Blog
Stories my jewellery tells
I suspect I'm part magpie for I gravitate towards the shiny and sparkly, and am a self-confessed, jewellery junkie.I recently bought a set of Stackers boxes from the UK, a flexible storage system which has transformed my life in jewellery. However, as I organized my...
Canadian repatriation: Month 9
It's now three-quarters of a year since I returned to live in Canada. Nine months is the same length of time as a pregnancy and in many ways, these past months have been similarly life changing.There have been times of great joy. Getting the book deal I’d worked...
When a dream comes true
As many of you already know, in late 2015 an editor from a big New York publishing house called my literary agent. She wanted to buy my 2015 Romance Writers of America® Golden Heart® final manuscript, in a three book deal, for her publisher’s digital-first...
Clothes make the woman (and her heroines)
I've never owned a pair of Jimmy Choo sneakers. At prices topping US$500.00 I'm not likely to either. I'm also not likely to own an exquisite Chanel handbag of the kind I saw a white-gloved sales assistant sell in bulk to a trio of Chinese businessmen at Hong Kong’s...
I’m Jen Gilroy and I’m an author
In February 2015, a UK YouGov poll highlighted that "author" was the dream job for 60% of the British population. Published author is my dream job too, and I'd long imagined what it would be like to say "author" when asked for my occupation. However, like many other...
Full circle in life and writing
Many years ago while studying for my public relations (PR) qualification, I volunteered at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). I wrote articles for the CHEO Foundation newsletter and advertising copy to support a fundraising campaign. Back then, with...
Romance: It’s more than hearts and flowers
Although I'm a romance writer, Valentine's Day has never been a big event.I don't like red roses, and I already eat too much chocolate. There's also something about a designated day to celebrate love, and the related marketing hoopla, that makes me uncomfortable.Tech...
Music in life and stories
Confession. I've listened to a lot of songs by The Partridge Family lately. Along with ABBA, Jace Everett, Dean Brody, Bruce Springsteen, Sam Hunt and a Mozart flute concerto.Why such an eclectic mix?Like many authors, I have a playlist for each book I write. Music...
Canadian repatriation: Month 6
It's now six months since I left England to start a new life in Canada. As much as I love my new home and have put down roots here, I also find myself reflecting on what I miss about the place I left behind.Living in an old countryI live in rural eastern Ontario, an...
Photo by Robin Spencer, Spencer Studio