October News: Two Releases, 800 Signings, and My Next Novel!

🎪 Come to the circus with me!

Hello Book Besties 👋

After a busy week on the other side of the country (more on that below), I’ve been back in my office at my desk for a week and excited to be getting stuck into my next women’s fiction novel, THE LUCKY SISTERS, which is scheduled to be out late next year. This book has been in my head for a couple of years now and I can’t wait to get it onto the page.

Anyone who has been following me for a while will know I’m not much of a planner, but as I have QUITE a tight deadline, I’ve been spending this week really trying to solidify my characters in my head, think a little bit about structure and where the big scenes might fall, which will hopefully make the writing easier and faster (famous last words). This week I will truly get stuck into the writing and then I will aim to get out 10,000 words a week every week til the end of January (with one week off at Christmas). No rest for the wicked, or those with lots of book ideas!

But YOU don’t have to wait long for my next book, in fact I have TWO books out between now and Valentines Day, which is one of the reasons I went to Sydney week before last. I visited my publishers HQ Harper Collins to discuss fun promotion plans and also sign 800 (!!) copies of OUTBACK REUNION for Big W. OUTBACK REUNION (the 6^th in my Bunyip Bay series) is out October 30^th. If you’ve been a fan of this series for a while, stay tuned for some very exciting merch that will soon be available to win and if you’re new to the series, never fear this novel is a standalone story. However, if you’re keen to catch up or need a refresher, I’ll be posting a “Cliff Notes” guide to books 1-5 between now and release.

The book after that is THE BAD BRIDESMAID – copy edits are done, the book is with the proofreader and advanced reading copies are currently being printed. I can’t wait to see them and maybe do a giveaway for one lucky reader!

While in Sydney I was lucky enough to also catch up with a few author friends, but only got a couple of photos. I met domestic thriller author, Ali Lowe, for lunch, had cocktails with historical fiction author, Emily Madden, at Beyond The Bookcase (highly recommend a visit if you’re near Surry. Hills) and caught up with fellow women’s fiction author, Sophie Green at Dymocks Sydney (where we signed some books). I also had dinner with eight Sydney writers, but we were so busy talking we forgot to take photos. After that it was off to Brisbane for the Romance Writers of Australia strategy and planning weekend. I’m the secretary of RWAus and spent a full-on weekend with the rest of the fabulous committee making lots of big plans for the next year.

If you’re a writer of ANY genre and are looking for an organisation that offers you community, networking, craft, business advice and more, I can’t recommend joining RWAus enough.

It was a full-on and fun week but now I’m so glad to be able to spend quality time with twins, Norah and Stevie Lucky (did I mention they’re the main characters in my new book?).

Until next month, happy reading.

1. Me and Ali Lowe outside Bill’s Darlinghurst post lunch

2. Me and Emily Madden with some of the best cocktails I’ve ever had

3. Me and Sophie with our books and a lovely team member at Dymocks Sydney

4. Me and Cheryl from Better Reading

5. Massive pile of books pre-signing

6. Me with a freshly signed copy!

For more photos, follow me on Facebook or Instagram. 

OUTBACK REUNION! 🥳

Pre-order competition:

 Have you heard? If you pre-order OUTBACK REUNION now from your favourite retailer, you can go in the draw to WIN a your name in one of my upcoming novels, plus an RJ mug and gourmet goodies.

Good luck. xx

Upcoming Events

Lines Between the Sand Festival author talk - https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/lines-in-the-sand-author-talk-with-rachael-johns-tickets-1003197218887

Lines Between the Sand Festival Romance Writing Workshop - https://events.visitfrasercoast.com/event/29292204-a/lines-in-the-sand-writing-workshop-with-rachael-johns

As I have such a busy writing schedule at the moment, I will only be doing a few in-person events for the release of OUTBACK REUNION and only in Western Australia. I’m sorry to disappoint readers in other states but I promise with two books out next year, I’ll be getting around to other cities as much as I can.

• High Tea at Bunbury Library – Thurs 31/10/24, 10.30am. Cost $10 Tickets available here: https://www.bunbury.wa.gov.au/libraries/whats-on/events/high-tea-with-rachael-johns-tickets-1008119621927

• Writers of the North at Clarkson Library with me, Holden Shephard, Sara Foster, David Allen-Petale and Josephine Taylor – Sat 9/11/24, 2pm. Tickets free but please reserve your spot here:   https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/writers-of-the-north-a-literary-fiesta-clarkson-library-tickets-1027673628487

• An Evening with the Author at Don Russell Performing Arts Centre – Wed 13/11/24, 6pm, Free event but please register here: https://gosnells-events.bookable.net.au/#!/event-detail/ev_350d81ce0ef241d88822f670e66f2e92

• Author Talk at Byford Library – Tues 19/11/24, 5pm, To book call (08) 9526 1133

ICYMI THE OTHER BRIDGET released in the UK and the US with Bloodhound Books – it’s got a different cover but the inside is exactly the same and I’m so excited to be hearing from readers outside Aus and NZ who are loving Bridget as well.

🎧 Listening Recommendation:

Talking Aussie Books with Lizzy Dent – in case you’ve been living under a rock, Lizzy Dent (author of humorous and heartfelt contemporary romances) is my cousin, and her books are ALMOST as FANTABULISTIC as she is. I loved this interview between her and podcaster, Claudine Tinnelis (and not just because she spent a lot of time raving about me)!

📖 Reading Recommendation:

After Annie by Anna Quindlen – one of my subscribers reached out to recommend this book after reading my post about loving quiet novels and I immediately bought and started reading it. Although it’s about a husband, kids and best friend dealing with the aftermath of the death of their rock (wife, mother, best friend), it doesn’t feel like a depressing read.

📺 Viewing Recommendation:

I know I’m late to the party but on the plane last week I watched The Idea of You and I LOVED it! The chemistry between the main characters was HOT! I loved the age gap romance and the look at the downsides of fame. I’ve had the book in my TBR pile for years and now I really wanna read it!

Still want more?

Check out my Ask Me Anything video with Better Reading here: