First of all, I want to send a big thanks to those of you who have been emailing me with your beautiful thoughts, contributing to the message board and basically staying in touch – I love hearing from you! Because so many of you have been asking what I’m writing next and if I’m going to write a prequel or sequel to the Caz Klein series (and let’s face it, it has been over a year since a book written by me has appeared), I thought I should explain what’s been happening. Before I do that, however, can I just say another thanks for the fabulous ideas some of you have put on the message board! They’re terrific and I really appreciate you sharing your thoughts with me, you imaginative amazing bunch, you! What I will tell you is that a sequel, set in the future – yes, about 10 years, is planned. What I’m thinking is that it will again move between the two worlds (Doldreada and Morphea) and include the characters we’ve come to know and love or loathe plus some new ones from myths and legends (and my imagination) as well. A prequel is also a great idea and certainly I’ll chew on that one for a while as well….

But (and it’s a biggish but), I’m not going to write these books for a little while yet as I have been creating a new series with new characters set in a completely different world. No, I’m not saying anything yet, but as soon as I can, I promise I will, so watch this space. What I can tell you is that it’s for older readers – late teens and adult – what is referred to as ‘crossover.’ I’m very, very excited about it and am waiting to hear back from a publisher – so please, keep your fingers crossed for me!

I’m also writing a non-fiction book. I’m actually taking six months off university teaching (from June – December this year) to complete it. The book doesn’t have a proper title yet (working on that), but it’s about young people and the mass media; so I’m looking forward to having the time to sit, read, think and write.

What else can I tell you? Oh, As of the 15^th March, I will be a regular columnist with Brisbane’s Courier Mail newspaper. My opinion piece will appear every Wednesday in the ‘Perspectives’ section of the newspaper. I also write feature articles for Copeland Publishing who distribute the wonderful, Sydney’s Child, Brisbane’s Child etc. magazines and these appear throughout the year. So though I haven’t had a book come out this year… yet… I am still writing (and dreaming – lots of dreaming!).

I’ve also been on TV a bit, including appearing on ABC’s fabulous show, The Einstein Factor, as part of the ‘Brain’s Trust’ – that was great fun. 

On a more personal note, both my grandmother and my mother (who lives in the USA) have been very ill and this has naturally impacted upon my family and me in unexpected and sad ways. My mother has cancer and I fully expect to make a trip back to the US this year to see her again. My grandmother is coping with her problems and illness, but not well, and that distresses me deeply. Other than that, the rest of my family is doing well. 

We’re still renovating our house – I tell you, those renovation shows on TV (which I adore) make it look so easy. By that comment, don’t believe for a moment I do anything (though I did strip wallpaper off one room – yuk). My partner, Stephen, does it all and so very well too. He is a Trojan when it comes to work and, to use another apt cliché, a glutton for punishment. I pick colours and designs – and tidy up sometimes, but I do love watching the house change as Stephen knocks down walls, rebuilds, paints and sands, and the way we are slowly imprinting ourselves upon it. 

My kids are well – my son, Adam, has started a new job and is learning life lessons the hard way (why does it always have to be the hard way?); my daughter is in her third year of university and about to move out of home. It’s all very exciting for them and go, go, go. And yes, I will miss my daughter, Caragh (pronounced Cara), just as I miss my son – but they’re haven’t moved to different countries, just neighbourhoods and I will see and do see plenty of them.

As for what I’m reading (a lot of you ask me that) – I have read so many books lately – mostly non-fiction, but one stand-out novel that I relished was Elizabeth Kostova’s, The Historian. If any of you love a good nail-biting yarn about Dracula and vampire lore, then I highly recommend this very well written book! And, my favourite film of the moment? There’s always a few – I loved, loved, loved, Serenity; Jarhead was terrific and Nanny McPhee was also very special. Love to hear what you’re all watching and reading too.

I don’t know what else to say except I do want to thank my dear friend, Tara for the work she does on this website – she’s the ability and creativity behind this along with two very much missed friends in the USA. However, Tara updates the site whenever she can (and she is very, very busy and away overseas a lot) and does it for love of me (and the occasional bottle of wine and a meal – I do love cooking for her!). So a big thanks to Tara.

And thanks again to all of you who add to my life in ways you can’t begin to conceive. Keep reading and remember to dare to dream… because they really do come true!

Love, Karen :)