Jenny Wellington on ABC Radio

Jenny Wellington, author of the very entertaining novel Damengin, was interviewed on ABC Sunshine Coast — audio below.

“Damengin is a country town in Queensland weighed down by the worst drought in living memory and its inhabitants are all desperately waiting for government drought relief.

The bad news is that the funds have been sent and spent by Council's Shire Clerk Shifty Grey and his corrupt cohorts.

This is a rollicking fast-moving story about political skulduggery, greed, love and lust. It features outrageous characters, blossoming romances, pathos and importantly, has an incredibly happy ending.”

“A lovely Aussie story that everyone can relate to. Loved reading the book right from the start. I could hear the author reading the story to me at the start and as I got further into the book, wrapped into the characters of the story, I couldn’t put the book down as I sat in on the edge of my chair wondering what was going to happen next.”
— Christine, Queensland

An Amazon Tale: He Fought for His Royalties, and (Eventually) Won ....

A very dogged author relates his trying experiences with Amazon KDP and organising the payment of royalties. He does arrive at a solution, but only through sheer persistence:

“Amazon is probably the best outlet for Indie authors, but manage your expectations when dealing with their customer service.

Their help/assistance/advice to me was either inconsistent, vague, given in Amazon’s internal technical speak, incomplete, or simply wrong.

I put my latest novel up on Amazon as I did with my previous two, only this time, I put both eBook and paperback on all markets, not just Australia.

When sales started occurring, I followed those on my KDP account site.  I found their reports informative and helpful.  They gave me statistics for each marketplace and the estimated royalties.

When my Australian royalties started arriving in my Australian bank account by EFT, I thought I would find out why my sales in the other markets were not reaching me.

I then discovered those royalties could not be paid by EFT into my Australian bank account, only by cheque or wire.  Then I found that not only could an EFT transfer not happen, but that Amazon had a withdrawal threshold of 100 units for each market, e.g. US$100, CA$100, €100, or £100.

None of my book royalties in any market outside Australia is ever likely to break these thresholds, e.g. Canada royalties were CA$2.88, Eurozone (Germany)  €7.80.  So, I put the question to Amazon – how do I ever get paid these royalties?

Amazon suggested I open an account with Payoneer for each marketplace, which I did.  So, Amazon from each marketplace could now transfer my royalties to those Payoneer accounts.  However, my problem then became twofold:

  1. Payoneer does not have a banking arrangement with UK or Canadian banks. So these royalties could not be transferred to my Payoneer accounts.

  2. Then I discovered that Payoneer also has a withdrawal threshold of US$50 per transfer.

Finally, a solution:

  1.  In your KDP account go to the Getting paid tab.

  2. In your non-US/non-Australian accounts, change your payment method to your US$ account and transfer any outstanding royalties in those other non-US accounts to the US$ account.

  3. Under your Amazon US account, click and highlight every tag except Amazon.com.au.

  4. All royalties from sales in all those other marketplaces will now be currency converted into your US$ account.

  5. If or when your US$ account balance reaches above US$100 you can transfer to your Australian bank account.

  6. In my case, I have my Amazon US$ account balance transferred to my Payoneer US$ account (lower withdrawal threshold). Amazon’s US$100 withdrawal threshold does not apply here.”

Barbara Canin Stirs the Pot

Feisty independent author Barbara Canin decided to make her aged care home the focus of her latest book. The resultant book is trenchant, witty and somewhat controversial.

“I’m trying to show the funny side of living in an old age home. There’s a funny side too. It’s hilarious, you have no idea how hilarious it is, Canin said with a smile.”
— Barbara Canin


Plantea in Posterum exhibition by Ellen Hansa

Ellen Hansa, author of the excellent Dante’s Trunk is holding an exhibition of her botanically-themed ceramic art. She writes that the “opening of my exhibition was quite amazing filled with stories, poetry and song.”

‘Plantea in Posterum’, plants of the future, was a challenge which kept me busy for almost 12 months. Usually I make my work to be put into a garden, threading the pieces onto star pickets which are securely hammered into the ground. I had to devise a way to be able to display my work in a gallery as well as in a garden or on a patio. On top of that everything had to fit into my car and I had to be able to lift the pieces. The sculptures can be dissembled for easy transportation.

My ceramic career started over 50 years ago, when I fell in love with clay and its possibility to mould it into all kinds of shapes. Pots, tiles and sculptures, I made it all. All these items I start by drawing the shapes and working out the colours. Only then I begin with the modelling, the firing and the glazing. For this exhibition my inspiration came from my garden.

The exhibition will continue until December 11. Edge Galleries are open weekends 11am-3pm

Creating an Ideal Writing Space

Guest Post from Teresa Siqueira of Porch.com

Whether you’re a long-time writer or just beginning to explore the possibilities of a writing career or hobby, you’ll need to create a writing environment that’s conducive to getting work done. You can transform a nook or room of your home into your ideal writing environment. With a comfortable space and a strong work ethic, you can build upon your writing skills and begin to accomplish your goals. Use the following tips to design your perfect writing space.

Benefits of Writing

Whether you choose to write as a profession or hobby, you can look forward to earning income or extra money from this pursuit. Good writers who possess the requisite skills are in demand today by numerous industries and the businesses within them. When you take up writing as a daily activity, you can look forward to benefits in addition to income, such as:

  • Improved concentration

  • More organized thought processes

  • Expanded vocabulary

  • Improved communication skills

  • Stress reduction

  • Creative outlet

  • Enhanced research skills

  • Learn new things


Writing can be both professionally and personally gratifying. While there are many types of writing and associated careers you might focus on, you can explore these different possibilities to find one that suits you.

Setting up the Perfect Writing Environment

To create your ideal writing space, you’ll want to consider the following:

Desk and Seating

Look for a sturdy desk or writing table that offers enough space for your laptop or computer, as well as a writing tablet (to make notes) and any research material you may wish to peruse. An ergonomic chair or furniture that’s both comfortable and supportive is perfect for those long writing sessions. You may also want to keep a bookcase nearby to house your reference materials.

Lighting

Many people prefer to work using natural light, but if you intend to write on dreary days or during the evening, you’ll need artificial light too. In any case, try to set up your writing space near a window; otherwise, ensure that you have plenty of bright light so you can ward off eye strain. 

Writing Tools

Although some writers still prefer to write by hand, in order to submit your work, you’ll need a computer and writing program. No publishers, either traditional or online platforms, will accept handwritten manuscripts. Look for a computer with a decent processor and plenty of memory. You should also invest in a backup hard drive or save your files to the cloud.

Location

Choose a space in your home where you’re unlikely to incur distractions. You may want to limit distractions such as your phone when you’re working.

Ambiance

As you set up your writing space, choose paint colors that make you feel creative. Add in some artwork and plants. Surround your writing space with items that inspire you. Be sure that you try to keep your area neat, calm, and organized to maintain its pleasant ambiance.

 

Types of Writing

As you think about working in your space, take time to investigate the different types of writing you might pursue. Learning about the various types of writing will help you narrow them down to an ideal option for your interests and skillsets.

Blogging

Today, writers blog about nearly anything. Some blog for companies and publish material related to the business and its industry. Other writers blog strictly about subject matter Keep of interest to them, such as food, health, fashion, gardening, films, technology, etc.

Journalism

Many types of publications seek unsolicited manuscripts, including essays and articles. If you’re interested in non-fiction subject matter, this might be the ideal outlet for you.

Journaling

Keeping a journal is a great way to manage your stress or even a mental health condition like anxiety. Journaling about your life is a great way to record it for yourself or your family.

Fiction

You can devote your writing space to writing novels, short stories, or scripts. Try writing for a specific genre like mystery, psychological thriller, fantasy, or romance. You might even try your hand at writing children’s stories.

Speeches

Consider writing speeches and pursuing a speech writing career. You can convey important messages on many different topics/issues to a wide range of audiences. 

Poetry

There are many types of poetry. You can focus on a style that suits your preference. You can share your work online or submit it to poetry magazines for publication.

Handwriting/Calligraphy

Writing can be a visual art form. You can transform your writing space into a writing studio where you house all of your special implements and papers. You can sell your work on your own website or sites like Etsy.  Writing can be both professionally and personally gratifying. While there are many types of writing and associated careers you might focus on, you can explore these different possibilities to find one that suits you. You will find there are endless benefits of handwriting. 

Music/Jingles

You can combine your love of writing with music to write jingles or songs for commercials, television, and more. Be sure your space has plenty of room for your piano, guitar, or other instruments too.

Create a Writing Routine

Writers work. Even if you don’t expect a visit from your muse, write anyway. Establishing a solid writing routine will help you banish the idea of writer’s block and leave no time for procrastination. Here are some tips for setting up and maintaining your work routine:

  • Design a writing schedule (i.e., three hours in the morning/three hours in the afternoon or evening)

  • Use a calendar and set writing deadlines (or plugin deadlines established by your publisher or clients)

  • Set a daily word count

  • Create a weekly writing plan (i.e., your writing to-do list)

  • Schedule breaks (take walks or break for snacks to get a recharge)

 

Tips to Find Writing Inspiration

Inspiration comes in many forms. When designing your writing space, add features that will inspire your creativity. The following tips can help:

Prepare for Writer’s Block

Sticking to a writing routine is a highly effective way of working through writer’s block. Try using writing prompts or performing research related to the topic you want to write about.

Join a Writing Group

Consider signing up for a writing group. You can join an online or in-person group. These groups are ideal for sharing your work and obtaining helpful feedback. To learn more about a community for journal writers, visit The International Association for Journal Writing. 

Rely on Art

You can find inspiration from other writers as well as film, television, music, and painting. Be sure to read the work of other writers, too, to gain insights into the craft.

Prepare for Feedback

If you’re writing intending to earn income, you’ll want to prepare for feedback. Remember that even the most renowned writers have racked up rejection letters. Consider feedback carefully. In some cases, you may wish to revise your work. At other times, you may simply want to submit your work to other potential publishers.

Use Motivation Writing Techniques

Various writing techniques and practices can motivate you to write regularly. Experiment with freewriting. Try the Pomodoro technique; set a timer and writer for 25 minutes. The goal of the technique is simply to work in short bursts. Remember, you can always revise later.

 

Develop a Writing Process

Developing a writing process will support your writing routine. When getting started, you may wish to experiment with different processes. Find a method that works best for you. 

Make a Plan

While some writers prefer to sit down and start writing without much forethought, many others craft a plan, even if it’s just a mental one. Some planning tasks might include forming an article’s outline, writing a single chapter, revising an article, etc. When you sit down to work, have a clear intention about what you want to do for the morning or day.

Research

Even writers who prefer to write about topics they’re familiar with, need to conduct some research. If you’re writing about nonfiction topics or realistic fiction, research is simply a matter of course. These days, you can research online or spend time at your local library.

Prewriting

Some writers prefer to do some prewriting before attempting a formal draft. Prewriting helps you generate ideas, explore different perspectives and topic angles, and form a plan for your outline. 

Drafting

Initial drafts allow writers to get their work written. Once your drafts are penned, you can make changes later. 

Editing

Editing and proofreading are crucial for writers. When editing, you’ll want to focus on refining the content as well as checking for correct grammar and usage. You may want to share your work with your support group or another editor at this point to gain helpful feedback.

 

Monetize your Writing

Finally, consider outlets for publishing and selling your work. You might sign up with freelance writing agencies that can help you find clients. You can also begin to submit your work to little magazines or major publications. You can also search for an agent who can help you find a publisher for your manuscript.

 

Writing can be a rewarding career on many different levels. It’s enjoyable but can also be lucrative. Think about your goals and make a plan for achieving them. Use the tips outlined here to help you create your ideal writing space and reap the benefits of writing.

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