Introduce yourselves! Showing 2,251-2,300 of 9,625

[Kim]

Kim wrote: "Hi Everyone,

Another Kim :) I'm a lover of books, reading them and writing them. I'm living in beautiful Byron Bay, working on a new series and loving the connections here at Goodreads. Thank you ..."

Hi Kim! :p sharing a name is fun. I would love to be an author like you! One day!!

[Kim]

Misskim wrote: "Hi Everyone,

Another Kim :)"

I agree, Kim! Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!

[Cathy]

Sherri wrote: "Jan wrote: "Hi I'm Jan Richards, Aussie reader and writer. I read all sorts of genres, although I'm reading a fair bit of crime at the moment, possibly because that's what I'm writing. I've always ..."

That's funny - I was exactly the same - used to help the Librarian in 6th grade covering books and shelving - real library geek - funny I work in one now (but not as a librarian). I still have a diary given to me when I left school by the librarian wishing me luck!

[Sherri]

That's awesome Cathy!

[[deleted user]]

Cathy wrote: "Sherri wrote: "Jan wrote: "Hi I'm Jan Richards, Aussie reader and writer. I read all sorts of genres, although I'm reading a fair bit of crime at the moment, possibly because that's what I'm writin..."

Love a library geek. My librarian used to let me hide in the library to avoid school assembly. I used to sit up the back in a corner behind the last shelf reading. Much better than saying prayers.

[[deleted user]]

Carmel wrote: "Hi Jan and welcome to our group! Another author, fantastic! Would love to add you to the list of author's. Can I suggest (in your own time) if you'd check out the Author's program which you'll find..."

Hi Carmel, Thanks so much, I feel welcome here already. I'll join the authors list. As I'm published in episodes in the newspapers I don't have an ISBN yet, but I will as soon as it goes on Amazon, about three weeks. I'm looking forward to talking books!

[Mig]

Hi, I'm Magda, an Austrian expat living in far north South Australia - where books only arrive after weeks in the mail :-(

Currently I am reading mostly near-future Sci-Fi with a little bit of paranormal and paralell world stories (Kelley Armstrong!!!) in between.

[[deleted user]]

Carmel wrote: "Jan wrote: "Love a library geek. My librarian used to let me hide in the library to avoid school assembly. I used to sit up the back in a corner behind the last shelf reading. Much better than sayi..."
Wish I'd had some help passing maths! Even my father, who is a maths genius, couldn't get it into my head. The synapses just don't work that way. I still contact him whenever I have a maths problem.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Very big welcome Magda, lovely to have you with us:)

[Danielle]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the group - just discovered it. I'm a book blogger and always looking for new recommends and chatting to other book lovers. Looking forward to joining in :-)

[★ Jess]

Welcome Danielle:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Big welcome Danielle. Lovely to have you with us:)

[Michael]

Welcome Danielle, has Michael recommended Before I Go To Sleep to you yet?

[Dave]

Hi
I'm newish. I like mysteries and humour, and somtimes a little scifi or historical fiction. Not so hot on horror or chick-lit. Reading more since I got my kindle.

I'm blogging, and am doing some writing while enjoying a career break this year.

[Michael]

Welcome Dave

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Big welcome Dave! Lovely to have you with us:)

[[deleted user]]

welcome newbies! :D:D

[[deleted user]]

Michael still pimping that book!

[Danielle]

Thanks for the warm welcome!!! I haven't had Before I Go To Sleep recommended yet - what's the go with that? :-)

[Danielle]

lol! ok then, on that recommendation I'll put it on my list and be sure to let you know what I think about it :-)

[[deleted user]]

Gah! Cutest pick!

Seriously you going to be sharing these comessions michael?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha!! You've been blaming Australia Post for quite a few weeks now Michael;D

[Spiro]

Hi all,

I came here to introduce myself only to be confronted with a pointing puppy who says, "Who's awesome? You're awesome!" Well that made my day... I knew instantly that I was amongst Australians and felt at home.

Originally from Melbourne, now I'm an author in Sydney. For the past ten or so years, I have been moderating a message board, "Australian Writers Online". Some of you may have heard of it as it caused quite a splash at the time. It was probably the first active Aussie site for writers on the internet, was linked to Federal Gov cultural sites and supported by the NSW Writers Centre in their newsletter.

But as the web expanded and social sites became more popular, it was eclipsed so now it continues to serve as a sort of community notice board. And that's how I think it should be. Sites like this group on Goodreads are a vast improvement for social interaction on books and their readers and authors, particularly for Australians isolated on the international stage.

Some of the most touching stories one hears in running an internet site for Aussie authors were on those living in the outback and how they felt more connected to the many writers and readers of the cities.

Anyway, it is great to actually be a part of an Aussie book group and have a break from moderating but since it is called Aussie Readers, please don't ever forget that Australia has some very fine authors in all genres and they should be supported, or rather deserve to be.

"Australian Writers Online" though it is not too active these days, is still available as a free online resource. The links and information is generally still current and may I offer as an introduction here, that mods or members can use it anyway they wish for content or for promoting books. You have to be approved first, but just say hi from Aussie Readers at Goodreads and you're in.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Austral...

Apart from all that, I have just released my new non-fiction book that may interest some and which, for an Aussie author, is making some overseas waves.

Cheers
Spiro

Jack the Ripper and Black Magic: Victorian Conspiracy Theories, Secret Societies and the Supernatural Mystique of the Whitechapel Murders

[Spiro]

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the welcome and kind comments on the book, I hope that puppy can read :)

[Spiro]

Thanks Carmel,

Great to be here, carry on :)

[Sherri]

Welcome all new members :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Very big welcome Spiro! Lovely to have you with us:) We love all readers and authors to join us...

[[deleted user]]

Welcome Spiro :D
hope you enjoy your time, with our crazy crew :D

(crazy in the nicest possible way)

[Emma - Mybookcorner]

Hi there - have to admit I joined Good Reads a little ago, but it's taken my some time to get going ie find the time!

Love this thread - I moved to Australia 3 years ago, I firmly believe that the best way to find out about any country is to delve in to its Literature.

I'm having a great time discovering some fantastic new authors, in particular around my own individual passion - childrens books.

Looking forward to being part of this community!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Very big welcome Emma, lovely to have you with us! We look forward to hearing from you, and joining in the chatting in the different threads:)

[Emma - Mybookcorner]

Thanks Carmel and Brenda!

[Michael]

Welcome Emma, watch out Goodreads and Aussie Readers are addictive

[Julia]

Hello all. I joined goodreads.com some time ago but never used it; in fact never realised its full potential. Now I have a place where I can obsessively keep track of all that I have read and want to read (anyone who's into film should also check out icheckmovies.com).

I am a single mum of an 8yo boy, living in a tiny village on the Mid North Coast of NSW. I have a part-time job in a tiny independent bookshop, and am also the PA for a bestselling female Australian author. Needless to say, I am a total booknerd and feel so grateful for no longer having to work in a traditional office, but immersed in the book world.

I'm also a 'mature-aged' student doing an arts degree majoring in, of course, English Literature.

My tastes do run to literature, and lately current Australian literature. This year I've been blown away by Gail Jones (oh how I LOVED Five Bells), Chris Womersley, Alex Miller, Markus Zusak, Kim Scott and more I am sure I have forgotten due to bad memory. I also enjoy the occasional ice-cream read (was it Jennifer Byrne who said "sometimes all that will satisfy you is icecream"?). I really enjoyed Susan Ducan's first novel (The Briny Cafe). I also am developing quite a love for poetry and through uni was introduced to Gwen Harwood's works - and fell in love with them.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Very big welcome Julia. Lovely to have you with us:) You have an interesting, and envied life, good on you:) I've got Five Bells on my TBR list, it's good to hear you enjoyed it!

[Danielle]

Welcome Julia, you inspired me to reserve Five Bells at the library and it seems very popular because there are 21 people ahead of me in the queue!

[Julia]

WOW Danielle that's a long wait. A caveat is in order, perhaps...Five Bells is not for everyone. It's not plot driven; it's quite stream-of-consciousness (has been compared to Virginia Woolf and James Joyce). That said, she paints the most beautiful pictures. I want to read that one again. Actually it's one I really want to purchase to cherish. As an ex-Sydneyite, the places are very familiar, it's just ... wonderful. I was charmed at the pictures she drew from each characters' pov of the Opera House--each one different. Love that it references Kenneth Slessor's 'Five Bells' poem as well. I hope you both enjoy it as much as I did.

Brenda, funny I look at my life and don't see it as terribly interesting or envied. I am incredibly grateful and still have moments where I want to pinch myself, I admit. Being a PA to a high profile author sounds glamorous, but it sure as hell ain't haha! And I don't envy anyone studying. But, considering I was going through major angst only a couple of years back due to cancer and treatment, and tying myself in knots when Centrelink got on my back to get back into work and not wanting to ever do something that would be soul destroying ever again (life is WAY too short and you never know when it will end), I consider myself the luckiest person alive now, and love my little life :-)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

That's great Julia, that you beat cancer and have got that wonderful second chance at life now! Live each day as it comes, as you say, life is way too short! No fun studying, but the end result is something special:) Good on you, you have a wonderful attitude to life:)

[★ Jess]

Welcome to our group Julia!

[Julia]

Thanks guys! Actually Brenda for me it's about the journey (HOW cliched). The learning, rather than the end goal. That said I will be one very proud geriatric (I will be by the time I graduate at this rate!) when it happens!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Doesn't matter the age Julia...be very proud anyway:)

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

Hi all, Lisa from Sydney. I just stumbled across this group even though I've been on Goodreads for ages. Glad to see there are 1800 of us!!! My favourites are historical, romance and paranormal but anything on a page (or kindle) will do.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Very big welcome Lisa:) Lovely to have you with us!

[William]

Hey Lisa, welcome to the group...

[Maggi]

Hi Lisa and welcome, I live in the Southern Highlands outside Sydney. I write historical romance, romantic suspense and young adult novels.

[Desmond]

Hi, I am Desmond Bishop. Often when people ask me, "Where are you from?" I answer, "Um, I'm not sure."

Well, I am an Oz; originally from South Africa. When I was 11 my family moved up to Lusaka N.Rhodesa).That somehow felt like the real Africa. In 1958 we moved to Umtali (S.Rhodesia). A differnt experience!

Jumping to 2001, I left Canberra and ended up in Nimbin. I lost my road map there. Currently I am in SE Asia, but I always seem to end up around Nimbin. It is so beautiful and has the highest number of artists per capita in OZ.

Okay nitty gritty stuff: My first novel was published over a year ago. "Goodbye, Africa..." is my autobiogrphical novel - http://desmondbishop.webs.com
Just finished a teenage/adult fantasy -The Wizard of Zee - set 150 mill years ago in Gondwanalnd when Australia, Africa, India, Arabia etc were one continent. The characters relish living as an intrinsic part of Nature.

Now I need to find a place in the country to write the sequel. I need a soundscape that comes from Nature

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Welcome Desmond, lovely to have you with us:) Your novel, "Goodbye, Africa..." sounds really interesting! Is The Wizard of Zee published yet?

Please feel free to browse the threads, you'll meet lots of interesting people, including authors like yourself, as well as us readers:)

[Desmond]

Thanks for your message, Brenda. I am new to Goodreads, but it looks pretty impressive. The Wizard of Zee is not published yet. I have submitted it to Penguin, but I'm not holding my breath about that. Perhaps I could offer it to Goodreads as an e-publication, if they do this sort of thing.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Mmm!! I'm not sure on the e-publication Desmond..there would be someone else out there who could help you though, I'm sure. Good luck with it all:)

[Anne]

Have added your book on my to read column. Have visited S.A. and Zimbabwe a couple of times. Still have relatives in S.A. Perhaps you should post a copy of your book on Goodreads Giveaways. This is a good way to get your book out there to a goodreads reader who will review it. I notice there are no reviews. I often enter to win a free read. Have won two books in the last 12 months which I donate to my school library so as to spread the word. Goodluck.

[Desmond]

Thanks for the message, Anne. There are so many facets of your message that I'd like to reply to. I notice you are into magic realism. If you read e-books I could email you a copy of The Wizard of Zee. "Goodbye Afica..." could well be a class reader - a large part of it deals with a boy growing up, wanting to be the person that he really is. I believe it is available from Book Utopia in Sydney. To be honest I am a long way from breaking even, after paying my publisher $1500.Still new to Goodreads, I will look into the giveaway process.