Monday 8 February 2016

The Farmer's Perfect Match - My Journey to Publication




with Marilyn Forsyth

I’m as excited as all get-out! My debut book The Farmer’s Perfect Match was released a week ago, fulfilling a dream I’ve had since I was a teenager. The book was a long time in production; it took over two years to write, had a number of incarnations before I felt it was good enough for a successful pitch, and it required hours of research.

from Trailermade Production

But, man, was it worth it!



The initial inspiration for the story came from a reality match-making show. I was a Farmer Wants a Wife tragic! Each series tugged at my emotions; I desperately wanted every one of those lonely farmers to find their happy ever after. (Still do with the new series - except for that older guy!)

One particular season featured a pearl farmer, and I thought what an idyllic setting the Western Australia coast would make for a story. So, I had my hero and my setting, but I wanted a twist, so instead of my hero falling for one of the contestants I had him fall for one of the crew—inbuilt conflict from the start.

We made time for a few wines, too. :)


My characters began to evolve into real people over a retreat weekend with my writing group, Breathless in the Bush. The getaway was funded by an RWA Group Grant. (If you’re thinking about applying for one of those, do it! Such a fabulous RWA initiative.) We participated in a heap of writing-related activities, one of which was an Antagonist writing a letter of introduction to the reader. That’s when the narcissistic Chrissy sprang to life.




We also spent a session on Gary Chapman’s Five Love Languages where we had to decide our main characters’ primary love language, why they developed that particular primary love language, and how the MCs would fulfil each other’s needs. That’s where my emotionally wounded Adam and empathetic healer, Evie, emerged.

We saw some amazing sights.



Researching was a whole other experience. I’d never been to the Kimberley, and had no knowledge of pearl-farming or the TV industry, but researching exotic locations and jobs I’ll never do, it’s…well, it’s nothing short of bliss for me. I had contacts that had either studied or worked within the TV/film industry who helped me with the details of an on-location shoot, and also a contact within a fostering agency for advice. The great people at the Kimberley Visitors Centre also happily answered my many questions. But actually holidaying in beautiful Broome and visiting a pearl farm helped make the setting that much more authentic.


After many meetings with my fabulous crit partners and having finalled in a couple of RWA contests, I decided my book was at last ready to find a home so, heart-in-mouth, I pitched to Sue Brockhoff (then acquiring editor of Harlequin MIRA Australia) at the 2014 RWA Conference. It was scary, but no one could have been lovelier than Sue, and when she asked me to send my entire ms, I was over the moon. It took quite a few months, but when the offer to publish came through it was like all my Christmases had come at once.

For those of you who will read or have read The Farmer’s Perfect Match, I sincerely hope you enjoy Evie and Adam’s story. (And don't forget to watch the new series of The Farmer Wants a Wife.)


I'm looking for a setting for my new book. What's your favourite part of Australia? 

To celebrate the release of The Farmer's Perfect Match I'm giving away a copy (paper book or e-book) to one lucky commenter. Winner to be chosen at random and announced next Monday (so don't forget to check back). Good luck!

You can visit Marilyn's website at marilynforsyth.com.au where you'll find a fantastic book trailer from Trailermade Production and some other interesting stuff, or check out her Pinterest board for The Farmer's Perfect Match.






Love to love seeing my book in stores everywhere, alongside other authors I admire so much.


Love to laugh(and cry) with Nina Proudman and her wonderfully wacky family from Offspring. I've been binge-watching the early seasons in preparation for Season 6.



Love to learn about sites like brain.fm. I usually prefer to write with no noise but this site provides background music that actually helped me to focus on my writing without being distracted. You get 7 free sessions. Here's the link: https://www.brain.fm/app  Try it out!

45 comments:

  1. Marilyn, I have immediately downloaded your fabulous sounding book onto my Kindle, and can't wait to start. I adore The Farmer Wants A Wife as well, and obviously have started watching the new season as well. But, wow, your story to publication sounds lovely, and amazing, and hard work well done by you. Huge congratulations! The first of many, I hope. And P.S. over Christmas I read a book called Useful by the writer of Offspring, Debra Oswald, and it was a great, quirky read.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by, Malvina! It's been a hectic but wonderful week since the release and the support has been fantastic. I must get hold of Debra Oswald's book. I just love Nina's character so I'm sure I'll enjoy reading about others by the same author.

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  2. What a wonderful and inspiring journey to publication, Marilyn. Thanks for sharing. The Farmer's Perfect Match sounds like such a great story, and with a pearl farmer too!
    Wishing you all the very, very best with your release.
    PS. Your trailer was fab!

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    1. Hi Cathryn! Lovely to see you here. Thanks so much for the well-wishes. Gab Battistel from Trailermade Production did a fantastic job with the trailer, didn't she? I'm so proud to share it. You are now in the running to win my book. Good luck!

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  3. If I had know you were giving one away I'd have waited. But if I win I'd like a signed copy please. The one I bought I will use as a give away in our Historical group BIAM. Love the grants idea. Might use that for our group. 😀

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    1. Hi Joanne! If you win (and you're now in the running) I'd be delighted to sign it for you :). The Breathless group have applied for 2 RWA grants now, a few years apart, and been successful. They are a fantastic initiative from RWA which I hope they're going to be able to continue.

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    2. May need to chat on how to do them. Privately of course. Great idea.

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    3. Also my favourite place in Austalia is DUBBO. Love my town. A great place to live love and write. In the world Scotland. Ahhhhhh

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    4. Ah, Dubbo! Now there's a place I haven't been to since the kids were little. Love the zoo!
      As for Scotland, I'm with you! We're going back later in the year as we missed out on too much on first visit a few years back, and I do own a small piece of land there (like, one square foot at Dunan's castle :D ).

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    5. Totally agree. I still have a few castles in Scotland to see.

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  4. Other than The Shire, my favourite place in Oz is Tasmania from the snow-capped mountains to the windswept coastlines. It helps that there are a number of bourbon makers there too ;-).

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    1. Hi Dee, Tasmania is the one state I've never visited. I'll have to change that! Bourbon makers, you say... :)

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    2. Bourbon makers? You've got me...

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  5. ...we can sip and sit and read Marilyn's book!

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    1. I've already read it (like a million times! :D ), but I'd love to join you.

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  6. Hi Marilyn. I'm so happy for you and your debut book. I think I've "nearly" got as excited as you seeing it in the shops. My favourite place is the Hunter Valley. All that wine and cheese=heaven.

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    1. Hi Cassandra, with you being one of my best writing buddies, I know how excited you've been for me and I can't tell you how good that makes me feel.
      I haven't been to the Hunter for years, but I have fabulous memories of a holiday there. Thanks for the reminder of a beautiful part of Australia (and with wine, no less!).

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  7. Hi Marilyn. First off, I adore the cover of the book. But not just that, I love the title of the story too. I love watching Farmer Wants A Wife, which I become a little fanatic over, but I love reading and your story is just what I need to read at the moment. Congratulations on the release of your book.

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    1. Hi! Thanks for dropping by. I'm so happy that you love the cover and title! :D You're in the running for a copy of the book so don't forget to check back next Monday to see if you're the winner (I'll give you an email address to contact me with your name and address). Good luck!

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  8. Hi Marilyn (and Cathryn) I tried to comment in a reply ... so sorry if this repeats.

    Marilyn was great to work to with for the Trailer and other promo product. The bright, happy energy she had put into our pre-production time was inspirational and comes out in the trailer... Congrats again on the release and I wish you very well with the book!!! Cheers, Gab @ Trailer made

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  9. Congrats Marilyn - I got so excited when I found it in bookstores around here. :)

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    1. Hi Nicole! Thanks for stopping by. Yours was actually the first sighting of my book in the shops. Was I excited to see it on Facebook???? Little bit :D
      Thanks for the congrats, and congratulations to you on the release of ''Hartley's Grange'. Can't wait to read it.

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  10. I've seen first hand the amount of work that went into this(was forced to endure a Kimberley Cruise as part of the research). The end result is a great read -you don't have to be a romance reader or even be a reader at all to enjoy this!!

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    1. Gotta love a husband who gives you endless support. ;)

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    2. Totally agree. Love my man.

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  11. Hi Marilyn

    I am so happy for you writing a book would be lots of work this is one book that is on my must have list :)

    You know I have never been to Tasmania (although I have read a couple of stories set there) so maybe there so I can arm chair travel :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Hi Helen. Lovely to see you here.
      So far that's 2 votes for Tassie. :)
      You're in the running to win my book, so good luck!

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  12. The Kimberly's is my favourite part of Australia, throw in some romance and the scene is set. Can't wait to read your book, sounds great :-)

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    1. Hi Sharon, thanks for stopping by, and for nominating your favourite part of Australia. The Kimberley makes a stunning backdrop for romance, doesn't it? I'd love to get back there some time.

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  13. Congratulations Marilyn on getting your dream published, its so inspiring to read the personal stories of the fantastic range of Australian Rural Romance authors. I cant wait until the library gets your book in so I can read it. Good luck with your next novel

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    1. Thanks so much for the congrats! We do have a treasure trove of Aussie Rural Romance writers, and I'm so happy to find myself among them.
      I was actually at my local library today to find out when the copies they ordered would be arriving. I think it will be as much of a thrill to see it on the Library shelves as it was to see it in the shops. :)
      Good luck in the draw!

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  14. Hi Marilyn, Congratulations on the release of "The Farmer's Perfect Match". I'm enjoying reading it on my kindle. My favourite part of Australia is Kangaroo Island. Wild sea lions and fur seals, spectacular scenery, and remote lighthouses and limestone caves with some wonderful folk tales surrounding them.

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    1. Hi Sharon! I'm so glad you're enjoying Evie and Adam's story.
      I've heard Kangaroo Island is one of the most naturally beautiful places in Australia. Will definitely have to try to get there.

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  15. Hi Marilyn. Your journey to publication sure is an inspiration. I am so so happy you got to your dream goal. And hope this is the start of many more successes. Your debut book is a wonderful read that tugged on my emotions and i found myself crying. That's a sign of a truly lovely story, imo.

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    1. Hi Enisa! Thanks for the well-wishes and I'm so happy you enjoyed my book. I love a book that makes me cry, too.

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  16. And my favourite Aussie location is the Blue Mountains. I love all those kilometres of magnificent forest and rivers and wildlife. The scenery is totally relaxing.

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    1. We've spent a number of holidays in and around the Blue Mountains and I have to agree, it's a beautiful, relaxing part of the world. We usually stay at Caves House at Jenolan Caves. Such atmosphere!

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  17. I adore Victoria's Surf Coast... the raw energy of nature, appostles, Port Fairy... love it all :)

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    1. Hi Sara! The Great Ocean Road is on my bucket list as a must-see (before all those Apostles disappear). Thanks for stopping by :).

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  18. Great post, Marilyn! Congrats on the release of The Farmer's Perfect Match. Sounds like an awesome story, looking forward to reading it. I love Tropical North QLD - just beautiful. Hubby and I travelled all over North QLD 7 years ago and we fell in love with the tropics. But my all time favourite place is Wollongong I couldn't imagine living anywhere else - breathtaking views, a gorgeous harbour, spectacular beaches and an impressive historic lighthouse.

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    1. Hi Sue! So happy to see you made it here :). Thanks for the congrats; it's been a whirlwind of a week.
      I love the Qld tropics too, but I have to agree with you about Wollongong. Wouldn't live anywhere else for quids.

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  19. This is very inspiring journey to publication. Thanks dear for sharing this story here. I also lunched a storybook and my publication journey was also very hard. But I am glad that my first book launch event at the event venues in NYC was successful.

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    1. Thanks so much for dropping by, Wenni. I hope my book launch tomorrow will be as successful as yours was.

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