me this far.
Thank you for waiting longer for me to give you another book. I promise to deliver something very special in around a year and a half.
PLEASE HELP ME WIN BOOK OF THE YEAR!
I was absolutely stoked to find myself Top 10 nominated in Australia in three categories for the amazing and highly contested AusRom Today annual awards.
To say I’m blown away is an understatement! Thank you to the beautiful people who nominated me.
I’m up against some mighty competition in the shortlists including some of my closest friends (why do they have to be so talented??) It’s a tight race so far so every vote will count!
Voting takes half a second! If you’d like to vote for me and my book, all you have to do is follow the links below and hit like on the images that have BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE or my name on them. Easy peasy! Thank you so much my gorgeous friends, I’m very grateful for every one of you who votes.
To vote for Book of the Year click here:
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/a.1448875631816971.1073741853.620418747996001/1448875881816946/?type=3&theater
To vote for Cover of the Year click here:
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/a.1448874751817059.1073741852.620418747996001/1448875068483694/?type=3&theater
To vote for Author of the Year click here:
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/a.1448873968483804.1073741851.620418747996001/1448874248483776/?type=3&theater
To say I’m blown away is an understatement! Thank you to the beautiful people who nominated me.
I’m up against some mighty competition in the shortlists including some of my closest friends (why do they have to be so talented??) It’s a tight race so far so every vote will count!
Voting takes half a second! If you’d like to vote for me and my book, all you have to do is follow the links below and hit like on the images that have BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE or my name on them. Easy peasy! Thank you so much my gorgeous friends, I’m very grateful for every one of you who votes.
To vote for Book of the Year click here:
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/a.1448875631816971.1073741853.620418747996001/1448875881816946/?type=3&theater
To vote for Cover of the Year click here:
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/a.1448874751817059.1073741852.620418747996001/1448875068483694/?type=3&theater
To vote for Author of the Year click here:
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/a.1448873968483804.1073741851.620418747996001/1448874248483776/?type=3&theater
BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE makes it onto Readings annual list, “100 great reads by Australian women”.
(photo credit – Anthea Hodgson)
The first week of November was BIG! I finished my first draft of LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES, then came the AusRom Today nominations and it was topped off with this amazing surprise, to find BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE had made it onto the esteemed Readings Top 100 books.
When you write commercial love stories, you don’t expect to make literary lists alongside poets and biographers so this was a huge honour for me for which I’m incredibly grateful. Check out the company I’m in, it’s breath taking!
Here’s the list:
https://www.readings.com.au/news/100-great-reads-by-australian-women-in-2017
When you write commercial love stories, you don’t expect to make literary lists alongside poets and biographers so this was a huge honour for me for which I’m incredibly grateful. Check out the company I’m in, it’s breath taking!
Here’s the list:
https://www.readings.com.au/news/100-great-reads-by-australian-women-in-2017
October 2017
I was saddened when I visited a Perth public high school in an underpriviliged area to see that their library was desperately understocked. I reached out to my followers on Facebook asking for book donations and OH MY GOODNESS did you guys respond! Over the months of September and October, over a thousand books arrived at my home, PO BOX, and physiotherapy clinics. Publishing houses, book stores, authors and readers all donated amazing books and last week I had the honour of dropping these books off to five high schools in need, and through the 12 Buckets Programme, one Primary School also received a massive donation of picture books. I can’t put into words how humbled and touched I was by the outpouring of generosity I witnessed when I put the call out for books. People I didn’t know sent book vouchers, school children from all over Australia donated their favourite books, anonymous donations of entire series like the Percy Jackson and Harry Potter series turned up from Book Depository. Some followers of mine who I know for a fact struggle for money themselves sent a bundle of brand new books that they inscribed with personal messages for the kids. Authors signed their entire children series and sent multiple copies. My house looked like a book factory warehouse. Honestly, I think I cried three or four times at the sheer awesomeness of it all.
I took my daughter, Lara, with me to drop off all the books and it was a real eye opener for her to visit the underprivileged schools and see just how much privilege she has grown up with. It’s important to me for her to know what an entitled life she has had and that’s it’s not equal when she gets an A at school compared to a child struggling with poverty or an unstable home environment who gets an A. I hope this experience helps her grow her social conscience as she approaches adulthood.
This photo collage is of just a tiny few of the piles and piles of books that were donated and gratefully received from absolutely overjoyed teacher librarians in six disadvantaged Perth schools last week.
I took my daughter, Lara, with me to drop off all the books and it was a real eye opener for her to visit the underprivileged schools and see just how much privilege she has grown up with. It’s important to me for her to know what an entitled life she has had and that’s it’s not equal when she gets an A at school compared to a child struggling with poverty or an unstable home environment who gets an A. I hope this experience helps her grow her social conscience as she approaches adulthood.
This photo collage is of just a tiny few of the piles and piles of books that were donated and gratefully received from absolutely overjoyed teacher librarians in six disadvantaged Perth schools last week.
September 2017
Rockingham Writers' Convention:
I was very nervous running my first ever workshop on writing for writers. Over fifty writers packed the small room when I presented at the recent Rockingham Writers’ Convention. My 90-minute workshop was “Twelve Ingredients all Page Turners Have in Common.”
My audience was receptive, warm and full of questions and they made the experience a joyful one for me.
I had lots of great feedback but the best part was meeting some gorgeous writers for the first time who had followed me on Facebook and Instagram.
I was very nervous running my first ever workshop on writing for writers. Over fifty writers packed the small room when I presented at the recent Rockingham Writers’ Convention. My 90-minute workshop was “Twelve Ingredients all Page Turners Have in Common.”
My audience was receptive, warm and full of questions and they made the experience a joyful one for me.
I had lots of great feedback but the best part was meeting some gorgeous writers for the first time who had followed me on Facebook and Instagram.
Mix 94.5 with Clairsy, Matt and Kimba:
I had such a fun interview, which will be aired in the next couple of weeks, with my good mate (and Perth’s most loved and well known DJ) Dean Clairs, along with his co-hosts Matt and Kimba for the Mix 94.5 breakfast show.
My husband, Paul, came with me and sat in on the interview and I think we left an hour after we finished recording because of the hilarity and hijinks that ensued after we turned off the microphones! Those three DJ’s are loads of fun and laughs, let me tell you!
Kimba even gave me a storyline about how she learned to let go and fall in love that I’ve included in the current book I’m writing, LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES, which will be released next year. Here’s a snap of me with the Mix gang...
I had such a fun interview, which will be aired in the next couple of weeks, with my good mate (and Perth’s most loved and well known DJ) Dean Clairs, along with his co-hosts Matt and Kimba for the Mix 94.5 breakfast show.
My husband, Paul, came with me and sat in on the interview and I think we left an hour after we finished recording because of the hilarity and hijinks that ensued after we turned off the microphones! Those three DJ’s are loads of fun and laughs, let me tell you!
Kimba even gave me a storyline about how she learned to let go and fall in love that I’ve included in the current book I’m writing, LOVE AND OTHER BATTLES, which will be released next year. Here’s a snap of me with the Mix gang...
August 2017
BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE book tour:
In the middle of all the book store visits, signings and launches - my book tour of Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney gave me the opportunity to catch up with writers, readers and friends. By far the best bit of the tour was being able to see the people who mean so much to me! Here's a little collation of everyone who gave me reason to smile :)
In the middle of all the book store visits, signings and launches - my book tour of Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney gave me the opportunity to catch up with writers, readers and friends. By far the best bit of the tour was being able to see the people who mean so much to me! Here's a little collation of everyone who gave me reason to smile :)
The love and support for BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE across the dozens and dozens of independent bookstores around Australia, the media and local libraries has left me feeling incredibly blown away and very humbled. Thank you to every single bookseller who gave my book a beautiful display in-store, to WHO magazine for not one but two features in consecutive weeks, to Yours magazine for a beautiful feature, to The West Australian for the magnificent spread, to all the radio stations who hosted me and to every librarian who organised an event for me. Thank you, thank you THANK YOU!!
July 2017
BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE makes it to number one on the Australian pre-order charts and the reviews start coming in!
It was SO exciting to see BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE hit number one across all book genres for Australia's biggest online retailer, Booktopia, and it also made it to number one pre-ordered book across all genres for Boomerang Books! Thank you so much to every single one of you who has pre-ordered it. I hope you enjoy it!
The early reviews of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE have blown me away! I've also been delighted with the gorgeous photos that book reviewers have been taking of my simply stunning cover when the book has been delivered to them.
Here are some review quotes followed by some photos that were sent to me!
Tess Woods writes with unusual intensity about relationships between men and women. There are few authors who can dramatise high-voltage sexual attraction in the way that she does. It is a rare and precious gift in a storyteller who is also not afraid to tackle serious issues and I love it"- Rosie de Courcy, UK editor of The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough), Circle of Friends (Maeve Binchy), and It Was Only Ever You(Kate Kerrigan)
"A compelling story of messy modern love" - William Yeoman, The West Australian
"Not since Melina Marchetta's Looking for Alibrandi has an Australian author presented the cross-cultural challenges of new Australians quite so beautifully. Beautiful Messy Love is my pick for 2017 book of the year." J'aimee Brooker, AusRom Today.
"Clear the day if you’re going to start this one and be prepared to be a little breathless. Tess Woods is about to grab your heart and squeeze it until you’ve read the last page." Melissa Sargent, Love That Book.
It was SO exciting to see BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE hit number one across all book genres for Australia's biggest online retailer, Booktopia, and it also made it to number one pre-ordered book across all genres for Boomerang Books! Thank you so much to every single one of you who has pre-ordered it. I hope you enjoy it!
The early reviews of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE have blown me away! I've also been delighted with the gorgeous photos that book reviewers have been taking of my simply stunning cover when the book has been delivered to them.
Here are some review quotes followed by some photos that were sent to me!
Tess Woods writes with unusual intensity about relationships between men and women. There are few authors who can dramatise high-voltage sexual attraction in the way that she does. It is a rare and precious gift in a storyteller who is also not afraid to tackle serious issues and I love it"- Rosie de Courcy, UK editor of The Thorn Birds (Colleen McCullough), Circle of Friends (Maeve Binchy), and It Was Only Ever You(Kate Kerrigan)
"A compelling story of messy modern love" - William Yeoman, The West Australian
"Not since Melina Marchetta's Looking for Alibrandi has an Australian author presented the cross-cultural challenges of new Australians quite so beautifully. Beautiful Messy Love is my pick for 2017 book of the year." J'aimee Brooker, AusRom Today.
"Clear the day if you’re going to start this one and be prepared to be a little breathless. Tess Woods is about to grab your heart and squeeze it until you’ve read the last page." Melissa Sargent, Love That Book.
Two book events for author friends:
I was proud to sit in the audience and cheer on two of my dear author friends this month, Sara Foster and Monica McInerney when they both had events in Perth. Here are some photos of both nights. If you follow my Facebook page you would have seen the competitions I ran to win signed copies of their bestselling novels, Sara's THE HIDDEN HOURS and Monica's THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME. I went to Sara's event alone so that the two of us could go out for a quiet dinner afterwards but Monica's was a more social event when my friends and fellow Perth authors Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson joined me. Both Sara and Monica were delightful and inspiring speakers.
I was proud to sit in the audience and cheer on two of my dear author friends this month, Sara Foster and Monica McInerney when they both had events in Perth. Here are some photos of both nights. If you follow my Facebook page you would have seen the competitions I ran to win signed copies of their bestselling novels, Sara's THE HIDDEN HOURS and Monica's THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME. I went to Sara's event alone so that the two of us could go out for a quiet dinner afterwards but Monica's was a more social event when my friends and fellow Perth authors Rachael Johns and Anthea Hodgson joined me. Both Sara and Monica were delightful and inspiring speakers.
Some time out:
Our family escaped to beautiful Gracetown on the South West coast in the school holidays. It was the most wonderfully relaxing break. We switched off the internet, forgot about work and completely chilled out. Here are some snaps of our happy time away which just happened to be when BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE went to number one on Booktopia!
Our family escaped to beautiful Gracetown on the South West coast in the school holidays. It was the most wonderfully relaxing break. We switched off the internet, forgot about work and completely chilled out. Here are some snaps of our happy time away which just happened to be when BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE went to number one on Booktopia!
July interviews:
I was honoured to take the very lovely and beautiful Maureen Eppen into my home and show her my (lack of) books on my bookshelf for her blog series Shelf Awareness. I took lots of pretty pictures of different parts of our home for this blog.
https://maureeneppen.com/2017/07/17/shelf-awareness-tess-woods/
I gave my good friend Rachael Johns heaps when she interviewed me for her newsletter. Hope it gives you a giggle!
http://mailchi.mp/b35cf768cdff/latest-gossip-from-rachael-johns?e=b93a1e8ead
I was honoured to take the very lovely and beautiful Maureen Eppen into my home and show her my (lack of) books on my bookshelf for her blog series Shelf Awareness. I took lots of pretty pictures of different parts of our home for this blog.
https://maureeneppen.com/2017/07/17/shelf-awareness-tess-woods/
I gave my good friend Rachael Johns heaps when she interviewed me for her newsletter. Hope it gives you a giggle!
http://mailchi.mp/b35cf768cdff/latest-gossip-from-rachael-johns?e=b93a1e8ead
May 2017
LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT re-release:
I was thrilled to bits to hear that LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT is getting another round on bookshelves in the lead up to the release of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE. It’s a smaller print version so the good news is it’s cheap! The new version will be released on June 19th and will retail for $14.99.
You’ll find it at airports and bookstores like Dymocks. You can also pre-order it online at Booktopia and have it delivered. Here’s the pre-order link: http://www.booktopia.com.au/love-at-first-flight-tess-woods/prod9781460754559.html
Share the Dignity's "DigniTea":
Topping off a very social May, last Sunday I was honoured to be involved in Share the Dignity’s DigniTea, a high-tea event that happened simultaneously in every capital city in Australia to raise money for sanitary items for Australia’s homeless women on World Hygiene Day. It was a beautiful afternoon spent in the company of my local school mum friends, author friends and two lovely tables of readers who all came along to offer support as well.
I met some truly inspirational woman, one in particular who had recently migrated to Australia to escape a violent partner, and I participated in a panel discussion about Share the Dignity and how our charity works to help women who are sleeping rough on the streets or in domestic violence shelters. My wonderful generous publishing house showed their support for me and their concern for our desperate homeless situation by sending every DigniTea event in every capital city a stack of the latest fiction novels to raffle off – I was especially thrilled when out of 250 women, my gorgeous girlfriend, Michelle Greening, won the raffle.
I asked my friend, MP Liza Harvey, to come and speak and she happily gave up her one day off to do just that and the very lovely and bubbly Nat Locke from Nova 93.7fm was a delightful MC. I was in awe of the women who organised this event, it was flawless!
Here are some photo highlights:
I was thrilled to bits to hear that LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT is getting another round on bookshelves in the lead up to the release of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE. It’s a smaller print version so the good news is it’s cheap! The new version will be released on June 19th and will retail for $14.99.
You’ll find it at airports and bookstores like Dymocks. You can also pre-order it online at Booktopia and have it delivered. Here’s the pre-order link: http://www.booktopia.com.au/love-at-first-flight-tess-woods/prod9781460754559.html
Share the Dignity's "DigniTea":
Topping off a very social May, last Sunday I was honoured to be involved in Share the Dignity’s DigniTea, a high-tea event that happened simultaneously in every capital city in Australia to raise money for sanitary items for Australia’s homeless women on World Hygiene Day. It was a beautiful afternoon spent in the company of my local school mum friends, author friends and two lovely tables of readers who all came along to offer support as well.
I met some truly inspirational woman, one in particular who had recently migrated to Australia to escape a violent partner, and I participated in a panel discussion about Share the Dignity and how our charity works to help women who are sleeping rough on the streets or in domestic violence shelters. My wonderful generous publishing house showed their support for me and their concern for our desperate homeless situation by sending every DigniTea event in every capital city a stack of the latest fiction novels to raffle off – I was especially thrilled when out of 250 women, my gorgeous girlfriend, Michelle Greening, won the raffle.
I asked my friend, MP Liza Harvey, to come and speak and she happily gave up her one day off to do just that and the very lovely and bubbly Nat Locke from Nova 93.7fm was a delightful MC. I was in awe of the women who organised this event, it was flawless!
Here are some photo highlights:
BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE is completed!
It’s such a massive relief to know that the work on a book is completely done. Three drafts, a structural edit, a copy edit and a proof read later, it’s finally on its way to the printers and when I see the story next, it will be when the postie delivers my copies of the book. I can hardly wait! The early advance reviews have been incredibly rewarding after all the hard work that’s gone into it, so I hope the rest of you enjoy it too when it hits the shelves in July. I sent the pages back to my publisher Mary, a.k.a. Mary The Love Of My Life, in a state of chaotic hot mess (an apt reflection of my life this month I think!!) and I love this photo she posted on Twitter :)
It’s such a massive relief to know that the work on a book is completely done. Three drafts, a structural edit, a copy edit and a proof read later, it’s finally on its way to the printers and when I see the story next, it will be when the postie delivers my copies of the book. I can hardly wait! The early advance reviews have been incredibly rewarding after all the hard work that’s gone into it, so I hope the rest of you enjoy it too when it hits the shelves in July. I sent the pages back to my publisher Mary, a.k.a. Mary The Love Of My Life, in a state of chaotic hot mess (an apt reflection of my life this month I think!!) and I love this photo she posted on Twitter :)
April 2017
Melbourne authors catch up.
I had the most beautiful night catching up with my dearest Melbourne author buddies. I hardly ever see these girls and it was precious stolen time with them. We stayed up soooo late talking, I think I had three hours sleep! Who can you recognise? There’s some literary royalty in this photo :)
Signing copies of LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT at Collins in Sale, Victoria.
Whilst the main reason to go to Sale this month was to be with our family over Easter, I also loved meeting the gorgeous staff at Collins Sale and happily signed books for them before we announced the winners of the BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE cover reveal contest. It was so special to have my wonderful brother and sister in law, Vic and Bea on hand to help with the raffle draw. We’re very close and they’re Lara’s Godparents too :)
Courtney Baker, who designed the jewellery featured in this month’s newsletter giveaway came and spent a few hours with all the women of our family in Sale too. She was wonderful and her jewellery was stunning.
Courtney Baker, who designed the jewellery featured in this month’s newsletter giveaway came and spent a few hours with all the women of our family in Sale too. She was wonderful and her jewellery was stunning.
Advance copies of BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE!
In writing news, the copy edit of BEAUTFUL MESSY LOVE is now done. My editor, Mary, and I have made every improvement we think we can and all that’s left now is for the pages to be typeset and proof read and then it’s off to the printers for the finished copy.
The advance copies (without the copy edit) have been printed and distributed. Booksellers around Australia and media and press now have the book in their hands and I’m hoping and praying they like it – this is make or break time for an author! I was so excited to get back from Melbourne to find my copy. Even though it’s not the finished book, to hold it in my hands was the best feeling after a hard year of work on it. Isn’t it pretty? There are even rose petals on the back!
We’ve now also locked in dates for Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Bunbury launches. I’ll be sharing locations and dates with you all very soon, perhaps as early as next month. In the meantime, BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE is now up for pre-order.
Click here to pre-order your copy!
The advance copies (without the copy edit) have been printed and distributed. Booksellers around Australia and media and press now have the book in their hands and I’m hoping and praying they like it – this is make or break time for an author! I was so excited to get back from Melbourne to find my copy. Even though it’s not the finished book, to hold it in my hands was the best feeling after a hard year of work on it. Isn’t it pretty? There are even rose petals on the back!
We’ve now also locked in dates for Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Bunbury launches. I’ll be sharing locations and dates with you all very soon, perhaps as early as next month. In the meantime, BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE is now up for pre-order.
Click here to pre-order your copy!
March 2017
BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE cover reveal!
I’ve been dying to share this cover with you since December when my brilliant HarperCollins cover designer Hazel Lam created this incredibly beautiful design. I was so in love with the cover for LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT that I was worried no cover would ever match up to it, but if it’s possible, I actually love this one even more!
Without any further ado, here’s the gorgeous cover for BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE. It will release on Monday 24th July 2017.
I’ve been dying to share this cover with you since December when my brilliant HarperCollins cover designer Hazel Lam created this incredibly beautiful design. I was so in love with the cover for LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT that I was worried no cover would ever match up to it, but if it’s possible, I actually love this one even more!
Without any further ado, here’s the gorgeous cover for BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE. It will release on Monday 24th July 2017.
Blurb:
What happens when love and loyalty collide? Two couples must deal with the consequences of their messy love not just for themselves but for those who depend on them. For lovers of passionate romance in the vein of Nicholas Sparks.
When football star Nick Harding hobbles into the Black Salt Cafe the morning after the night before, he is served by Anna, a waitress with haunted-looking eyes and no interest in footballers famous or otherwise. Nick is instantly drawn to this exotic, intelligent girl. But a relationship between them risks shame for her conservative refugee family and backlash for Nick that could ruin his career.
Meanwhile, Nick's sister, Lily, is struggling to finish her medical degree. When she meets Toby, it seems that for the first time she is following her heart, not the expectations of others. Yet what starts out as a passionate affair with a man who has just buried his wife slips quickly into dangerous dependency.
Through attraction, breakups, triumphs and tragedies, these two couples learn just how much their beautiful messy love might cost. A West Side Story for the modern day.
What happens when love and loyalty collide? Two couples must deal with the consequences of their messy love not just for themselves but for those who depend on them. For lovers of passionate romance in the vein of Nicholas Sparks.
When football star Nick Harding hobbles into the Black Salt Cafe the morning after the night before, he is served by Anna, a waitress with haunted-looking eyes and no interest in footballers famous or otherwise. Nick is instantly drawn to this exotic, intelligent girl. But a relationship between them risks shame for her conservative refugee family and backlash for Nick that could ruin his career.
Meanwhile, Nick's sister, Lily, is struggling to finish her medical degree. When she meets Toby, it seems that for the first time she is following her heart, not the expectations of others. Yet what starts out as a passionate affair with a man who has just buried his wife slips quickly into dangerous dependency.
Through attraction, breakups, triumphs and tragedies, these two couples learn just how much their beautiful messy love might cost. A West Side Story for the modern day.
West Coast Fiction Festival 2018.
March also saw the launch of one of the if not THE biggest project I’ve undertaken in my whole life. One of my nearest and dearest girlfriends, who also happens to be Australia’s highest selling romance author (and a very convincing person when she puts ideas in your head), Mrs Rachael Johns, planted the seed a couple of months ago that Perth readers were missing out on the huge author signing events taking place in the Eastern States where large groups of authors were getting together under the one roof to sign their books.
March also saw the launch of one of the if not THE biggest project I’ve undertaken in my whole life. One of my nearest and dearest girlfriends, who also happens to be Australia’s highest selling romance author (and a very convincing person when she puts ideas in your head), Mrs Rachael Johns, planted the seed a couple of months ago that Perth readers were missing out on the huge author signing events taking place in the Eastern States where large groups of authors were getting together under the one roof to sign their books.
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We named our idea the West Coast Fiction Festival to incorporate our part of the country in the name and between us we started hatching plans. For more information on this exciting event you can go to our page by clicking here... |
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I’m A Cover Quoter!
I was touched and honoured to be invited by the lovely Penguin publisher, Ali Watts, to cover quote for Penguin’s very gorgeous and talented debut romance author, Sasha Wasley. I must admit being nervous when I was handed the story, that I might not like it and that it would then lead to that awkward situation of having to say no to providing a quote.
But my worries were unfounded. The story, DEAR BANJO, was just beautiful and it’s an absolute privilege to have my name and quote on the back cover when the book hits shelves in June. I think it’s going to be a smash hit! Here’s Sasha’s sweet post about my quote with the cover artwork – I hope you all love this book as much as I did when it comes out in a couple of months.
I was touched and honoured to be invited by the lovely Penguin publisher, Ali Watts, to cover quote for Penguin’s very gorgeous and talented debut romance author, Sasha Wasley. I must admit being nervous when I was handed the story, that I might not like it and that it would then lead to that awkward situation of having to say no to providing a quote.
But my worries were unfounded. The story, DEAR BANJO, was just beautiful and it’s an absolute privilege to have my name and quote on the back cover when the book hits shelves in June. I think it’s going to be a smash hit! Here’s Sasha’s sweet post about my quote with the cover artwork – I hope you all love this book as much as I did when it comes out in a couple of months.
Victoria Park Library Talk – Wednesday 1st March.
I couldn’t have written myself a nicer way to end my six-month library circuit tour for LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT than the lovely evening I spent with readers and writers at Victoria Park Library. The staff were beautiful and welcoming, the people there were attentive and engaged and I got to finally meet some wonderful readers who had supported me greatly but I had never met face to face, as well as having the lovely surprise of a couple of dear author friends showing up unexpectedly.
A relaxed, informal night ended my book tour on a high and the feedback the next day warmed my heart. There’s nothing as rewarding as connecting with readers <3 It was great meeting all the Victoria Park library members who came along but especially great to have the chance to thank in person the gorgeous women featured below, Cath, Jaine and Adele for their love and support.
I couldn’t have written myself a nicer way to end my six-month library circuit tour for LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT than the lovely evening I spent with readers and writers at Victoria Park Library. The staff were beautiful and welcoming, the people there were attentive and engaged and I got to finally meet some wonderful readers who had supported me greatly but I had never met face to face, as well as having the lovely surprise of a couple of dear author friends showing up unexpectedly.
A relaxed, informal night ended my book tour on a high and the feedback the next day warmed my heart. There’s nothing as rewarding as connecting with readers <3 It was great meeting all the Victoria Park library members who came along but especially great to have the chance to thank in person the gorgeous women featured below, Cath, Jaine and Adele for their love and support.
And now, with the exception of one final book club night for Love at First Flight (I stopped taking requests after Christmas), I get to sloth at home in my PJ’s at night for the next four months with no more public events until BEAUTIFUL MESSY LOVE lands at the end of July – hooray!
February 2017
To add a touch of excitement to this month, I drove through a thunderstorm and what should have been a forty-five-minute drive ended up being two hours long and had me turning up forty minutes late to my own library talk in Armadale! My first words when I walked in to see the ladies so patiently waiting were, ‘Somebody get me a stiff drink!’ I was so stressed driving through the storm and knowing it was getting later and later past my start time but as soon as I arrived, they were all so sympathetic and kind and we had a lovely evening together. The beautiful librarian, Claire, was an angel, such a sweetheart. Don’t even ask me about the drive home! A few hours after I drove along them, some of the longer roads on my drive home were closed due to flooding. My trusty Miss Mini kept me safe though! The next day I received messages of support and thanks from the lovely librarian Claire, and some of the ladies who attended and it made it all worth it. Here’s a photo of me with Sonia Bellhouse, a writer who was at the talk. Do I look a little wild-eyed and traumatised, because I totally was!
January 2017
- Monday 30th January 2017 - 6pm - Subiaco Library - Meet the author talk and book signing.
I had a lovely night at Subiaco library meeting readers, talking to them about my book and my author journey and signing books. I wanted to share with you all how gorgeous my readers are - it really touches me when people make the effort to send me photos or email/Facebook/Tweet me after events. Because it was only last night that I spoke, these messages of support just came in. I'm so lucky, thank you lovely ladies. Looking forward to the next library talk and meeting more readers in Armadale next week.
I had a lovely night at Subiaco library meeting readers, talking to them about my book and my author journey and signing books. I wanted to share with you all how gorgeous my readers are - it really touches me when people make the effort to send me photos or email/Facebook/Tweet me after events. Because it was only last night that I spoke, these messages of support just came in. I'm so lucky, thank you lovely ladies. Looking forward to the next library talk and meeting more readers in Armadale next week.
- The Perth Literary Singers Book Club.
I also went to a wonderful book club this month, so different to any I have attended before. If you missed it on Facebook page, here’s what I wrote about the night and if you click the image below you'll see the video of their stunning singing!
Meet the Perth Literary Singers Book Club!
This inspirational group of women have a lifelong friendship from when they were all Sweet Adeline Chorus singers. Their genuine love for one another and enduring friendship - the kind where they could all finish each other's sentences and where they took pride in bragging about one another - touched my heart.
Each and every one of them shared her extraordinary life journey with me and I honestly got enough juicy fodder for five books from one night!
Plus they had a kind of flea market book swap the likes of which I've never seen before and a Christmas worthy feast of food!
AND they just happen to be international award winning singers and I was lucky enough to have them sing three songs for me. Take a listen (apologies for the dodgy dark video quality)
I've been to many a book club as a guest but this was something else :) Thank you amazing Chorus ladies, oh what a night xx
I also went to a wonderful book club this month, so different to any I have attended before. If you missed it on Facebook page, here’s what I wrote about the night and if you click the image below you'll see the video of their stunning singing!
Meet the Perth Literary Singers Book Club!
This inspirational group of women have a lifelong friendship from when they were all Sweet Adeline Chorus singers. Their genuine love for one another and enduring friendship - the kind where they could all finish each other's sentences and where they took pride in bragging about one another - touched my heart.
Each and every one of them shared her extraordinary life journey with me and I honestly got enough juicy fodder for five books from one night!
Plus they had a kind of flea market book swap the likes of which I've never seen before and a Christmas worthy feast of food!
AND they just happen to be international award winning singers and I was lucky enough to have them sing three songs for me. Take a listen (apologies for the dodgy dark video quality)
I've been to many a book club as a guest but this was something else :) Thank you amazing Chorus ladies, oh what a night xx
- The 10 hardest lessons I learned since becoming a writer, why monkeys terrify me, why I've dumped Orlando Bloom for Zac Efron as my leading man... all this and more in my final interview for the next 6 months with lovely author Alicia Gaffney :) Click below for the full interview...
http://intheread.com/interview-tess-woods/
http://intheread.com/interview-tess-woods/
- Loved receiving these photos from exotic locations as readers took Love at First Flight on their summer holidays.
- How gorgeous are these photos of Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow from our youngest fans?
December 2016
Here is my 2016 Ultimate Holiday Reading Guide with all my favourite books of the year!
http://www.tesswoods.com.au/bookclub/2016-ultimate-holiday-reading-guide
Now that I've done my last signing of the year at Dymocks Whitfords, I'll be taking a break from events for a couple of months and returnng with a talk at Subiaco library on January 30th, 2017. It was really lovely to meet so many of you in 2016. You made me whole year with your kindness :) - thank you!!
Saturday 3rd December – Love at First Flight book signing at Dymocks Whitfords, Whitford City Westfield Shopping Centre, Hillarys.
The lovely staff at Dymocks Whitfords invited me to sign books in-store for their Christmas Super Saturday! I enjoyed meeting writers, readers and shoppers and I adore this staff, they are just gorgeous! Here are some photos of people who came to get their books signed but weren't camera shy plus a couple of th staff. Sophie and MacKenzie have to be my youngest little fans (and it's at least ten years before they're old enough to read my book :)
http://www.tesswoods.com.au/bookclub/2016-ultimate-holiday-reading-guide
Now that I've done my last signing of the year at Dymocks Whitfords, I'll be taking a break from events for a couple of months and returnng with a talk at Subiaco library on January 30th, 2017. It was really lovely to meet so many of you in 2016. You made me whole year with your kindness :) - thank you!!
Saturday 3rd December – Love at First Flight book signing at Dymocks Whitfords, Whitford City Westfield Shopping Centre, Hillarys.
The lovely staff at Dymocks Whitfords invited me to sign books in-store for their Christmas Super Saturday! I enjoyed meeting writers, readers and shoppers and I adore this staff, they are just gorgeous! Here are some photos of people who came to get their books signed but weren't camera shy plus a couple of th staff. Sophie and MacKenzie have to be my youngest little fans (and it's at least ten years before they're old enough to read my book :)
November 2016
My kids released their book! It was an amazing month for children when they released their childrens' picture book for Serenity Press LIZZIE REACHES THE RAINBOW . They were interviewed by two papers, Lara did her first podcast, there was a signing at the Dance Etc Cupakes dance concert (2-6 year-olds) and then the offcial launch at their old primary school, with launch being funded by their highschool. It was such a wonderful afternoon! Here are some photos of Lara and Tom's exciting month!
And if you'd like to purchase a copy of Lizzie Reaches the rainbow, click here:
www.serenitypress.org/_p/prd1/4556131161/lizzie-reaches-the-rainbow-kiddyinks-2017
And if you'd like to purchase a copy of Lizzie Reaches the rainbow, click here:
www.serenitypress.org/_p/prd1/4556131161/lizzie-reaches-the-rainbow-kiddyinks-2017
You can pre-order Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow here and receive a special hardback edition signed by Lara and Tom:
http://www.serenitypress.org/_p/prd1/4556131161/lizzie-reaches-the-rainbow-kiddyinks-2017
Podcast - Your Creative Life with Kim Foster - an interview with Lara and me.
This was so much fun to do! You can listen here:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/your-creative-life/id1053102639?mt=2&i=378094743
Wednesday November 9th - 6.30 pm - Bassendean Memorial Library - Westbook's Emily Paul "In conversation with Tess Woods".
This evening was so lovely. The staff at Bassendean Library went all out with stunning decor, fresh flowers and delicious food for their very first "literary lounge" event. I was honoured to be asked to be the very first author guest and I was interviewed live by the gorgeous Emily followed by audience question time where there were lots and lots of laughs.. Thanks so much to everyone who came along!
http://www.serenitypress.org/_p/prd1/4556131161/lizzie-reaches-the-rainbow-kiddyinks-2017
Podcast - Your Creative Life with Kim Foster - an interview with Lara and me.
This was so much fun to do! You can listen here:
https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/your-creative-life/id1053102639?mt=2&i=378094743
Wednesday November 9th - 6.30 pm - Bassendean Memorial Library - Westbook's Emily Paul "In conversation with Tess Woods".
This evening was so lovely. The staff at Bassendean Library went all out with stunning decor, fresh flowers and delicious food for their very first "literary lounge" event. I was honoured to be asked to be the very first author guest and I was interviewed live by the gorgeous Emily followed by audience question time where there were lots and lots of laughs.. Thanks so much to everyone who came along!
Love at First Flight featured in November issue of Womens Weekly.
I was thrilled to see Love at First Flight featured in the current December issue of the Australian Women's Weekly (with Lisa Wilkinson on the front cover) as a 'Best Buy.' Being compared to Liane Moriarty in the review of the book isn't too shabby either!
I was thrilled to see Love at First Flight featured in the current December issue of the Australian Women's Weekly (with Lisa Wilkinson on the front cover) as a 'Best Buy.' Being compared to Liane Moriarty in the review of the book isn't too shabby either!
Friday 18th November - The Centre for Stories, Northbridge, Perth - Launch of Writing the Dream
It was a special night when I joined other WA authors and our Serenity publishers Karen McDermott and Monique Mulligan to launch Writing the Dream, which features my essay "Faith, Trust and a Little Pixie Dust." Writing the Dream is a collection of essays from twenty-four Aussie authors about our different roads to publication as well as sharing our top tips for aspiring authors. You can order Writing the Dream here or on Amazon, Booktopia or iBooks:
http://www.serenitypress.org/#!product/prd1/4545721161/writing-the-dream-pe-order
It was a special night when I joined other WA authors and our Serenity publishers Karen McDermott and Monique Mulligan to launch Writing the Dream, which features my essay "Faith, Trust and a Little Pixie Dust." Writing the Dream is a collection of essays from twenty-four Aussie authors about our different roads to publication as well as sharing our top tips for aspiring authors. You can order Writing the Dream here or on Amazon, Booktopia or iBooks:
http://www.serenitypress.org/#!product/prd1/4545721161/writing-the-dream-pe-order
Saturday 19th November – 1 pm – Love at First Flight book signing at Dymocks Belmont, Belmont Forum Shopping Centre, Cloverdale.
The lovely staff at Dymocks Belmont invited me to sign books in-store. It was a great opportunity to meet new readers and sign their books and I had a handful of readers who already owned copies of Love at First Flight come by with their books to be signed and to say hello. Such a delightful surprise and it was wonderful to chat with them. I even had a family who had been to one of my talks happen to be walking past and it was hugs and excitement all round! Thanks so much Belle and Belmont Dymocks for hosting me.
The lovely staff at Dymocks Belmont invited me to sign books in-store. It was a great opportunity to meet new readers and sign their books and I had a handful of readers who already owned copies of Love at First Flight come by with their books to be signed and to say hello. Such a delightful surprise and it was wonderful to chat with them. I even had a family who had been to one of my talks happen to be walking past and it was hugs and excitement all round! Thanks so much Belle and Belmont Dymocks for hosting me.
Thursday 24th November – 6.30 pm ‘Wine and Cheese meet and greet night with Tess Woods’ at Collins Booksellers, Southlands Boulevard Shopping Centre, Willetton.
The very delightful Barb and Lloyd at Collins Booksellers hosted a special night for me to mingle with my lovely readers and to sign copies of Love at First Flight. I enjoyed meeting new people and also enjoyed the company of some Perth writers who came along for a chat. It was lovely to eat and drink and talk about books with readers as well as talk about the upcoming books that the Perth writers are working on - we have loads of local talent here!
The very delightful Barb and Lloyd at Collins Booksellers hosted a special night for me to mingle with my lovely readers and to sign copies of Love at First Flight. I enjoyed meeting new people and also enjoyed the company of some Perth writers who came along for a chat. It was lovely to eat and drink and talk about books with readers as well as talk about the upcoming books that the Perth writers are working on - we have loads of local talent here!
October 2016
My first live interview on Facebook with Better Reading
I had a wonderful time shooting this video, which was live streamed on Facebook, from the 25th floor of the 5 star Rendezvous Hotel where Love at First Flight is set at beautiful Scarborough Beach. Here's the video :)
I had a wonderful time shooting this video, which was live streamed on Facebook, from the 25th floor of the 5 star Rendezvous Hotel where Love at First Flight is set at beautiful Scarborough Beach. Here's the video :)
Interview and Love at First Flight signed copy giveaway by Lisa Ireland
I was interviewed by my beautiful friend Lisa Ireland for her newsletter this month. Lisa is also a talented best-selling Australian author with a new contemporary fiction book coming out next year that I'll be featuring as a book of the month.
In the interview, I talk about my journey to publication and give Lisa's newsletter subscribers the insider goss about why I chose to write about an affair! To celebrate the interview feature, Lisa's giving a way a signed copy of Love at First Flight. To win you'll need to be a subscriber to her newsletter this month. Just head on over to Lisa's website http://lisairelandbooks.com and fill out the sign up form. I'm a subscriber so I know you won't regret signing up!
Interview and Love at First Flight giveaway by Tabula Rasa
Tabula Rasa is a digital magazine for new Australian creative writing. It's also an interactive online community for writers and readers and I was thrilled to be invited for an interview where I talked to author Kelly Fisk about the practical side of writing and shared advice for aspiring authors. Check out the interview for your chance to win a copy of Love at First Flight right here:
http://www.tabularasa.com.au/writers-studio/award-winning-novel-in-three-days/
Thursday 13th October - Cannington Library, Perth - Meet the author and book signing
It was such a lovely morning visiting Cannington Library and sharing my story and morning tea with readers and writers who came along to meet me. Thank you the lovely librarian Linda Dobson who organised the event and to the equally lovely Barb from Collins booksellers for coming along so that I could sign copies of Love at First Flight. I made some new friends and met people in real life who had previously only connected with me online and it's a morning I'll treasure. Meeting fans is absolutely the most wonderful part of being published <3
Thursday 27th October - Ruth Faulkner Public Library, Belmont, Perth - Meet the author and book signing
And it was another lovely time at a library, meeting readers, sharing my story and signing copies of Love at First Flight in Belmont. Thank you to the gorgeous team at Dymocks Belmont for sponsoring the event and to the readers who shared their stories with me that night. I left that evening feeling inspired by my readers and their, not always easy, journeys.
I was interviewed by my beautiful friend Lisa Ireland for her newsletter this month. Lisa is also a talented best-selling Australian author with a new contemporary fiction book coming out next year that I'll be featuring as a book of the month.
In the interview, I talk about my journey to publication and give Lisa's newsletter subscribers the insider goss about why I chose to write about an affair! To celebrate the interview feature, Lisa's giving a way a signed copy of Love at First Flight. To win you'll need to be a subscriber to her newsletter this month. Just head on over to Lisa's website http://lisairelandbooks.com and fill out the sign up form. I'm a subscriber so I know you won't regret signing up!
Interview and Love at First Flight giveaway by Tabula Rasa
Tabula Rasa is a digital magazine for new Australian creative writing. It's also an interactive online community for writers and readers and I was thrilled to be invited for an interview where I talked to author Kelly Fisk about the practical side of writing and shared advice for aspiring authors. Check out the interview for your chance to win a copy of Love at First Flight right here:
http://www.tabularasa.com.au/writers-studio/award-winning-novel-in-three-days/
Thursday 13th October - Cannington Library, Perth - Meet the author and book signing
It was such a lovely morning visiting Cannington Library and sharing my story and morning tea with readers and writers who came along to meet me. Thank you the lovely librarian Linda Dobson who organised the event and to the equally lovely Barb from Collins booksellers for coming along so that I could sign copies of Love at First Flight. I made some new friends and met people in real life who had previously only connected with me online and it's a morning I'll treasure. Meeting fans is absolutely the most wonderful part of being published <3
Thursday 27th October - Ruth Faulkner Public Library, Belmont, Perth - Meet the author and book signing
And it was another lovely time at a library, meeting readers, sharing my story and signing copies of Love at First Flight in Belmont. Thank you to the gorgeous team at Dymocks Belmont for sponsoring the event and to the readers who shared their stories with me that night. I left that evening feeling inspired by my readers and their, not always easy, journeys.
September 2016
Celebrating Love at First Flight print release youtube video
So very excited to show you what my clever son Tommy has made from all the photos we collected since Love at First Flight hit the shelves!
Thank you to everyone who sent me photos - it meant the world :)
And thank you gorgeous talented Sydnee Carter for once again lending me the beautiful music you make 💗.
Turn up the volume folks and enjoy the video!
You can find Sydnee's "Monsters" here on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/track/6zyIsgMeAUe94ag1L8qUCv
and here on iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/monsters/id968822706…
Thank you for all the support everyone - it's been quite the ride :)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rL_AZ9qea0I
So very excited to show you what my clever son Tommy has made from all the photos we collected since Love at First Flight hit the shelves!
Thank you to everyone who sent me photos - it meant the world :)
And thank you gorgeous talented Sydnee Carter for once again lending me the beautiful music you make 💗.
Turn up the volume folks and enjoy the video!
You can find Sydnee's "Monsters" here on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/track/6zyIsgMeAUe94ag1L8qUCv
and here on iTunes:https://itunes.apple.com/au/album/monsters/id968822706…
Thank you for all the support everyone - it's been quite the ride :)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=rL_AZ9qea0I
Beautiful Messy Love signed by HarperCollins Australia!
I signed my contract with HarperCollins Australia for the release of the sequel to Love at First Flight called Beautiful Messy Love. I LOVE this book so I’m over the moon that HarperCollins did too and I can’t wait until you get to read it when it’s released.
September 21-22nd, HarperCollins Author Day
I had an absolute ball heading back to Melbourne for HarperCollins Author Day. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from industry professionals and spend time with our gorgeous team and the added bonus of my world beating agent Jacinta di Mase being there too! The night Author Day before I enjoyed a fun night out with HarperCollins authors at Madame Brussels rooftop bar (a far cry from my suburban school mum existence in Perth!)
I signed my contract with HarperCollins Australia for the release of the sequel to Love at First Flight called Beautiful Messy Love. I LOVE this book so I’m over the moon that HarperCollins did too and I can’t wait until you get to read it when it’s released.
September 21-22nd, HarperCollins Author Day
I had an absolute ball heading back to Melbourne for HarperCollins Author Day. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from industry professionals and spend time with our gorgeous team and the added bonus of my world beating agent Jacinta di Mase being there too! The night Author Day before I enjoyed a fun night out with HarperCollins authors at Madame Brussels rooftop bar (a far cry from my suburban school mum existence in Perth!)
Share the Dignity Charity Ambassador!
I’ve become a new ambassador for an amazing charity close to my heart called Share the Dignity. The wonderful founder of the charity, Rochelle Courtenay, was motivated to take action to help women and children affected by homelessness and domestic violence. Share the Dignity needed a writer to write media releases, appeal letters and Facebook posts for their various projects and I’ve come on board because homelessness is a cause I’m passionate about.
Many of you know I founded my own charity group, Meals by Mums, that’s been going since 2013, cooking nutritious dinners for the homeless that are individually frozen and left at drop-in centres so for me, joining Share the Dignity, was a natural extension of my passion for social justice. I’ve already done lots of work this month for Share the Dignity in the lead up to us bringing the first ‘Dignity Vending Machines’ to Australia in October - where women and girls can access free tampons and pads when they otherwise couldn’t afford them.
I would love you to support this truly fantastic charity (where none of the members are paid, we are all volunteers) by liking our Facebook page so you can be kept up-to-date of the amazing new projects that will be undertaken!
Here’s the link to the Facebook Page-
https://www.facebook.com/sharethedignity/?fref=ts
I’ve become a new ambassador for an amazing charity close to my heart called Share the Dignity. The wonderful founder of the charity, Rochelle Courtenay, was motivated to take action to help women and children affected by homelessness and domestic violence. Share the Dignity needed a writer to write media releases, appeal letters and Facebook posts for their various projects and I’ve come on board because homelessness is a cause I’m passionate about.
Many of you know I founded my own charity group, Meals by Mums, that’s been going since 2013, cooking nutritious dinners for the homeless that are individually frozen and left at drop-in centres so for me, joining Share the Dignity, was a natural extension of my passion for social justice. I’ve already done lots of work this month for Share the Dignity in the lead up to us bringing the first ‘Dignity Vending Machines’ to Australia in October - where women and girls can access free tampons and pads when they otherwise couldn’t afford them.
I would love you to support this truly fantastic charity (where none of the members are paid, we are all volunteers) by liking our Facebook page so you can be kept up-to-date of the amazing new projects that will be undertaken!
Here’s the link to the Facebook Page-
https://www.facebook.com/sharethedignity/?fref=ts
Love at First Flight gets a second month at front of store at all Australian airports at WH Smith stores!
Very thrilled to learn that Love at First Flight is going to be on the Fresh Talent stand on a half-price promotion at all airports throughout September after already being featured in August - how lucky am I? If you are looking to grab a bargain and travelling in September, grab a copy from your airport's WH Smith store. I've signed copies at Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide airports too at WH Smith, Newslink, Relay and Watermark stores.
Very thrilled to learn that Love at First Flight is going to be on the Fresh Talent stand on a half-price promotion at all airports throughout September after already being featured in August - how lucky am I? If you are looking to grab a bargain and travelling in September, grab a copy from your airport's WH Smith store. I've signed copies at Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide airports too at WH Smith, Newslink, Relay and Watermark stores.
Booktopia Interview:
Thank you to the fabulous Anastasia Hadjidemetri at Booktopia who featured me on the website with 10 Terrifying Questions. I particularly liked sharing with Booktopia readers who I think the bravest authors in the world are (question 8 if you’re wondering!). Here’s the link to the interview:
http://blog.booktopia.com.au/…/tess-woods-want-aspiring-wr…/
Live video interview on “Making Time to Write” with Natasha Lester - Author:
This was SO much fun! You may have seen the outtakes on my Facebook page and now here’s the full video (just shy of 20 minutes) of my casual chat in my own home with my very close friend, the amazingly talented author Natasha Lester. If you didn’t get to meet the in-the-flesh me on tour, here’s the next best thing in this link.
http://www.natashalester.com.au/2016/09/07/3947/
Thank you to the fabulous Anastasia Hadjidemetri at Booktopia who featured me on the website with 10 Terrifying Questions. I particularly liked sharing with Booktopia readers who I think the bravest authors in the world are (question 8 if you’re wondering!). Here’s the link to the interview:
http://blog.booktopia.com.au/…/tess-woods-want-aspiring-wr…/
Live video interview on “Making Time to Write” with Natasha Lester - Author:
This was SO much fun! You may have seen the outtakes on my Facebook page and now here’s the full video (just shy of 20 minutes) of my casual chat in my own home with my very close friend, the amazingly talented author Natasha Lester. If you didn’t get to meet the in-the-flesh me on tour, here’s the next best thing in this link.
http://www.natashalester.com.au/2016/09/07/3947/
Kidspot Feature:
I was stoked with this absolutely hilarious and fabulous feature of Love at First Flight on the very popular site Kidspot. If you're a married mum, this is going to give you a laugh:
http://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/entertainment/books-tv-and-movies/two-unputdownable-and-romantic-saucy-books-to-read-this-weekend
Podcast - The Publishing Business on 101 Business Radio:
Thanks so much to the very lovely Monique Mulligan, Author of Serenity Press for her in-depth feature on both Love at First Flight and me as an author on this podcast. It kicks in at around the six-minute-mark for those who want to listen in. Monique is an intelligent, insightful reviewer:
http://101businessradio.com.au/…/242-the-publishing-busine…/
My children are releasing a children's book! Here's the cover and pre-order link:
I'm very excited to share with you all the gorgeous cover of the book "Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow" that my daughter, Lara, wrote last year as a twelve-year-old and that my son, Tom, graphically illustrated based on Lara's sketches. And it's now up for pre-order!
I was stoked with this absolutely hilarious and fabulous feature of Love at First Flight on the very popular site Kidspot. If you're a married mum, this is going to give you a laugh:
http://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyle/entertainment/books-tv-and-movies/two-unputdownable-and-romantic-saucy-books-to-read-this-weekend
Podcast - The Publishing Business on 101 Business Radio:
Thanks so much to the very lovely Monique Mulligan, Author of Serenity Press for her in-depth feature on both Love at First Flight and me as an author on this podcast. It kicks in at around the six-minute-mark for those who want to listen in. Monique is an intelligent, insightful reviewer:
http://101businessradio.com.au/…/242-the-publishing-busine…/
My children are releasing a children's book! Here's the cover and pre-order link:
I'm very excited to share with you all the gorgeous cover of the book "Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow" that my daughter, Lara, wrote last year as a twelve-year-old and that my son, Tom, graphically illustrated based on Lara's sketches. And it's now up for pre-order!
All pre-orders will receive a special hardcover edition signed by Lara and Tom! Pre-orders for this special edition are available worldwide right here by clicking this link:
http://www.serenitypress.org/_p/prd1/4556131161/lizzie-reaches-the-rainbow-kiddyinks-2017
Once Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow is released on November 1st, it will also come in a soft cover edition and will be available at selected bookshops as well as online retailers such as Booktopia and Amazon. But if you want the special edition autographed hardback copy you need to pre-order with the above link.
This sweet and vibrant story, aimed at four to six-year-olds, is about a little girl who uses her imagination to find peace and joy whenever things get tough in real life.
Lara and Tom, together with their wonderful Australian publisher Serenity Press are donating $2 from the sale of every book to Starz Dance at Dance etc. Lara is both a dancer and an assistant teacher at Dance etc, under the guidance of the amazing Kate Buchan who created and ran the Starz programme with her own private funds and no sponsorship for many years.
Starz Dance is a wonderful initiative that gives children and teenagers with special needs the opportunity to shine with specialist dance teachers and occupational therapists designing individual dance programmes for them. I'm a proud mama that my children wanted to share their earnings with other children and our family is also grateful to the generous Serenity Press for jumping on board and opening their hearts to Starz Dance too.
As well as the Starz Dance connection, Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow is special in another way too because it's launching the Serenity Press schools initiative of the KiddyInks Programme for "kids writing for kids".
Next year the KiddyInks programme is being rolled out to primary schools across Australia to nurture and inspire children to write and illustrate. School children between Year 3 and Year 6 will have the opportunity to compete in both writing and illustrating categories with a winner in each category being published by Serenity Press just like Lara and Tom! If you know teachers who would be interested in registering their school for the programme please let them know. I think it's an amazing opportunity! Here's where educators can find out more about the KiddyInks initiative:
http://www.serenitypress.org/kiddyinks
Thanks to everyone who orders the book supporting the Serenity Press' KiddyInks Programme nurturing young local talent like Lara and Tom and thank you also for supporting the Starz Dance Programme. The publication of this very special book is an example of community spirit at its best!
Tuesday 6th September - Melbourne Launch.
So many thank you’s for this special night in my old hometown, so here they are in dot points no less (you know it was only a matter time before I unleashed my dot points on you all!). A massive THANK YOU to:
- My beautiful and brilliant HarperCollins Books Australia publisher Mary Rennie who flew down from Sydney just to be there for me.
- My equally beautiful and brilliant literary agent Jacinta di Mase Management for being there for me too.
- My gorgeous and super talented friend Alli Sinclair Author for being such a warm, natural and wonderful MC for the event and generally taking care of me on the night too.
- Williamstown Library for hosting me.
- The two gorgeous ladies from Book and Paper Williamstown who were the booksellers on the night (and did a roaring trade!). Please support Book and Paper, Williamstown locals!
- The miracle working Belinda Markham from Makeup Artists & Co for taking a scaredy cat newbie like me and whacking false eyelashes on me for the first time in my life and covering up my sleep deprivation bags under my eyes with her fabulous makeup skills. Belinda was so amazing that when she saw I hadn’t had a spare second all day to run a comb through my hair, she whipped out her own GHDs and did my hair without even charging me for it. I can’t recommend her highly enough. So if you live around Yarraville, give her a call on 0433 272 643 or visit makeupartistsandco.com.au
- Everyone who braved the roads at the horrendous peak hour traffic time for the 6.15 pm start – I so appreciated all the people who had to knock off work early, organise dinner for kids advance etc etc. You are all wonderful!
- My high school friends from Mount Saint Joseph Girls' College many of whom I haven’t seen since we were seventeen (and we’re now forty-three!) who gave me the biggest surprise in my whole life (unplanned babies notwithstanding!) with an after launch party at the beautifully Love at First Flight decked out Prince Albert Hotel.
http://www.serenitypress.org/_p/prd1/4556131161/lizzie-reaches-the-rainbow-kiddyinks-2017
Once Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow is released on November 1st, it will also come in a soft cover edition and will be available at selected bookshops as well as online retailers such as Booktopia and Amazon. But if you want the special edition autographed hardback copy you need to pre-order with the above link.
This sweet and vibrant story, aimed at four to six-year-olds, is about a little girl who uses her imagination to find peace and joy whenever things get tough in real life.
Lara and Tom, together with their wonderful Australian publisher Serenity Press are donating $2 from the sale of every book to Starz Dance at Dance etc. Lara is both a dancer and an assistant teacher at Dance etc, under the guidance of the amazing Kate Buchan who created and ran the Starz programme with her own private funds and no sponsorship for many years.
Starz Dance is a wonderful initiative that gives children and teenagers with special needs the opportunity to shine with specialist dance teachers and occupational therapists designing individual dance programmes for them. I'm a proud mama that my children wanted to share their earnings with other children and our family is also grateful to the generous Serenity Press for jumping on board and opening their hearts to Starz Dance too.
As well as the Starz Dance connection, Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow is special in another way too because it's launching the Serenity Press schools initiative of the KiddyInks Programme for "kids writing for kids".
Next year the KiddyInks programme is being rolled out to primary schools across Australia to nurture and inspire children to write and illustrate. School children between Year 3 and Year 6 will have the opportunity to compete in both writing and illustrating categories with a winner in each category being published by Serenity Press just like Lara and Tom! If you know teachers who would be interested in registering their school for the programme please let them know. I think it's an amazing opportunity! Here's where educators can find out more about the KiddyInks initiative:
http://www.serenitypress.org/kiddyinks
Thanks to everyone who orders the book supporting the Serenity Press' KiddyInks Programme nurturing young local talent like Lara and Tom and thank you also for supporting the Starz Dance Programme. The publication of this very special book is an example of community spirit at its best!
Tuesday 6th September - Melbourne Launch.
So many thank you’s for this special night in my old hometown, so here they are in dot points no less (you know it was only a matter time before I unleashed my dot points on you all!). A massive THANK YOU to:
- My beautiful and brilliant HarperCollins Books Australia publisher Mary Rennie who flew down from Sydney just to be there for me.
- My equally beautiful and brilliant literary agent Jacinta di Mase Management for being there for me too.
- My gorgeous and super talented friend Alli Sinclair Author for being such a warm, natural and wonderful MC for the event and generally taking care of me on the night too.
- Williamstown Library for hosting me.
- The two gorgeous ladies from Book and Paper Williamstown who were the booksellers on the night (and did a roaring trade!). Please support Book and Paper, Williamstown locals!
- The miracle working Belinda Markham from Makeup Artists & Co for taking a scaredy cat newbie like me and whacking false eyelashes on me for the first time in my life and covering up my sleep deprivation bags under my eyes with her fabulous makeup skills. Belinda was so amazing that when she saw I hadn’t had a spare second all day to run a comb through my hair, she whipped out her own GHDs and did my hair without even charging me for it. I can’t recommend her highly enough. So if you live around Yarraville, give her a call on 0433 272 643 or visit makeupartistsandco.com.au
- Everyone who braved the roads at the horrendous peak hour traffic time for the 6.15 pm start – I so appreciated all the people who had to knock off work early, organise dinner for kids advance etc etc. You are all wonderful!
- My high school friends from Mount Saint Joseph Girls' College many of whom I haven’t seen since we were seventeen (and we’re now forty-three!) who gave me the biggest surprise in my whole life (unplanned babies notwithstanding!) with an after launch party at the beautifully Love at First Flight decked out Prince Albert Hotel.
Visiting booksellers 5th-7th September
I had loads of fun zipping around Melbourne independent bookshops including – Dymocks Melbourne, Avenue Bookstore, and Readings with the divine Michelle Bansen, the Melbourne sales manager for HarperCollins. And I also popped in and signed books at both Perth and Melbourne Airports. Booksellers I think are the nicest breed of humans right alongside book bloggers.
I had loads of fun zipping around Melbourne independent bookshops including – Dymocks Melbourne, Avenue Bookstore, and Readings with the divine Michelle Bansen, the Melbourne sales manager for HarperCollins. And I also popped in and signed books at both Perth and Melbourne Airports. Booksellers I think are the nicest breed of humans right alongside book bloggers.
August 2016
News
- What a thrill to find myself featured on Better Reading - the undisputed Holy Grail of Australian book reviews! With 93k followers on Facebook, I danced a jig to see Love at First Flight on the Better Reading blog :).
Here's the link to the feature:
http://www.betterreading.com.au/news/book-review-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
- What a thrill to find myself featured on Better Reading - the undisputed Holy Grail of Australian book reviews! With 93k followers on Facebook, I danced a jig to see Love at First Flight on the Better Reading blog :).
Here's the link to the feature:
http://www.betterreading.com.au/news/book-review-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
- Love at First Flight burst onto the charts, debuting at number 10 in fiction on the Dymocks Bestseller List! Thank you to everyone for all the support including booksellers and shoppers - lots of hugs to you all. Here's a photo of my hubby proudly pointing to a Dymocks window display.
And I was very excited to be chosen as a 'Fresh New Talent" at all WH Smith airport stores across Australia with front of store displays for release month. Here's a photo of me holding one of the many copies I signed at Perth airport. I'm doing a lot of travelling and signing books at every airport I go to, so keep your eyes peeled for signed copies at WH Smith, News Link and Relay airport stores.
- Nearly all Big W's across Australia are just about sold out. Although new stock has been delivered to select Perth Big W stores only, please support our independent Aussie booksellers and look there for your copy instead.
And I was very excited to be chosen as a 'Fresh New Talent" at all WH Smith airport stores across Australia with front of store displays for release month. Here's a photo of me holding one of the many copies I signed at Perth airport. I'm doing a lot of travelling and signing books at every airport I go to, so keep your eyes peeled for signed copies at WH Smith, News Link and Relay airport stores.
- Nearly all Big W's across Australia are just about sold out. Although new stock has been delivered to select Perth Big W stores only, please support our independent Aussie booksellers and look there for your copy instead.
Friday 5th August - Official launch for Love at First Flight at Scarborough Sportsman’s Club, Observation Bar.
I think the excitement of this evening still hasn't sunk in.
We had two hundred guests for a flight themed party, a spectacular flight crew and the truly fabulous and beautiful duo at Serenity Press running the evening with Karen McDermott as MC and Monique Mulligan as interviewer. We had Dymocks Karrinyup with the lovely Allyce and Jenny on board selling books that I was delighted to sign, we had a yummy three course meal for all our passengers and the highlight of the night was our incredible band Velvet Amps.
I said all my thank you's to my amazing helpers on my personal profile so I won't repeat it here. But I would like to mention that if anyone who came (or anyone in Perth for that matter) is looking for the best band out, as in ever, make sure you book the crazy talented Velvet Amps who had the dance floor pumping till midnight.
Here's their Facebook page for you to contact them:
https://www.facebook.com/velvetamps/
Thank you also to the very talented Louise Allan, my beautiful special friend - doctor, author, photographer - her skills no know bounds. Louise took all of these photos except for the three shots taken earlier in the day of the venue without guests.
I've saved all the happy snaps of individuals or small groups of people to put in the music video that will come out at the end of the book tour but all of these larger group photos and shots of the working team on the night will give you a real taste of how the launch went.
I think the excitement of this evening still hasn't sunk in.
We had two hundred guests for a flight themed party, a spectacular flight crew and the truly fabulous and beautiful duo at Serenity Press running the evening with Karen McDermott as MC and Monique Mulligan as interviewer. We had Dymocks Karrinyup with the lovely Allyce and Jenny on board selling books that I was delighted to sign, we had a yummy three course meal for all our passengers and the highlight of the night was our incredible band Velvet Amps.
I said all my thank you's to my amazing helpers on my personal profile so I won't repeat it here. But I would like to mention that if anyone who came (or anyone in Perth for that matter) is looking for the best band out, as in ever, make sure you book the crazy talented Velvet Amps who had the dance floor pumping till midnight.
Here's their Facebook page for you to contact them:
https://www.facebook.com/velvetamps/
Thank you also to the very talented Louise Allan, my beautiful special friend - doctor, author, photographer - her skills no know bounds. Louise took all of these photos except for the three shots taken earlier in the day of the venue without guests.
I've saved all the happy snaps of individuals or small groups of people to put in the music video that will come out at the end of the book tour but all of these larger group photos and shots of the working team on the night will give you a real taste of how the launch went.
Wednesday 10th August 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm – Whitfords Library Talk.
I was so worried nobody except my mum would show up when this event was first announced but it filled up quickly. I was welcomed by a room full of lovely new people who made me feel at ease straight away and they even bought lots of books.
A huge thank you to the City of Joondalup for promoting this event so well and also a big thanks to Margaret Brooker from Joondalup libraries for organising the event. Lastly, thank you to Chloe from Dymocks Joondalup for coming along and being our bookseller on the night.
I was so touched to receive this feedback from Margaret Brooker after the talk that she collected from the attendees:
I was so worried nobody except my mum would show up when this event was first announced but it filled up quickly. I was welcomed by a room full of lovely new people who made me feel at ease straight away and they even bought lots of books.
A huge thank you to the City of Joondalup for promoting this event so well and also a big thanks to Margaret Brooker from Joondalup libraries for organising the event. Lastly, thank you to Chloe from Dymocks Joondalup for coming along and being our bookseller on the night.
I was so touched to receive this feedback from Margaret Brooker after the talk that she collected from the attendees:
- Tess - you are an inspiration!
- If the book is as good as she presents, it will be great
- The best author talk I have ever attended
- Very different, very informative, not one dull moment
- Such an entertaining, inspirational speaker. Thank you for the opportunity to hear Tess speak
- Enjoyed Tess's story very much
- A very interesting and unique insight - thank you
- Tess is wonderful, with a story to pique your interest, great for all audience
- Tess was a really lovely person to speak. A beautiful story of her writing background
- Absolutely the best 'Meet the Author' I have attended. Tess was amazing, charismatic, funny & entertaining. Loved her.
Meeting Liane Moriarty!
I was heavy breathing excited when I got to meet Liane Moriarty at her Perth event where she was 'In conversation' at the Hilton with the beautiful Amanda Ellis - the same gorgeous lady who interviewed me for The West last month. Liane was as fabulous, smart and funny as I expected her to be. Love her! And I can't wait to sink my teeth into my signed copy of Truly, Madly, Guilty.
It was a lovely morning spent with my local author friends (left to right) Fiona Palmer, Steph Pegler, Rachael Johns and Natasha Lester. It's not every day you get to book swap with Liane!
I was heavy breathing excited when I got to meet Liane Moriarty at her Perth event where she was 'In conversation' at the Hilton with the beautiful Amanda Ellis - the same gorgeous lady who interviewed me for The West last month. Liane was as fabulous, smart and funny as I expected her to be. Love her! And I can't wait to sink my teeth into my signed copy of Truly, Madly, Guilty.
It was a lovely morning spent with my local author friends (left to right) Fiona Palmer, Steph Pegler, Rachael Johns and Natasha Lester. It's not every day you get to book swap with Liane!
Monday 15th August – 7.00 pm – HarperCollins Trade Night Roadshow, The Backlot Theatre, West Perth.
I was thrilled to be the only Western Australian author invited to attend HarperCollins big night of nights where all the major bookseller players came along to see the offerings for the next year from HarperCollins with their new release Australian and International titles.
The venue at The Backlot Theatre in West Perth was stunning and intimate and I gave the opening speech which was rather nerve wracking! It was a really lovely evening chatting with the booksellers and spending time with HarperCollins Head of Sales, Karen Maree, who flew in from Sydney for the event, as well as my own sales State Manager, Theresa Anns (Pictured with me below with Theresa on the right and Karen Maree on the left.)
Through all my events so far my roadie/hubby Paul has been on hand to carry my banner and set up for me :).
I was thrilled to be the only Western Australian author invited to attend HarperCollins big night of nights where all the major bookseller players came along to see the offerings for the next year from HarperCollins with their new release Australian and International titles.
The venue at The Backlot Theatre in West Perth was stunning and intimate and I gave the opening speech which was rather nerve wracking! It was a really lovely evening chatting with the booksellers and spending time with HarperCollins Head of Sales, Karen Maree, who flew in from Sydney for the event, as well as my own sales State Manager, Theresa Anns (Pictured with me below with Theresa on the right and Karen Maree on the left.)
Through all my events so far my roadie/hubby Paul has been on hand to carry my banner and set up for me :).
Saturday 20th August – RWA Conference presentation - Stamford Grand Hotel, Glenelg, Adelaide.
I was CRAZY excited to have been chosen to present at the biggest annual writer’s conference in Australia, the Australian Romance Writers’ conference in Adelaide. I presented a session with my beautiful and incredibly clever friend Natasha Lester on Ten Steps to Building an Author Brand. We put loads of work into this presentation and we really hope writers who came along to listen to us got heaps out of it.
Here's the teaser for our session stolen from the conference programme:
10 Steps to Building an Author Brand with Natasha Lester & Tess Woods – Having a strong author brand can help you get published, forge connections with readers and keep your name top of mind before or in between book releases. This session breaks down the process of building an author brand into 10 simple steps. It covers what an author brand is, how to develop your marketing voice, the importance of a website hub, plus the various online and offline activities (Facebook, newsletters, events, social media etc) you can use to build your brand.
Saturday 20th August – ARRA Book signing event, Stamford Grand Hotel, Glenelg, Adelaide.
Here's the teaser for our session stolen from the conference programme:
10 Steps to Building an Author Brand with Natasha Lester & Tess Woods – Having a strong author brand can help you get published, forge connections with readers and keep your name top of mind before or in between book releases. This session breaks down the process of building an author brand into 10 simple steps. It covers what an author brand is, how to develop your marketing voice, the importance of a website hub, plus the various online and offline activities (Facebook, newsletters, events, social media etc) you can use to build your brand.
Saturday 20th August – ARRA Book signing event, Stamford Grand Hotel, Glenelg, Adelaide.
This was the book signing to end all book signings! Sixty Aussie authors all signing books in the one room.
Heaps of people came along and got their book signed not just by me but many of your favourite authors like Jennie Jones, Annie West and Rachael Johns to name just a few.
Heaps of people came along and got their book signed not just by me but many of your favourite authors like Jennie Jones, Annie West and Rachael Johns to name just a few.
Thursday 25th August - in conversation with Taryn Lindsay at Dymocks Busselton.
I thoroughly enjoyed this ‘in conversation’ event with the lovely Taryn Lindsay. We had a great group of women turn up to join in the conversation over wine and supper.
We were having such a great night that we completely forgot to take any photos of the audience or of the book signing – whoops!
Thank you to the lovely Beth Herbert and her awesome husband Michael for their warm hospitality at the Busselton Guest House where we stayed overnight. You can find details of their bed and breakfast here: http://www.busseltonguesthouse.com.au/
Thursday 25th to Friday 26th August - Rural bookshop signings
It was a truly wonderful couple of days that I spent on the beautiful South West coast of Western Australia, a few hours outside of Perth. My gorgeous manager, Theresa, and I visited book stores where I signed loads of books at Collins Booksellers Bunbury, VIVA BOOKS, Barefoot Books and Dymocks Busselton. The bookshop owners and managers were an absolute delight and I even met a couple of fans purely by chance. I'm so very grateful for the fiercely loyal and parochial support that local Western Australian authors are lucky enough to receive from our independent booksellers.
We were having such a great night that we completely forgot to take any photos of the audience or of the book signing – whoops!
Thank you to the lovely Beth Herbert and her awesome husband Michael for their warm hospitality at the Busselton Guest House where we stayed overnight. You can find details of their bed and breakfast here: http://www.busseltonguesthouse.com.au/
Thursday 25th to Friday 26th August - Rural bookshop signings
It was a truly wonderful couple of days that I spent on the beautiful South West coast of Western Australia, a few hours outside of Perth. My gorgeous manager, Theresa, and I visited book stores where I signed loads of books at Collins Booksellers Bunbury, VIVA BOOKS, Barefoot Books and Dymocks Busselton. The bookshop owners and managers were an absolute delight and I even met a couple of fans purely by chance. I'm so very grateful for the fiercely loyal and parochial support that local Western Australian authors are lucky enough to receive from our independent booksellers.
Magazine:
Book club feature in this fortnight's issue of Yours Magazine.
It was such an honour to be asked and a huge surprise to see that my feature was a whole page in the magazine - thank you lovely Yours people!
If you'd like to see the feature in the flesh, grab the current issue of Yours magazine with Lisa Curry on the cover where all magazines are sold.
Book club feature in this fortnight's issue of Yours Magazine.
It was such an honour to be asked and a huge surprise to see that my feature was a whole page in the magazine - thank you lovely Yours people!
If you'd like to see the feature in the flesh, grab the current issue of Yours magazine with Lisa Curry on the cover where all magazines are sold.
Newspaper:
Thanks to the Joondalup Times for the feature in their paper. The write up was lovely but when I look at that photo, I remember still being sick with the flu, medicated to the eyeballs, wearing about four layers of under-eye concealer and traipsing up and down the beach until we finally got a near acceptable shot!
Here's the link to the feature:
http://www.communitynews.com.au/…/duncraig-author-tess-woo…/
Thank you to Melbourne's Weekly Times for the following feature and lovely review:
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/country-living/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-harpercollins-rrp-2999/news-story/54d819ffb60d1b0ef11a8c9b9e740219
Thank you to the Busselton-Dunsborough Mail's Pierra Willix for her interview and feature:
Thanks to the Joondalup Times for the feature in their paper. The write up was lovely but when I look at that photo, I remember still being sick with the flu, medicated to the eyeballs, wearing about four layers of under-eye concealer and traipsing up and down the beach until we finally got a near acceptable shot!
Here's the link to the feature:
http://www.communitynews.com.au/…/duncraig-author-tess-woo…/
Thank you to Melbourne's Weekly Times for the following feature and lovely review:
http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/country-living/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-harpercollins-rrp-2999/news-story/54d819ffb60d1b0ef11a8c9b9e740219
Thank you to the Busselton-Dunsborough Mail's Pierra Willix for her interview and feature:
Blogs and competition to win a signed copy of Love at First Flight:
AusRom Today Author of the month:
I was honoured to be Author of the Month for AusRom Today, for August.
If you visit the fabulous AusRom Today website and leave a comment by the end of August, you could win one of FIVE paperback copies of Love at First Flight.
Here’s the link to enter. Good luck everyone!
https://ausromtoday.com/…/01/author-of-the-month-tess-woods/
Jenn McLeod's Author Harvest Blog:
What would you tell your eighteen-year-old self if you had the chance? Jenn J McLeod, the brilliant-est author in the land asked me this question and here's my response:
http://www.jennjmcleod.com/august-author-tess-woods-writes-…
If you leave a comment by August 15th Jenn's website, in the link above, once you've read my letter to myself at eighteen, you'll be in the draw to win a signed copy of Love at First Flight! Thank you Jenn for the lovely feature.
Karan Eleni's Author Spotlight:
I really enjoyed this interview with American blogger and book reviewer Karan Eleni. I did have a bit of a rant about why I hate the term 'Women's Fiction'.
Click here to see why I'm joining the movement against my own genre!
http://karele.me/2aCeswp
Nene Davies Six Peas Blog:
I was honoured to be featured by the absolutely amazing author (who I adore) Nene Davies this week on her Six Peas Blog where I shared lots of tips/tricks and advice for aspiring authors. Here’s the link:
https://sixpeasblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/19/tess-woods/
Scatterbooker:
And here's an interview I did with the very lovely Jade from Aussie blogging site Scatterbooker where I gave the dirt on the sequel to Love at First Flight, Beautiful Messy Love.
http://wp.me/p5k577-A9
AusRom Today Author of the month:
I was honoured to be Author of the Month for AusRom Today, for August.
If you visit the fabulous AusRom Today website and leave a comment by the end of August, you could win one of FIVE paperback copies of Love at First Flight.
Here’s the link to enter. Good luck everyone!
https://ausromtoday.com/…/01/author-of-the-month-tess-woods/
Jenn McLeod's Author Harvest Blog:
What would you tell your eighteen-year-old self if you had the chance? Jenn J McLeod, the brilliant-est author in the land asked me this question and here's my response:
http://www.jennjmcleod.com/august-author-tess-woods-writes-…
If you leave a comment by August 15th Jenn's website, in the link above, once you've read my letter to myself at eighteen, you'll be in the draw to win a signed copy of Love at First Flight! Thank you Jenn for the lovely feature.
Karan Eleni's Author Spotlight:
I really enjoyed this interview with American blogger and book reviewer Karan Eleni. I did have a bit of a rant about why I hate the term 'Women's Fiction'.
Click here to see why I'm joining the movement against my own genre!
http://karele.me/2aCeswp
Nene Davies Six Peas Blog:
I was honoured to be featured by the absolutely amazing author (who I adore) Nene Davies this week on her Six Peas Blog where I shared lots of tips/tricks and advice for aspiring authors. Here’s the link:
https://sixpeasblog.wordpress.com/2016/08/19/tess-woods/
Scatterbooker:
And here's an interview I did with the very lovely Jade from Aussie blogging site Scatterbooker where I gave the dirt on the sequel to Love at First Flight, Beautiful Messy Love.
http://wp.me/p5k577-A9
July 2016
Love at First Flight is now in stores!
Hooray the day is here at last - you should see Mel in her pretty spotted red dress in bookshops and department stores all over Australia. Thank you to everyone who takes her home!
We're planning on making Mel her own music video in September using the singing voice of Aussie superstar Sydnee Carter and all of your photos so please send me photos of Mel on store shelves, Mel in your hands, Mel in your house or photos of you (or of you and Mel together or of you and me together) at any of my upcoming book signing events. We're hoping to have as many of your gorgeous faces and photos as possible so selfie away people!
The Love at First Flight paperback release book tour kicks off in July with the following events:
In-store signings and awesome competition to win a five star luxury weekend escape!
July 27th - My very lovely HarperCollins manager Theresa Anns will be spending the entire day morning till night driving me to book stores far and wide around the city of Perth to sign heaps and heaps of books. It will be great to meet readers and independent book shops owners and if you're a Perth local between Joondalup and Rockingham, then odds are that if you pick up a copy of Love at First Flight from your local book shop it could be a signed one!
We're also launching an amazing competition for the people of Perth that's generously sponsored by the wonderful five star luxury Rendezvous Hotel. Simply buy a copy of Love at First Flight from your local bookshop and you'll go into the draw to win two nights accommodation at the Rendezvous in Scarborough which is the very same hotel and beach featured in the story! Entry details are in stores.
Hooray the day is here at last - you should see Mel in her pretty spotted red dress in bookshops and department stores all over Australia. Thank you to everyone who takes her home!
We're planning on making Mel her own music video in September using the singing voice of Aussie superstar Sydnee Carter and all of your photos so please send me photos of Mel on store shelves, Mel in your hands, Mel in your house or photos of you (or of you and Mel together or of you and me together) at any of my upcoming book signing events. We're hoping to have as many of your gorgeous faces and photos as possible so selfie away people!
The Love at First Flight paperback release book tour kicks off in July with the following events:
In-store signings and awesome competition to win a five star luxury weekend escape!
July 27th - My very lovely HarperCollins manager Theresa Anns will be spending the entire day morning till night driving me to book stores far and wide around the city of Perth to sign heaps and heaps of books. It will be great to meet readers and independent book shops owners and if you're a Perth local between Joondalup and Rockingham, then odds are that if you pick up a copy of Love at First Flight from your local book shop it could be a signed one!
We're also launching an amazing competition for the people of Perth that's generously sponsored by the wonderful five star luxury Rendezvous Hotel. Simply buy a copy of Love at First Flight from your local bookshop and you'll go into the draw to win two nights accommodation at the Rendezvous in Scarborough which is the very same hotel and beach featured in the story! Entry details are in stores.
Radio:
July 28th - Listen in on my interview on the Book, Stage and Screen radio show in Melbourne with the absolutely hilarious married couple Samantha and Gordon Napier. This power duo have their awesome show on every Thursday in Melbourne and I LOVE that I can always get the link to listen to it all the way over here in Perth which has become my new habit while cooking on Thursday nights. Here’s the link to my interview with my gorgeous mates Sam and Gordo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7iWvGukOqM&feature=youtu.be
July 28th - Listen in on my interview on the Book, Stage and Screen radio show in Melbourne with the absolutely hilarious married couple Samantha and Gordon Napier. This power duo have their awesome show on every Thursday in Melbourne and I LOVE that I can always get the link to listen to it all the way over here in Perth which has become my new habit while cooking on Thursday nights. Here’s the link to my interview with my gorgeous mates Sam and Gordo:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7iWvGukOqM&feature=youtu.be
Podcast:
July 26th - What a thrill to be a guest on the hands-down best podcast for writers in Australia. I’ve been a huge fan of Vanessa Carnevale’s and Kim Foster’s podcast Your Creative Life for a while now so it was a real thrill to be featured on their podcast. Vanessa and I had a long chat where I shared lots of things that I probably shouldn’t have so if you want a sneaky peak and a lot of giggles with a naughty behind the scenes look at my journey to publication you can listen to my conversation with the very gorgeous Vanessa Carnevale here:
http://www.vanessacarnevale.com/podcast/2016/7/24/episode-039-love-at-first-flight-with-tess-woods
Newspaper:
July 26th - The delightful Amanda Ellis, book editor for Western Australia’s major paper The West Australian was an angel in disguise for me this month. Amanda is crazy busy and had scheduled aside hours to feature me in a photo shoot, a live interview video for The West’s book club and another in-depth interview in the studios for the paper. But I was sick so I had to cancel which was mortifying because I knew how many people had arranged their day in The West offices around me. Anyway, Amanda graciously rescheduled for another day and guess what? I was STILL sick and I cancelled again! I can’t tell you how embarrassed I was. It was now creeping rapidly up to release day so Amanda ended up leaving the office and driving to my house a couple of days later to interview me while I sat next to a humidifier coughing at her! And she cancelled the photo shoot, just using my author photo instead plus she cancelled the book club video interview. So I was able to be dressed like a big dag with no make-up on and sound terrible and cough and splutter at her and it didn’t even matter, I still got a huge feature. I LOVE AMANDA ELLIS! Here’s the result of the interview that she managed to get into the paper with two working days turn around and if any of you have worked in the press you can appreciate the stress she was under to produce something of this quality in that time frame.
July 26th - What a thrill to be a guest on the hands-down best podcast for writers in Australia. I’ve been a huge fan of Vanessa Carnevale’s and Kim Foster’s podcast Your Creative Life for a while now so it was a real thrill to be featured on their podcast. Vanessa and I had a long chat where I shared lots of things that I probably shouldn’t have so if you want a sneaky peak and a lot of giggles with a naughty behind the scenes look at my journey to publication you can listen to my conversation with the very gorgeous Vanessa Carnevale here:
http://www.vanessacarnevale.com/podcast/2016/7/24/episode-039-love-at-first-flight-with-tess-woods
Newspaper:
July 26th - The delightful Amanda Ellis, book editor for Western Australia’s major paper The West Australian was an angel in disguise for me this month. Amanda is crazy busy and had scheduled aside hours to feature me in a photo shoot, a live interview video for The West’s book club and another in-depth interview in the studios for the paper. But I was sick so I had to cancel which was mortifying because I knew how many people had arranged their day in The West offices around me. Anyway, Amanda graciously rescheduled for another day and guess what? I was STILL sick and I cancelled again! I can’t tell you how embarrassed I was. It was now creeping rapidly up to release day so Amanda ended up leaving the office and driving to my house a couple of days later to interview me while I sat next to a humidifier coughing at her! And she cancelled the photo shoot, just using my author photo instead plus she cancelled the book club video interview. So I was able to be dressed like a big dag with no make-up on and sound terrible and cough and splutter at her and it didn’t even matter, I still got a huge feature. I LOVE AMANDA ELLIS! Here’s the result of the interview that she managed to get into the paper with two working days turn around and if any of you have worked in the press you can appreciate the stress she was under to produce something of this quality in that time frame.
Thank you to the very lovely Kate Leaver at the Stirling Times Community News who interviewed me for this feature article:
Here's the link:
http://www.communitynews.com.au/stirling-times/news/doubleview-author-tess-woods-scores-hit-with-romance-novel/
Here's the link:
http://www.communitynews.com.au/stirling-times/news/doubleview-author-tess-woods-scores-hit-with-romance-novel/
Website blog interviews:
Write, Note, Reviews:
The beautiful Monique Mulligan, who is actually interviewing me live on stage at my launch next Friday asked me to take part in a teaser interview leading up to the launch on her Write, Note, Reviews website. This was one of my favourite interviews that I’ve ever done. I loved chatting about my favourite books and authors with Monique as well as talking about my own fears and weaknesses with writing. This interview started a riot among writers on social media when I made the statement that I don’t think writing is fun. Sorry folks it’s God’s honest truth, it’s not EVER fun for me!
Write, Note, Reviews:
The beautiful Monique Mulligan, who is actually interviewing me live on stage at my launch next Friday asked me to take part in a teaser interview leading up to the launch on her Write, Note, Reviews website. This was one of my favourite interviews that I’ve ever done. I loved chatting about my favourite books and authors with Monique as well as talking about my own fears and weaknesses with writing. This interview started a riot among writers on social media when I made the statement that I don’t think writing is fun. Sorry folks it’s God’s honest truth, it’s not EVER fun for me!
Here’s the link:
https://writenotereviews.com/2016/07/19/author-insight-meet-tess-woods/
Book Birdy:
Up next was Cassie Hamer’s Book Birdy blog. I LOVED this interview because Cassie asked me questions I’ve never been asked before about writing sex scenes and I got to really explore the themes of the book. Cassie had a gentle way of drawing out my deep hidden truths. Take a look and see what I mean with this raw interview I did with her and then follow her blog because all her interviews have that vulnerable edge to them which is so interesting as readers for us to see. Cassie Hamer’s own fiction writing career is about to go gangbusters and when it does, I want you all to remember you heard her name here first!
https://writenotereviews.com/2016/07/19/author-insight-meet-tess-woods/
Book Birdy:
Up next was Cassie Hamer’s Book Birdy blog. I LOVED this interview because Cassie asked me questions I’ve never been asked before about writing sex scenes and I got to really explore the themes of the book. Cassie had a gentle way of drawing out my deep hidden truths. Take a look and see what I mean with this raw interview I did with her and then follow her blog because all her interviews have that vulnerable edge to them which is so interesting as readers for us to see. Cassie Hamer’s own fiction writing career is about to go gangbusters and when it does, I want you all to remember you heard her name here first!
Here’s the link:
http://bookbirdy.com/2016/07/21/meet-tess-woods-author-of-love-at-first-flight/
Maggie Christensen:
And what a thrill to be invited by the incomparable Maggie Christensen to appear on her blog this week. This gorgeous writer is looked up to by thousands of Aussie writers and adored by thousands of Aussie readers. I couldn’t believe she actually even knew I existed let alone contacted me to be on her blog. Thank you Queen Maggie!
http://bookbirdy.com/2016/07/21/meet-tess-woods-author-of-love-at-first-flight/
Maggie Christensen:
And what a thrill to be invited by the incomparable Maggie Christensen to appear on her blog this week. This gorgeous writer is looked up to by thousands of Aussie writers and adored by thousands of Aussie readers. I couldn’t believe she actually even knew I existed let alone contacted me to be on her blog. Thank you Queen Maggie!
June 2016
Love at First Flight Launch party announcement!
Thank you for the overwhelming response to the Love at First Flight launch. Sadly, I am unable to accept any more requests to attend as we are now filled to capacity with 200 guests and we have a waiting list. I will be doing other events very soon and I look forward to meeting many more of you then. Keep your eye out here and on my Facebook author page for upcoming event details.
May 2016
I'm so thrilled to reveal the stunning new cover for the print release of Love at First Flight! It perfectly captures the tortured tone of Mel's internal struggle in the story. Matt Stanton and the cover design at HarperCollins Australia are geniuses! Bring on August where you'll find the real life version of this cover wherever you go shopping :)
And the proof copies have been sent out to the press, media personalities and book critics around Australia. My wonderful publicist Alice Wood designed these gorgeous boarding passes and went looking for the ribbon to match Mel's dress - I love Alice! Now it's nail biting time as we wait for the verdict from reviewers.
I'm honoured and humbled to announce that I'm a contributing author to the anthology Writing the Dream by Serenity Press that will be released in October this year. This book is aimed at aspiring authors who are looking for inspiration and guidance. It's a selection of pieces by Australian authors who share their journey to publication, including the ups and downs and also offering practical advice. It promises to be a must read and I'm incredibly excited to have been invited to contribute to it alongside some of my favourite Australian authors. More details to come soon!
April 2016
Lots is going in Sydney in the HarperCollins head office this month. The first proof copies of Love at First Flight are in and they are GORGEOUS! I can't wait to share the new cover with you all as soon as I'm allowed to. These copies are now being sent to booksellers and media outlets across the country.
Meanwhile, I'm firmly planted in front of the computer going gang-busters on book two which has the new working title of Beautiful Messy Love - I love this new title! It was inspired by an Egyptian proverb my friend came across that says 'A beautiful thing is never perfect.' I'm Egyptian and so is my main character, Anna, so it's a perfect fit for this love story.
My media blackout is still on until July with no interviews or promotional activities going on until the second book is finished.
Meanwhile, I'm firmly planted in front of the computer going gang-busters on book two which has the new working title of Beautiful Messy Love - I love this new title! It was inspired by an Egyptian proverb my friend came across that says 'A beautiful thing is never perfect.' I'm Egyptian and so is my main character, Anna, so it's a perfect fit for this love story.
My media blackout is still on until July with no interviews or promotional activities going on until the second book is finished.
March 2016
Things will be a bit quiet for me here over the next few months as I stop all press commitments to focus on getting book two written. So I won't be giving any interviews or participating in any author events until late July. In the meantime, I'll keep up my Facebook page so be sure to catch me there and every month I'll still have a brand new book club pick for you to read and a newsletter with new writing tips for you as well.
This month I met my gorgeous sales manager from HarperColins for Western Australia, Theresa Anns, and we planned our August road trip for the print release of Love at First Flight. We also plan to do a country trip down the track so stay tuned!
You are now able to book for the Romance Writers of Australia conference in August where I'll be presenting a workshop with the lovely Natasha Lester about author branding. Have you booked your ticket yet? Here's the link!
http://www.romanceaustralia.com/p/229/Adelaide-16
But I do have some very exciting news this month, my children Lara and Tom have joined forces to write (Lara) and illustrate (Tom) a gorgeous picture story book that has just been commissioned by Serenity Press for publication as a hardback later this year! I can't wait to share their beautiful story of Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow with you and your children (or grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends!). Here are Lara and Tom - aren't they beautiful? Very proud mumma here!
This month I met my gorgeous sales manager from HarperColins for Western Australia, Theresa Anns, and we planned our August road trip for the print release of Love at First Flight. We also plan to do a country trip down the track so stay tuned!
You are now able to book for the Romance Writers of Australia conference in August where I'll be presenting a workshop with the lovely Natasha Lester about author branding. Have you booked your ticket yet? Here's the link!
http://www.romanceaustralia.com/p/229/Adelaide-16
But I do have some very exciting news this month, my children Lara and Tom have joined forces to write (Lara) and illustrate (Tom) a gorgeous picture story book that has just been commissioned by Serenity Press for publication as a hardback later this year! I can't wait to share their beautiful story of Lizzie Reaches the Rainbow with you and your children (or grandchildren, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends!). Here are Lara and Tom - aren't they beautiful? Very proud mumma here!
February 2016
February 13th - I was very flattered to be asked for an interview by one of Australia's leading bloggers and book reviewers, Rowena Holloway. And she interviewed me at Perth Airport which was super exciting as it was the setting of the fateful time Matt first laid eyes on Mel in Love at First Flight. Of all the interviews I've done (and I have done MANY!) this was the most in-depth and the most candid. I hope you enjoy it. The interview won't go live until February 13th so be sure to check the link here after that date when I update it. In the meantime, why not check out the high calibre of Aussie authors Rowena has already interviewed here:
http://rowenaholloway.com/writers-block-author-interviews
http://rowenaholloway.com/writers-block-author-interviews
January 2016
- Print release news! I'm so very excited to announce that Love at First Flight is the very first HarperCollins eBook that will be getting a print release! Look for the paperback version on shelves in August!
- New Twitter account - Happy New Year everyone! I've ticked off the first of my New Year's resolutions and joined Twitter! You can find me at @TessWoodsAuthor - looking forward to my Twitter journey with you all. My very first tweet got the attention of Marian Keyes, gotta be happy with that!
- January 5th - I'm excited to be one of the featured authors for AusRom Today Aussie month where Australian authors are interviewed each day and readers, just like you, can win $1000! Click on this link and enter to win, the competition is open all of January. I hope one of you guys wins the cash, good luck!!
http://ausromtoday.com/2016/01/05/aussie-month-with-tess-woods/
- January 28th - I'm flying out to Sydney for a day of meetings with the HarperCollins team to plan the print release of Love at First Flight. Very excited about this!
- January 11th- 22nd - The good folk at HarperCollins are sending my new story Destiny in a Day which is one of four short love stories in the book Hot Stuff: Surfing Love on tour throughout January. There is a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card at each stop so please do stop by, discover the other authors and stories that make up this gorgeous summer read and be in the running to win! Just remember that you need to check the following sites on the day of the feature and not before for a chance to win:
- January 11th - Romance Novel giveaways http://romancenovelgiveaways.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/hot-stuff-surfing-love-by-carla-caruso.html
- January 12th - Christine Young Author http://christineyoungauthor.com/2016/01/12/christine-presents-hot-stuff-surfing-love-by-carla-caruso-maria-lewis-ali-sinclair-and-tess-woods/
- January 13th - http://teresanoel.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/virtual-book-tour-for-hot-stuff-surfing.html
- January 14th - The Avid Reader http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/14-virtual-tour-giveaway-hot-stuff-surfing-love-GF.html_
- January 15th - Behind Closed Doors http://bcdromance.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/hot-stuff-surfing-love-by-carla-caruso.html_
- January 18th - Books Chatter http://bookschatter.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/Q-A-hot-stuff.html
- January 20th - Louise Lyndon Romance Author http://louiselyndon.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/my-top-five-list-of-things-to-see-in.html_
- January 21st - Harps Romance Book Review http://www.harpsromancebookreview.com/7639-2/
- January 22nd - Long and Short reviews http://www.longandshortreviews.com/guest-blogs/when-setting-is-a-character-by-alli-sinclair-guest-blog-and-giveaway/
- January 22nd- Jennifer Lynne Author http://jenniferlynne.com.au/book-tour-surfing-love/
- New Twitter account - Happy New Year everyone! I've ticked off the first of my New Year's resolutions and joined Twitter! You can find me at @TessWoodsAuthor - looking forward to my Twitter journey with you all. My very first tweet got the attention of Marian Keyes, gotta be happy with that!
- January 5th - I'm excited to be one of the featured authors for AusRom Today Aussie month where Australian authors are interviewed each day and readers, just like you, can win $1000! Click on this link and enter to win, the competition is open all of January. I hope one of you guys wins the cash, good luck!!
http://ausromtoday.com/2016/01/05/aussie-month-with-tess-woods/
- January 28th - I'm flying out to Sydney for a day of meetings with the HarperCollins team to plan the print release of Love at First Flight. Very excited about this!
- January 11th- 22nd - The good folk at HarperCollins are sending my new story Destiny in a Day which is one of four short love stories in the book Hot Stuff: Surfing Love on tour throughout January. There is a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card at each stop so please do stop by, discover the other authors and stories that make up this gorgeous summer read and be in the running to win! Just remember that you need to check the following sites on the day of the feature and not before for a chance to win:
- January 11th - Romance Novel giveaways http://romancenovelgiveaways.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/hot-stuff-surfing-love-by-carla-caruso.html
- January 12th - Christine Young Author http://christineyoungauthor.com/2016/01/12/christine-presents-hot-stuff-surfing-love-by-carla-caruso-maria-lewis-ali-sinclair-and-tess-woods/
- January 13th - http://teresanoel.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/virtual-book-tour-for-hot-stuff-surfing.html
- January 14th - The Avid Reader http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/14-virtual-tour-giveaway-hot-stuff-surfing-love-GF.html_
- January 15th - Behind Closed Doors http://bcdromance.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/hot-stuff-surfing-love-by-carla-caruso.html_
- January 18th - Books Chatter http://bookschatter.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/Q-A-hot-stuff.html
- January 20th - Louise Lyndon Romance Author http://louiselyndon.blogspot.com.au/2016/01/my-top-five-list-of-things-to-see-in.html_
- January 21st - Harps Romance Book Review http://www.harpsromancebookreview.com/7639-2/
- January 22nd - Long and Short reviews http://www.longandshortreviews.com/guest-blogs/when-setting-is-a-character-by-alli-sinclair-guest-blog-and-giveaway/
- January 22nd- Jennifer Lynne Author http://jenniferlynne.com.au/book-tour-surfing-love/
December 2015
- December 1st - What an exciting start to the month and an amazing way to end the most incredible year! Love at First Flight was voted Book of the Year in the Readers' Choice Awards of 2015 for AusRom Today, which is Australia's most popular romance book website. Thank you so much to everyone who voted and I can't wait to have this gold sticker on my cover!
- December 2nd - I wrote this piece for Kid Magazine. It's a deeply personal essay about the loss of my beautiful baby boy Lachy who was stillborn. My journey through grief until this point has never been spoken about in any detail, even with my closest family members and friends, however I felt the time was right (nearly ten years on) to share my story and hopefully bring comfort to other mums who experience this devastating loss. I also wanted to speak out for mums who are often misunderstood or judged when their child dies and they don't stop grieving. Here is the link to the article.
http://bit.ly/KM26TessWoods
- December 8th - The lovely Melinda Hence at A Tattered Copy has put together a pre-release feature and review for Hot Stuff: Surfing Love. For your chance to win a copy of my story Destiny in a Day and the three other gorgeous stories included in this anthology, as well as a $10 Amazon gift card, head on over to A Tattered Copy by following this link:
https://atatteredcopy.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/review-giveaway-hot-stuff-surfing-love-by-carla-caruso-maria-lewis-alli-sinclair-tess-woods/
- December 14th is RELEASE DAY for Hot Stuff Surfing Love, featuring my story, Destiny in a Day.
Destiny in a Day, my short love story set in the stunning coastal town of Cornwall, England is set for release on December 14th, 2015 and you can order it now. It will be released in the HarperCollins summer anthology Hot Stuff Surfing Love alongside three other love stories, all featuring hot surfers and written by some of Australia's most talented authors, Carla Caruso, Alli Sinclair and Maria Lewis. I can't wait to share my beautiful story about Aussie school teacher Gemma Knox, who travels to Cornwall to escape her painful past where she meets surf-lifesaver Jake Dee, who also has skeletons in his closet. To order my new story, just click the button at the bottom of this page (or any page on this website) that says "Buy Tess Woods' Books".
http://bit.ly/KM26TessWoods
- December 8th - The lovely Melinda Hence at A Tattered Copy has put together a pre-release feature and review for Hot Stuff: Surfing Love. For your chance to win a copy of my story Destiny in a Day and the three other gorgeous stories included in this anthology, as well as a $10 Amazon gift card, head on over to A Tattered Copy by following this link:
https://atatteredcopy.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/review-giveaway-hot-stuff-surfing-love-by-carla-caruso-maria-lewis-alli-sinclair-tess-woods/
- December 14th is RELEASE DAY for Hot Stuff Surfing Love, featuring my story, Destiny in a Day.
Destiny in a Day, my short love story set in the stunning coastal town of Cornwall, England is set for release on December 14th, 2015 and you can order it now. It will be released in the HarperCollins summer anthology Hot Stuff Surfing Love alongside three other love stories, all featuring hot surfers and written by some of Australia's most talented authors, Carla Caruso, Alli Sinclair and Maria Lewis. I can't wait to share my beautiful story about Aussie school teacher Gemma Knox, who travels to Cornwall to escape her painful past where she meets surf-lifesaver Jake Dee, who also has skeletons in his closet. To order my new story, just click the button at the bottom of this page (or any page on this website) that says "Buy Tess Woods' Books".
November 2015
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- This month I'm up for two awards with AusRom Today which is the biggest Australian romance fiction website and I'm crazy excited! I've made it to the top ten in Australia for Best New Author AND Book of the Year for Love at First Flight. Voting is open for all of November and is so easy, all you have to do is click on these Facebook links listed here below and hit like on the image with my name in Best New Author category and the image with Love at First Flight for the Book of the Year category. If you enjoyed my story please vote for me!
Here are the quick links, just hit like and it's a vote! Thank you so much for voting.
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/ms.c.eJw1zMcNwDAMA8CNAnWK~_y8W2JaeB5ZmppdBosOivh57KxJcCzSFuq66fcEYcvu~_e9jLdc1jZYzbn2XN89~_5pt0~;jR85PSCu.bps.a.895536120484261.1073741840.620418747996001/895536830484190/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/ms.c.eJw9ztENgFAIQ9GNjPBaKPsvZkTw84SbBhV53PzIsgqXxmm04~;n7hhBhY9zdR6zx9l5cs3vXmL3n2j2q77Y9s~;dQ4~;j~_AR4pwiCT.bps.a.895531797151360.1073741836.620418747996001/895532573817949/?type=3&theater
Here are the quick links, just hit like and it's a vote! Thank you so much for voting.
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/ms.c.eJw1zMcNwDAMA8CNAnWK~_y8W2JaeB5ZmppdBosOivh57KxJcCzSFuq66fcEYcvu~_e9jLdc1jZYzbn2XN89~_5pt0~;jR85PSCu.bps.a.895536120484261.1073741840.620418747996001/895536830484190/?type=3&theater
https://www.facebook.com/AusRomToday/photos/ms.c.eJw9ztENgFAIQ9GNjPBaKPsvZkTw84SbBhV53PzIsgqXxmm04~;n7hhBhY9zdR6zx9l5cs3vXmL3n2j2q77Y9s~;dQ4~;j~_AR4pwiCT.bps.a.895531797151360.1073741836.620418747996001/895532573817949/?type=3&theater
- November 13th - I was touched to be featured by the Indigenous Literacy Foundation on their website and in their newsletter in regards to the fundraising evening where I spoke about my writing journey at Sacred Heart College. It was amazing to meet so many of my lovely readers that night and we raised over two and half thousand dollars! Check out the article here:
https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/tess-woods-at-sacred-heart-college-book-club.html
-November 16th is the COVER REVEAL for Hot Stuff Surfing Love, featuring my story, Destiny in a Day.
Destiny in a Day, my short love story set in the stunning coastal town of Cornwall, England is set for release on December 14th, 2015 and you can order it now. It will be released in the HarperCollins summer anthology Hot Stuff Surfing Love alongside three other love stories, all featuring hot surfers and written by some of Australia's most talented authors, Carla Caruso, Alli Sinclair and Maria Lewis. I can't wait to share my beautiful story about Aussie school teacher Gemma Knox, who travels to Cornwall to escape her painful past where she meets surf-lifesaver Jake Dee, who also has skeletons in his closet. To pre-order, just click the button on this page that says "Buy Tess Woods' Books".
- November 21st - I'm thrilled to have been invited to be part of the BFI Love Fest this year and I'm not even British! (Although I did marry an Englishman so my children are half British and I have traveled through most of England - so does that count?).
I'm being interviewed as part of this festival where I'll be sharing with you my favourite romantic movies and books, favourite leading men, the book I wish I had written, and chatting about the love of my life. It was such an honour to be part of this wonderful event and you can see my interview here:
http://romance-festival.com/2015/11/18/meet-tess-woods-bfilovefest/
https://www.indigenousliteracyfoundation.org.au/tess-woods-at-sacred-heart-college-book-club.html
-November 16th is the COVER REVEAL for Hot Stuff Surfing Love, featuring my story, Destiny in a Day.
Destiny in a Day, my short love story set in the stunning coastal town of Cornwall, England is set for release on December 14th, 2015 and you can order it now. It will be released in the HarperCollins summer anthology Hot Stuff Surfing Love alongside three other love stories, all featuring hot surfers and written by some of Australia's most talented authors, Carla Caruso, Alli Sinclair and Maria Lewis. I can't wait to share my beautiful story about Aussie school teacher Gemma Knox, who travels to Cornwall to escape her painful past where she meets surf-lifesaver Jake Dee, who also has skeletons in his closet. To pre-order, just click the button on this page that says "Buy Tess Woods' Books".
- November 21st - I'm thrilled to have been invited to be part of the BFI Love Fest this year and I'm not even British! (Although I did marry an Englishman so my children are half British and I have traveled through most of England - so does that count?).
I'm being interviewed as part of this festival where I'll be sharing with you my favourite romantic movies and books, favourite leading men, the book I wish I had written, and chatting about the love of my life. It was such an honour to be part of this wonderful event and you can see my interview here:
http://romance-festival.com/2015/11/18/meet-tess-woods-bfilovefest/
October 2015
October 1st - 6th - I'm so excited to have been selected by iTunes as one of October's "Great Reads" on iBooks. If you haven't read Love at First Flight yet, grab this chance to download it while this amazing promotion is on and the book is on special by visiting iTunes!
October 23rd: Come and see me at Sacred Heart College in Sorrento, WA for my first speaking engagement where I will share my writing journey and discuss Love at First Flight to raise money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Hope to meet some of my lovely readers there. There is a chance to win a night for two in a deluxe ocean room suite and a buffet breakfast for two at the Rendezvous Hotel on Scarborough Beach - the same place Matt stayed in Love at First Flight!
To purchase tickets for the night (all proceeds going to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation) click this link:
http://www.sacredheart.wa.edu.au/online-store/product/190-tess-woods
Here is the link to the Facebook event page where you will find all the details.
https://www.facebook.com/events/754623194663824/
October 23rd: Come and see me at Sacred Heart College in Sorrento, WA for my first speaking engagement where I will share my writing journey and discuss Love at First Flight to raise money for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Hope to meet some of my lovely readers there. There is a chance to win a night for two in a deluxe ocean room suite and a buffet breakfast for two at the Rendezvous Hotel on Scarborough Beach - the same place Matt stayed in Love at First Flight!
To purchase tickets for the night (all proceeds going to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation) click this link:
http://www.sacredheart.wa.edu.au/online-store/product/190-tess-woods
Here is the link to the Facebook event page where you will find all the details.
https://www.facebook.com/events/754623194663824/
September 2015
The lovely fairies at HarperCollins and Goldfish promotions have joined wings to send Love at First Flight back on tour in September. Follow these stops on the tour for your chance to win a copy of Love at First Flight, there is one copy to won at each website stop! Here is the tour list and dates - good luck, I hope you win a copy of my book! Don't forget you can only enter each site on the day specified, the links won't work until the actual date advertised.
September 14th: http://bookschatter.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/tour-love-at-first-sight.html
September 15th: http://christineyoungauthor.com/2015/09/15/christine-presents-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-2/
September 15th: http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/blurb-blitz-giveaway-love-at-first.html
September 16th: http://queenofthenightreviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/blurb-blitz-giveaway-for-love-at-first.html
September 17th: http://unabridgedandralyn.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/love-at-first-flight-blog-tour-giveaway.html
September 18th: http://libriamicimiei.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/review-giveaway-love-at-first-flight.html
September 21st: http://jensreadingobsession.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-blog.html
September 23rd: http://bookskater.com/l-blurb-blitz-giveaway-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-l/
September 24th: http://writerwonderland.weebly.com/goddess-fish-tour/love-at-first-flight-tour-giveaway
September 25th: http://jacqbiggar.com/2015/09/25/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-mfrwauthor-mgtab-romance/
September 14th: http://bookschatter.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/tour-love-at-first-sight.html
September 15th: http://christineyoungauthor.com/2015/09/15/christine-presents-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-2/
September 15th: http://archaeolibrarianologist.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/blurb-blitz-giveaway-love-at-first.html
September 16th: http://queenofthenightreviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/blurb-blitz-giveaway-for-love-at-first.html
September 17th: http://unabridgedandralyn.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/love-at-first-flight-blog-tour-giveaway.html
September 18th: http://libriamicimiei.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/review-giveaway-love-at-first-flight.html
September 21st: http://jensreadingobsession.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-blog.html
September 23rd: http://bookskater.com/l-blurb-blitz-giveaway-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-l/
September 24th: http://writerwonderland.weebly.com/goddess-fish-tour/love-at-first-flight-tour-giveaway
September 25th: http://jacqbiggar.com/2015/09/25/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods-mfrwauthor-mgtab-romance/
August 2015
August 16th - Check out Unshelfish where I'll be talking to the lovely book blogger Melinda Hence from the USA about what authors like to be asked in interviews and what drives us crazy!
http://unshelfish.org/2015/08/17/guest-post-tess-woods-author-of-love-at-first-flight/
August 21st -22nd - Come and say hello to me at the Romance Writers of Australia annual conference at the beautiful Park Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne. I'll be presented with a ribbon on stage to acknowledge Love at First Flight being published by HarperCollins by none other than best-selling author of The Rosie Project, Graeme Simsion!
http://unshelfish.org/2015/08/17/guest-post-tess-woods-author-of-love-at-first-flight/
August 21st -22nd - Come and say hello to me at the Romance Writers of Australia annual conference at the beautiful Park Hyatt Hotel in Melbourne. I'll be presented with a ribbon on stage to acknowledge Love at First Flight being published by HarperCollins by none other than best-selling author of The Rosie Project, Graeme Simsion!
July 2015
July 1st - Check out One Book at a Time where Bethany Clark will give you a chance to win a copy of Love at First Flight!
http://booksandwinearelovely.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/love-at-first-flight-book-review-and.html
July 2nd- Check out my interview with prolific Tasmanian romance author Iris Blobel.
http://iris-b.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/may-i-introduce-tess-woods-love-at.html
July 2nd - Check out Word Farm where you can get a sneak peak into my writing space - my bedroom :) and also see my advice to writers on writing when I was interviewed by the lovely Australian writer Marianne Guy.
https://www.facebook.com/wordfarmaustralia/posts/1658565677705944
July 15th - Check out my beautiful friend and mentor, author Natasha Lester's website where I will be sharing with her how I built a strong social media platform in just a couple of months.
http://www.natashalester.com.au/2015/07/15/social-media-for-authors-tips-from-an-author-who-started-with-nothing/
July 27th - Join me on Books, Chocolate and Wine for a live book club discussion on Love at First Flight. I'll be there to answer all your questions and would love for you to join this event by clicking here!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1466219073692578/
July 27th - Check out Beauty and Lace Club where I'm being interviewed by Australian book reviewer Michelle Walker.
http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/author-interview-tess-woods
July 29th - Check out one of Australia's best-selling and most loved rural romance author (and a dear friend of mine) Jennie Jones' website where I'll be talking about what makes a house a home and how the house affected the characters in Love at First Flight.
http://www.jenniejonesromance.com/jenniejromance-blog/love-at-first-flight
http://booksandwinearelovely.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/love-at-first-flight-book-review-and.html
July 2nd- Check out my interview with prolific Tasmanian romance author Iris Blobel.
http://iris-b.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/may-i-introduce-tess-woods-love-at.html
July 2nd - Check out Word Farm where you can get a sneak peak into my writing space - my bedroom :) and also see my advice to writers on writing when I was interviewed by the lovely Australian writer Marianne Guy.
https://www.facebook.com/wordfarmaustralia/posts/1658565677705944
July 15th - Check out my beautiful friend and mentor, author Natasha Lester's website where I will be sharing with her how I built a strong social media platform in just a couple of months.
http://www.natashalester.com.au/2015/07/15/social-media-for-authors-tips-from-an-author-who-started-with-nothing/
July 27th - Join me on Books, Chocolate and Wine for a live book club discussion on Love at First Flight. I'll be there to answer all your questions and would love for you to join this event by clicking here!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1466219073692578/
July 27th - Check out Beauty and Lace Club where I'm being interviewed by Australian book reviewer Michelle Walker.
http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/author-interview-tess-woods
July 29th - Check out one of Australia's best-selling and most loved rural romance author (and a dear friend of mine) Jennie Jones' website where I'll be talking about what makes a house a home and how the house affected the characters in Love at First Flight.
http://www.jenniejonesromance.com/jenniejromance-blog/love-at-first-flight
June 2015
June 1st- Check out Chick Lit Club Connect where I'll be chatting with Melissa about all the things I didn't realise would happen until I was published and then it was too late!
http://connect.chicklitclub.com/wp/2015/06/01/with-publishing-comes-realisation/
June 4th - Check out AusRom today where I write a piece about how to break all the writing rules and still be a publishing success. There is also a give-away of Love at First Flight here!
http://ausromtoday.com/2015/06/04/when-you-write-everything-you-are-told-not-to-write-and-it-works/
June 5th - Check out Hello Chick Lit where I'll be interviewed by US based book reviewer Aimee.
http://hellochicklit.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/book-review-interview-love-at-first.html
June 9th - Check out Write, Note Reviews where the lovely Western Australian book reviewer Monique Mulligan will share teasers of Love at First Flight.
http://writenotereviews.com/2015/06/09/teaser-tuesday-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
June 9th - Check out Kid Magazine (Australia) June Issue, where I'll be interviewed by my beautiful friend and fellow HarperCollins author Carla Caruso about the rise of the Mumista versus the Yummy Mummy.
June 12th - Check out Jersey Girl Book Reviews where I'll be interviewed by US based book reviewer Kathleen.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods.html
June 15th - Check out A Blue Million Books where I'll be interviewed by US based author Amy Metz.
http://abluemillionbooks.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/featured-author-tess-woods.html
June 29th - Check out Come Home to the Country where I'll be interviewed by iconic Aussie author and my lovely friend Jenn J Mcleod and there is a chance to win a copy of Love at First Flight too.
http://www.jennjmcleod.com/writeroundoz-w-tess-woods-book-giveaway
http://connect.chicklitclub.com/wp/2015/06/01/with-publishing-comes-realisation/
June 4th - Check out AusRom today where I write a piece about how to break all the writing rules and still be a publishing success. There is also a give-away of Love at First Flight here!
http://ausromtoday.com/2015/06/04/when-you-write-everything-you-are-told-not-to-write-and-it-works/
June 5th - Check out Hello Chick Lit where I'll be interviewed by US based book reviewer Aimee.
http://hellochicklit.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/book-review-interview-love-at-first.html
June 9th - Check out Write, Note Reviews where the lovely Western Australian book reviewer Monique Mulligan will share teasers of Love at First Flight.
http://writenotereviews.com/2015/06/09/teaser-tuesday-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
June 9th - Check out Kid Magazine (Australia) June Issue, where I'll be interviewed by my beautiful friend and fellow HarperCollins author Carla Caruso about the rise of the Mumista versus the Yummy Mummy.
June 12th - Check out Jersey Girl Book Reviews where I'll be interviewed by US based book reviewer Kathleen.
http://jerseygirlbookreviews.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods.html
June 15th - Check out A Blue Million Books where I'll be interviewed by US based author Amy Metz.
http://abluemillionbooks.blogspot.com.au/2015/06/featured-author-tess-woods.html
June 29th - Check out Come Home to the Country where I'll be interviewed by iconic Aussie author and my lovely friend Jenn J Mcleod and there is a chance to win a copy of Love at First Flight too.
http://www.jennjmcleod.com/writeroundoz-w-tess-woods-book-giveaway
May 2015
May 2nd - Check out In Their Own Write where I'll be interviewed by the delightful Perth author Teena Raffa-Mulligan and I'll be talking about my learning journey in getting published.
https://intheirownwrite.wordpress.com/2015/05/02/meet-the-author-tess-woods/
May 4th - Check out Books, Chocolate and Wine where I'll be interviewed by book reviewer Laura from the Scottish highlands.
http://bookschocolateandwine.com/tess-woods
May 8th - Check out Ausrom today where I'll be interviewed by the lovely J'aimee Brooker, one of Australia's best book reviewers. You can also win one of the three giveaway copies of Love at First Flight!
http://ausromtoday.com/2015/05/08/friday-freebie-tess-woods-love-at-first-flight/
May 16th - Check out Nicole Hurley-Moore's Blogspot where I'll be interviewed by this best-selling, and currently chart topping, Australian author of rural romance who is also my beautiful friend.
http://nicolehurley-moore.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/spotlight-tess-woods.html
May 18th - Check out Hello Precious Bliss where Karan will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight.
http://hellopreciousbliss.com/2015/05/review-excerpt-giveaway-tess-woods-love-at-first-flight/
May 20th - Check out Living Life With Joy where I'll be interviewed by US based book reviewer Arielle.
http://livinglifewithjoy.com/
May 20th - Check out Hey Said Renee where I will be interviewed by one of my favourite people, book reviewer Renee Connoulty from Darwin, Australia.
http://heysaidrenee.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/blog-tour-author-interview-excerpt.html
May 20th - Check out Out of Print Writing where I talk to my beautiful friend and fellow HarperCollins author Rowena Wiseman about the juggling act of being an author, a physiotherapist and the all consuming job of being a mum.
http://outofprintwriting.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/juggling-writing-with-motherhood-tess.html
May 21st - Check out The World As I see It where Margaret will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight.
http://theworldasiseeitbloganddesigns.com/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
May 22nd - Check out Authors and Readers Book Corner where Theresa will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight.
https://arbookcorner.wordpress.com/2015/05/22/book-excerpt-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
May 23rd - If you live in Western Australia check out The West newspaper where Love at First Flight will be featured in "Page Turners."
May 25th - Check out novel escapes where I'll be interviewed by book reviewer Kathryn about how I would cope being stranded on a deserted island!
http://www.novelescapes.com/2015/05/tess-woods-stranded-on-desert-island.html
May 26th- Check out Coffeeholic Bookworm where Claire will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight.
https://coffeebookmom.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/review-love-at-first-flight/
May 27th - Check out Fiction Dreams where Suzy will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight
http://www.fictiondreams.com/2015/05/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods.html
May 28th - Check out Harlequin Junkie where UK based book reviewer Sara will interview me and share an exclusive excerpt of Love at First Flight. You can also win a copy of Love at First Flight too.
http://harlequinjunkie.com/spotlight-giveaway-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
May 29th- Check out Books, Wine and Chocolate where I'll write a piece about why writers really need writer friends.
http://bookschocolateandwine.com/guest-blog-post-tess-woods
https://intheirownwrite.wordpress.com/2015/05/02/meet-the-author-tess-woods/
May 4th - Check out Books, Chocolate and Wine where I'll be interviewed by book reviewer Laura from the Scottish highlands.
http://bookschocolateandwine.com/tess-woods
May 8th - Check out Ausrom today where I'll be interviewed by the lovely J'aimee Brooker, one of Australia's best book reviewers. You can also win one of the three giveaway copies of Love at First Flight!
http://ausromtoday.com/2015/05/08/friday-freebie-tess-woods-love-at-first-flight/
May 16th - Check out Nicole Hurley-Moore's Blogspot where I'll be interviewed by this best-selling, and currently chart topping, Australian author of rural romance who is also my beautiful friend.
http://nicolehurley-moore.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/spotlight-tess-woods.html
May 18th - Check out Hello Precious Bliss where Karan will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight.
http://hellopreciousbliss.com/2015/05/review-excerpt-giveaway-tess-woods-love-at-first-flight/
May 20th - Check out Living Life With Joy where I'll be interviewed by US based book reviewer Arielle.
http://livinglifewithjoy.com/
May 20th - Check out Hey Said Renee where I will be interviewed by one of my favourite people, book reviewer Renee Connoulty from Darwin, Australia.
http://heysaidrenee.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/blog-tour-author-interview-excerpt.html
May 20th - Check out Out of Print Writing where I talk to my beautiful friend and fellow HarperCollins author Rowena Wiseman about the juggling act of being an author, a physiotherapist and the all consuming job of being a mum.
http://outofprintwriting.blogspot.com.au/2015/05/juggling-writing-with-motherhood-tess.html
May 21st - Check out The World As I see It where Margaret will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight.
http://theworldasiseeitbloganddesigns.com/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
May 22nd - Check out Authors and Readers Book Corner where Theresa will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight.
https://arbookcorner.wordpress.com/2015/05/22/book-excerpt-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
May 23rd - If you live in Western Australia check out The West newspaper where Love at First Flight will be featured in "Page Turners."
May 25th - Check out novel escapes where I'll be interviewed by book reviewer Kathryn about how I would cope being stranded on a deserted island!
http://www.novelescapes.com/2015/05/tess-woods-stranded-on-desert-island.html
May 26th- Check out Coffeeholic Bookworm where Claire will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight.
https://coffeebookmom.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/review-love-at-first-flight/
May 27th - Check out Fiction Dreams where Suzy will share a sneak peak at an excerpt of Love at First Flight
http://www.fictiondreams.com/2015/05/love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods.html
May 28th - Check out Harlequin Junkie where UK based book reviewer Sara will interview me and share an exclusive excerpt of Love at First Flight. You can also win a copy of Love at First Flight too.
http://harlequinjunkie.com/spotlight-giveaway-love-at-first-flight-by-tess-woods/
May 29th- Check out Books, Wine and Chocolate where I'll write a piece about why writers really need writer friends.
http://bookschocolateandwine.com/guest-blog-post-tess-woods
April 2015
April 2nd - Join me on Facebook on the Books, Chocolate and Wine page where I will be taking over this awesome blog from it's Scottish owner Laura for two hours. Come and chat with me and try and win one of two copies of Love at First Flight that I will be giving away. The takeover will happen at 7 pm my time in Perth, 9 pm AEST for those over East in Australia and midday GMT for people in the UK. I look forward to chatting with you!
https://www.facebook.com/bookschocolateandwine
April 6th-13th - There will be a week long blitz where Love at First Flight will be featured on forty-six websites across the USA, South America and the UK. There are way too many links to add here but if you are in the mood to follow the blitz, simply contact me for the tour list. This book blitz has great competitions where you can win yourself a free copy of Love at First Flight.
April 8th - Check out Australian book reviewing institution Sharon's Book Nook where Sharon Taylor Xuereb will be releasing some teasers from Love at First Flight .
http://www.sharonsbooknook.com/2015/04/10/feature-friday-love-at-first-flight/
April 9th- Check out Chick Lit Central, where I’ll be interviewed by US based book reviewer, Melissa and telling all sorts of secrets!
http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2015/04/tess-woods-is-ready-for-take-offplus.html?m=1
April 16th – Check out Book’d Out where I’ll be talking to Shelleyrae, one of Australia’s leading book reviewers about my road to publication.
https://bookdout.wordpress.com/2015/04/16/aww-feature-tess-woods-love-at-first-flight-and-the-road-to-publication/
April 22nd- Check out Jera’s Jamboree where I’ll be interviewed by UK based book reviewer Shaz Goodwin.
http://jerasjamboree.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/interview-and-giveaway-tess-woods-love.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed
https://www.facebook.com/bookschocolateandwine
April 6th-13th - There will be a week long blitz where Love at First Flight will be featured on forty-six websites across the USA, South America and the UK. There are way too many links to add here but if you are in the mood to follow the blitz, simply contact me for the tour list. This book blitz has great competitions where you can win yourself a free copy of Love at First Flight.
April 8th - Check out Australian book reviewing institution Sharon's Book Nook where Sharon Taylor Xuereb will be releasing some teasers from Love at First Flight .
http://www.sharonsbooknook.com/2015/04/10/feature-friday-love-at-first-flight/
April 9th- Check out Chick Lit Central, where I’ll be interviewed by US based book reviewer, Melissa and telling all sorts of secrets!
http://www.chicklitcentral.com/2015/04/tess-woods-is-ready-for-take-offplus.html?m=1
April 16th – Check out Book’d Out where I’ll be talking to Shelleyrae, one of Australia’s leading book reviewers about my road to publication.
https://bookdout.wordpress.com/2015/04/16/aww-feature-tess-woods-love-at-first-flight-and-the-road-to-publication/
April 22nd- Check out Jera’s Jamboree where I’ll be interviewed by UK based book reviewer Shaz Goodwin.
http://jerasjamboree.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/interview-and-giveaway-tess-woods-love.html?utm_medium=facebook&utm_source=twitterfeed
Release Day Features on April 1st, 2015
Check out Bookaholic Confessions where I’ll be interviewed by UK based book reviewer Holly Kilminster.
https://bookaholicconfessions.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/author-interview-tess-woods/
Check out Best Chick Lit where I’ll be interviewed by UK based book reviewer Charlotte
http://bestchicklit.com/?p=8126
Check out Connect Chick Lit Club, where I will be interviewed by the talented and hilarious Perth author, journalist and blogger Steph Pegler.
https://connect.chicklitclub.com
Check out Australian Romance Readers Association where Love at First Flight will be featured along with extra bits from me about where I found the inspiration to write it.
https://australianromancereaders.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/release-day-love-at-first-flight/
Check out Chick Lit Love where I will be interviewed by UK based book reviewer Laura Bambrey.
http://chicklitlove.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/q-with-tess-woods.html
Check out One More Page where I will be interviewed by UK based book reviewer Amanda.
http://www.onemorepage.co.uk/
Check out Fiction Dreams, where I will be interviewed by the amazing author of popular young adult books including The Raven Saga trilogy, Suzy Turner.
http://www.fictiondreams.com/2015/04/author-interview-with-tess-woods.html
Check AusRom Today where Love at First Flight will be featured by its publisher J’aimee Brooker, who champions Australian romance writers.
http://ausromtoday.com/
https://bookaholicconfessions.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/author-interview-tess-woods/
Check out Best Chick Lit where I’ll be interviewed by UK based book reviewer Charlotte
http://bestchicklit.com/?p=8126
Check out Connect Chick Lit Club, where I will be interviewed by the talented and hilarious Perth author, journalist and blogger Steph Pegler.
https://connect.chicklitclub.com
Check out Australian Romance Readers Association where Love at First Flight will be featured along with extra bits from me about where I found the inspiration to write it.
https://australianromancereaders.wordpress.com/2015/04/01/release-day-love-at-first-flight/
Check out Chick Lit Love where I will be interviewed by UK based book reviewer Laura Bambrey.
http://chicklitlove.blogspot.com.au/2015/04/q-with-tess-woods.html
Check out One More Page where I will be interviewed by UK based book reviewer Amanda.
http://www.onemorepage.co.uk/
Check out Fiction Dreams, where I will be interviewed by the amazing author of popular young adult books including The Raven Saga trilogy, Suzy Turner.
http://www.fictiondreams.com/2015/04/author-interview-with-tess-woods.html
Check AusRom Today where Love at First Flight will be featured by its publisher J’aimee Brooker, who champions Australian romance writers.
http://ausromtoday.com/
Pre-release Release Day Feature on March 31st, 2015
Check out Cosmochicklitan where I will be talking to UK based book reviewer, Heidi, about how I came to write Love at First Flight.
https://cosmochicklitan.wordpress.com/2015/03/31/guest-post-tess-woods/
https://cosmochicklitan.wordpress.com/2015/03/31/guest-post-tess-woods/