Aussie Readers discussion

Hi everyone

My name is Marg and I live in Melbourne, having also spent some time in Perth, Adelaide and overseas!

I read a variety of genres - historical fiction, fantasy, romance, YA are probably the main ones!

There are a number of familiar faces here already, and I look forward to chatting with more bookloving Aussies.

Thanks for inviting me Mandy.

Marg

Hi everyone! Thank you for the invite Mandy, I am pleased to be part of your group.
I am an avid reader and a would be writer with a very short attention span.
I grew up in Albury NSW and I now live in the Gold Coast hinterland.
I work for a small print publication writing ad copy and doing admin.
I usually read whatever crosses my path or is left on a bus.. or what is recommended to me.
Of late I've been enjoying books that leave me with a warm feeling inside. Like the ' Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society' by Mary Ann Shaffer and the Alexander McCall Smith 'No 1 Ladies Detective Agency' series.
If any of you can recommend any books that aren't quite a doorstop and give you that 'feel good' after glow, please share..
I am taking a break from the ones that give me nightmares.. heh heh

Cheers and good reading,
Bethany

Hi all, Im from the western suburbs of sydney. Big fan of fantasy, classics and sci fi but will devour any book really.

Currently exploring the australian market, reading new authors and figuring out how bookstores work. Have some unfinished stories that I worked on as a child that I think need to be completed.

After some exploring and by my googling powers I stumbled on this site and thought I would join the crowd. Looking forward to contributing learning and having fun.

Cheers
Jaimey

I have a question for everyone: do any of you find it hard getting your books promoted in Australia? I'm no good on the internet, so I've been handing out fliers, my sister and I have created bookmarks which we've been taking all through the local shopping centres, and word-of-mouth has been helpful. Are there any suggestions that you could give me that might be more helpful (on a wider-reaching scale?) Thanks!!

Hi everyone. I'm new to goodreads on the advice of my publisher. Somehow I'd never heard of this site before, but I'm loving it already. I hope you can all recommend some books for me to enjoy when my uni break begins. Right now, it's all anthropology, which isn't known for enjoyable reading.

Amber wrote: "I have a question for everyone: do any of you find it hard getting your books promoted in Australia? I'm no good on the internet, so I've been handing out fliers, my sister and I have created bookm..."

Amber I think that's a great question but it might not get a lot of feedback in this introduction thread. I'd suggest you start a new discussion in the "Book Related Banter" folder titled (for example) "Do you have any sales tips for new Aussie authors?" or something like that. If you need help to do it send me a PM.

Amber wrote: "I have a question for everyone: do any of you find it hard getting your books promoted in Australia? I'm no good on the internet, so I've been handing out fliers, my sister and I have created bookm..."

Amber I think that's a great question but it might not get a lot of feedback in this introduction thread. I'd suggest you start a new discussion in the "Book Related Banter" folder titled (for example) "Do you have any sales tips for new Aussie authors?" or something like that. Then just repeat what you wrote. If you need help to do it send me a PM.

Hi Mandy and everyone,
Thank you for the invite. My name is Roy and I live in Surry Hills, Sydney. I have a lifelong love of reading, covering most genres, as you can see from my library.

I am a Social Welfare Worker, single, and am looking forward to sharing many rewarding experiences with the group.

Hi my names Gail I'm from Sydney. I am an avid reader.

I love reading book reviews. That's how I stumbled into goodreads originally.

I love chatting to people on goodreads about books or any other topic that comes up for discussion. I am looking forward to being part of this group.

Hello, I'm Ben. Originally from Sydney, now in Brisbane by way of Coffs Harbour. I've just finished my undergraduate degree and hope to become a Sports Psychologist in the next few years.

Originally I joined Goodreads to keep track of how I felt about things that I'd read. Science fiction is probably my genre of choice, but overall my tastes are very eclectic.

Rosanne Dingli here: I read quite a bit of non-fiction, mostly to do with writing and publishing, biographies and interior design. I like the kind of novel that sends you to research things like history and locations. So that's the kind of book I write. My next release will happen before the year is out, with any luck. My publishers have opened a Canada office and they have been pretty busy. I write a blog about inspiration, writing, and the kinds of facts that find their way into fiction.
http://rosannedingli.blogspot.com

Hi! Thanks for the invite! I'm currently living near Toowoomba but am a Maitland girl! Love reading pretty much anything but am a big fan of Robert G Barrett an awesome Aussie author! Please tell me there are some Les Norton fans in this group?!
Cheers!

Bec wrote: "Hi! Thanks for the invite! I'm currently living near Toowoomba but am a Maitland girl! Love reading pretty much anything but am a big fan of Robert G Barrett an awesome Aussie author! Please tell m..."

I've just added Robert's books to our bookshelf, thanks for the rec. I'll have to read them now, they look so good! I checked out his website and apparently he's not travelling too well these days. Any fans who want to wish him well can send a msg via his website.

You wont regret reading them he's awesome! Travels all around Oz for his book ideas! Me and my brother have been reading them for 15 years and wait anxiously for the end of the year for his new book! But he's been sick and his old aunty died so he hasn't had one out in awhile! He's a legend hope he gets better soon!

You write Mandy that you are looking for Aussie history books for the history section of the bookshelf. I'm still trying to find my way around goodreads and keep getting lsot and bemuised(patience, patience) but is The Secret River by Kate Grenville on the shelf? That was a good read and do you have books that are hard to get hold of on the shelf, such as Goonoo Goonoo and other titles by FRank O'Grady

Thanks for your recommendations Colleen. Yes The Secret River is there but I'm still looking for Goonoo Goonoo.:)

Let me know if you find it.....tongue in the cheek here knowing what I went through to get it

Mandy wrote: "Amber wrote: "Hi Mandy, thanks for the invite! My name's Amber, and I live in the northern suburbs of Adelaide, S.A. I've been writing for years, and my debut novel (only recently released) was beg..."

Thanks for the comment on the book, Mandy! It's always nice to hear what others think - so far, the feedback in general has been really positive!

Amber: book promotion is a headache for everyone, especially midlist authors and self-publishers. There are a number of options, but they all need a carefully drawn up plan of action. You need a nicely done media kit, a list of publications to send stuff to, media outlets and interviewers to contact,speaking engagements to arrange, book clubs to seek and meet... it's never ending. Taking on a publicist is an option, and most have ideas to suit a range of budgets. Nothing they do is impossible and can't be done by you, but they have the CONTACTS, you see - they know people they can just phone. "Hi, Jim, I have a great novelist here, who has a new book, and is a marvellous public speaker..." That is like gold.
http://rosannedingli.blogspot.com

Thanks for the invite :)

I'm Anna and I read as much as I can. Unfortunately work and uni are getting in the way at the moment so I haven't made much of a dent in my to-read pile this year. I'll read just about anything and once I get started on a series I find it hard to stop until I've read them all. Looking forward to getting some recs for good Aussie fiction here because I don't read enough of it!

Thanks a lot Mandy by inviting me to this group.
I am rohullah rahimi, currently living in Brisbane. I love reading books and will be happy to get information about some great Aussie books from this page.
Thanks a lot

Hi Everyone,
My name is Lyn and like most of you I have been an avid reader all my life. I live on the central coast of nsw,originally from Sydney but decided to retire here 5 years ago. I am a mum and a gran, love all crafts like knitting, jewellery making, quilting and card making, but reading is my passion.
I am going to the Tuggerah library to morrow evening where Ber Carroll and Diane Blacklock are speaking so looking forward to that.

That sounds great Lyn. Many people in this group have said how much they like those 2 authors.

Hey there, thanx for the invite Mandy :) I am from Perth, afraid I don't play around on this site too often, I keep meaning to finish cataloging all my books online, good for the insurance people if the worst happens and you lose it all! But there are simply so many. I read mostly fantasy and more recently historical romance, I also dabble in mystery and horror. I would love to write and be an artist, unfortunately everyday life doesn't leave me relaxed enough to indulge, so I am aiming for retiring early and living the good life :)

Hey everyone! Thanks for the invite Mandy :)
I'm a country girl (Swan Hill and Albury) who moved to Melbourne a couple of years ago. I passed the avid and headed well into the obsessive reader territory many years ago. My fav Aussie authors are Keri Arthur and John Marsden
:P

Hi everyone, I'm delighted to see a group of us, makes me feel less alone.

I am currently doing the final edits on my soon to be published biography "Empty Chairs" written under my pen name of Stacey Danson...warning if you decide to take a look at my site for the book please be aware it's my story of living through and beyond horrendous child abuse...NOT for the fainthearted.
http://staceydansonemptychairs.blogsp...
my other completed book is a comedy/popular culture
complete at 85,000 words.

I have a contest up on my site for the comedy book "Dudes Down Under" first prize of $25.00 Amazon gift certificate.

I would love people to join in as this is the launch of the site take a look at it...

warm regards
Soooz

http://dudesdownunder-soooz.blogspot.com

WOW!!!...looky, looky at all the newies, G'day & welcome to all the newbies & returnies..LOL!!

Soooz wrote: "Hi everyone, I'm delighted to see a group of us, makes me feel less alone.

I am currently doing the final edits on my soon to be published biography "Empty Chairs" written under my pen name of ..."

Hi and big welcome Sooz,
Is your book 'Dudes Down Under' out yet? I couldn't see a link on Goodreads. I went to your website and tried to leave a comment but I had trouble with the 'select profile' part. I selected Open ID and entered my goodreads url but it wasn't accepted. I often have trouble with that section in people's blogs. Do you have any tips for what to put in the profile section?

Hi David, "Dudes Down Under" isn't signed yet, the biography is and hopefully i will be announcing a release date in the next week or so.

I'll take a look at the Dudes site and see if I can find out what went wrong...I may need to reconfigure the comments permissions.
Thanks so much for the heads up...It's a brand new site and I want followers.
Soooz.

Thanks for the invite, Mandy - sorry I've taken a while to introduce myself! I'm Bronwyn Parry, avid reader, and also an author of two published Australian romantic suspense novels.

I live on 100acres of beautiful regrowth bushland on the New England tablelands, and am currently writing - or at least, staring at the screen! - full time. I'm working on my third book, another gritty romantic suspense, this time set in northern NSW.

My reading tastes are fairly broad, but in the past few years I've read more romance than other genres, although I've read crime, fantasy, SF, FarmLit, literary fiction, and a few old classics.

I'm also (when time permits) involved in researching genre fiction, especially romance fiction, and readership, and am fascinated by the many wonderful ways in which readers connect with books and each other, and the important role that commercial fiction and general story-telling play in our lives and culture.

But I'm supposed to be writing tonight, so I won't get on that soapbox just now :-)

Hi all, I'm an author and reader living in Brisbane. I write for young people and adults, and enjoy reading across most genres. For anyone interested in kids lit, I'll be launching Michael Gerard Bauer's new book "Just a Dog" on 15 September at Black Cat Books at Paddington. Hope to see some locals there, and catch the rest of you in group discussions. :)

Hi everyone,

My name is Debbie Robson and I am the author of Tomaree a WWII love story set in the beautiful Port Stephens. It is inspired by a real life love story and I had a wonderful time writing and researching it.
I'm now awaiting the publication of my new novel with Mary Celeste Press. It is Crossing Paths and this novel is inspired by www.bookcrossing.com. It is set across three continents.
If anyone has any questions about the research of Tomaree, particularly the fascinating War Brides issue, I am happy to answer.

Debbie Robson

Hi

After six years living in Canberra, my family recently moved back to the US. Even though we're from the east coast, we settled in California because we couldn't return to cold winters after living in Australia.

Some of my favorite Aussie writers: Kate Grenville, Shaun Tan, Peter Carey, Alison Lester, Tim Winton & others I can't come up with at the moment.

My kids love John Marsden, Markus Zusak and Alison Lester

I'm writing a memoir about our time in Australia called "A Yankee Down Under" which I hope to finish by the end of this year. There I said it. Better get back to work!

Great group Mandy. Thanks for inviting me to join!

Beth

Hi all,
My name is Carole Sutton, I live in Perth Australia. I am the author of Ferryman,and, And the Devil Laughed. My next crime fiction novel, Blood Opal will be out in a week or two. Bit of an oldie, my husband and I celebrated out 50th wedding anniversary last week. We have three kids, six grandkids, beautiful German shepherd. See more of our fin, fur and feather friends at:
http://casutton.tripod.com/cazutt

I am testing out my sidekick skills, my new assigned role from Batgirl Mandy, (Oooops, she doesn't know I've changed her name yet) is meeting and greeting (The boss is taking it easy on me and has given me the fun jobs. It's my first day) Welcome to Christine, age is no barrier. Also a big welcome to Debbie, Beth & Carole. We hope you all have fun, join in and make yourselves at home.

Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a week or so but thought I should put my hand up and stop hiding. I write historical fiction for children and am working on my first YA novel. I also review books - all ages and all genres. I love reading and can still recall exactly how I felt when I stood in a library for the first time (in kinder) - it was Christmas that day! :) Sandy

Howdy, all. I'm Cameron (call me neko, cam, whatever you fancy), I'm 22, and I'm sitting in the south-east suburbs of Melbourne. I semi-recently discovered the new weird genre, so I've been reading a fair bit of that for the past couple of months, but the genres I usually consume are blends of sci-fi, horror, and a few subcategories of low-fantasy. If I think of something else that might be relevant, I'll edit it in later or add a new comment :p

A big hello to Sandy and Neko, welcome to the group. It's nice to get an official introduction to you both. :)

Hi all. My real name is Catriona but Tango is my Cat's name, so Tango it is here on Goodreads. I'm an English teacher from NSW and always have to have a book on the go.

Hello all, my name is Matthew, I am from Adelaide and got on to the Goodreads site via the Sword and Laser Podcast. After quitting facebook I decided that the social thing was not for me, that was until I found this site. Social I think is fine is certain doses and Goodreads feeds a reading passion that I have for the Sci-Fi Fantasy genre. I am here for questions, I will try and answer any that people ask, and hope that in return that people are happy to answer my questions or give me suggestions of new books to read.

Hi and big welcome Tango and Matthew! Matthew I'm in the process of creating a Scifi/Fantasy/Horror shelf in our group Bookshelf. So hopefully in the days to come it will be easier for you to find new Aussie authors in that genre. :)

Mandy wrote: "I'm in the process of creating a Scifi/Fantasy/Horror shelf in our group Bookshelf"

Sounds good, Mandy. I'll be keeping an eye out for that too.

Hi Matthew! You're the first person from Adelaide I've come across on here!
Which part are you from? I'm out in the northern suburbs - toward Munno Para/Smithfield...

CAPSGUY HERE. Haha, I won't type it in capitals.

My name's Trent, and I'm a recent, but keen enthusiast for literature. I'm willing to cross into pretty much any genre, but it's through the beauty of many classics that I draw most enjoyment whilst reading.

As my reading ability improves, I'll diversify the authors in which I read, and the 'difficulty' and/or length of such novels.

As a result, I'm yet to read many works by Australian authors, bar some young adult stuff when I was in my early teens, and 'On the Beach' and 'Without Warning', which I had read before I was introduced to classics.

From the Gold Coast, living in Brisbane, due to my love of the city-life, and the fact I'm studying accounting. Will probably move to Sydney/Melbourne for work prospects upon graduation.

Oh, and for some reason, I'm in love with Japan. Not for the anime/manga (not interested in it), women, technology, fashion, or anything like that. Just, the past two times I went there, everybody treated me compassionately and patiently, even though we had serious communication voids and some cultural differences. As a result, I've decided to spend my entire summer break (three months), in Japan, making it three trips to Japan in one year.

Probably after that I'll look to travel somewhere else in Asia.

Especially people interested in reading classics, please feel free to add me, so we can bump ideas to and fro through our lists!

Capsguy wrote: "CAPSGUY HERE. My name's Trent."

I feel like I just found out that Batman's really Bruce Wayne.

Don't feel discouraged, I'll always be your CAPSGUY

*swoon*

You are now receiving an official welcome from the welcoming committee CAPSGUY/Trent, since we last spoke I have received a promotion to 'sidekick' (at least I think it was a promotion).

In the past I have fluctuated between classics & Sci-Fi which is probably a bit of an odd combination. Everyone has their own favourites. I'll be checking your bookshelves. Makesure they are tidy.

Oh and boys. When you do visit Japan make sure you share some photos with us to ensure we get jealous.

My bookshelf is a complete mess, heh.

I don't mind a bit of sci-fi to be honest.

I'm too lazy to upload some photos from my Japan trips at the moment, perhaps in the near future I will. 'Neko''s seen a few of them already :D

Amber wrote: "Hi Matthew! You're the first person from Adelaide I've come across on here!
Which part are you from? I'm out in the northern suburbs - toward Munno Para/Smithfield..."

Hi Amber I was from Adelaide a long time ago (20 years) but my family still mostly live there. I grew up in Tea Tree Gully.