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  • Cracks Beneath The Surface: A Titanic Novel (Titanic Tales of Love and Loss Book 1)

    February 18, 2026
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    Click on the book cover to purchase your copy from Amazon!

    As a lover of historical fiction, I was excited about editing Cracks Beneath The Surface. Of course, as many of us do, I thought I knew the story of the Titanic, and I was very interested to see what new light author Laura McCrum could shed on this tragedy. I was not disappointed!

    What I love about this novel is how Titanic passengers carrying first, second and third class tickets are brought together aboard this fateful ship. Unlikely friendships are formed, the rigid class lines become blurred, and the stories of real historical figures are told in an engaging and fascinating way.

    I admit to weeping real tears throughout the editing of this book, which, I have to say, does not happen often, and I hope the author will take this as a sign of a very well-written story, and characters that are believable enough to really care about!

    Hey, I don’t want to spoil the story for anyone who has not read Cracks Beneath The Surface yet… Of course, tragedy happens – but, still, I went away feeling both uplifted and hungry for Book Two!

    My Interview with Laura McCrum…

    Laura McCrum

    What is your favourite thing about writing?

    My favourite part of writing is creating characters and bringing them fully to life. I love getting to know them, being true to who they are, and allowing their stories to unfold in a way that resonates with readers. For me, writing is not just storytelling, it’s discovery. The process reveals a great deal about who we are, what we value, and how we move through the world. I truly believe everyone has a story worth writing, even if it’s only for themselves. Putting your experiences into words can offer powerful insight, clarity, and a deeper understanding of your own journey.

    How has writing this book changed you?

    I’ve always been someone who loves the excitement of starting new projects, full of ideas and energy. In the past, I would happily move from one beginning to the next. Writing this book, and building my career as an author, has changed that in the best possible way. I’ve discovered the deep satisfaction that comes from seeing a story through from its first spark to its final full stop. Now, it’s not just the beginning that excites me, but the craft of sustaining momentum, paying attention to detail, and guiding a project all the way to completion.

    What’s next for you?

    For the past twenty months I’ve been happily buried in notebooks, documents, and real and imaginary worlds, and I’m currently writing book three in my Titanic series. It’s been a wonderful stretch of creative focus, though I must give full credit to my husband, who has heroically handled almost all of the cooking and cleaning while I’ve been off with my characters. I’ve promised him that this summer, once book three is safely on its way, I’ll be stepping out from behind the laptop. I’ll still keep an eye on marketing and the book world, but there will also be fresh air, proper meals cooked by me, hopefully some sun in beautiful Scotland, and perhaps even a holiday where the only plot twist is where to go for dinner.

  • The Secret of Spanish Bay: Some treasures are buried deeper than gold by Kasey Wincott

    February 8, 2026
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    The Secret of Spanish Bay: Some treasures are buried deeper than gold by Kasey Wincott is a book that really stood out to me as an editor because it was a real page-turner from the outset (which makes my job SO much easier – thanks, Kasey!)

    As I embarked on the epic tale of Rodney, Marty, Chloe and Julie, I immediately thought of my 11-year-old niece and 13-year-old nephew, who I knew would eat up this story and soon begin to dream of their own adventures hunting for treasure and learning the amazing legends of lost Conquistadors!

    What I love about this story is that it is so much more than a treasure hunt! Firstly, it is both historically and geologically fascinating, and secondly, Kasey Wincott is not afraid to tackle the sometimes-thorny issues of family relationships, which, of course, trouble most of us at some time during our teenage years, although it is not always talked about!

    My Interview with Kasey Wincott…

    What is your favourite thing about writing?

    What I’ve found most interesting has been how excited I can get when I’m brainstorming a creative idea. It must be literally setting off endorphins. I can feel so pumped up and alive when I’m creating a new story idea and beginning to really build on an idea. It’s not something I feel all the time, but it’s such a change from my normal going about day-to-day mode that it’s noticeable.

    Do you read your reviews? How do you handle feedback/criticism?

    Yes, I’ve read reviews of my books, I’ve seen and think I read it sort of from an emotional distance, or sort of neutral. Like, hmm, that’s interesting. There’s been some reviews where people raised points either I didn’t agree with, or it was like I had a fuller viewpoint as to ‘why’ a character did this or that, and it didn’t register as negative or harsh criticism.

    There was a time that wasn’t so. I have talked to and read other writers who all have had similar experiences as I have, where early on, we had school teachers or other adults criticize our writing in such a way that we stopped writing, period. For a while. And then the creative drive rises up again after years sometimes, and we try it again. If only teachers would embrace the child’s desire and drive to write creatively when it appears, and focus on the positive act of teaching how to write dialogue that seems real or a description that won’t make a reader put the book down and do housework. And focus on encouraging, not demeaning so much a child never puts pen to paper again or needs therapy to overcome.

    What’s the most surprising thing you learned while writing this book?

    Writing makes me happy. My writing may not be classics in the making, sparkling and epic prose, but I can keep plugging away. I have completed books. They’re published. I continue to learn the mechanics of writing plot structure, POV, pacing, and my life didn’t fall apart. I feel a wholeness, that I can do all these things because writing makes me happy. It makes me think of more things I can do, write about, more ideas, more ‘what if’ plot scenarios, not less. I didn’t have to choose one or the other and pine for what I might have lost because writing makes me happy.

  • Wayback By Gerard Dean

    February 1, 2026
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    Wayback, by Australian author Gerard Dean is a memoir with a difference. Unlike some slower-moving examples of this genre, this irresistible collection of short stories is not tied down by tedious timelines. Rather, the 300+ pages are stuffed to bursting with delicious snippets snatched from a life well lived, and saved so that you, the reader, can be transported wayback to a wheat farm in the Wimmera and beyond.

    Another notable difference between Wayback and some other memoirs I have read is that, although the author, Gerard Dean, unsurprisingly, makes an appearance in every one of his stories, he often plays merely a supporting role, and a cast of vivid and vivacious characters often step forward to take centre stage. What I love about this is that it adds a touch of sparkle and provides the reader with a starkly authentic picture of those who populated this time and place.

    As an editor, hailing from the UK via New Zealand, Wayback provided me with a new and fascinating challenge! As with most editors worth their salt, I am a stickler for grammatical accuracy and superbly-structured sentences! However, once I started editing these awesomely Australian tales, it swiftly became clear to me that, perfect grammar or not, the real gold here was in the author’s voice. So, steadfastly turning a blind eye to the odd misplaced word or erroneous contraction, I edited in a new way and, as a result, Wayback by Gerard Dean is the most authentic book I have ever read, and, in my humble opinion, this is one of this memoir’s most profound and wonderful strengths.

    My Interview with Gerard Dean…

    Gerard Dean

    What’s one writing rule you believe in, and one you think is made to be broken?

    I remember on a couple of courses, the teachers suggested that a collection of short stories is not the best way to tell a life story. I agree that it doesn’t tell a story in a linear fashion, but then, many of our memories are flashes. So I write short stories about events in the past that may have only lasted for a few seconds.

    What is your favourite thing about writing?

    Storytelling is my passion, so I am so happy I have written some down in a book.

    What is your least favourite thing?

    My least favourite thing is also another favourite thing – submitting my story to my editor – there is a mixture of emotions from fear to a thrill if she likes what I have written (Fear is generally the dominant emotion!!!!!)

    Do you read your reviews? How do you handle feedback/criticism?

    I do read the reviews, and I am happy whichever way it falls – praise is great, but a hint of criticism pulls me back into reality.

    What’s the most surprising thing you learned while writing this book?

    How smart SOME editors are!!! No, seriously, I am in awe of the editing process where each word is checked, each punctuation mark is checked, and the overall story is checked to make sure it makes sense i.e. no names missed, missing paragraphs, etc. Editors have strange brains, but we need them.

    What’s a book (not your own) that significantly influenced you?

    All The Green Year by Don Charlwood, about some Aussie kids growing up between the wars – hit me like a brick when I was a kid. To Kill A Mockingbird, All Quiet On The Western Front and Germs, Guns and Steel by Jared Dymond for some scientific history.

    How has writing this book changed you?

    Hmmm- good question – stoked my ego, I guess, which doesn’t surprise my friends. Seriously, I want to write more.

    What’s next for you?

    Looking to write a book about my passion for making things – might call it Making Stuff – engines, model ships, radio and TV transmitters, etc. etc…

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