Phillipa lives just outside a beautiful small town in country Victoria, with her two sons, husband, and labrador dog. She also lives in the many worlds of her imagination and stockpiles stories beside her laptop. With a passion for music, the ocean, nature, reading, and writing, she draws on her life experiences to bring colour and depth to her characters.
Her first novel – The Stationmaster’s Cottage – is a multi platform bestseller and has won reader awards and cover design awards. With one series complete, Phillipa is planning a stand-alone novel then a second series within mystery romance. In addition, she writes a paranormal suspense series of short stories.
On the web:
I write the stories the way they need to be written. Having said that, if overwhelming feedback showed me I was straying from the core of the books, then I would listen.
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Both. I live to write, but some scenes are very emotionally draining.
What is the most unethical practice in the publishing industry?
Vanity publishers. They prey on hopeful new authors by offering what might appear to be a genuine publishing contract, but charge the author huge fees for publishing. No genuine publisher takes from an author.
The Secrets of Palmerston House: A Christie Ryan Romantic Mystery (River's End Book 3)
1853. A fateful game of poker changed the fortunes of two families forever. A home was lost. But what was left behind? 2018. The wedding of Christie Ryan and Martin Blake is only weeks away and River’s End is buzzing with excitement.
But when a stranger arrives at Palmerston House, a new mystery arises. How does he know so much about the Ryan family, and what do a nineteenth century diary, a grandfather clock, and an old key have in common?
As a dangerous plot unfolds, long hidden secrets threaten to change everything held dear to the town.
The Secrets of Palmerston House will sweep you on a journey to the past and back, where enduring friendships warm the heart, a sad goodbye brings a new start, and the power of true love shines.
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The Christmas Key: A Christie Ryan Romantic Mystery Novella (River's End Book 4)
A hot summer Christmas Day is just around the corner in the Australian seaside town of River’s End. Beachside BBQs and sumptuous dinners are on the menu.
But Martha Blake is like a dog with a bone, determined to solve the last of the cottage mysteries. She and great-niece Christie begin a secret investigation.
Meanwhile, Thomas is busy with his own clues and enlists a reluctant Martin.
At Palmerston House, loving new couple Elizabeth and Angus face their greatest obstacle, and it might be too much to overcome.
With everyone working at cross-purposes, who will find themselves in the middle, cast back into memories of a terrible mistake?
Is love enough this time, as the beloved residents of River’s End deal with the fallout of the old mystery? Who, or what, will bring them all together in time for Christmas?
The Christmas Key is a heartwarming novella rounding off the Christie Ryan Romantic Mystery series with the last of the secrets revealed, and delightful Christmas magic to touch the favourite residents of River's End.
But Martha Blake is like a dog with a bone, determined to solve the last of the cottage mysteries. She and great-niece Christie begin a secret investigation.
Meanwhile, Thomas is busy with his own clues and enlists a reluctant Martin.
At Palmerston House, loving new couple Elizabeth and Angus face their greatest obstacle, and it might be too much to overcome.
With everyone working at cross-purposes, who will find themselves in the middle, cast back into memories of a terrible mistake?
Is love enough this time, as the beloved residents of River’s End deal with the fallout of the old mystery? Who, or what, will bring them all together in time for Christmas?
The Christmas Key is a heartwarming novella rounding off the Christie Ryan Romantic Mystery series with the last of the secrets revealed, and delightful Christmas magic to touch the favourite residents of River's End.
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I loved reading your answers. Thank you. Congratulations on the new book!
ReplyDeleteThat means so much! Thank you.
DeleteYou must write the books the characters dictate to you. Right? ;)
ReplyDeleteI like to think I control them haha. In The Secrets of Palmerston House, one character went off in their own direction but it actually worked well.
DeleteGreat interview!
ReplyDeleteThank you! What do you like to read?
DeleteI had no idea about Vanity Publishers. Now I learned something new today.
ReplyDeleteA couple of them do a lot of advertising and they are very slick. The new author believes they've been offered a proper publishing deal but ends up spending thousands and usually for no real return.
DeleteSounds like great books! It's sad there are publishers who would engage in unethical practice. That information must help new authors.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I loved writing them, and so much enjoyed The Christmas Key, having never written either a novella or Christmas story. And yes, I feel for new authors caught unawares.
DeleteIt's a shame vanity publishers charge so much. But some people feel like it's the only way they'll ever see their work in print.
ReplyDeleteHi Sherry, there's a difference though between a vanity publisher and a small press publisher. Some small press publishers will edit/cover/format etc and do a share profit to cover the costs, and others will do all that and pay the author. Vanity publishers want big dollars up front, way more than the costs of setting up a new book.
DeleteThese days we have access to so many inexpensive services to help us DIY. For example, I know many experienced formatters who will prep the book for ebook and print, or else you can use Draft2Digital's free (yes, free) program to do yourself. It takes a couple of minutes, literally.
I really hope over time there might be enough of us saying to avoid the 'publishers' who want money from the author to stop them.
My best advice is to ask first and get recommendations from other authors. I'm always happy to help out. :-)
Ahhh yeah that's such a terrible thing. Shameful.
ReplyDeleteThe pup...so adorable. Looks like a nice read :)
Hello, Phillipa! Good luck with your new books.
ReplyDelete