Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m currently living on a 1920’s Dutch Barge in France.
I’m originally from the UK, but moved to Australia in my twenties. I grew up with horses in the Uk until my world was shattered with a with a bereavement. Disillusioned with life I ran away to Australia and met and married Noel.
Noel and I bought a ten metre sail boat. So, within my first year of living in a foreign land I was becoming accustomed to a foreign husband and a foreign life on board!
Mariah II took us around the world. Pyewacket II (our second boat, purchased in San Francisco) took us across the Pacific Ocean for a second time on a more southerly route. Adventures include The Great Loop in the USA plus Canada’s Great Lakes and the French Canals.
I went on to becoming a qualified mariner – Certificate IV in Maritime (Master 4 – up to 80 metre vessels) and MED3 (Marine Engine Driver) certificate.
As a commercial skipper, I’ve worked internationally, I’ve been a Marine Rescue skipper, and I teach commercial and recreational maritime.
With Noel, I wrote a pilot book (in America) and Cruisers’ AA (accumulated acumen). I have also written several hundred magazine articles worldwide.
At the end of last year (2014) I published my story, Of Foreign Build – From Corporate Girl To Sea-Gypsy Woman. A story of love, adventure, redemption, travel and figuring out who I am! My 5* reviews call the story, “moving”, “rousing”, “stimulating”, “unconventional”, ‘inspiriting”, “resolute.”
My next project, which I plan to launch in May is the story of five horses, two people and a tent. For several months Noel and I trekked along the Bicentennial National Trail in Australia, with five rescued horses. We had no support. Fifty percent of the proceeds from this book will be donated to help rescue more horses.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Of Foreign Build – From Corporate Girl to Sea-Gypsy Woman. my nine year journey around the world on a ten metre boat – figuring out who I am and trying to find happiness.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I need quiet when I write and once I get going, I write for hours and get a numb bum! My first draft is rattled off really quickly, then I spend months and months and months editing.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Dick Francis, Ken Follet, and Albert Facey who wrote A Fortunate Life. Facey wrote about his extraordinary life as an ordinary person – that’s inspiring!
What are you working on now?
As about – A Standard Journey – Noel and I rescued five Standardbred horses in Australia. They were all ex-trotters, injured or no longer winning money, they were all under ten and if they didn’t find new homes… their future didn’t look good.
We lived with these horses twenty-four-seven for several months on the Bicentennial National Trail, without support. The horses were incredible – Noel and I were not. The story is heart-warming and hysterical. Living with horses and relying on each other is an amazing experience with many surprises!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Keep at it! Before, during and after launch marketing will take ALL your time (well it did for me). Now, I keep the marketing simmering. Most days I will do something positive, whether it is a tweet, a blog, an interview, or answering questions. I help other authors too about 80% of the time and promote my books about 20% of the time – in the hope I receive reciprocating help – on the whole I do. As many authors find out, it is a lot of hard work writing and publishing a book, but the real work starts once you’ve written it!
I do lots of giveaways and promotions, you need to get your book in front of people.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you want to do it – just do it. A few sentences adds up really quickly, just keep plugging away. It is hard work though, but incredibly rewarding. When you can’t write (ie you need a break), research – this work still help you. There is a lot to learn whether you are traditionally published or Indie, I learn something knew everyday. It’s a job and a business – if you want to do it as a hobby, that is great too, but unless you are very lucky, not many people will see your book. If you want to make sales – treat it as a business. Join discussion groups for authors – don’t just promote your work, there is so much help and support, eventually you will be helping others!
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Just write!
What are you reading now?
Mistake Creek by Rachel Amphlett. Rachel is a bestselling author and we help each other a lot. I am currently beta reading for her (edits prior to sending her work to a professional editor). She’ll have a group of us reading. I’ve only read the first chapter and it grabbed me by the throat already! I read to 1 am and I’m tired now!
What’s next for you as a writer?
A few more manuals, barge/boat handling manual and maybe the story of our two years on board our second boat when we sailed to Pitcairn and Easter Island. We almost lost the boat, and it was a hard journey. After that, I’d like to try fiction, I have so many ideas already.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Anything by Ken Follet, Dick Francis and hmmmm will have to think about that, probably an encyclopedia – need to think ‘big’!
Author Websites and Profiles
Jackie Parry Website
Jackie Parry Amazon Profile
Jackie Parry’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account