July 2025 NEWSLETTER
Attic Whispers from The Blue Mountains
Greetings from my attic in the Blue Mountains, my friends!
A lot has happened since the last Newsletter!
After several weeks of extensive travel, which has taken us from Athens all the way to Barcelona and then north to Bavaria and Austria, the Grand European Literary Tour has come to an end, and concluded with a wonderful farewell in Vienna. This journey has been a great adventure that, in many ways, surpassed expectations.
Meeting readers in the stunning Hofburg Library in Vienna, where a lot or research was carried out over the years
Needless to say, this was in no small way due to the generosity and warm welcome extended by my readers throughout Europe, and it was this that made the trip so special.
Frankly, I didn’t expect such an enthusiastic reception and was pleasantly surprised by how popular and widely read the Jack Rogan Mysteries series is in Europe. Book clubs, libraries, and reading groups in schools and universities have significantly contributed to this, adding a personal touch to the journey that I will remember for a long time to come. In short, Europe seems to have embraced Jack Rogan and his eclectic friends!
As you know, one of the main aims of this ‘literary anniversary tour’ was to revisit some of the key locations featured in the series, and share this experience with my readers. Those of you who have followed my journey on social media, especially Facebook, would have seen the many photos and travel stories I have posted along the way. If you haven’t already visited my Facebook page, I invite you to do so now, as it provides a great pictorial overview of this travel adventure.
In any case, here are a few highlights:
Meeting Italian readers in front of the Doge’s Palace in Venice
Bernini’s Fountain; Piazza Navona; Rome
Inside the Pope’s Palace in Avignon, France
Talking to readers in Salzburg, Austria
Jack Rogan’s next adventure: An update
Historic Osaka Castle which features prominently in the next book
I am pleased to tell you that the next book is making excellent progress. Since my return from Europe, I have been able to lock myself away in my attic up here in the Blue Mountains, and, inspired and refreshed, focus on WRITING!
What I found particularly encouraging about the subject matter and setting of the storyline, which, as you know, is set in Japan, was the great interest it has generated since its announcement.
Because Japanese culture and history are complex and not widely known in the West, the research required to give the book the authenticity it deserves is very demanding and necessitates the involvement of experts in both, Australia and Japan.
In short, writing this book has become a significant challenge, which I am confident will result in something truly special when it finally reaches the bookshelves.
So, please be patient. I am sure that the end result will make it all worthwhile.
I have already made arrangements for an extensive research trip to Japan to revisit some of the iconic locations featured, and perhaps even host a book launch in a historic castle surrounded by samurai memorabilia. How does that sound? Exciting stuff; right?
No doubt, this will be another literary adventure we’ll share in the hope that it will enhance your reading experience and add to the enjoyment of the book. As you know, I strongly believe in the interaction between author, and reader.
In that regard, I will shortly reveal the title of the book (which is still under consideration) and share more tidbits about the fascinating characters and storylines that will, hopefully make Jack’s next adventure a nail-biting experience. I will even include a chapter or two to pique your interest along the way and share a few adventure-gems to create anticipation. What do you think?
Finally, a small request … Please keep opening my emails and stay in touch. All good things take time, and true creativity cannot be rushed. This is not ‘fast food literature’ but, hopefully, a literary feast to be savoured by valued ‘thinking readers,’ just like you. Say, sitting in your favourite chair by the fire on a rainy day with your dog at your feet, letting your imagination run free … Get my meaning?
The Jack Rogan Mysteries Series: Books 1-8 (All books are available in Kindle Unlimited)
