I thought I was so cool, handing over twenty-five Euros to a freshly washed junkie I’d met in a Red Light District coffeeshop, instead of one of the smellier ones lurking on the poorly-lit bridges crisscrossing the canals. As soon as he pocketed the cash, he scurried outside and charged down the street. I hurried after him, half-running to keep up. When he darted into a darkened alleyway, I froze and my guard went up. Was he robbing me, or…
April is upon us which means ‘Fiction and Memoirs by Expats and Travelers month’ is now officially over. Many thanks to everyone who stopped by my blog in March to read the seven wonderful articles and interviews by Melissa Burovac, Jill Dobbe, Anne Hamilton, myself (Jennifer S. Alderson), Beth Green, Pamela Allegretto and Annika Milisic-Stanley. It was an honor for me to feature their posts and I enjoyed learning more about all of their stories! If you missed any of…
Pamela Allegretto is the author of my favorite historical fiction novel of 2016, Bridge of Sighs and Dreams, a captivating story set in Italy during World War Two. Her own experiences as an exchange student and expat living in the country of her forefathers inspired the characters, plot and beautifully described setting for her debut novel. It is a pleasure to learn more about its inception. The Birth of a Novel By Pamela Allegretto The tutelage of my Italian…
When I published my first novel, Down and Out in Kathmandu, one of the first ‘reviewers’ I emailed the good news to was Beth Green, Book Editor of The Displaced Nation, a global community of creative expats. Even though she politely informed me that she didn’t do straight up book reviews, we kept in touch and I have had the pleasure of contributing to two of her columns. Ever since our first email conversation, I’ve been fascinated with her TCK…
So far this month we have been introduced to three travel memoir authors – Melissa Burovac, Jill Dobbe and Anne Hamilton – and their unique stories. It has been a pleasure reading about their journeys and how their travels influenced their writing. The rest of the month I will feature articles by former and current expats and authors Beth Green, Annika Milisc-Stanley and Pamela Allegretto here on my blog. Today I want to share my own story about how I…
Jill Dobbe’s extensive experience as an international educator enriches her fascinating travel memoir, Kids, Camels & Cairo, a book I highly recommend to those considering taking the plunge and working overseas. It is quite an insightful read, as is this article ‘Write What You Know’. Write What You Know By Jill Dobbe Hemingway said it and I write by it. It’s the advice I remember receiving, and the reason I became a published author in my fifties. Upon…
I’m honored beyond belief to see my second novel, The Lover’s Portrait: An Art Mystery, included in The Displaced Nation’s yearly roundup of recommended books for, by, and about expats and other global creatives! Read their list of 36 top fiction picks for 2016 and find a new title or two to read: Top 60 books for, by & about expats and other global creatives in 2016 (1/2) Posted by ML Awanohara on February 25, 2017 “Are bookworms like earth worms: do…