What I’m doing now

Updated November 2024, from my home in Australia.

Retired from the commute

I recently quit my day job and ‘retired’. I’m now working in a similar part-time editing role two days a week for a while. I will be using my newly freed up time to write, photograph, create, draw, paint, think, move, meet and learn…

Almost finished writing a novella for kids

I visited Morocco in 2020 just before the dreaded pandemic took over the world. In fact, I was essentially kicked out of Marrakesh because of flight cancellations but that’s another story. I discovered the blue pearl, Chefchaouen, the most beautiful city I’ve ever seen. Most buildings are painted blue and there are loads of cats roaming the streets seemingly unowned but well fed.

This visit inspired me to create a story set in Chefchaouen about a lost cat. It’s for kids and has animated animal characters. I’m currently working on my second draft.

Planning other writing

I’m dipping my toe into short fiction, flash fiction, and short story competitions. I was recently long-listed, then short-listed for this flash fiction competition. 

Editing for RB Publishing

My other brand is RB Publishing where I work as a freelance editor, proofreader and manuscript assessor.

Working with PEN Perth

If you don’t know what PEN is, see this. I’m volunteering with PEN’s chapter in Perth as their Writers in Prison Coordinator. The organisation helps to raise awareness of writers who have been imprisoned for expressing their views. We promote and fight for freedom of expression and human rights working mainly in the Asia-Pacific region. On a recent trip to India, I met with Dr Jenny Rowena whose husband, Dr Hany Babu, has been unjustly incarcerated for nearly four years in a Mumbai jail. You can read my article about his case which was published in the PEN Sydney magazine (page 18).

I am doing publicity for our Day of the Imprisoned Writer to be held on Friday 15 November. 

A summer sojourn

I’ve committed to Italy in northern summer 2025! Part of this will be a structured creative retreat followed time for more creating in a village on the Amalfi Coast. Now for planning…

Inspired by Derek Sivers and his Now Page Movement.