Anne Rouen's Blog, page 5

Nothing Like a New Release – Update on Self-Publishing

It has been a lot of work: editing, checking facts, little rewrites here and there, attending to all the publishing details like ISBN and CiP, agonising over a choice of cover from the number of really beautiful designs presented to … Continue reading →

Benefits for Manilla – Fact or Fiction?

 A historical fiction writer must study historical facts; and research is a big part of my life. Many months, even years, are spent delving into the period setting of a book, including the news of the day; what people wore, … Continue reading →

A Warning From History

      In plants, it is called monoculture; in animals: intensive production. In humans it has many names including overpopulation, overcrowding, high density and/or tenement living. History has proven that where there is a large population of genetically similar … Continue reading →

The Dreyfus Affair

At its simplest, the Dreyfus Affair was the heart-wrenching story of an innocent man, framed by the real culprit, for selling secrets to an enemy; and an illegal cover-up by the military to hide its mistakes. On a deeper level, … Continue reading →

Strathfield Development: Environmental Disaster?

Here I am in Strathfield, once again, contemplating with horror the proposed intensive development, housing almost three million chickens! I cannot bear that this jewel of our district, formerly resplendent in amber, gold and emerald, is about to be reset … Continue reading →

How Much Do We Love Our Town?

I’ve always loved Strathfield, a historic property with wide, sweeping valleys and beautiful riverland, tucked between the ranges. At least twice daily I drive through its magnificence to access my farm. As I go through fields of waving grass, cattle … Continue reading →

The History of Manilla in the Pink

Nine years ago, when Robyn, Belinda and Sarah from our council’s Manilla office hosted a Pink Ribbon breakfast, they had no idea how fundraising for Breast Cancer Research would take off in our little town. The next year, they held … Continue reading →

A Muse on Reviews: Ethics

As an author, I find it uplifting to receive a ‘good’ review. It is equally devastating to receive a ‘bad’ one. Especially, if it is unjustified. Most professional reviewers take the task seriously. Authors wait on tenterhooks for their valued … Continue reading →

Where’s the Risk?

My book, Master of Illusion, shared ebook friendly’s photo on Facebook telling readers to surprise themselves and read a self-published book. Master of Illusion is like that: he sometimes takes his own initiative when it comes to his Facebook page. But it … Continue reading →

Hendra Virus: It’s Evolving

Will deadly Hendra virus become our next pandemic? With the way the virus is evolving it cannot be ruled out. History shows us that about 70% of pandemics originate in animals. The Spanish flu that decimated the world at the … Continue reading →