Something that people often ask me in interviews is why aren’t more of my books set in Australia? And really, the answer to that is, um, I don’t really know? Well, 2017 is the year that’s going to change! Back in October at GRL, I agreed to write a series of Australian books for Riptide. Specifically, Australian books focussing on first responders. And you know what that means, right? Coppers, ambos, and hot firies! (These are just some of the words I will throw into these stories that I’m sure will confuse my readers!)

So it’ll be a lot of fun to write a book set in my neck of the woods, for sure. I mean, technically Brady from Dark Space was from northwest Queensland, but I think I was the only person who ever knew that. It’s also going to be interesting to write books about the emergency services, which is something I’ve avoided doing so far. For those of you who don’t know, my day job is police dispatcher, so at least research isn’t going to be a problem.

The first book is underway. Its working title is Two Man Station, which I think definitely suits the genre. Also, it’s what we call a police station with only two officers. Usually that means that I get to call them in the middle of the night, sounding apologetic, and trying to convey in as few words as possible that they need to get out of bed and go and break up some disturbance or another. And then I watch the clock and make sure to call them again if I don’t hear back in five minutes, just in case they’ve fallen asleep again.

I’m actually quite excited to write some books set in Australia. I think it’s going to be a fun opportunity to showcase northern Queensland, where I live. It’s not entirely spiders and snakes and crocodiles and jellyfish, you know! I mean, it’s mostly that, but not entirely… there are possums as well.

Bloody possums.

I don’t know yet if a possum will make it into the first book, but one will definitely make it in somewhere in the series! I feel like I’ll be wasting all that time I’ve spent complaining about possums if I don’t actually use one, right?

Speaking of, here’s Scrappy sitting on my stove. Notice the paw coming out of her pouch… yes, she has another baby. And yes, she’s eating a cracker that I gave here because I’d run out of bananas. Sometimes I wonder why I can’t get rid of the possums… and then I take a good hard look at myself and know I’ve only got myself to blame.

Can you believe that it’s 2017, and that we’re already halfway through January? But I hope everyone is having a great start to 2017. I started 2017 with a resolution to finally get those chickens I’d wanted for ages. Which is a much easier resolution to keep that any others I’ve ever made, I promise. The chickens arrived about a week and a half ago now, and they’re settling in well. I don’t know why it took my so long to get chickens. Probably because of that annoying adult voice in the back of my mind that reminded me that I don’t even like eggs that much… And sure, I don’t like eggs that much, but I love having chickens!

Happy 2017 to everyone, and may we all have a wonderful, fulfilling year. And may you get all the chickens you wish for!