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Author Talks with Abra Pressler

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Australian Author, Abra Pressler 📸 Ravi from LiberaArts

Abra Pressler is a Riverina gal, who now lives in Canberra and writes her romantic heart out ❤️

Abra studied Creative Writing at RMIT University in Melbourne, where she lived for three years. But when the pandemic hit, in May 2020, she decided to self-publish an old manuscript, titled More. By December, she’d sold 3,000 copies.

After winning the 2021 Penguin Random House WriteIt Fellowship for Love Other Scores, Abra signed with Pan Macmillan to have the full novel published in 2023! And can I just say, I’m so pleased about this ⭐️🎾

Abra, welcome to Mel Reviews Her Books 💖

Abra, can you please share with us your writing life before Love and Other Scores came into the physical book world? … Because this isn’t your first rodeo.

Like most writers, I devoured books when I was younger and then tried writing my own (very, very bad) books. But writing quickly became my passion. I decided to study writing at university with the dream of being a published author.

After I finished my degree, I got a job in the private sector and kept writing on the side. I wrote several manuscripts in a variety of genres but kept coming back to contemporary romance. Around 2018-2019, I wrote a manuscript called More about an Uber-like delivery driver who dreams of being a chef and a taciturn foreign diplomat who can’t cook (thus orders a lot of takeaway). I pitched it to a few agents and publishers but didn’t get much of a bite. Then COVID-19 hit and I had nothing do to, so I thought I’d just polish it up, edit it, and self-publish. It was also pretty strategic because I knew I wanted to get a traditional publishing contract, and thought ‘Well, if I can show I can write a sellable book, that’ll help!’

I learnt so much about self-publishing (aka I made a lot of mistakes), and More did moderately well (it sold around 6,000 or so copies), so I started writing my next idea, which was Love and Other Scores with the intention that I really wanted to get a traditional deal, but if I didn’t, I could always self-publish it. I ended up signing with Pan Macmillan around 8 or 9 months after I started pitching it to agents and publishers. 

That goes to say that the first book you ever write may not be the one that will land you a traditional deal (if that’s your goal!). Sometimes it can take 3, 5, or 10 manuscripts and that’s okay. Every draft and book I’ve written has allowed me to grow as a writer and I’m of the firm belief no book idea is ever ‘dead’ even when it’s shelved. It’s just not in its right form yet!

The Australian Open is CLEARLY a huge inspiration for Noah and Gabriel’s love story. What personal experiences brought this idea to life for you?

I’ve been obsessed with tennis from a young age—my friend Bec and I would stay up late watching the Australian Open back when Nadal, Federer and Djokovic were the big three, fighting it out each year for the major titles.

But my actual ‘research’ comes from when I worked at the Australian Open as a barista. Around 2014 or 2015 (I forget which!), I was there making coffee and milkshakes and I had a ground pass for my job, but I could use it whenever I wanted. I’d go hang out and watch matches or see players’ practice. It was great fun! 

I studied in Melbourne, lived in Footscray and commuted to my job on Chapel Street. Yes. Chapel Street. (For those unfamiliar, an hour and fifteen minutes on public transport; two hours on Sundays). So a lot of Noah’s experience is based on my life working in South Yarra, being a rat bag and public nuisance, staying out too late, paying way too much to get into Revs—basically, being a young adult with no real sense of direction. 

Who came to you first- Noah or Gabriel, and what did you see/feel?

Noah came first, because as I mentioned, a lot of his experiences are based on my life, but his personality was developed over several drafts and his voice shone when I switched from third-person to first-person early in the drafting process. Still, I remember from the first draft I wanted him to have this floppy Leonardo Di Capro-esque blow-cut 90s hairstyle—something that (at the time!) was so out of fashion, but I just felt if anyone could rock that look, Noah could.

Gabriel is a more nuanced character who required much more research to bring to life, both because a) he’s a professional tennis player and b) he’s culturally completely outside of my own experience. But, in the same vein as Noah, I also knew he had to have incredible hair—there’s something about a tennis player with amazing hair that just gets the people going!

I instantly fell head over heels for both Noah and Gabriel. I just didn’t want that excited buzzing feeling in the bottom of my stomach to end! Are there more exciting buzzy books coming our way soon?  

Thank you—I am always so thrilled to hear when people love my characters. On the topic of more books, I certainly hope so!

Last year, I was lucky enough to win the Voices from the Intersection + Allen & Unwin Fellowship for a sapphic young adult sports romance. It’s a fun, sporty romance that explores those really hard ages between 18 and 20 when everything is changing (school, family, living situation, friendship groups), but it’s also about footy and female empowerment and standing up for what you believe in!

Argh, I’ve probably said too much but I’m in the middle of another draft and it’s all coming together, so I hope there’s a chance I can share it with you soon. And then, who knows! I would never say no to returning to the world of tennis…

Abra – thank you so much for sharing your time, experiences and book journey with us here & on Instagram Live 🎥 Admittedly, reading through your answers I was laughing and smiling – I think that just shows how much your writing in Love and Other Scores was a hit for me 👏🏼

Grab your copy of Love and Other Scores from Booktopia here 💚

I’m taking part in NaNoWriMo!

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You’ve heard it here first folks – I’m taking part in NaNoWriMo this November and setting my own personal goal to work on a novel idea I’ve slowly tweaked over the past 18 months ✍🏼

National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo is a creative challenge for individuals, duos and groups to set themselves a challenge of writing and working on a novel every single day for the month of November.

I currently have just over 12,000 words and I’m aiming for a fiction average of 85,000 words.

I’m not one to share much around my creative ventures but what I will share with you is:

  • It’s set in a small town bookstore 😉
  • It’s a romantic fiction 💖
  • I will be attempting to write 500 words per day during NaNoWriMo (not the traditional amount but what I believe to be manageable for me. If I write over this daily word count, it’s a bonus 💫)
  • I will be Instagram Live-ing my writing time 📸 I want this to be motivating for all you other creatives out there setting yourself a challenge and hoping to achieve it

I’m excited, nervous and motivated to bring you all along with me on what I expect to be a wild, exhausting, thrilling and rewarding time.

Are you participating in NaNoWriMo for November? Share below and I’d love to follow along your journey as well 😊

Something I’ve learnt about blogging & social media 4 years in

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Something I’ve learnt about blogging and social media in the 3-4 years that I’ve been posting on melreviewsherbooks instagram & blog is that, for me, I cannot post for the sake of posting.

I think that posting for the sake of posting is something that people who are blogging as a business would possibly disagree with, however for me who is creating something for pleasure, I only post when I have something to say, share or have found a creative piece that resonates with me.

As you can see, my social media growth is not something I’m chasing, but more so a long term goal and something I’m moving towards as my content becomes more real, connectable and honest.

But you know what, I know who my true readers and engagers are on social media and the fact that I can still have my closest book friends message me on social media means the connection I love is still there – and that is important to me! For some, once your social media grows larger, that common true connection can become limited.

To try and explain myself a little more, in person I say to my friends and family, “I post when the feeling is there.” For me, creativity is a feeling and it comes in waves. I write creatively when I have a feeling, I cook when I have a feeling, I make changes in my like based off feelings.

Consistency is something I find hard, and that’s okay because I work a full time job Monday-Friday, I’m getting a book festival off the ground and I value time with family and friends. Sometimes ‘hussle culture’ isn’t awfully healthy for creatives because the flip side is I’d be running myself ragged to post blog posts, pictures and art that I don’t feel connected too – and you’d be able to tell!!

So in summary, I guess what I’m trying to suggest is post and create content that sparks joy and movement in you. Find a topic that you’re passionate about and go for it. Don’t pay close attention and compare yourself to other content creators in your community because you are you for a reason. And your beautiful mind is one of a kind, so why not share it 💖

Author Talks with Michael Thompson

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Debut Australian Author, Michael Thompson 📸 by Sally Flegg Photography

Michael Thompson has been a journalist, producer and media executive for the last fifteen years. He is a savvy business podcaster and digital talent! Michael was one of the most humble, genuinely connecting and open authors I’ve met in person. How to be Remembered is Michael’s debut novel 💫

Michael, your debut novel ‘How to be Remembered’ is so unique, heartfelt and perfectly-paced. I loved Tommy as the main character! How did the idea of Tommy’s diverse life come to you?

The idea for the novel – this concept of a boy being forgotten every year on his birthday – came from two places. The first was social media, and the sometimes stupid things people post online. Those posts usually end up deleted, but it forms part of their digital footprint – it’s probably still there, somewhere, floating around in cyberspace. It made me wonder how many people would like to just have that footprint wiped, to be forgotten entirely. And I went from that to the opposite – what about somebody who just wanted to be remembered, and something was preventing that. The other inspiration for the novel came from the situation I found myself in when I started to write. I’d just finished at one company, having worked there for more than a decade. When I left, I was sure I’d be missed. But the business moved on, somebody replaced me, and I was forgotten (in a professional sense, at least).
With that basic idea, I then started writing about Tommy – and the rest of his life just seemed to flow. I really wanted to focus on the ordinary things that we take for granted – having friends, relationships, a job. Because a year is long enough to build those relationships and those connections, and then to lose them on his birthday every year seemed like it had plenty of potential.

I feel like I’ll never forget the date of January 5th because of Tommy! Why in particular did you choose the date of January 5th? Why not any other date?

Good question! I needed a date that was in the school holidays (when Tommy was a child). I thought the Reset (which is what Tommy calls it) would be a lot easier to write around if he wasn’t at school. I also wanted it to be in that dead zone around Christmas / New Year, where all the days start to blend together. I landed on January 5, and stuck with it!

Every time I explain the premise of How to be Remembered to friends, SO many say, ‘I hope that it becomes a movie!”. If you could choose a main character to play Tommy on screen, who would it be and why? 

Fingers crossed it becomes a movie! The film rights have been picked up by a Hollywood production company, so there’s a chance, but a lot of books get optioned and that’s as far as they go. If it was to make it to the big screen, I think I’d be okay with pretty much anyone playing Tommy – it would just be such a thrill to see it happen. Having said all that, Tom Holland would be terrific, or Austen Butler (who played Elvis). Tommy’s story covers quite a broad age range, up to his mid/late 30s, and I think either of these actors have the right look for Tommy. Tommy is kind, naive, optimistic, resilient – and I think either of these actors could do it well. Clearly I’m aiming high here, just picking out A-list names!

Michael, thank you so much for joining me on Author Talks 🎤 It has been an absolute pleasure to host you and meet in person! I cannot wait to see what your writing future holds, oh and watch How to be Remembered on the big screen someday 😉💫

You can find Michael’s novel, How to be Remembered via this link: https://booktopia.kh4ffx.net/q4m2Kq

Book Review: ‘The Dangers of Female Provocation’ by Zoë Coyle

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The Dangers of Female Provocation is the type of novel that will make you feel empowered with female strength, visibility and what could just be the consequence of a women/all women being pushed aside for far too long. If you’re wanting feminism and spice – this is the novel for you!

I had the pleasure of meeting Zoë in the bookstore. Her and I immediately connected over books that we love – most, if not all of them having themes of modern feminism, female empowerment and English & Australian historical fiction. I knew immediately after these discussions with Zoë that I would adore her writing and sure enough, The Dangers of Female Provocation has been one of my favourite reads this year ⭐️

Odessa is an enraged woman on a mission. Her beautiful group of female friends are surrounding her and discussing openly how much of their lives they’ve placed on hold for their husbands. Whether that be; putting the family first; diverting their career for another 2-3 years because their family just can’t manage without her being at home; limited intimate time with their husband; having a financial allowance enforced by him; and/or overlooking his affairs with younger colleagues from his workplace. Simply brushing it off as letting out steam and convincing herself it is more the female colleagues fault for tempting her husband in that sexual manner.

All of this sounding familiar? There are so many instances where conversations like this take place and a woman is continuously repressed, put down and has limitations set on her by a male figure. Some men have an ability to confidently manipulate and coercively control a woman’s autonomy and voice.

Odessa cannot let her sisterhood be repressed, ignored and persuaded like this any longer. A strong, fiery and burning female rage is growing. She is determined to teach the husbands of her sisterhood a lesson. She’s going to educate them in a way they’ve never been educated before. She will seduce, lure, tempt and manipulate these men. Her intentions are clear, yet as the pieces of her life begin to disintegrate around her, her methods become more and more extreme.

Odessa is moving through grief, reflecting on her parents relationship and her own current marriage breakdown while her ‘re-education’ is taking place. We can see how much of an influence processing these emotions are taking on her. Yet, does this excuse her actions or make them more justified?

This book was quite divisive in our book club and it encouraged deeper conversations about our own feminist perspectives and what experiences we’ve had in being disrespected, pushed aside for our thoughts and feelings, as well as what our place is in society.

I cannot wait to join Zoë Coyle for an Instagram Live this Saturday 10am over on @melreviewsherbooks. Come along and ask bookish questions away.

WWW Wednesdays

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WWW Wednesday is hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words 📚 It is a book tag to broaden the reading community and help connect avid readers!

All you have to do is answer the following three questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

CR: Ascension by Nicholas Binge is SO addictive! Imagine a mountain appears out of nowhere but it’s only brought to your attention because you are a physicist that is needed on the highly secretive mission to the top. Everyone who has come back from the top base camp (only 2 so far in its small history) has turned mad and been ‘changed’ from whatever they learnt/experiences/whatever happened up there. And one of those two is the main character’s ex-wife. The story is cleverly written from the past by letters the main character is holding onto for his niece. In the present time, the main character is found by his brother in a mental facility and he has also lost his mind. So we know what’s to come but how does it all play out. I cannot wait to finish this book!

RF: The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams was my recent fun and smutty read for my week off from bookselling. It was great and you can find my review here (click me romance go-er) 💖

RN: Death of a Book Seller by Alice Slater is a book I know nearly nothing about but have every desire to read from its title! How capturing and well, frightening … This book involves a true crime bookseller buff, a new employee who is not as they seem and a deadly friendship. It’s had pretty high reviews so I am keen to give it a whirl.

What are you all reading this week? Leave a COMMENT below 💬

Purchase or download your books via this link: BOOKTOPIA