Last year when my book was in the final stages of edit, three men in my writers’ group told me they would not buy it because it had the word ‘wife’ in the title. To put their remarks in context, we were having a discussion about the title, and whether I should change it. An old … More Do women and men choose books differently?
They say it never rains but it pours. We’ve just had the news today that the abattoir we use for our business is going to close down in three weeks. It’s owned by a massive conglomerate and they’ve probably decided it’s not worth their while keeping it running. It means the probable closure of our … More Pig farmers in Tasmania shutting down
We were interviewed, Oliver and I, for a place on the Sprout Program, which mentors small businesses and producers in the agriculture sector her in Tasmania. The last question was one that took me aback. Oliver had a ready answer for it, but I didn’t – it was the type of question for which, annoyingly, … More Why we’re pig farmers – unexpectedly
Describing a restaurant as a safe pair of hands is a damp squib of a compliment if ever there was one. So much better to liken it to the kind of friend it would be, or better still, what kind of lover. If The Gorge Restaurant in Launceston were a swain, it would be worth swooning … More The Gorge Restaurant Launceston: review
Early this year I had one of those ‘oh shit’ moments which I’ve since learned is commonplace in a freelance writer’s life, when you realise that you haven’t actually got any work. Writing a book is quite an undertaking and since late last year I had been working with my publisher on the structural edit … More Writer, mother, pig farmer, tourism host
Imagine having a member of staff within your household dedicated to keeping the wine cellar stocked, the laundry fresh, vehicles fuelled and faux pas in etiquette and appearance to a minimum. One could breeze through life with considerably more ease. Not many are in a position to avail themselve of such an individual these days. … More What the Butler Saw
As a writer, it’s lovely to get onto the radio and be able to talk about your book. It helps bring it alive – not just for readers and listeners, but for the author as well! Time passes between writing a book and getting it published, and very often you forget what you’ve written! So much so that … More Launceston calling – interview on City Park Radio
Author Fiona Stocker today won the approval of her livestock for her tales of rural living. ‘She knows great literature when she hears it, that pig,’ said Stocker, pictured on her ranch with Bettina, the Berkshire sow. ‘I don’t know what she’s on about,’ Bettina was quoted as saying later. ‘I only came out of … More Tales of rural living
There’s a tradition where I live in rural Tasmania of swapping foodstuffs. It’s an edible black market, dealing in things from the river, the land and the larder. Over the years we’ve dealt in eggs, pork, salmon, venison, wallaby patties, Riesling and sausages. We once gained half a lamb when our retired sheepdog help round … More How to cook a pheasant.
To ready myself for best seller status, I’ve taken inspiration from Jilly Cooper, whose success and property portfolio in the Cotswolds I aspire to. I had that tooth removed specially. Turns out crowdfunding a book is every bit as much of a ride as one of Jilly’s polo novels! Elation one minute, doldrums the next … More Crowdfunding roller coaster
