Meet Australian Author, Lisa Heidke

I'm an American author, Gay N. Lewis, and I'd like  you to meet Australian author, Lisa Heidke.

 Lisa began writing in 2000, and she is now an international author with eight books. She uses different names for her novels and is familiar with rebranding herself.

She teaches Creative Writing at the Australian Writers’ Centre in Sydney, present workshops and writing retreats, most recently in Tuscany, Italy. She has also been on panels at RWA conferences, GenreCon, and many Australian and international writers’ festivals. She studied journalism and worked as an acquisitions editor before writing for Asutralian Consolidated Press flagship magazines. 

I asked Lisa about the differences in our individual countries in the publishing industry. She replied.

The difference between Australian English and American English lies in spelling. In Australia, words such as "specialise," "authorise," and "analyse" are spelled with an "s" instead of the "z" that is standard in American English.

Another major spelling difference is the use of the letter "u." In Australian English, words like "colour" and "favourite" include the "u," while American English drops it, spelling them as "color" and "favorite."

 In Australia, sweets are called lollies, while Americans refer to them as candy and British people call them sweets. What Australians call tomato sauce is known as ketchup in America.

 Christmas Crackers are called "bon-bons" in Australia, although the term "crackers" is sometimes used. In Australia, a nappie is what you put on your baby's bottom. In America, it’s called a diaper.  In Australia, a flat is a place people live with one or two bedrooms. In America, this is called an apartment.  A cooler in the USA, is called an Esky in Australia.

She'll be right. - "I hit my arm, but she'll be right". Means "it'll be okay" and can be said about almost anything. The car’s playing up, but she'll be right. I have a sore head, but she'll be right. This report is due in 30 minutes, but she'll be right. Etc.

 No worries - not a problem. I sometimes get pulled up on that one, and it means literally that, “no worries, it’s fine.”

 “All good” in Australia, means, “No, I don’t want another drink, or help in a department store…etc.  American publishers will pull me up on this one and ask, how can a person say, “All good, when they mean no?”  Very funny.

I asked Lisa to tell us about life in Australia.

I live at Gerroa, a small coastal village, (population 494), two hours south of Sydney, Australia, with my partner and two huge Ragdoll cats, Oscar and Felix. Our clifftop home overlooks the Pacific Ocean, and our weather can be unpredictable; marine grade winds, high surf, and torrential storms one day, and calm seas, whales, dolphins, and sunshine, the next. I have three gorgeous adult children who all live in Sydney, happily leading independent, fulfilling lives.

Lisa's View from her home's balcony.

In 2021, Lisa found a publishing home with Bloodhound Books UK. With new branding and pen name, Lisa Darcy was born. That same year, Lily’s Little Flower Shop, a fish-out-of-water coastal romance, was published. Lily’s Little Flower Shop has since been published in several languages, including French and Italian.

I asked Lisa to tell us about the ladies in her books. Here’s her reply.

 "I like writing stories that balance elements of drama and comedy - dramedy. A common thread throughout my novels is women finding the strength to move forward when faced with challenging circumstances. These characters deal with real-life circumstances such as divorce, betrayal, heartache, and addiction, with behaviours that are unpredictable, messy, flawed, and generally lead to more chaos with a sprinkling of humour. Hopefully readers recognize a little of themselves in the way these relatable characters ultimately reinvent themselves for a more promising and fulfilling future.”

 Lisa recently found a US publisher, Wings ePress, and her latest release is The Pact. 

The Pact

Here’s a blurb: Sisters are for life, aren’t they? The Pact is a gripping narrative about winning and losing, and pushing through when you have nothing left to give. Samantha and Annie Callahan are successful doubles champions–the toast of the Olympics, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadow. But their partnership spirals out of control when Annie’s new boyfriend announces their engagement at the Australian Open. Amidst rising anger and betrayal, Samantha does the unthinkable after a devastating Wimbledon loss. The sisters must confront the past to take control of the present. But can Samantha and Annie both win?

You can reach Lisa across the Pond. Here’ s her email. Lisa Darcy - lheidke@bigpond.net.au

Email: lisadarcyauthor@gmail.com

Facebook: Lisa Darcy – author

Twitter: @lisadarcyauthor

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