News

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Backpacker Bonanza

Off to Morocco on a travel job for Traveller... And since writing a piece extolling…

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First Glimpse

Thrilled to announce the imminent release of my next historical novel ... and one very…

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Capital Breakfasts!

In the course of two days, staying in Canberra and then driving back to Sydney…

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Canberra Craft

Wowee! A new career highlight last week when I was asked, with fellow historical fiction…

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Where am I?

Yes, Australia's oldest homestead, Elizabeth Farm in Parramatta. It's a beautifully preserved building, with furniture…

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Trotsky Troubles

Our new kitten, Trotsky, looks as if butter wouldn't melt in his mouth, but it's…

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Buzzy Burwood

It's the Australian suburb named by Time Out magazine as the coolest in the country…

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Sight for Sore Eyes

Great to see my books being displayed on the National Trust NSW stall at Hambledon Cottage's Foundation…

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Handsome Hambledon

Visited the historic (built by John Macarthur in 1824 for his family, their governess and…

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Dastardly Deeds

Dropped in on gorgeous Kiama to watch my partner Jimmy - also known as the…

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Trails for change

I love supporting MedEarth charity's sponsored walk every year to raise funds to send unused…

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Comrade Cat

On the 120th anniversary of the first Russian Revolution, introducing our new family member: Trotsky…

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Springtime in Sydney

The jacaranda this year are so early, and so stunning. They're everywhere and so intense…

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Handsome Hambledon

Working on a new Australian historical novel and visited the Macarthurs' Hambledon Cottage in the grounds…

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Picture Imperfect

Thanks so much to the person who sent me the best publicity pic ever! I…

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Revisiting the Past

Fabulous to be invited to the inaugural mash-up of the Hornsby Library Meet the Author…

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Capital Fun

Thrilled to be appearing at the National Library of Australia alongside esteemed novelist Alison Goodman…

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Chilling Crime

Many congrats to my talented partner James Dunbar (otherwise known as Jimmy Dunbar Thomson) who has…

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Visiting History

Once a year, one of Australia's best known families, the Macarthurs, opens the gates to…

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Talking Books

Fun to do a presentation to the Crows Nest Probus Club on Australia's third governor,…

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Road Tripping

Love a good road trip! And did one this week to Goulburn to talk historical…

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More Magnificence

More views of Milos, the beautifully painted houses, lovely beaches and the clear, clear water.…

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Magic Milos

A more restful time on the Greek island of Milos, where Venus de Milo was…

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Kayaking Kaos

It felt like a good idea at the time … a four-hour kayak expedition along…

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A Greek Odyssey

And now docked at the Greek island of Nydri or Lefkada, considered by some to…

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Not so crazy for cliff diving

Just along the coast from Trulli sits the town of Polignano a Mare where adventurers…

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Next stop: Brindisi

I was so excited to be visiting the Trulli of Alberobello in Italy’s Puglia –…

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Dubrovnik by Night

As the sun sets and the moon rises, Dubrovnik’s mood changes as it becomes an…

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Cable Car or Stairs?

The cable car up the mountain is the easy bet, from where you can drink…

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Telling tales in Goulburn

Calling everyone in Goulburn and nearby towns! I'm travelling to the Southern Tablelands to do…

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The Drama of Dubrovnik

Encircled in massive 16th Century stone walls, Dubrovnik has drama around every corner, from the…

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The Joy of the Journey

On the way to our next stop, Dubrovnik, it’s lovely to watch the Croatian coast,…

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So much to see

In Ravenna. It’s hard to know where to go first to admire the artistry of…

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Ravishing Ravenna

Our first stop is at the Italian port city of Ravenna, well-known for its incredible…

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All aboard!

Finally time to board the Explora I, the MSC Group’s luxury yacht-like ship, holding fewer…

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The Final Day

Couldn’t resist a ride on a gondola and it was such fun, I can’t believe…

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Jumping for joy

In St Mark’s Square. So wonderful to be in Venice. The last few times I’ve…

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Venerable Venice

Venice has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world … the…

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In The Picture

Talented SMH photographer Dion Georgopoulos took a pic to accompany a piece in a series I…

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Fond Farewell to a Dear Friend

An incredibly moving memorial service for my much-loved friend, the late Father Chris Riley, a…

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Hippo-esque

This is how i feel (and pretty much look) after two and a half weeks…

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Putin-esca

As one of the countries who've suffered the most at the hands of various totalitarian…

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Wroclaw Cathedral

The 13th Century Gothic cathedral in Poland's Wroclaw, reconstructed after the devastation of WWII, is…

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Student Spectacular

A cathedral? A church? No, a university in Wroclaw, Poland. While today there are still…

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Wonderful Wroclaw

Our last stop in Poland - the beautiful city of Wroclaw, dubbed 'the Venice of…

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Accommodation Art

How can you artfully brand a hotel? The Krakow hotel I stayed in during my…

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Pass the Matzos

Dinner in the old Jewish quarter in Krakow,Poland. It's a beautiful area of the city…

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Lenin’s Loves

This is the cafe in Krakow inside the Medieval Cloth Hall on the main square…

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Lip smackin’ good

Travelling through Poland is a wonderful chance to sample all the incredible food on offer.…

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Next Stop: Krakow

Krakow is another incredible city of churches, cathedrals, castles, historic landmarks ... and the horror…

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Sweet Tooth

No sugar is ever enough! For great doughnuts, cakes, desserts and lollies, Poland is the place…

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Willoughby Wandering

Great to appear at the inaugural Willoughby Literary Festival on Sydney's North Shore, and on…

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Gdansk Glory

A day trip to Gdansk from Warsaw, where the Polish-made melex -- fancy electric extended…

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Stalin’s Rocket

The Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw, the tower that Stalin built during the…

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The Power and the Glory

as well as the silly. Warsaw has so many wonderful historic sights, vast market squares,…

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Polish Pride: Pierogi

The national dumplings can be found everywhere, and with every kind of filling, from mutton…

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Wonderful Warsaw!

Visiting Poland, and our first stop is the capital Warsaw. A stunning city but with…

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Fascinating Fact Finding

Come along this Saturday (July 19) to hear all about bringing the past to life,…

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Cake Time!

And just in case we haven't been fattened up enough, the kitchen brings out a…

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Last Stop – Shetland Islands

I've always wanted to visit the Shetlands, the northernmost region of the UK -- 170km…

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Food, Glorious Food

What's the number one tip for a cruise? Bring elasticated trousers. So right. The food…

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Fjord farewell

I took a seat up in the crow's nest on Deck 12, at the top…

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While I was floating…

As I was enjoying 21st Century sailing, another review for my book The Governor, His…

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Fjord Floating

What better thing is there to do on a Norwegian fjord but to get up…

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As the mist clears…

The views become even better, with snow clearly visible on the mountain peaks, glowing green…

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And the Fabulous Fjords

The first sight was simply magnificent as we sailed into Norway's longest and deepest fjord,…

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First Stop – Kristiansand

Our first look at southern Norway - and a trip to the town's open air…

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And we’re off!

Leaving Rotterdam on a seven-day Norwegian Fjords and the Shetlands Isles of Scotland cruise on Holland America's…

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And a day at the Rijksmuseum …

Such painful beauty ... especially when you're elbowing your way to the front of the queue…

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Guess where I am

Actually, I don't think it's that hard. Yes, glorious Amsterdam! What a fabulous city it…

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River Racing

Tried my hand at dragon boating at the Sydney International Regatta Centre at Penrith on…

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Lesser Known Sydney

Loved catching the Parramatta River ferry to Wentworth Point to give a book talk. What…

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Train Wrecks

What's the worst announcement you can hear on a train from Sydney to Lithgow when…

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Bangarra Beats

Loved Bangarra's latest production Illume, now showing at the Joan Sutherland Theatre at the Sydney…

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Vale Vivid

Glorious to be in Sydney for the Vivid light show. There's nowhere that's not twinkling…

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Pioneer Party

Honoured to be the guest speaker at the Women's Pioneer Society event this week at…

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Not the Best Assistant

Our new cat River isn't quite as helpful as she thinks, sharing my desk. For…

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US-bound

Thrilled to find out that our former colonial governor Philip Gidley King is off to…

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Writing Women

Did you know that, despite making up half of the population, only 20-25 per cent…

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Australia’s Golden Globes

Loved attending the Film Critics Circle of Australia's awards night this week - our version…

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Beach Beauty

Stayed the night in Terrigal, and then went for a 20km hike (well, it felt…

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High Rev Rollicking

A great break from writing books ... Petrolhead fun going quad biking in the Glenworth…

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Poignant Photography

Many congratulations to brilliant Sydney Morning Herald Photographer Dion Georgopoulos whose photo of Paddington boarding…

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Kitty Kat Kaos

After saying a very sad farewell to our beautiful cat Pepper earlier this year, we've…

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First Fleet Fervour

At Kiama Library, they have a fabulous artwork lent by Australia Post of a special…

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By the Seaside

Fabulous to be invited to Kiama by the Friends of the Library to give a…

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Sweet taste of wellness

Health retreats are all about deprivation, right? Eating nuts and seeds, doing loads of exercise,…

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Talking Life

Had huge fun taking part in a podcast with investment supremo Bushy Martin. We started…

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Feeling refreshed

After a heavy schedule of talks about my new novel, I needed a break ... and…

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Coming to Kiama

I'm back on the road again, this time to the gorgeous town of Kiama, home…

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For the Love of Art

Loved attending the opening of a new art exhibition of a great friend (and amazing…

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Going Large

Look what arrived in the post from my publisher. Wow! Feels like I've made it…

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Beside The Sea

What a fabulous chat about books! Had a great day out at the seaside at…

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A Wild Ride

Thrilled to be appearing at Words at Wagstaffe this Saturday, a partnership between Words on…

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Bravo Berkelouw Bookshop

Fabulous to go into Berkelouw's in Paddington and see The Governor looking back at me.…

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Rave Review

Wonderful to open the Weekend magazine with the Daily Telegraph in Sydney and the Herald Sun…

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Abbey’s Angels 2.0

So delighted after my visit to Abbey's Bookshop to feature in one of their instagram…

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Talking Melbourne

Had a wonderful chat with David Astle on Victorian Evenings at the ABC. He's one…

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AWW AWE

Thanks so much, Australian Women's Weekly, for giving my latest novel such a fabulous review in…

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OVEREXPOSED?

What me? Yes, I guess when you have a new book out, the moment in…

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Best in Show

Lovely to have such a well-read friend (with so many dog-eared books to show for…

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Rachel’s Pod

Talking about books is such a pleasure, a close second to reading and as for…

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Too Busy To Read?

It's a horrible feeling, having too much to do in too little time, and having…

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2GB Glee Club

Had a great chat with Radio 2GB Afternoons' Michael McLaren, who asked me on to…

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Potts and Stripes

Loved nipping into my local bookstore, the gorgeous Potts Point Bookshop, to say hello to…

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Abbey’s Angels

Ducked into Abbey's Bookshop in the Sydney CBD for a chat and discovered that my new…

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Radio Raves

Always so lovely to chat to James Valentine on Radio 702 about all things books, and…

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Australian Rules

It was only when I was signing copies of my new book in bookstore Kinokuniya…

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Dymocks Days

Visited Dymocks and signed a big pile of books that were piled up right by…

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Bestsellers!

In great company too. Brimming over with gratitude for everyone who bought the historical novel,…

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Holidays with Heart

A story I wrote about travelling with my mum has just come out in Mindfood…

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Sight for Sore Eyes

So lovely to see big piles of my new book for sale. This one at…

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A world of its own

It's always great to get the seal of approval from a dedicated book lover with…

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Lessons in Botany

I saw this magnificent flowering bush on my way back from the gym this morning,…

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Talking about my new book!

Thrilled to report that Gleebooks are putting on a special evening for me to talk…

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Scandalous Good Reading!

Great to see my new novel recommended by Who Weekly magazine. Thanks so much guys! They…

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From hell to heaven

My story about Norfolk Island Nirvana is running in Traveller in the Sydney Morning Herald,…

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Talking – Books That Made Me

Had a great chat to Nightlife's Tim Webster the other day on Books That Made…

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Kings of the Colony

Lovely to see a fabulous story about my new book in the Daily Telegraph's Sydney…

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History spans both sides of family

We had two surprise guests at the launch of the new novel The Governor, His…

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And Officially Launched!

Launched the new novel The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress officially at the Australian…

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Memories of the First Fleet

Took my new book for an outing to check out the replica First Fleet ship,…

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A Fab Review!

Many thanks to the Daily Telegraph's book writer Mercedes Maguire for her amazing review of…

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What a Mewsance!

Pepper the cat remains unimpressed by any diversion of attention away from her. 'You've got…

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Nice Idea!

Fabulous story and extract from new book The Governor, His Wife and Her Mistress in…

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A 5-star read!

The reviews have been coming in for my new historical novel, The Governor, His Wife…

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Wonderful Words!

And another fabulous review of my novel The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress. Thanks…

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Travel work hack

My favourite hack for anyone who has deadlines but has to travel. A lap tray…

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Happy Release Day!

A painless birth for my new novel, The Governor, His Wife and His Mistress about…

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Pet Publicity

And the second review of my new historical novel to be released on January 7, The…

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King Gidley

So excited for the release of my next book - The Governor, His Wife and…

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Happy Christmas!

Went to see Sydney's St Mary's Cathedral Christmas lights last week ... Stunning display on…

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New Friends

Back in Sydney after the Cunard Literature at Sea cruise and thinking back over what an…

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History, Mystery and Everything In Between

And my last workshop on the Queen Elizabeth ... one of the subjects dear to…

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Living the High Life!

Conducted a Q & A with esteemed British writer Alex McCall Smith for another packed…

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The Roadmap To Travel Writing

Enjoyed talking all things travel to the Cunard crowd on the Queen Elizabeth Literature at…

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Sublime Spaces

Running my first workshop on board Cunard's Queen Elizabeth for its special Australian Literature Festival…

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Laughter and tears

Amazing to rub shoulders with such esteemed writers ... Sir Alex McCall Smith (he of…

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Literature Loveboat Sets Sail

Wow! How lucky am I? Aboard Cunard's beautiful Queen Elizabeth for a five-night cruise as…

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Words on the Waves

Can't wait to join Cunard's first ever Australian literature cruise next week ... On the Queen Elizabeth…

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Editor’s Pick!

Thrilled to share that Run For Your Life is in the Editors’ Picks for the first ever Spotify…

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Hilltops Sights

Great to have some time for sightseeing in between library talks ... Cherries everywhere in…

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Escape to the Country

Loved visiting the Hilltops region's libraries to give talks on my books to local literature lovers…

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Walking For Good

Yay! Finished the Big Sponsored Walk today, in the blazing heat in NSW's Blue Mountains, for…

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First Review In!

Thrilled by the first review of my new upcoming historical novel, The Governor, His Wife and…

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Last Stop Saigon

Stopping off briefly in Saigon for the break between flights back to Australia. Time for…

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Farewell to France

What better way to farewell France than to see all the top sights on a…

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Save Lives For Just $10

Just one more week before I set off on a 12km sponsored walk to raise…

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Beauty and the Feast

I couldn't resist looking at my trio of covers of my novels together ... with…

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Yeah… No!

And amidst all the beauty of Paris, there are a couple of outliers … Not…

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Window to the Soul

They say you can't tell a book by its cover, but if you could, my…

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Pure Decadence

Paris is just a lovely city to wander around. The cheese shops, the boulangeries, the chocolatiers,…

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Eiffel Tower

The one thing you can never miss in Paris is the Eiffel Tower, and we were…

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Le Ballon

Our penultimate last stop on our Big Trip is Paris, which is always so ... je ne…

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Medical Aid Saves Lives

Did you know that a donation of just $33 means an old, unused bed from…

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History lives

Dropping into Limoges for a few days was such a surprise. With some areas of…

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Saving lives. Saving the planet

Can you help? I'm doing my annual 12km Trails for Change sponsored walk on December 1…

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Uni Roomie

With old old university room mate Karen living in France's Limoges for so long, having…

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Lakeside Reunion

Visiting my old university pal Karen who has been living in France's Limoges for the…

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Going Home

I took the chance to visit my hometown when I was in London, a new…

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Old Friends

One of the most wonderful things I've done in London is meet up with an…

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Travelling Not So Light

I love the idea of travelling with just hand luggage, but I've rarely managed it.…

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Wall of Kindness

Spotted in posh Knightsbridge, London - a Wall of Kindness where people leave their unwanted coats…

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Around every corner in London is often a surprise

https://suewilliams.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/VIDEO-2024-10-30-00-53-15.mp4 Chanced upon the Bloomsbury Festival when going to a reunion of old uni mates, billed as…

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The Great British Queue

... is still alive and well. Here's the queue to get into the Halfcup London cafe…

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A Dire Warning

Just in case you were considering having a few too many drinks on the plane from…

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Sensational Scotland

Spending a few days now in Scotland, in both Glasgow and Dumfries and in the…

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Early Christmas Greetings!

Christmas seems to come early in Scotland - visited the opening of the special Christmas…

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Happiness is….

In England, at least!

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I-Spy

Poison embedded in the tips of umbrellas ... confidential notes smuggled into the country in the…

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Donut Dangers

OMG, who knew Berlin was such a caffeine city - chock full of gorgeous cafes and…

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Cool Cats

And time off exploring Berlin - a visit to the Catnip Cafe, a gorgeous cat…

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Berlin Bowie lowdown

Who could resist a David Bowie tour of Berlin? I certainly couldn't! Ziggy Stardust came…

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Reaching the heights

No trip to Berlin would be complete without a trip up to the top of…

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Should I go or should I stay?

Meeting Berlin's famous East German AMPELMANNCHEN, the old pedestrian traffic light figures that have today…

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Still waiting …

And is a 6-hour layover ever fun? But at least the view is interesting. Kinda.

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Beer O’Clock

Saigon Airport, waiting for the connection to Paris, has a huge variety of restaurants and cafes,…

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How To Beat Jetlag

I still stick to my 'no eating on a plane' rule as a surefire way…

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Simply The Best!

Is there ever a more welcome sight when your plane tickets for a trip to Europe…

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Thanks, Australian Women’s Weekly!

The latest edition mentions my last historical novel, That Bligh Girl, as the early throes…

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Murder mystery haunts

It's been 23 years since British backpackers Peter Falconio and Joanne Lees were hunted down…

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Support an amazing cause

Two years ago, it gave me great pleasure to attend a special in-conversation event to…

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Where am I?

I had to rub my eyes. Surely not? Sydney or the streets of London? But…

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Beautiful Skin

Chips, crisps, mashed potato, dauphinoise, potato skins … There are few things as delicious as…

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Strata Sizzles

What a scorcher! The weekly podcast on apartment-living I record with my partner Jimmy Thomson of…

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Software and Hard Hearts

I wrote an opinion column the other day for the Sydney Morning Herald and Age…

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Rocking on Heaven’s Door

It was a day of fond memories on Saturday September 14 when Father Bob’s Foundation…

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Confronting the dreaded blank page

No matter how many books you've written, no matter how successful some of them are,…

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A Floating Feast of Fables

Apparently there aren't many cabins left on Cunard’s inaugural Australian Literature Festival at Sea, so…

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Smart thinking on the GC

Went up to the Gold Coast for a couple of days to hear some of…

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Low-cost boarders to be dislodged

Have spent the week investigating the sad story of some of Sydney's oldest boarding houses,…

Travel writing

Arnhem Land feature on front page

Fabulous to see my story on an incredible trip up to Arnhem Land appear as the…

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Guten Tag, Mary Bligh!

Had an amazing email last week from German historian Simon Fuechtenschnieder who's just written his…

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Kiama Festival – with a touch of showbiz

Fabulous to visit stunning Kiama on Saturday to speak at the Kiama Readers' Festival on…

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Sanctuary makes the spirits soar

Wow! Seven Spirit Bay on the Cobourg Peninsula in West Arnhem Land is a triumph…

Travel writing

Luxury… right on the edge

The Arafura Swamp in Arnhem Land is the biggest expanse of wooded marshland, water, wildlife…

Travel writing

Amazing place, amazing people

Arnhem Land is a place that few of us Australians ever visit, yet it’s absolutely…

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Talking books in Kiama

So excited to be appearing at the Kiama Readers' Festival on Saturday July 20 at…

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Arnhem Land – so near but yet so far

Arnhem Land is a place that few of us Australians ever visit, yet it’s absolutely…

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Welcome to Country

We started our 13-day Outback Spirit trip from east to west Arnhem Land on Wirrwawuy…

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