Jack Byrne's Blog
January 30, 2016
Jack's Blog
Jack's blog can be found over at Wordpress https://jackaroobyrne.wordpress.com/
July 5, 2015
'Ace' - the questions!!
Hello everybody. I'm getting a load of questions about 'Ace' both from asexuals and from gay romance readers who are confused about how an asexual can be the subject of a romance story. Thank you all so much for your interest and for all the pre-orders.
Here's a little more background that may help you clarify where my character fits in the asexual spectrum:
'Ace' is about a man who has never heard the term 'asexual' and only knows he isn't drawn to other people in that way. Jake Tanner has hurt lovers in the past with his indifference and doesn't want to hurt Damien the same way, because Damien is different; he's kind and he listens. Damien soon learns he can't change Jake, but hopes that they can come to some sort of compromise. Jake doesn't want to lose Damien, but as he gets to know him makes some difficult discoveries which make him question whether he is the partner that Damien needs.
Jake's orientation is more clearly described as 'homoromantic demisexual' a subset of the asexual community (but to be honest, that wasn't going to fit on the book cover). I hope this small contribution brings asexuals and demisexuals some more visibility and adds to the available body of literature pertaining to asexuality.
Here's a little more background that may help you clarify where my character fits in the asexual spectrum:
'Ace' is about a man who has never heard the term 'asexual' and only knows he isn't drawn to other people in that way. Jake Tanner has hurt lovers in the past with his indifference and doesn't want to hurt Damien the same way, because Damien is different; he's kind and he listens. Damien soon learns he can't change Jake, but hopes that they can come to some sort of compromise. Jake doesn't want to lose Damien, but as he gets to know him makes some difficult discoveries which make him question whether he is the partner that Damien needs.
Jake's orientation is more clearly described as 'homoromantic demisexual' a subset of the asexual community (but to be honest, that wasn't going to fit on the book cover). I hope this small contribution brings asexuals and demisexuals some more visibility and adds to the available body of literature pertaining to asexuality.
February 17, 2015
Be the first to know about Jack's new releases!
Want to be first to know when I have a new book published?
I now have a mailing list. It's easy, secure, and only requires you to put in your email address and first name. Link: http://www.jackbyrneauthor.com/contac...
I won't be telling you every time I have a cover reveal or best seller, that's what blog posts on my own website are for. But I'm getting a lot of people ask the specific question, "When is your next book due out?" Well, in answer there are currently four of my books in editorial production, including the next Bushrangers novel :) . I've submitted two more in the last few weeks, and I'm planning on being even busier in 2015 so if you would like to be notified when my next title is published you can now go to my website contacts page and sign up.
http://www.jackbyrneauthor.com/contac...
(when you get there, scroll down a little and you will find a box for you to enter your email address).
Thank you for your time and attention. <3 :) I will now go wash the self-promo off me and scream into a pillow.
I now have a mailing list. It's easy, secure, and only requires you to put in your email address and first name. Link: http://www.jackbyrneauthor.com/contac...
I won't be telling you every time I have a cover reveal or best seller, that's what blog posts on my own website are for. But I'm getting a lot of people ask the specific question, "When is your next book due out?" Well, in answer there are currently four of my books in editorial production, including the next Bushrangers novel :) . I've submitted two more in the last few weeks, and I'm planning on being even busier in 2015 so if you would like to be notified when my next title is published you can now go to my website contacts page and sign up.
http://www.jackbyrneauthor.com/contac...
(when you get there, scroll down a little and you will find a box for you to enter your email address).
Thank you for your time and attention. <3 :) I will now go wash the self-promo off me and scream into a pillow.
October 28, 2014
Time flows both ways
One of my grandfather's favourite sayings when I was an intense little kid was, "Hey, don't worry about it. Nobody will care in a hundred years."
Something always struck me as very wrong about him saying that, but I could never really understand why. I loved listening to my grandfather talk about the old days.
Recently I was asked why I write historical fiction. I had no immediate answer except that this was the story that popped into my head. Like many people, I do things without really knowing why I do them. Writing for me is kind of like breathing. But the question weighed on my mind because I hadn't been able to answer it to my own satisfaction.
I thought about it for a couple of days, and as I mulled it over, I realized that I do care about what happened a hundred years ago, and even a thousand years ago. The verbal history of my family is something that I can weave into a rich tapestry, even if the original design is altered beyond recognition. But at least there will be some record of that lifestyle remaining.
And who knows? Maybe people a hundred years from now or even a thousand years from now will care about what happens to us. I guess we'll never know whether they do, though.
I think that's one of the reasons I write historical fiction.
Something always struck me as very wrong about him saying that, but I could never really understand why. I loved listening to my grandfather talk about the old days.
Recently I was asked why I write historical fiction. I had no immediate answer except that this was the story that popped into my head. Like many people, I do things without really knowing why I do them. Writing for me is kind of like breathing. But the question weighed on my mind because I hadn't been able to answer it to my own satisfaction.
I thought about it for a couple of days, and as I mulled it over, I realized that I do care about what happened a hundred years ago, and even a thousand years ago. The verbal history of my family is something that I can weave into a rich tapestry, even if the original design is altered beyond recognition. But at least there will be some record of that lifestyle remaining.
And who knows? Maybe people a hundred years from now or even a thousand years from now will care about what happens to us. I guess we'll never know whether they do, though.
I think that's one of the reasons I write historical fiction.
October 19, 2014
Dingo Run completes a story arc
It's good to see Dingo Run go up for pre-order on Dreamspinner Press's coming soon page, and appear here on Goodreads too. This novella completes a story arc between Jim Kelly and Mark Turner. Before the end of Dingo Run they were not that secure in their relationship or even their ability to survive.
By the end of Dingo Run, they are each starting to gain a deeper understanding of the other's character and to develop some confidence in each other. That's not an easy thing to have done considering the dangers they face every day and the fact that they were basically thrown together as complete strangers.
The next novel is in the works, so look out for more stories about Jim and Mark in future.
By the end of Dingo Run, they are each starting to gain a deeper understanding of the other's character and to develop some confidence in each other. That's not an easy thing to have done considering the dangers they face every day and the fact that they were basically thrown together as complete strangers.
The next novel is in the works, so look out for more stories about Jim and Mark in future.
September 25, 2014
Giveaway of The Billabong and Walkabout (eBooks)
Hi, all! I'm blogging over at Michael Rupured's website today, and there's a giveaway of The Billabong and Walkabout if anyone wants to try their luck. :)
A big shout out to Michael Rupured (one of my co-authors in the A Taste of Honey anthology) ... thanks for hosting me today Michael!
A big shout out to Michael Rupured (one of my co-authors in the A Taste of Honey anthology) ... thanks for hosting me today Michael!
September 21, 2014
Kids and Bullying
My daughter came home from school a few weeks ago convinced she was stupid, because one of the boys there told her "You're the stupidest person in this school!" I found her sobbing that night and the story came out. I reassured her that she was actually very clever and the boy was just being a bully.
Last week she did the federal tests for kids her age and came home with brilliant results. Her maths mark was off the scale as a matter of fact. Normally I would not show my kids their test results, but this time I shoved it under her nose. I pointed out to her that I was not simply a doting parent, that I was assessing the evidence I had seen in my daily interaction with her as a parent. That my opinion was backed by objective evidence. That she should not believe gender bias, that without cold hard evidence nobody had a right to say anything about her. That it was easier to believe a negative about yourself than a positive, and not to fall into the trap of believing every half-baked bully that stepped into her path.
I saw the look in her eyes change slowly from defeat to realization and confidence. That change in her eyes will stay with me for the rest of my life. Sure as anything seems to have stayed with her.
Last week she did the federal tests for kids her age and came home with brilliant results. Her maths mark was off the scale as a matter of fact. Normally I would not show my kids their test results, but this time I shoved it under her nose. I pointed out to her that I was not simply a doting parent, that I was assessing the evidence I had seen in my daily interaction with her as a parent. That my opinion was backed by objective evidence. That she should not believe gender bias, that without cold hard evidence nobody had a right to say anything about her. That it was easier to believe a negative about yourself than a positive, and not to fall into the trap of believing every half-baked bully that stepped into her path.
I saw the look in her eyes change slowly from defeat to realization and confidence. That change in her eyes will stay with me for the rest of my life. Sure as anything seems to have stayed with her.
September 14, 2014
Caged Tiger
The downside of being fit and active.... when you are temporarily incapacitated and go slowly but surely out of your MIND from the inactivity. I'm so going to use this in one of my books. All these bottled up feelings of frustration. But it will sound a lot better reading about it, than living through it.
I can't even pace the floor, which is my usual coping method when confined indoors.
:( :( :( :(
I can't even pace the floor, which is my usual coping method when confined indoors.
:( :( :( :(
September 6, 2014
Yay, finished!
I polished up that contemporary romance which I didn't mean to write, and submitted it to Dreamspinner just now. Because sometimes rescuing a dog and the string of consequences from that action can lead to meeting new people and thus from celibacy to a bit of lovely, soft core BDSM :)
I'm bad. You don't need to tell me. ;)
I'm bad. You don't need to tell me. ;)
Lovely review of The Billabong and Walkabout
Lirtle of Prism book alliance posted this lovely four-star joint review of both The Billabong and Walkabout:
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014...
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014...
